![]() ![]() ![]() “Real-time rainfall information, telling us the amount and extent rainfall that occurred just a few minutes ago, provides a much-needed heads-up to emergency services and the public in general. The project brings together researchers from WALD, the Bureau of Meteorology and India’s National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting. ![]() In addition to this soil moisture work, Dr Renzullo leads research to prototype real-time rainfall information and nowcasts system by merging data from different sources, funded by the government of India. Current research projects are developing ways to achieve unparalleled spatial detail in real-time monitoring and forecasts over large areas, down to a few tens of meters. Two other priority research areas at WALD are in are the use of satellite observations to generate improved soil water information products for drought monitoring applications, and to enhance real-time rainfall prediction and nowcasting capability.ĭr Luigi Renzullo and other WALD researchers have been working with Bureau of Meteorology, TERN and others to assimilate satellite soil moisture products into landscape water balance models to improve root-zone soil moisture estimation across Australia. “Our research is being used to understand the dryness of the vegetation, to predict where and how fast a fire may spread, and what areas should be prioritised when sending resources and equipment.” During the current ‘ Black Summer’, Dr Yebra has been working closely with fire managers from the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (RFS) to analyse data on vegetation conditions and how this might affect bushfire spread. The information can be used to plan hazard reduction burns but can also help respond to bushfire events. “We’ve created an accurate satellite-based technology specifically for the Australian landscape by incorporating the unique properties of eucalypt forests that occur across much of the country.” “If we know how dry a fire’s potential fuel source is, we can estimate how likely it is that the fuel will be ignited and how rapidly the fire will grow. This unique online system uses satellite data to calculate the current moisture content of Australia’s grasslands, shrublands and forests and their flammability. Led by Dr Marta Yebra, WALD researchers investigate new methods for estimating fuel load and flammability from proximal, airborne and satellite-based sensors, developing automated algorithms to map burn severity from satellite imagery, and combining satellite data with models to predict fire impacts on natural resources.ĭr Yebra developed Australia’s first Australian Flammability Monitoring System for the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre (BNHCRC). One of WALD’s priority areas is bushfire research and, in particular, developing tools and techniques that better predict fire risk and impacts on the natural environment. ![]() Prof Albert van Dijk, WALD ANU Tools for better bushfire preparedness “We try to balance developing practical solutions for today’s challenges based on today’s science and technology, and at the same time pursuing the new discoveries that will help us in future.” “Often, that means combining Big Data from satellite observation and sensor networks with field research, biophysical modelling and machine learning, for example. We develop spatial solutions for managing water resources, coping with extreme events, decision-making in agriculture and forestry. “Our team develops new methods to measure, monitor and forecast climate, water availability and landscape conditions. The Centre for Water and Landscape Dynamics (WALD) aims to be a world leader in observation technology for real-time environmental information, says centre director Professor Albert van Dijk. ![]()
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