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Earth Observation

Geography and Spatial Sciences Research Theme

Overview

The Surveying and Spatial Science team at the University of Tasmania undertakes world class research addressing problems of direct societal significance by harnessing the value of spatial data.

Areas of specific focus across the broad 'Earth Observation' domain include remote sensing and geospatial analysis of environmental phenomena from the local to the landscape scale, and environmental space geodesy with emphasis on sea level, polar geodesy and global planetary change.

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Impact and Engagement

The two main focuses of the Earth Observation theme are Environmental Space Geodesy and the Terraluma research project.

Environmental Space Geodesy

The Environmental Space Geodesy team makes use of space geodetic techniques to provide new knowledge of the global water cycle (ice-sheet and sea-level change) and solid Earth deformation and mantle rheology (from timescales of hours to millenia). We particularly make use of GNSS geodesy, satellite altimetry and spaceborne gravity datasets to understand these phenomena, while also working to improve the precision and accuracy of these techniques. We work with interdisciplinary teams of observational and numerical modelling scientists in local, national and global partnerships.

TerraLuma

The TerraLuma research team aims to develop novel tools and algorithms for environmental remote sensing applications and aerial surveys using unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Up-to-date and accurate spatial data are of crucial importance for sustainable management of our ecosystems. UAS offer an exciting and novel opportunity to map the environment in greater detail than ever before. We are a university team of about 10 people. We have been working with UAS and specialised sensors since 2009. One of the unique aspects of our project is that we operate and integrate multiple sensors: visible, multispectral and hyperspectral (VNIR), thermal, and LiDAR, to map and monitor different aspects of the environment at ultra-high resolutions on-demand. We have worked on a range of applications, including precision agriculture and viticulture; mapping and monitoring vegetation in remote locations such as Antarctica; deriving 3D tree structure for forest inventories

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