Research Projects
Spatial analysis of changing terrestrial ecosystems in the Windmill Islands and the sub-Antarctic (AAS3130)
Australian Antarctic Science Grant (2009 - 2013)
High latitude terrestrial ecosystems are experiencing rapid change, which is most likely caused by climate change, human impacts, and invasive species. Up-to-date and accurate spatial data at a range of scales are of crucial importance for mapping changes in these fragile ecosystems. The aim of this study is to undertake spatial analyses on the changing terrestrial ecosystems of the Windmill Islands, Antarctica and sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island. The study aims to better understand the different processes that result in ecosystem change and with new state-of-the-art high-resolution spatial data we hope to contribute to improved management strategies.
Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing
UTAS and Winifred Violet Scott Charitable Trust (2009 - 2010)
We are currently working on novel multi-disciplinary project that will develop a remote sensing system for high-resolution vegetation mapping and monitoring. The system, also known as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), consists of a remote controlled helicopter with cameras and an airborne laser scanner. These sensors will allow us to map the environment in greater spatial detail than any other remote sensing system. The UAV can be used for a wide range of multi-disciplinary environmental mapping and monitoring applications. One of the novel aspects of this project is that the UAV will simultaneously collect LiDAR (laser scanning) data, visible photography, and infrared photography. This will allow us to derive a very detailed digital elevation model (DEM), extract information on vegetation height, and map vegetation communities based on a combination of imagery and height information. There is a strong need for this system as it will cover the gap in observing the environment at different spatial scale levels. The proposed UAV will allow us to map local areas (several km2) in great spatial detail (centimetre to decimetre resolution) covering the spatial scale levels in between satellite imagery and aerial photography (relatively coarse but large spatial extent) and field observations (very detailed, but confined to small samples or plots). Examples of applications that require spatial data at a fine scale level include: salt marsh mapping, precision agriculture and viticulture, coastal and beach morphology, vegetation mapping (e.g. cushion plants) in Tasmania, Antarctica, and sub-Antarctic islands, etc. This project is novel in an international context and it addresses a unique research niche in the field of environmental remote sensing.
Satellite imagery for change detection in the sub-Antarctic: using Heard Island as a proof of concept (AAS 2939).
Australian Antarctic Science Grant (2007 - 2011)
Heard Island’s pristine and rapidly changing environment makes it a relevant and exciting location to study the regional effects of climate change. This study will use high-resolution satellite imagery to provide automated, up-to-date, and non-invasive means to map and monitor vegetation as an important indicator for environmental change. Novel techniques for image classification and change detection will be developed and applied to quantify and visualise changes in Heard Island’s vegetation.
Assessing the impact of rabbit grazing on Macquarie Island using satellite imagery
UTas research grant scheme and Australian Antarctic Science Grant (2005 - 2008)
Macquarie Island is a unique sub-Antarctic island and a fragile World Heritage Area that is rapidly changing under the pressure of rabbit grazing. An increase in the rabbit population in the last few years has resulted in extensive destruction of unique sub-Antarctic vegetation communities, which has resulted in erosion and landslides, and it has had a devastating impact on the population of many burrowing seabird species. This project will develop novel techniques to detect changes in vegetation communities using high-resolution satellite imagery, which provides non-invasive and efficient means to assess the impacts of rabbit grazing on sub-Antarctic vegetation.
