Methods for reducing deforestation and forest degradation using satellite remote sensing

Climate change and its impacts has necessitated actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As part of international policy efforts to avoid dangerous levels of climate change, reducing deforestation rates is an important policy instrument. The UN initiative ‘REDD+’ sets out ways to achieve this aim.
In this PhD studentship you will contribute to the development and demonstration of satellite applications for the purpose of reducing deforestation (loss of forest cover) and forest degradation (small-scale removal of trees without clearing the area). The research aims to develop algorithms for mapping small-scale forest disturbance and degradation from the TerraSAR-X radar satellite, which provides high-resolution imagery even under cloudy conditions. The image datasets will be analysed with the aim to explore methods for mapping forest structure, tree biomass, tree height, tree density, and small-scale disturbances. Methods to be considered in this context include image texture analysis, radar interferometry and change detection algorithms. Fieldwork is likely to be necessary to collect ground data of the selected sites (to be determined in consultation with the student).
The end users of the data products include forest managers, the scientific community and carbon traders.
The PhD student will benefit from existing collaborative academic and industrial links by the Centre for Landscape and Climate Change throughout this project, leading to excellent employability prospects.

We are an equal opportunities employer and particularly welcome applications for Ph.D. places from women, minority ethnic and other under-represented groups.