(SUAV surveying for monitoring coastal erosion in the Beaufort Sea Coast (Northwest Territories, Canada - image: Gonçalo Vieira)

Chairs

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Gonçalo Vieira 
IGOT / University of Lisbon
Portugal
Contact
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Annett Bartsch 
Austria Polar Research Institute
​Austria
Contact
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Isla Myers-Smith 
University of Edinburgh
​United Kingdom
Contact

Scope

Environmental changes in terrestrial ecosystems and coastal areas across the Arctic can only be fully addressed by using remote sensing observations and modelling. However, due to the multiscale complexity of the landscape, to limitations related to illumination and atmospheric conditions, bridging the gap between field and satellite observations remains a major challenge.
The Remote Sensing Action Group aims at shortening the path between field scientists and the remote sensing community, by increasing the availability of calibration and validation data at the circumpolar scale. The action group will make use of UAV and satellite data collected with different sensors and to improve the data and models that address issues such as: permafrost characteristics, thaw lake dynamics, coastal erosion, vegetation community dynamics and infrastructure.
​For this, we will collaborate closely with the other T-MOSAiC action groups. 
RGB orthomosaic of the BGR thawlakes close to Umiujaq (Nunavik/Northern Quebec, Canada (image: Gonçalo Vieira)
3D False colour composite of KWK thaw lakes close to Kuujjuarapik (Northern Quebec, Canada) (image: Gonçalo Vieira)

Potential Activities

  • Identify main gaps in Arctic remote sensing observations that can be addressed by multiscale approaches, from UAV to satellites.
  • Promote the use and access to in situ observations to improve the quality of remote sensing-based models and validation.
  • Initiate a complementing activity to the botanical drone data network with observations which aim on geomorphological topics
  • Survey the needs from INTERACT station operators that could be tackled by remote sensing observations to be provided within the scope of T-MOSAiC.
  • Identify remote sensing data sets and products that can be used by local communities to improve adaptation to climate change.

This Action Group has already several project involved, namely:
  • ESA CCI Permafrost (link)
  • Drone Ecology Network - Using drones to study high-latitude ecology (link)
  • Nunataryuk - Permafrost thaw and the changing Arctic coast. EC H2020. (link)

Members (updated regularly)

Further information
Examples of existing permafrost related observations and model results based on satellite data can be accessed via the ESA GlobPermafrost Information system (https://bit.ly/2mPM94v)..
Under construction