Environmental Earth Observation

Group Leader: Arnold Dekker

The Group has expertise in all aspects of Earth observation, spatio-temporal analysis, image analysis, radiative transfer modelling, coupling of biophysical and biogeochemical models with at-sensor measured radiances, model data assimilation methods and application of remote sensing techniques to aquatic and terrestrial natural resource management problems.

Great Barrier Reef under threat In this seven-minute podcast, Dr Arnold Dekker discusses the threat to the Great Barrier Reef from flood run off. Listen to Podcast Read the Media release

Our capability

Specific capabilities include:

• New data assimilation methods for hydrologic forecasting that utilise remote sensing observations of surface soil moisture, precipitation and land cover to improve flow prediction
• Application of remote sensing to automated detection of surface features and water bodies, classification of vegetation and land cover, and surface flooding for water accounting and assessing landscape water balance
• Improved sensing of optical water quality parameters and coupling of satellite observations with biogeochemical and hydrodynamic models of receiving waters
• Advanced statistical and physical approaches to interpreting remotely sensed data from satellite, airborne or near-source sensors.

The group has considerable satellite data holdings and field equipment assets. Some satellite datasets have an historical archive spanning between 5 and 20 years.

Relationships

The group has a strong international reputation and network of research colleagues, particularly in Europe and United States. This includes ongoing collaborative research and consultancies with a range of university and government institutions.

Related Links

• Sentinel Hotspots
• Development of a Catchment Containment Model for Stakeholder Use
• Water for a Healthy Country Flagship
• eWater CRC
• CSIRO Imagery Shows Great Barrier Reef at Risk from Sediment Plumes Podcast (6mins)
• Regional impacts of re-vegetation on water resources of the Loess Plateau, China and the Middle and Upper Murrumbidgee Catchment, Australia (ACIAR Project)
• Regional Water and Soil Assessment for Mapping Sustainable Agriculture (ACIAR Project)