Bachelor

1. Understanding the relation of the Leaf Area Index and satellite imagery in the National Park Hainich

Background: The temporal relation between the leaf area index (LAI) and optical satellite imagery in complex and so far not fully understood. Although the LAI is frequently used for the modelling of vegetation development, hydrology or climate changes it can vary spatially and temporally, according to the phenology and underlying factors, such as soil or terrain. Therefore, the clear relation between in-situ measurements in the field and remote sensing products needs to be established on a robust statistical basis.

Objectives: The aim of this thesis is to evaluate in-situ measurements of the LAI (taken with two different methods) and relate this information to multi-temporal satellite imagery, namely RapidEye for a homogeneous beech forest in the National Park Hainich. The field campaign is already completed, so the data can be evaluated and analyzed immediately.

Research area: National Park Hainich
Related to: co-operation with the National Park

2. Erkennung von Wildschäden im Müritz Nationalpark

In extensiv bewirtschafteten Grünländern innerhalb des Müritz Nationalparks kommt es immer wieder zu Wildtierschäden, speziell durch Wildschweine. Innerhalb dieser Arbeit sollen diese Schäden mit Satellitendaten (Sentinel-2) erkannt und ihr zeitlicher Verlauf (innerhalb einer Saison und für mehrere Jahre) dokumentiert werden. Methodisch können dabei unüberwachte Klassifikationsmethoden oder Schwellenwerte von Vegetationsindizes verwendet werden.

Ansprechpartner: Dr. Michael Förster

3. Remote Sensing for Habitat Mapping

Research question: Can optical remote sensing be utilized to map the spatial distribution of
arthropod habitats?

Project description: What are characteristic arthropods (insects, spiders) in heathlands and where do these species occur? The Heinz Sielmann Foundation collected and determined the species inventory in the Kyritz-Ruppiner Heide, a former military training ground, at 57 plots in 2019. Additionally, plant species abundances and structural vegetation parameters were mapped in situ for each plot. Hence, arthropod groups can be assigned to certain vegetation conditions that define characteristic habitats. We want to examine whether these habitats can be mapped using optical remote sensing at different spatial scales.
A basic understanding of optical remote sensing data and processing methods is required. Based on this, machine learning (classification) methods should be used to calibrate models at different scales from field spectra to multispectral satellite imagery. As a result, we expect distribution patterns of animal habitats that vary depending on the spatial resolution of observation.

The work is seen as a contribution to international efforts for global biodiversity monitoring. The overall goal is to better understand patterns and trends of biodiversity and to develop target-oriented habitat management measures using remote sensing as a monitoring tool. Spatial monitoring is particularly required for wide, unfragmented heathlands in international protected area networks.
Do you want to become part of this research? The work belongs to the NaTec-KRH project conducted by Heinz Sielmann Foundation and German Research Centre for Geosciences GFZ Potsdam. (http://www.heather-conservation-technology.com/ [1])

Kontakt:
TU Berlin – Prof. Birgit Kleinschmit (birgit.kleinschmit@tu-berlin.de [2])
GFZ Potsdam - Dr. Carsten Neumann (carsten.neumann@gfz-potsdam.de [3])

4. Drone Imagery for Mapping Resprouting after Heath Mowing

Research question: Can the regrowth of heather (Calluna vulgaris) after mowing be spatially predicted using RBG UAV images?
Project description: Within the largest unfragmented heathland area in Europe, the Kyritz-Ruppiner Heide, an active habitat management is regularly applied to maintain open heath areas. One important measure is the implementation of mechanical mowing to old heath stands in order to stimulate regeneration by resprouting. The goal is to rejuvenate heath plants and thus increase its vitality and reproductive capacity.

High-resolution images were recorded by RGB-drones before mowing and afterwards for the years 2017-2020. At the same time, extensive field surveys were carried out to map vitality, species composition, vegetation structure and sprouting. We want to show that there are optical patterns and
vitality indicators that can be related to the potential of resprouting. For that purpose, different machine learning methods will be tested to combine field samples with UAV time series. The work aims at testing the hypotheses that resprouting can be mapped before and after mowing in drone imagery.

The work is seen as a contribution to international efforts for global biodiversity monitoring. The overall goal is to better understand patterns and trends of biodiversity and to develop target-oriented habitat management measures using remote sensing as a monitoring tool. Spatial monitoring is particularly required for wide, unfragmented heathlands in international protected area networks.

Do you want to become part of this research? The work belongs to the NaTec-KRH project conducted by Heinz Sielmann Foundation and German Research Centre for Geosciences GFZ Potsdam. (http://www.heather-conservation-technology.com/ [4])

Kontakt:
TU Berlin – Prof. Birgit Kleinschmit (birgit.kleinschmit@tu-berlin.de [5])
GFZ Potsdam - Dr. Carsten Neumann (carsten.neumann@gfz-potsdam.de [6] )

2018

Pia KräftAnalyse der Eignung von Oberflächenmodellen zur Erkennung von Windwurfflächen am Beispiel des Sturmes Xavier (2017) in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

2016

Maik Boytscheff
Wald als Regenerationsquelle für das Makrozoobenthos nach Pestizideintrag – eine GIS-basierte Landschatselementanalyse des Gewässernetzes in Norddeutschland.

2012

Robert Ahrberg
Carbon Footprint und Stadtstruktur – eine statistische Analyse der Zusammenhänge am Beispiel von Berlin

2011

Hendrikje Leutloff
Sind INSPIRE-kompatibele Geofachdaten für die Durchführung einer GIS-basierten SUP anwendbar? - Analyse zum Schutzgut Wasser auf Ebene des Flächennutzungsplans von Berlin
Bachelor thesis Leutloff [7]

2010

Lisa Heinsch
Application of a cellular automaton for modelling the land use in the metropolitan area of Berlin