Introduction
Investigating deforestation outcomes can be a time-consuming process.
Traditionally, teams had to jump between Google Earth, GIS software, comparison tools, and multiple exported file formats just to verify what was happening on the ground. This was not only slow and fragmented, but it also made scaling investigations nearly impossible.
The new Visual Inspection feature in Meridia Verify changes this. By bringing satellite imagery and analysis tools directly into the platform, you can start your desk investigations immediately without exporting data or juggling external systems.
Why is it important?
If you’re responsible for monitoring farm plots or validating deforestation alerts, you know how costly and slow field visits can be. Desk verification is indeed possible, but the process can be hasty, especially when more GIS tools are introduced.
With this new Visual Inspection feature in Meridia Verify:
You can check whether a plot really shows forest loss or regrowth without leaving Verify.
The feature integrates historical satellite imagery, advanced vegetation index, and contextual reference layers — giving you confidence in your decisions.
It’s designed to save both time and resources while making the verification process easier to manage.
How to use the Visual Inspection feature
Step 01: Visual Inspection mode
The ‘Visual Inspection’ feature applies to the DEF04 test (farm plot overlapping with a deforestation area – commercial map) and the DEF01 test (farm plot overlapping with a deforestation area – public map).
Identify Farm plots: Once a farm plot has been verified with a DEF04 or DEF01 risk, you can access the Visual Inspection tool directly from the ‘Summary’ board.
View farm plots: In the example below, the summary indicates that 14 plots are flagged as “critical” for the DEF04 test. Click on 'View Farm Plots' to show all the relevant farm plots.
View on Map: You can display farm plots by risk profile. In the example below, the query builder is used to filter farm plots classified as “critical.” Click on 'View on Map' to begin viewing the plots visually on the map.
Activate Visual Inspection mode: Once the map loads, you’ll notice a new button for each plot: 'Visual Inspection'. Click the button, and the dedicated inspection mode opens.
Tip: You can also use the query builder to filter farm plots by any risk profile (low, high, or critical) for visual inspection. The Visual Inspection tool applies to all farm plots, regardless of their risk classification.
Step 02: Explore Visual inspection mode
The dedicated visual inspection mode includes these capabilities for your investigation:
Satellite imagery, the direct integration is the standard true colour image of the Sentinel-2 satellite imagery.
NDVI mode, the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index, measures the vigour of vegetation by analysing how plants absorb red light and reflect near-infrared light. NDVI mode is tailored for GIS professionals to track vegetation changes and focus specifically on deforestation signals.
For both modes, you can use the historical timeline to compare changes in the farm area between 2018 and 2024. Ideally, the farm geometry should be evaluated against satellite images captured:
before 2020,
during 2020 (EUDR cut-off date), and
after 2024.
This approach enables users to identify and assess land-use changes in order to uphold due diligence commitments under EUDR requirements.
Legend pane showing the farm plot layer as well as two external reference layers that are included:
DEF04 map sourced by Space Intelligence.
DEF01 map containing publicly available maps.
Click through different plots to view them directly on the map.
Contextual test information: When clicking on Show more for each plot, users can view additional details such as the percentage of overlapping area or other relevant attributes. This helps align the visual map view with the corresponding quantitative test results.
Zoom in and out to check the detail at the right scale.
Use the built-in screenshot function to download a snapshot to your laptop. Screenshots include key details automatically, and these can then be uploaded straight into the Reclassification tool as supporting evidence.
Step 03: Exit Visual Inspection mode
After completing a visual inspection, you can 'Exit' the Visual Inspection mode and then choose whether to proceed with reclassifying the farm plot based on preliminary evidence indicating whether the plot is contested or not.
By following these steps, you can conduct a desk-based investigation inside Verify without exporting data or switching between multiple external tools. This creates a faster, more integrated workflow for deciding whether to reclassify a plot, escalate the case, or close the issue.
This means less manual work, reduced reliance on field visits, and more confidence in the accuracy of your decisions.
Important Considerations
Visual Inspection is not intended to replace every other tool, but to serve as a strong starting point.
NDVI mode is designed primarily for vegetation and deforestation analysis — other features may not be visible.
Satellite imagery is available from 2018 onwards; earlier changes cannot be reviewed within this feature.
Screenshots automatically include metadata — be sure to keep them organised for your records.
Summary
The Visual Inspection feature in Verify streamlines what used to be a fragmented, manual process. Instead of exporting datasets or depending on third-party software, you can now perform initial investigations directly in the platform. This means quicker decisions, better evidence, and less reliance on costly field checks.
In short, this tutorial should help you get started with visual inspection and see how it can make your verification work both easier and more effective.