Earth Observation Lab (EOL)

Overview

Research in the Earth Observation Lab focuses on the use of remote sensing for environmental monitoring and is led by Dr. Angela Kross. We use GIS and Remote Sensing technologies in combination with ground measurements and models to answer questions related to ecosystem processes, vegetation development and land use change in response to anthropogenic and natural events, such as agriculture practices, mining activities and climate change. Some of the questions we try to answer include: how does vegetation radiation absorption relate to the vegetation canopy structure, sensor viewing geometry and sensor resolutions, water availability and other plant and environmental variables? Which vegetation indices are most suitable for monitoring plant flowering stages and how can flowering maps support public health programs (e.g. allergy programs). How can we use remote sensing to characterize the response of crops to extreme weather events?

Our group collaborates closely with researchers at the Ottawa Research and Development Centre of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA).

With funding from the FRQNT (2018), we are currently in the process of acquiring a set of cameras, including: networked time-lapse camera packages, a multispectral radiometer CropScan MSRSYS16R with 16 customized bands, and a hyperspectral imaging system (Resonon Pika L Outdoor System). Data from these cameras in combination with satellite images, ground measurements and models will be at the core of our research in the Earth Observation Lab.