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Project title

SOil MOisture estimates from SATellite based Earth observations

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

Maynooth University (MU)

Lead Applicant

Rowan Fealy

Project Abstract

Spaceborne and land surface model (LSM) based approaches offer significant potential for monitoring and modelling soil moisture at national and sub-national scales; however, their resolution is currently in the order of 10's of kilometres. The proposed research seeks to address this shortcoming through the development of a novel data platform to ingest, analyse and fuse multi-thematic and multi-temporal earth observation data streams, including in situ data, using advanced machine learning techniques to derive high spatial resolution estimates for Ireland. To achieve this, the research will deploy fixed in situ sensors along with a mobile sensor and drone based multi- and hyper- spectral and thermal sensors to evaluate spatial variations in soil moisture over selected target sites. The research will directly inform the strategic development of a national monitoring programme and generate a harmonised high resolution soil moisture product to underpin applications in a range of areas, including catchment management, sustainable land use management. The research will also assist in Ireland meeting its international reporting obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) through improved land use and soil respiration modelling; it will also inform national policy's in support of the Water Framework Directive and Nitrates Directive.

Grant Approved

�348,462.44

Research Hub

Climate Change

Research Theme

Ireland's Future Climate, its Impacts, and Adaptation Options

Start Date

02/03/2020

Initial Projected Completion Date

01/09/2022