Remote Sensing for Ecosystems

Transcription

1 MODULE GUIDE MSc ENR Remote Sensing for Ecosystems Semester 01 Modul coordinator Lecturers Michael Döring Pascal Ochsner, Diego Tonolla, Diane Whited, Michael Döring Martin Geilhausen Latest update August 2017 ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences Institute of Natural Resource Sciences Grüental, CH-8820 Wädenswil

2 CONTENT M - 1. Formal description... 1 M - 2. Abstract... 1 M - 3. Competences and learning outcomes... 2 M - 4. Module content... 2 M - 5. Entry requirements... 3 M - 6. Assessment... 3

3 M - 1. FORMAL DESCRIPTION Code n.ms.ui. Module Remote Sensing for Ecosystems Status Compulsory module/ Elective module ECTS credits 3 Semester 1 M - 2. ABSTRACT Ecological systems are diverse and spatially heterogeneous areas characterized by interacting natural and impacted terrestrial and aquatic mosaics, which consist of features, such as forests, grasslands, rivers or lakes. Key research topics in these landscape mosaics include the analyses, quantification and scaling of ecological flows, land-use and land-cover change, relating landscape pattern analysis with ecological processes, conservation and sustainability. In this context GIS analyses in concert with remote sensing using unmanned aerial or aquatic vehicles (UAVs), autonomously or remotely operated and equipped with various sensors such as NIR (Near infrared), TIR (Thermal infrared) or ADP (Acoustic Doppler Profiler) offer new opportunities for scale appropriate measures of ecological phenomena at high spatial- temporal resolutions. The goal of this proposed class is to introduce and expose students to close range remote sensing in ecosystems with the focus on aquatic and terrestrial components of floodplains and adjacent areas such as agricultural land. Students will be gain knowledge of basic spatial analysis through GIS and remote sensing techniques. In addition, students will learn basic application of drones and ADP, two remote sensing instruments of fast growing interest in ecological research and application. The students will learn about the essentials to operate drones and ADPs, the initial post processing of data products and examples how to integrate these data into ecological research and application. 1

4 M - 3. COMPETENCES AND LEARNING OUTCOMES M PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE recognise and evaluate the potential of remote sensing for ecosystem assessment and evaluation. integrate remote sensing data and products into their own research or practical projects and carry out such a project. M METHODICAL COMPETENCE Get an introduction to basic GIS and Remote Sensing techniques for ecology with the focus on aquatic and terrestrial components of floodplains and adjacent areas such as agricultural land. Can postprocess and perform spatio-temporal data and analyses by means of remote sensing (e.g. drone) and GIS. Knowledge product generation using remotely sensed data and its potential for landscape ecology M SELF- AND SOCIAL COMPETENCE Can interpret and critically assess remote sensing data and products for ecosystem assessment and evaluation. Are able to integrate the application of remotely sensed data into their own research design or practical projects. M - 4. MODULE CONTENT Introduction to GIS and Remote Sensing Basics in vegetation analyses using indices Introduction into rivers and floodplain systems in the context of remote sensing Introduction to Drone and ADP systems o Theory, Principles of operation and data acquisition, product overview Demonstration of drones and ADP Application examples from science and practice o Floodplain monitoring and evaluation using remote sensing o Assessing hydromorphological impacts of experimental floods o Monitoring and detection of plant stress in agricultural crops 2

5 GIS and Remote Sensing exercises on the computer o Worked examples of archived data. Using previously acquired imagery and data, students will work through how to process, integrate, and analysis coupled imagery and data. Student group projects integrating: o Hypotheses, design, data needs o Writing group projects proposals o Data collection o Imagery and data processing o analysis and interpretation o Presentation of results M - 5. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS The students have to be able to explain the basic functions and interrelationships in ecosystems. perform simple, stand-alone field recordings in ecosystems. explain the theoretical principles of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). carry out basic, spatial ecosystem analyses using GIS M - 6. ASSESSMENT M GOAL RESEARCH PROPOSAL & PRESENTATION As students progress in their academic and professional career, they will find the need to write proposals to guide their research, solicit funding, and meet reporting requirements. During the first weeks of class, students will review research integrating remote sensing and ecosystems. Students will write group proposals, incorporating baseline field data that they will collect during the course. The last day of the class, the students will present a power point presentation describing their group project for colleagues from class and others interested. Students will need to demonstrate their ability to integrate the role of technology used into a broader ecological context and to discuss opportunities and limits of application in science and practice. M RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT EVALUATION OF STUDENT COURSE WORK: GRADING Weight Proposal written report 50% Group project presentation 50% 3