A Remote Sensing and Cloud Computing Approach to Mitigate Abiotic or Biotic Stress Impact on Forest Plantations

About the project

Develop technical innovations for the forestry industry

If you are keen to develop your career in photogrammetry and remote sensing and motivated to address environmental sustainability, the University of South Australia – Australia’s University of Enterprise – is offering a hands-on project-based Masters within Sustainable Infrastructure and Resource Management (SIRM), in partnership with Green Triangle Forest Health Group, the Department of Primary Industries and Regions and SmartSat-CRC.

Our project will develop a cloud-based early warning tool for the Green Triangle forestry industry, enabling plantation-level tree stress detection using freely available satellite imagery.

We will develop a tool that can provide timely alerts to forestry managers and will be accessible, scalable, and cost-effective via platforms like Google Earth Engine.

Our project will generate insights into the effectiveness of freely available satellite data for monitoring tree health, validated via ground truthing and comparison with high-resolution multispectral and Kanyini hyperspectral imagery. The tool will give forest managers the ability to prioritise and schedule management across the estate and focus on age class.

By focusing on freely available imagery and a user-friendly design, this project aims to deliver a practical and accessible solution that supports sustainable forest management and enhances resilience to stress events in the Green Triangle.

The project will also assess the capabilities of Kanyini hyperspectral satellite imagery for detecting plantation stress and compare the results with those obtained from freely available multispectral satellite imagery.

This tool will enhance the forestry industry’s resilience to stressors by enabling proactive management, reducing economic losses, and supporting data-driven sustainable forestry. Its reliance on freely available satellite imagery allows for broader adoption, both in Australia and globally.

You will join the dynamic SIRM cohort and benefit from our expansive world-class expertise and mentorship. The centre provides you with access to state-of-the-art facilities, equipment and resources. You will graduate with a suite of theoretical and practical skills and abilities that will position you well in the job market.

What you’ll do

In this project-based research degree, you will help develop a fully operational cloud-based tool for early stress detection in plantations. You will develop methodology for processing and analysing freely available satellite imagery.

We will guide you in how to validate reports comparing tool performance with high-resolution imagery and ground truthing. You will also help develop a user guide to support forestry industry adoption.

Journal article development and research presentations will help you build communication and networking skills and launch your professional platform.

Where you’ll be based

You will be based in SIRM. Our future depends on the increased application of sustainable infrastructure and responsible use of our natural resources. SIRM facilitates this goal by conducting research in three main streams:  natural resources and environmental resilience,   innovative infrastructure and asset management and smart communities.

The construction industry is an essential part of our lives, but it is one of the highest contributors to climate emissions.  SIRM is committed to meaningful research that can help re-shape this industry into a leader in sustainable practices.  SIRM also works directly with the resource sector, particularly water and forestry, to inspire innovative management.

SIRM brings together diverse research expertise to address significant challenges for industries and the society at the interface of the natural and the built environments at both the macro and micro level to sustainably manage natural and built environments by applying innovative and efficient resource use.

We build resilient ecological and human systems through active engagement of diverse stakeholders and implement circular economy principles (rethink, reduce, re-use, and recycle) and innovative technologies for construction and other built environment sectors. We also promote smart resource recovery and the design and construction of efficient net-zero buildings and support liveable cities and regional communities, tourism and agri-food production. Financial Support 

This project is funded for reasonable research expenses. Additionally, a living allowance scholarship of $35,200 per annum is available to Australian and New Zealand citizens, and permanent residents of Australia, including permanent humanitarian visa holders. Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants will be eligible to receive an increased stipend rate of $52,352 per annum (2025 rate). A fee-offset or waiver for the standard term of the program is also included. For full terms and benefits of the scholarship please refer to our scholarship information. International applicants are not invited to apply at this time.

Eligibility and Selection

This project is open to applications from Australian or New Zealand citizens, and Australian permanent residents or permanent humanitarian visa holders. International applicants are not invited to apply at this time.

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for entrance into a Master of Research.

Additionally, applicants must meet the project selection criteria: 

• An understanding of remote sensing, statistics/machine learning, and programming in Python. 
• Experience or course work in forestry or environmental science. 
• Strong interpersonal skills. 
• High level organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise and manage workload.

All applications that meet the eligibility and selection criteria will be considered for this project. A merit selection process will be used to determine the successful candidate.

The successful applicant is expected to study full-time and to be based at our Mawson Lakes campus in the north of Adelaide. 

Essential Dates 

Applicants are expected to start in a timely fashion upon receipt of an offer. Extended deferral periods are not available. Applications close on Wednesday, 21 May, 2025.