The collection and interpretation of geospatial data is central to activities of Geographers, Ecologists, Geologists, and Environmental Scientists, whether on computers or in the field. Our use of remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) combine field data collection and geographical methodologies with cutting edge technology and computer-based information systems. These serve to process information we collect, in particular to visualise and analyse spatial and temporal differences in observational data.
Within our research group we focus on environmental and ecological data acquired through many means including GPS, Radar, Lidar, Sonar, Electro-Optical Imaging, Thermal Imaging, Aerial photography, Spectroscopy, Geomagnetism, and essential ground validation measurements. These data are collected and analysed to support research in a variety of fields including, but not restricted to, Archaeology, Environmental Science, Ecology, Geography, Geology, Geomorphology and Land-cover/Land-use change.
The research group comprises a multi-disciplinary team of scientists with expertise in active and passive remote sensing, physics, engineering, ecology, GIS, and the use of Small Unmanned Aircraft. Our activities revolve around the central themes of data acquisition and interpretation to overcome real world problems and deliver solutions.
Examples of our work include seabed habitat mapping using multibeam acoustic data and GIS, historical landscape modelling, forest radar backscatter modelling, lidar/radar fusion to determine vertical forest canopy structure, leaf area index estimation, remote monitoring of gully erosion, channel patterns, dynamics and hydraulic connectivity of the world’s largest rivers, characterisation of Shuttle Radar Topography Mission digital elevation model (SRTM DEM) slope dependence, and impacts of the Landsat Data Continuity Mission.