Research Questions/Objectives:
How can we use High Resolution Satellite Imagery for Small Waterbodies in West Queensland to better inform us of their supply, with no ongoing gauging station data?
In this project, we aim to expand our limited understanding of water dynamics in West Queensland to improve mapping data, while also advising grazing and land management practices and strategies for livestock to the agricultural sector. We seek to do this through utilisation of High-Resolution Satellite Imagery to define small waterbodies, their availability to cattle, walking distances and to generally increase farmers, and alike, knowledge of their supply.
Brief Description of the Project:
Due to climate variability with the onset of climate change, and passing the 1.5 degree threshold, it is becoming increasingly difficult to predict climate variability in areas with little water dynamic data. This includes West Queensland, creating uncertainty in the cattle industry and other agricultural practices. Water is an imperative resource to any living being, other than it being a resource to humans and our farming practices, it is imperative for all healthy life on Earth. Currently, cattle are traversing long distances in search for waterbodies, causing loss of cattle in extreme cases, increasing costs and supplies long term. Utilising high resolution satellite imagery to measure water supply in catchments where there are insufficient ground-based monitoring, aids in the interpretation of water body dynamics and availability with the increase in climate variability, increasing local knowledge for farmers and alike. By using these findings, we can create ways to enhance the supply of water to farmers and their cattle, without the need for either to traverse long distances. Perusing scientific literature to gain an understanding of the methodology for satellite data resulted in choosing both optical and radar imagery through Landsat, Sentinel-one/two and Radarsat. Qualities of use determined were permeability of cloud cover during flooding events, deciphering between shallow and deep water bodies, vegetation covering smaller waterbodies and optimal viewing conditions. Analysis of imagery will be through ArcGIS, allowing for areas of most and least concern to be identified following further research through drone mapping of high concern areas to verify satellite imagery.
Background and Significance of the Research Question to drought risk, vulnerability, preparedness, or resilience:
This project can be utilised by many farmers, and alike, in West Queensland (WQLD) to better inform themselves on information used for grazing and cattle management. To date, there is very limited data available on past water body dynamics for the general public in WQLD which has resulted in loss of livestock through drought, lack of concise weather predictions and lack of interest from the scientific community. Farmers and alike will be able to use the data provided at the end of this project to better inform themselves on the planets changing climate patterns in their area. With the onset of climate change looming over humanity, it is beginning to change how we predict the future. In savanna systems in WQLD, where in the past there has been little attention given to our livestock and farmland, we now have the opportunity to change this and delve deeper into the systems at play in disequilibrium savanna areas through high resolution satellite imagery. By combining data from Landsat, Sentinel One and Sentinel Two, we will be able to have a comprehensive overview of small water bodies in these areas and can change the way water is delivered to livestock and maintain better grazing practises and the habitability of our Australian outback.
Academic and research experience relevant to the honours project:
At this stage I no academic or research experience other than just graduating a Bachelor of Environmental Practice at James Cook University in March, 2024.
Principal Supervisor’s skills and experience in relation to this project topic:
Ben Jarihani is a Hydrologist who has completed a considerable amount of research to do with Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Hydraulic Design, Geomorphology, Soil Erosion, and Wetland Modeling over the last two decades. He has spoken at conferences at the university of Central Asia, holds an Adjunct Senior Research Scientist position at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia and is currently a senior Data scientist at James Cook University. He has completed many projects utilising both High-Resolution Satellite Imagery and Lidar technologies.
When I was around 10 years old, I joined my local Scouting movement and attended the weekly scout night with many other kids my age. Soon after, I went on a couple of hikes and camping trips with the regional and local scout groups. It wasn’t until I went on a particular hike through Hidden Valley that I was completely awe-struck by the view that lay before me. At this point in my life, I had never seen anything so beautiful and felt so connected to the surrounding, pristine environment. It was in this very moment that I knew I had to do something in the future to ensure I could savor the same feeling again.
This major turning point in my life drove me to try my best in the rest of my secondary schooling to ensure I could pursue an environmental science degree. Through my bachelor, I explored many different areas of environmental science to see what the world had to offer. Now, after graduating in 2024, I am so thankful that I listened to my younger self and tried as many subjects as possible, even when the going got tough. Now, I am pursuing my honours, a research project in small water body dynamics and am beginning to realise that environmental science has so much more to offer than what I once thought. I am completely enamoured by water and what it has brought to this planet, I want to discover what amazing things it will do next. For this reasoning, I am pursuing a career as a research Geomorphologist and am hoping to discover what landforms can be carved into the landscape over my career.
Future Career Goals:
My vision for the future is to be a research scientist in any way, shape or form. I have the main goal of becoming a Geomorphologist specialising in Fluvial/Glacial systems and major flooding events throughout Earths’ history. A particular time of interest is the Younger Dryas epoch, as it would be a dream to study such a large-scale event. My near future career goals consist of attending as many networking events, seminars, online lecture series and field work opportunities as possible to set myself up for the future. The overarching theme I have learnt from my studies so far is – even though there may be many disciplines in the environmental science world, water overlaps into many different fields. While hydrology is studied, it still resides within the whole system and dynamically works within the system, either positively, negatively or enabling an equilibrium, creating balance. Water is responsible for life, creation or destruction of landscapes and the evolution of them. Other fields to do with water include aquaculture, oceanography, marine science, marine biology, ecosystem biodiversity and many others, which just goes to show how special it is. We still have much to learn, and I feel as though humanity has begun to take its first big steps in discovering the mysteries of water on this planet, from discovering oxygen in the deep ocean to finding it in the mantle.
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