An overview is given of the current and recently finished projects, and of the current and recently finished master thesis projects.

Current projects

Synergy of very high resolution satellite and helicopter data for the spatio-temporal characterisation of small water body dynamics (SATHELI - www.satheli.be)
dr. Els De Roeck

Small waterbodies exhibit considerable spatial and temporal dynamics during a single year. Flexible tools and concepts characterizing these dynamics are currently lacking. The very small scale at which small waterbodies occur makes their detection with currently available very high resolution satellite systems (spatial resolution 4 m² or more) extremely challenging. Highly innovative ground operated drones (spatial resolution 0.10 m²) will capture these habitats at very small scales and will be integrated with very high resolution satellite imagery to optimize identification and characterization of these habitats. The developed methodology will be conducted in the framework of a specific case-study on mapping the risk of liver fluke in Flanders. This parasite is transmitted by snail-hosts proliferating in the ecotone of small waterbodies. The abundance of these vectors shows seasonal peaks and is strongly influenced by water body dynamics. The goal of this case-study is to improve our spatio-temporal capacity to forecast areas under potential liver fluke threat by developing earth-observation concepts and tools to detect these small water bodies and their dynamics. >> More info

Advanced LiDAR and airborne hyperspectral remote sensing to support forest management (HYPERFOREST)
ir. Flore Devriendt

In the context of sustainable forest management for multiple purposes, there is little doubt that the need for accurate and fine-scale resource information is still ongoing. In the framework of the monitoring programme of the Flemish forest reserves, since the year 2000 INBO (the Flemish Research Institute for Nature and Forest) is collecting individual tree information via costly and time-consuming field campaigns. Given the associated high financial and human efforts INBO would greatly benefit from a more automated inventory process. Hyperspectral and LiDAR remote sensing techniques offer the potential to facilitate and improve this information acquisition. The main objective of my research is the development of a methodology for estimation of forest parameters in highly structured closed forests by fusion of hyperspectral and LiDAR data with focus on tree species composition, stand diversity and forest vitality. >> More info

 

Object-based remote sensing for tree/forest mapping and inventory
dr. ir. Frieke Van Coillie

OBIA is an image processing and analysis framework in which image classification and subsequent analysis focuses on discrete groups of similar pixels, rather than on individual pixels. Hence in image classification OBIA allows for the use of multiple dimensions and scales of data and spatial metrics such as neighbourhood, topology, and feature statistics (texture), as opposed to pixel-based methods, which rely on the single dimension of a pixel’s digital value. In line with the current trend towards increasing detail in both optical and lidar data, the ability of OBIA to extract individual objects in the forest is extremely useful for mapping and inventory purposes. Research focuses on tree detection, crown and stand delineation, gap fraction, density and volume estimation.

 

 

Assessing Environmental Impacts of Mountain Tourism in Northwest Yunnan, China
Msc. Mingyu Yang

Tourism in Northwest Yunnan is causing a growing environmental concern due to its fragile mountain ecosystem. This research examines environmental impacts of tourism development. Combined with field surveys, controlled experiments, and spatial analysis, the cause-effect relationships between tourism and local environment are identified. The results can contribute to rational tourism development and effective nature conservation policies. Five important impacts in particular are addressed the research:(a) Trampling impact on vegetation and soils, (b) tourist’s footprint on water resources, (c) effect on community development and conservation incentive, (d) threat to rare/endangered species from tourist’s off-road walk, (e) low-environmental impact track planning. >> More info

Impact of commercialization on the population parameters of Irvingia, a Non Timber Forest Products (NTFP) genus in Cameroon
ir. Hannes Cosyns

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) have the potential to alleviate poverty in combination with nature conservation. Hence, the commercialization of NTFPs has been widely promoted. Nevertheless, the actual impact of  promoting and increasing NTFP commercialization on the environment and livelihoods of farmers has barely been assessed. Against this background, this study assessed the promotion of Ricinodendron heudelotii (Baill.) Pierre ex Pax. kernel (njansang) commercialization by the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) in project villages in Cameroon with the aim to alleviate poverty for small-scale farmers. The 5-year impact of development interventions on farmers livelihoods were investigated, comparing project and control households.. A five pillar framework was applied, tackling the financial, social, human, physical and natural assets of farmers.

Recently finished projects

Web-based assessment of operator performance and variability in remote sensing image analysis (WAVARS)
ir. Soetkin Gardin

Human screening and interpretation is an indispensable component in many aspects of remote sensing image analysis. Human intervention is a requisite for visual image interpretation and even in computer-based digital image processing, human screening and interpretation is still needed at certain stages. What is more, highly automated photogrammetric operation or image fusion techniques are not fully operational without the intervention of a human interpreter. Although it is crucial for adequately assessing automated systems' performance, virtually no research has focussed on operator functioning. Instead, it is implicitly assumed that operator performance approaches perfection, and that infrequent errors are randomly distributed across time, operators and image types. The goal of the project is to test these assumptions, and to determine the human factors that influence operator functioning. >> More info 

Development of a remote sensing derived tool to assess the impact of conservation policy measures and drought on East African ecosystems (ENDELEO)
ir. Flore Devriendt

The ENDELEO project aims at the promotion of good environmental governance in East Africa of fragile ecosystems through remote sensing. It focuses on two inter-related areas, namely: (1) Enhancing the understanding of management issues in drought vulnerable areas, in particular arid and semi-arid areas and (2) providing concerned stakeholders with remote sensing based information tools to foster better environmental governance. The sustainability of the monitoring system is ensured through complementing on past and on-going efforts in understanding the state of the trends in conservation of major ecosystems in East-Africa and stakeholder involvement at all stages of the project. ENDELEO will fully support UNEP planned 10-year action plan for environmental recovery and measures for addressing vulnerability to drought, including policies, legislation and strategies in the Horn of Africa. >> More info