Geoinformation in Environmental Management
The aims of the Laboratory of Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing serves are threefold:
- It assists MAICh postgraduate students undertaking their research projects during their second year at the Geoinformation in Environmental Management programme.
- It utilizes the infrastructure and personnel know-how, in order to deliver results within the framework of National and EU funded projects, and
- It provides services to the public and private sector in terms of processing of Earth Observation data, production of maps and development of geo-databases and Geographic Information Systems.
Main research topics
Remote Sensing data for land use/cover mapping and change detection
Earth observation sensors provide data which can be used to map the materials on the Earth’s surface and generate maps depicting land cover types and their use. Employment of time series data allows for more accurate classification of land cover types and also enables the detection of changes occurring over short or longer periods of time. The methods employed for the extraction of such information at a range of scales and levels of spatial resolution, are constantly developed and refined, due to the advent of more elaborate sensors and the increasing demand for information by society.
Forest Fires
Forest fires are a serious threat for the Mediterranean region and science can assist in the adoption of preventive and mitigation measures against such event. Study of forest fire characteristics under various conditions, using the facilities of the Fire Lab, provides useful information that can be incorporated into forest fire modeling. On the other hand, use of remote sensing data can provide information regarding fuel type mapping for planning of preventive measures and monitoring of fire spread for the performance of efficient mitigation actions.
Plant species distribution and habitat mapping
The integration of GIS and remote sensing with ground base data for ecological mapping and predicting species distribution has become an important component of conservation planning. Habitat mapping and vegetation maps are essential in the formulation of environmental management plans. When digital imagery is combined with ancillary environmental factors over a period of time, more information can be derived regarding the spatial distribution of species, extent of habitats and the conditions that favor their growth and preservation.
Risk assessment and management against desertification and soil erosion
Climate change and human activity have increased the risk of soil erosion in many areas of the Mediterranean, resulting in the near-desertification of previously rich soils. The variables that affect soil erosion and the calculation of the risk and the intensity of this process can be studied and monitored through the combined use of remote sensing and ancillary environmental data, in GIS.
Last update: May 15, 2013