The utilisation of Earth Observation data for a wide range
of applications has grown from a relatively low base in Ireland in recent years.
This has been supported by government investment via national agencies, and
through the European Space Agency’s Earth Observation Envelope Programme.
Within University College Cork (UCC), the Coastal and Marine Research Centre
and Department of Geography have taken advantage of these supports to build
significant capacity and expertise in Earth Observation research and teaching,
particularly in the areas of coastal, marine and land applications.
This poster presents an overview of a number of the Earth
Observation research areas being addressed by UCC, and illustrates how a range
of skills and expertise are being developed and consolidated. Over the past 5
years, projects have been completed in areas as diverse as vegetation dynamics
mapping in saltmarsh habitats, peatbog area estimation at a national scale, landcover
phenological signals derivation, and soil moisture calculation in agricultural
areas. Current projects include landcover and use mapping to facilitate carbon
budget calculation, contrail identification, global soil moisture product
development, storm surge forecasting, and maritime security applications
amongst others. The expertise in optical and SAR data processing, the use of
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, end-user engagement, and a variety of applications also
contributes to very successful research-led postgraduate teaching via a taught
Masters and at PhD level.
This integration of applied research and teaching in one
location makes UCC one of the premier Irish third level institutions working in
the Earth Observation arena today.