The primary focus of the group is to advance the use and integration of ground, airborne and spaceborne remote sensing data for better understanding the direct and indirect impacts of anthropogenically-induced and climate change on ecosystems and environments. Our research is worldwide and covers a diversity of environments from tropical rainforests and mangroves to high altitude glaciers.
The computer and field-based facilities of the group also represent a major resource within the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences (DGES) which gives staff and both undergraduate and postgraduate (Masters and Ph.D) students access to some of the most up-to-date computing facilities and software available for data processing. Training in remote sensing theory and also practical use of remote sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) software is provided. The group have a strong focus on the development and application of open source software leading the development of the Remote Sensing and GIS Software Library (RSGISLib; http://www.rsgislib.org), Sorted Pulse Data Software Library (SPDLib; http://www.spdlib.org) and Atmospheric and Radiometric Correction of Satellite Imagery (ARCSI; http://www.rsgislib.org/arcsi).
The group also have expertise in the use of a diverse range of remotely sensed data including airborne/spaceborne radar, multispectral, hyperspectral and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors with staff and students having expertise in fields including physics, computer science, biology and geography.
We’re involved in many individual projects at any one time but the central themes to our work include forestry, land cover mapping, land cover dynamics, biophysical parameter retrieval(e.g., above ground biomass).