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
Beyond discrete landscape metrics: spatial analysis tools and surface textural measures for quantifying gradients in landscape structure. The project will make an important contribution to an Environmental Sustainable Australia, especially the sustainable use and management of Australia's biodiversity. The focus is Australia's biodiversity hotspots in northern Australia, where fauna species are threatened as a result of habitat modification and biological invasions. The landscape analysis tools ....Beyond discrete landscape metrics: spatial analysis tools and surface textural measures for quantifying gradients in landscape structure. The project will make an important contribution to an Environmental Sustainable Australia, especially the sustainable use and management of Australia's biodiversity. The focus is Australia's biodiversity hotspots in northern Australia, where fauna species are threatened as a result of habitat modification and biological invasions. The landscape analysis tools and supporting knowledge will allow for more effective landscape-level conservation strategies to be developed in northern regions by assisting researchers and managers to answer key questions about how to manage the structure of native vegetation for the long-term conservation of fauna populations. The project will also deliver benefits for conserving marine biodiversity. Read moreRead less
Quantifying Uncertainty in Predictions of Global Change. This project will develop and apply quantitative risk management models to assess whether data sources used in the predictions of global changes, in: (i) land use and land cover; (ii) biodiversity; and (iii) carbon emissions, are adequate. It will focus on the issues of data accuracy, scale and temporal resolution in order to assess whether spatial data sources meet environmental decision-making needs. The research has the potential to ( ....Quantifying Uncertainty in Predictions of Global Change. This project will develop and apply quantitative risk management models to assess whether data sources used in the predictions of global changes, in: (i) land use and land cover; (ii) biodiversity; and (iii) carbon emissions, are adequate. It will focus on the issues of data accuracy, scale and temporal resolution in order to assess whether spatial data sources meet environmental decision-making needs. The research has the potential to (a) aid the federal and state government(s), and international agencies, in making informed policy / management decisions and to increase their effectiveness in implementing international treaties and protocols; and (b) help ensure the future capacity of terrestrial ecosystems to provide resources for the world's growing population and their ability to absorb the associated carbon emissions.Read moreRead less
High-Accuracy Geopositioning from High-Resolution Satellite Imagery. The new technology of high-resolution satellite imaging (HRSI) is revolutionising geospatial information generation for digital mapping, GIS and remote sensing. This project will investigate the metric potential of HRSI and specifically high-accuracy 3D geopositioning. The research will address fundamental issues of imaging sensor orientation modelling, multi-image matching and terrain model extraction. New and refined algorith ....High-Accuracy Geopositioning from High-Resolution Satellite Imagery. The new technology of high-resolution satellite imaging (HRSI) is revolutionising geospatial information generation for digital mapping, GIS and remote sensing. This project will investigate the metric potential of HRSI and specifically high-accuracy 3D geopositioning. The research will address fundamental issues of imaging sensor orientation modelling, multi-image matching and terrain model extraction. New and refined algorithms and computational schemes will be formulated and implemented in software. These developments will then be evaluated through comprehensive experimental testing using Ikonos and Quickbird satellite imagery, with the expected project outcomes being new, experimentally validated computational models, which will advance geospatial information generation from HRSI.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
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
New method of remote characterization of hydrocarbon films on the ocean surface through studies of wave turbulence. Development of a novel method of remote characterization of oil films on the sea surface will help early detection of oil spills in environmental monitoring. It will also be used for detection of naturally occurring oil seeps in the oil exploration on the sea shelf. The project addresses the national research priority of Environmentally Sustainable Australia and the priority goal o ....New method of remote characterization of hydrocarbon films on the ocean surface through studies of wave turbulence. Development of a novel method of remote characterization of oil films on the sea surface will help early detection of oil spills in environmental monitoring. It will also be used for detection of naturally occurring oil seeps in the oil exploration on the sea shelf. The project addresses the national research priority of Environmentally Sustainable Australia and the priority goal of developing deep earth resources. Australian industry will greatly benefit from the outcome of the project. These studies will also help advancing Australia's position at the forefront of remote sensing research. Australian undergraduate, postgraduate and research training is an integral part of the project.Read moreRead less
Coral Reefs - Innovative Satellite Image Mapping Techniques. Two primary outcomes are expected from this project, the first is aimed at solving a fundamental challenge to understanding and managing coral reefs in Australia and worldwide. The optimal reef mapping method(s) will enable coral reef monitoring and management programs in Australia and internationally to make full use of satellite and airborne image data sets. Secondly, the project will significantly advance the capabilities of remote ....Coral Reefs - Innovative Satellite Image Mapping Techniques. Two primary outcomes are expected from this project, the first is aimed at solving a fundamental challenge to understanding and managing coral reefs in Australia and worldwide. The optimal reef mapping method(s) will enable coral reef monitoring and management programs in Australia and internationally to make full use of satellite and airborne image data sets. Secondly, the project will significantly advance the capabilities of remote sensing applications in coral reefs, by providing a unique international test of current state of the art algorithms.In combination, these outcomes will enable Australia to continue to play a role as the world's leading developer and provider of solutions for coral reef monitoring and management.Read moreRead less
Data integration, scale and classification of remotely sensed imagery. This project will investigate and resolve the specific problems associated with processing, interpreting and classifying high-resolution satellite imagery. Previous work has shown that current algorithms developed for lower resolution remote sensing data are not appropriate for processing higher resolution data. New algorithms will be developed for geometrically and radiometrically processing high-resolution satellite data ....Data integration, scale and classification of remotely sensed imagery. This project will investigate and resolve the specific problems associated with processing, interpreting and classifying high-resolution satellite imagery. Previous work has shown that current algorithms developed for lower resolution remote sensing data are not appropriate for processing higher resolution data. New algorithms will be developed for geometrically and radiometrically processing high-resolution satellite data so that it can be interpreted in conjunction with other similar data, or existing lower resolution data. Consequently, the potential uses of high resolution satellite imagery will be greatly increased, allowing many more users to access the advantages of this unique source of data.Read moreRead less