Remote Sensing of Natural Resources and the Environment

Remote Sensing of Natural Resources and the Environment Research Group is based at the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. The group uses ground and satellite based sensors to monitor green house gases, criterion pollutants such as CO, NO, NO₂ and aerosols and understand the physical and chemical processes that govern their spatiotemporal variations. The research group employ various environmental satellites (e.g., Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Landsat 8, Sentinel satellites) to study the dynamics of quality of inland waters (Lakes, rivers, dams). For example, the trophic state of water in lakes, rivers and dams in the region are studied using Forel- Ule index (FUI) and other water quality parameters such as Secchi Depth (SD), Color Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM), Total Suspended Matter (TMS), Turbidity and Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) based on satellite reflectance measurements. The group also applies satellite remote sensing techniques to detect agricultural drought, live fuel, land use and cover changes in Botswana and the region in general as parts of OR Tambo Africa Research Chair Initiatives (ORTARChI). In addition, reanalysis, in-situ observations and climate model data are used to complement remote sensing observations. Most of the analysis of the large data sets from models and remote sensing platforms are based state of the art statistics and machine learning tools. The group has a portable Fourier Transform Spectrometer for observations of Methane and Carbon dioxide based solar absorption in the near infrared band as well as various handheld sun-photometers and sensors for aerosol monitoring.

Remote Sensing of Natural Resources and the Environment Research Group is based at the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. The group uses ground and satellite based sensors to monitor green house gases, criterion pollutants such as CO, NO, NO₂ and aerosols and understand the physical and chemical processes that govern their spatiotemporal variations. The research group employ various environmental satellites (e.g., Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Landsat 8, Sentinel satellites) to study the dynamics of quality of inland waters (Lakes, rivers, dams). For example, the trophic state of water in lakes, rivers and dams in the region are studied using Forel- Ule index (FUI) and other water quality parameters such as Secchi Depth (SD), Color Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM), Total Suspended Matter (TMS), Turbidity and Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) based on satellite reflectance measurements. The group also applies satellite remote sensing techniques to detect agricultural drought, live fuel, land use and cover changes in Botswana and the region in general as parts of OR Tambo Africa Research Chair Initiatives (ORTARChI). In addition, reanalysis, in-situ observations and climate model data are used to complement remote sensing observations. Most of the analysis of the large data sets from models and remote sensing platforms are based state of the art statistics and machine learning tools. The group has a portable Fourier Transform Spectrometer for observations of Methane and Carbon dioxide based solar absorption in the near infrared band as well as various handheld sun-photometers and sensors for aerosol monitoring.