Remote Sensing and Geospatial Research

in Forest, Wetland and Shoreline Habitats

Research Goal: Develop remote sensing and geo-spatial methods for modelling, mapping and monitoring forests, wetlands, and other critical habitat areas such as shorelines at landscape and patch scales. A complementary goal is to improve the science and understanding of the relations of image spectral, spatial, pattern and scale characteristics with vegetation and landscape attributes.

My research focusses on airborne and high resolution satellite (optical and radar) remote sensing, with additional larger area studies using moderate resolution imagery such as SPOT and Landsat.

Example current projects:

• Landscape indicators and agri-environmental policies for biodiversity enhancement on agricultural lands (NSERC Strategic Grant 2009-12 with GLEL co-directors (see below) and several PDFs (J. Pasher, A. Smith, J. Girard).
• Temporal trend analysis of forest change in Gatineau Park (MSc project, C. Czerwinski).
• Multi-scale wetland and land cover mapping (PhD project, L. Dingle Robertson). Collaboration with Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 
• Arctic shoreline classification using RADARSAT-2 (MSc project, S. Banks) and hyperspectral data (MSc project, B. Kennedy). Collaboration with the National Wildlife Research Centre. 
• High resolution airborne X-HH InSAR for vegetation classification and canopy height modelling over large areas (PhD project, Lorraine Tighe).  Collaboration with Intermap Inc.

Examples of recently completed projects (see 'Research' and 'Papers' tabs above for these and other projects)

• Forest complexity modelling and mapping using high resolution remote sensing and topographic data (1. PhD, J. Pasher using airborne imagery; 2. MSc, V. Torontow using Quickbird). Collaborations with the National Capital Commission and Chelsea, Quebec.
• Phragmites Australis detection and mapping using RADARSAT-2 (MSc, N. Ochoski). Collaboration with the National Wildlife Research Centre.
• Blanding's turtle habitat mapping using aerial imagery and topographic data (MSc, R. Barker).  Collaboration with the National Capital Commission.

Recent Research  funds: Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada (NSERC) Discovery and Strategic Grants, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment Canada National Wildlife Research Centre, and Carleton University.

Geomatics-Landscape Ecology Laboratory (GLEL) for Research in Support of Species Conservation:
A facility for over 25 graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and visiting colleagues co-directed with Lenore Fahrig (Biology), Scott Mitchell (Geography and Environmental studies) , and Kathryn Lindsay (National Wildlife Research Centre, Environment Canada ). It includes state-of-the-art workstations, geospatial analysis software, map production equipment, an airborne digital camera system with spectroradiometer, field vehicles, satellite remote sensing data, etc. Funding was provided by the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Ontario Innovation Trust, The Hamlin Family Fund (donation), Environment Canada, and Carleton University.