Internal

Studying the effect of leaf-level biochemistry and canopy-level structural traits on spectral reflectance canopy measurements

The combined effect of leaf-level biochemistry with canopy-level structural traits complicates the interpretation of remotely sensed spectral measurements. Here, field observations will be combined with optical radiative transfer modelling to investigate how integrating thermal and spectral measurements can help to better understand the multi-scale problem of plant properties.

Department: Construction Management & Engineering

Supervised by: Dr. Stefan T. Smith (School of Built Environment, Uni Reading), Dr. Christos H. Halios (Public Health England, School of Built Environment, Uni Reading)

The Placement Project

The combined effect of leaf-level biochemistry with stem- and canopy-level structural traits complicates and limits the successful interpretation of remotely sensed spectral measurements on the detection of fundamental vegetation properties. This is usually tackled by integrating data from different sources (e.g. lidar and spectrometer), each capturing different canopy aspects. A new method has been recently proposed (Halios et al., 2020), whereby the problem of the convergent structural properties of plants can be tackled with a ground-based experimental layout that enables synergy between spectral and thermal measurements. Thermal imaging is commonly used in studies aiming to capture leaf temperature-related processes and is much cheaper than lidars but fusion between thermal and spectral measurements has not yet been fully explored. The student will use existing data collected during an experimental campaign in summer 2019 within the InfruTreeCity project, that aims to advance our understanding of the interactions between urban trees and the built environment. Thermal and spectral measurements have been taken on seven containerized trees that were placed in a controlled microenvironment at Hall Farm, University of Reading. The student will employ an optical radiative transfer model that has been used to study plant canopy spectral and directional reflectance (PROSAIL) in order to better understand the processes linking canopy’s spectral reflectance and thermal properties with and plants’ biochemical and structural traits. The student will further explore how synergy between spectral and thermal measurements can be employed to explore the plant’s health status.

Tasks

A suggested time plan is given below, assuming a student is working 5 days a week for 6 weeks. Under supervision, the student will: • Review literature, familiarise with datasets and model. (week 1). • Data analysis (weeks 2 and 3). • Model application of the data (weeks 4 and 5). • Writing of report and presenting the results at the research group meeting (week 6). The placement could comprise two 3-week periods, with the data analysis carried out in one block, and the model application in the second block.

Skills, knowledge and experience required

Essential skills: • The student is expected to have a background in one or more of the following areas: environmental science/ mathematics/ physics/ meteorology/ engineering. • Competence with computers, e.g. in particular, experience in a computer programming language (Python, R or MATLAB). • The student will need to be flexible, reliable and hardworking. • An understanding of the importance of the scientific method and an ability to accurately follow protocol are essential. • Willingness to attend the Energy and Environmental Engineering research group meetings. Desirable skills • Previous experience of handling data and knowledge of statistics is desirable. • Previous experience of running models in matlab will be welcome.

Skills which will be developed during the placement

• The student will gain hands on experience in all stages of the research post-processing from start to finish, including reviewing the literature, analysing the data, using a model to further the relevant processes, investigate and presenting and writing up the results. • The supervisor and members of the team will work with the student in meetings at least once and preferably twice a week at all stages to help them develop new skills and expertise in each area. • General transferable skills to be developed include independent and team-working, computing and analytical skills, report writing and presentations skills.

Place of Work

School of the Built Environment, Chancellors Building, 13 Suttons Park Ave, Earley, Reading RG6 6UR. Note that this placement is suitable for remote working if needed for covid19 -related reasons.

Hours of Work

9am-5pm. Note that this placement is suitable for part-time work if desired, and the start and end dates are flexible.

Approximate Start and End Dates (not fixed)

Monday 14 June 2021 - Friday 23 July 2021

How to Apply

This project will be advertised until 5pm on Wednesday 19th May 2021. Students should submit their CV and Cover Letter directly to the Project Supervisor (click on supervisor name at the top of the page for email). Successful candidates will be invited for an interview.


Return to Placements List

Page navigation