Next-generation ocean current forecasting to improve maritime safety . This project aims to measure upper ocean currents at scales of 10-100 km in Australia's marine estate using pioneering satellite radar technology. The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission will map currents at 10 times the resolution of present-day satellites and revolutionise our understanding of ocean dynamics. Expected outcomes include validation of SWOT data in Australian waters and merging this data into Bure ....Next-generation ocean current forecasting to improve maritime safety . This project aims to measure upper ocean currents at scales of 10-100 km in Australia's marine estate using pioneering satellite radar technology. The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission will map currents at 10 times the resolution of present-day satellites and revolutionise our understanding of ocean dynamics. Expected outcomes include validation of SWOT data in Australian waters and merging this data into Bureau of Meteorology ocean models. Downstream benefits include improved ocean forecasts for maritime safety, search-and-rescue, spill modelling, and marine conservation. At the same time, the project will build sovereign capability in emerging remote sensing technology with a legacy beyond the life of the SWOT mission.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560930
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$167,777.00
Summary
Airborne laser scanning for advanced environmental monitoring. This proposal seeks to enhance the national capability for airborne remote sensing of key environmental variables through the acquisition of an airborne laser scanner and inertial navigation system. Many environmental science studies, such as hydrology, soil moisture scaling and salinity, can be significantly enhanced by airborne laser scanning, through the creation of high precision, high resolution digital terrain models. Airborne ....Airborne laser scanning for advanced environmental monitoring. This proposal seeks to enhance the national capability for airborne remote sensing of key environmental variables through the acquisition of an airborne laser scanner and inertial navigation system. Many environmental science studies, such as hydrology, soil moisture scaling and salinity, can be significantly enhanced by airborne laser scanning, through the creation of high precision, high resolution digital terrain models. Airborne laser scanning can also measure three dimensional vegetation canopy structure, a useful indicator of biomass, carbon storage and vegetation health. This infrastructure will provide Australian researchers with a unique arsenal of remote sensing tools for advanced yet affordable environmental research studies.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
An Integrated Ground Deformation Monitoring System Based on the Integration of InSAR, GPS and GIS Technologies. Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) can be used to monitor ground deformation at high spatial resolution. When integrated with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) so that atmospheric disturbance in InSAR result can be corrected, deformation can be resolved at sub-centimetre accuracy. The corrected InSAR result can be exported as a data layer into Geographic Information System ....An Integrated Ground Deformation Monitoring System Based on the Integration of InSAR, GPS and GIS Technologies. Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) can be used to monitor ground deformation at high spatial resolution. When integrated with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) so that atmospheric disturbance in InSAR result can be corrected, deformation can be resolved at sub-centimetre accuracy. The corrected InSAR result can be exported as a data layer into Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for further analysis. In collaboration with Hong Kong Polytechnic University researchers, the integrated InSAR-GPS-GIS system will be tested in both Hong Kong and Australia. The expected outcomes include a suite of algorithms and software tools capable of operational, cost-effective ground deformation monitoring.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560920
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$129,800.00
Summary
Field spectroradiometer and associated equipment for quantitative measurement and characterization of biophysical features and calibration of remotely sensed imagery. This set of equipment will improve and extend existing research capabilities in the field of in-situ remote sensing research and applications, for both aquatic and terrestrial environments. It will contribute to knowledge regarding terrestrial, coastal and estuarine vegetation and linkages to environmental change and will assist in ....Field spectroradiometer and associated equipment for quantitative measurement and characterization of biophysical features and calibration of remotely sensed imagery. This set of equipment will improve and extend existing research capabilities in the field of in-situ remote sensing research and applications, for both aquatic and terrestrial environments. It will contribute to knowledge regarding terrestrial, coastal and estuarine vegetation and linkages to environmental change and will assist in the development of new algorithms, indices and techniques of vegetation discrimination from remotely sensed imagery. It will help in the understanding of reflectance in plants under stress or pest damage. The spectroradiometer will enable the group to expand applications in the field of urban fire hazard mapping, precision agriculture, crop physiology, species mapping, viticulture and canopy modelling.Read moreRead less
Measurement of paddock scale pasture biomass using synthetic aperture radar remote sensing. To maintain the long-term viability of livestock production, producers and land managers need access to regular, timely and accurate estimates of pasture biomass. Radar remote sensing has the capacity to consistently provide this information at the paddock, farm and catchment scale in a timely manner to assist in tactical and strategic decision making for sustainable pasture and livestock management. Econ ....Measurement of paddock scale pasture biomass using synthetic aperture radar remote sensing. To maintain the long-term viability of livestock production, producers and land managers need access to regular, timely and accurate estimates of pasture biomass. Radar remote sensing has the capacity to consistently provide this information at the paddock, farm and catchment scale in a timely manner to assist in tactical and strategic decision making for sustainable pasture and livestock management. Economic analyses undertaken at the farm level have revealed the potential to double farm profit by increasing the utilization of pasture grown. In addition to the socio-economic benefits, the environmental benefits of sustainable land management are paramount in light of the current drought in Australia and the global climate change.Read moreRead less
Smart Irrigation: integrating UAV soil moisture maps & variable rate sprays. This project will develop a state-of-the-art precision irrigation system for optimising water use and crop yield. Specifically, a novel UAV soil moisture mapping system based on passive microwave satellite remote sensing technology at L-band will be developed for near-surface soil moisture mapping at accuracies and spatial scales currently not attainable. These soil moisture maps will then be merged with irrigation wate ....Smart Irrigation: integrating UAV soil moisture maps & variable rate sprays. This project will develop a state-of-the-art precision irrigation system for optimising water use and crop yield. Specifically, a novel UAV soil moisture mapping system based on passive microwave satellite remote sensing technology at L-band will be developed for near-surface soil moisture mapping at accuracies and spatial scales currently not attainable. These soil moisture maps will then be merged with irrigation water delivery models to calibrate for spatial variation in soil properties and/or correct errors in spatial variation of rainfall and evapotranspiration inputs. Ultimately the water balance predictions will be used for implementation of variable rate irrigation control at scales hitherto unattainable.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