Generation of Digital Elevation Models by Fusion of Image and Terrain Laser Scan Data. There are currently two separate approaches to obtaining digital elevation models of the terrain surface by remote sensing, image based methods using aerial or satellite images and scanner techniques by terrain laser scanners. Each method provides elevations with high accuracy, but both require significant input from an operator during processing. It is proposed to take advantage of the synegies of these two ....Generation of Digital Elevation Models by Fusion of Image and Terrain Laser Scan Data. There are currently two separate approaches to obtaining digital elevation models of the terrain surface by remote sensing, image based methods using aerial or satellite images and scanner techniques by terrain laser scanners. Each method provides elevations with high accuracy, but both require significant input from an operator during processing. It is proposed to take advantage of the synegies of these two forms of data by combining the processing into a single solution for elevation determination by data fusion. This approach will improve the quality and efficiency of elevation determination.Read moreRead less
Characterizing the hydrological cycle using water isotopes, land-surface models and satellite observations. Water is our most precious natural resource. In Australia, it is also our most precarious. The hydrological cycle describes the movement of water between the ocean, atmosphere and land. Understanding the effect and impact that a changing climate might have on the hydrological cycle is critical to securing Australia's water resources. To address these challenges, we must improve our basic u ....Characterizing the hydrological cycle using water isotopes, land-surface models and satellite observations. Water is our most precious natural resource. In Australia, it is also our most precarious. The hydrological cycle describes the movement of water between the ocean, atmosphere and land. Understanding the effect and impact that a changing climate might have on the hydrological cycle is critical to securing Australia's water resources. To address these challenges, we must improve our basic understanding of the water exchange processes within the Earth system. Our project will exploit new technology in ground and space based observation, combined with advanced modeling and measurement capabilities, to develop an improved understanding and characterization of Australian hydrological cycles and aid in assessing climate change related impacts. Read moreRead less
Hydraulic Systems and State Development in Early Cambodia: Mapping the Engineered Landscapes of the Khmer Using Remote Sensing. Due to recent discoveries, Australian research at Angkor, in Cambodia, has gained increasing visibility worldwide. The ARC-funded Greater Angkor Project (Discovery) and Living With Heritage project (Linkage) have produced results of international significance, developed strong long-term partnerships with Cambodian agencies and UNESCO, and have pioneered the large-scale ....Hydraulic Systems and State Development in Early Cambodia: Mapping the Engineered Landscapes of the Khmer Using Remote Sensing. Due to recent discoveries, Australian research at Angkor, in Cambodia, has gained increasing visibility worldwide. The ARC-funded Greater Angkor Project (Discovery) and Living With Heritage project (Linkage) have produced results of international significance, developed strong long-term partnerships with Cambodian agencies and UNESCO, and have pioneered the large-scale mapping of World Heritage-listed sites using airborne imaging radar systems in collaboration with NASA. This project will extend these partnerships, consolidate Australia's leading position in radar analysis methods, and continue to produce results with global implications for the understanding and management of World Heritage sites.Read moreRead less
Integrated GPS and interferometric SAR techniques for ground subsidence monitoring. The Global Positioning System (GPS) is commonly used for measuring ground subsidence due to underground mining and similar activities. However, GPS techniques cannot easily survey a dense enough grid of points to monitor subsidence across a wide area. This project aims to densify the GPS field measurements with the interferometric processing of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images. The outcomes of this research ....Integrated GPS and interferometric SAR techniques for ground subsidence monitoring. The Global Positioning System (GPS) is commonly used for measuring ground subsidence due to underground mining and similar activities. However, GPS techniques cannot easily survey a dense enough grid of points to monitor subsidence across a wide area. This project aims to densify the GPS field measurements with the interferometric processing of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images. The outcomes of this research include optimal integration models, operational software systems and quality-control measures. A test area south of Sydney, where subsidence caused by underground coal mining is having significant detrimental effect on surface infrastructure, will be monitored over a three-year period.Read moreRead less
Satellite tracking of health threats from grass pollen exposure. This project aims to discover why pollen exposure has increased since the 1960s. Grass pollens are the main environmental allergen source in Australia and the primary cause of allergic diseases. This project will investigate the ecological causes of changing pollen allergen exposures through integrating 40 years of satellite data, field phenology cameras, and pollen traps that track grass pollen sources, their evolution and impact ....Satellite tracking of health threats from grass pollen exposure. This project aims to discover why pollen exposure has increased since the 1960s. Grass pollens are the main environmental allergen source in Australia and the primary cause of allergic diseases. This project will investigate the ecological causes of changing pollen allergen exposures through integrating 40 years of satellite data, field phenology cameras, and pollen traps that track grass pollen sources, their evolution and impact areas. The outcomes are expected to advance knowledge of environmental drivers and enable more accurate pollen forecasts that alleviate the medical and socioeconomic burden of allergic diseases, estimated to cost 30 billion dollars.Read moreRead less
Closing the water cycle using land surface modelling, remote sensing and an Australian hydrological observatory. Australians live in the driest inhabited continent on Earth. Water supply and its variability have been constant problems throughout our history. This project will use space based satellites, sophisticated ground based instruments and advanced modelling tools to provide a 21st century characterisation of our nation's water resources.
AirLIFT – an airborne active chlorophyll fluorescence sensing system for assessment of photosynthetic activity in plant canopies. Assessment of plant health and productivity is vital to ensure future food security of the global population under a changing climate. Chlorophyll fluorescence (CF), a signal emitted by green plants, can reveal this information. Although CF has revolutionised photosynthetic research, current measurements are limited to individual plants. Remote sensing of canopy CF is ....AirLIFT – an airborne active chlorophyll fluorescence sensing system for assessment of photosynthetic activity in plant canopies. Assessment of plant health and productivity is vital to ensure future food security of the global population under a changing climate. Chlorophyll fluorescence (CF), a signal emitted by green plants, can reveal this information. Although CF has revolutionised photosynthetic research, current measurements are limited to individual plants. Remote sensing of canopy CF is required for efficient management of agricultural crops, forests, and natural ecosystems and is crucial for accurate estimation of plant carbon assimilation and production. This project will deliver remote sensing technology to bridge the gap between leaf and canopy productivity and pave the way for understanding both artificial and solar induced canopy CF measured from space.Read moreRead less
Impacts of extreme hydro-meteorological conditions on ecosystem functioning and productivity patterns across Australia. As Earth’s climate continues to change, the frequency and intensity of warm droughts, extreme precipitation patterns, and heat waves will alter in potentially different ways, ecosystem functioning and productivity with major impacts on carbon and water balance, and food security. The extreme hydro-meteorological conditions that are presently afflicting Australia provide excepti ....Impacts of extreme hydro-meteorological conditions on ecosystem functioning and productivity patterns across Australia. As Earth’s climate continues to change, the frequency and intensity of warm droughts, extreme precipitation patterns, and heat waves will alter in potentially different ways, ecosystem functioning and productivity with major impacts on carbon and water balance, and food security. The extreme hydro-meteorological conditions that are presently afflicting Australia provide exceptional opportunities to study ecosystem-level functional responses using contemporary, in-situ and satellite observational datasets. This project aims to analyse cross-biome and site-level functional responses across contrasting hydroclimatic periods to better understand climate change impacts on ecosystem productivity, resilience, and potential collapse.Read moreRead less