B8409 - REMOTE SENSING

Conoscenze e abilità da conseguire

Dopo un'introduzione al telerilevamento e all'elaborazione delle immagini, ci concentreremo sulle applicazioni del telerilevamento al monitoraggio costiero, esplorando anche le domande di ricerca attualmente aperte. Gli studenti acquisiranno una conoscenza operativa di vari strumenti di telerilevamento e diversi tipi di dati, con particolare attenzione alla loro applicazione nelle aree costiere. Il corso includerà teoria, esercitazioni in laboratorio informatico e progetti applicati all'ambiente costiero. Gli studenti impareranno a 1) valutare criticamente i limiti e i pregi dei sensori attualmente disponibili, 2) selezionare le tecniche di telerilevamento e i dati disponibili più adatti a risolvere un problema specifico, 3) selezionare e applicare la pre-elaborazione e l'elaborazione più efficaci, 4) valutare l'accuratezza dei loro risultati.

Contenuti

The course consists of lessons, remote sensing practical activities (i.e. image processing using selected software), and a final project. The course includes two Modules, with 4CFU for the Remote Sensing Module, and 2CFU for coastal geomorphology Module. During the course, students will become familiar with basic concepts of coastal geomorphology as well as of remote sensing and image processing. The geomorphological Module includes: 1. Coastal classification and morphology: how coasts are classified, main influencing factors on coastal morphology. 2. Coastal sedimentology: how sediments are classified, sediment transport and deposition, depositional environments on coastal regions, grain size classification, sedimentological analysis, facies association concept and facies analysis of coastal deposits. 3. Sea-level variations: key concepts, eustatic vs relative sea-level changes, sea-level variation in the Northern Adriatic zone (case studies), how depositional sequences accumulate (principles of stratigraphy in brief) and potential applications for coastal zones. 4. Deltas: definitions, components, deltaic environments, classification of Deltas, Italian deltas and the modern Po Delta evolution, modern Deltas at risk. 5. Estuaries: definitions, processes, classification of estuaries, beach depositional environments, sediment provenance, beach morphology, coral reefs. High coasts: main genetic processes, cliffs formation and classification, erosion and cliff backstepping.

Within the Remote Sensing Module, students will use remote sensing as a tool to study coastal geomorphology with specific hands-on applications. After an introduction on the basic theory on remote sensing and the electromagnetic radiation principles, students will learn the principles of digital image processing. Satellite data will be used to reconstruct changes in time and space typical of coastal areas dynamics. Specifically we will focus on (1) change detection in coastal zones (i.e. morphological changes of the coastline, of the estuaries, etc.); (2) landuse mapping; (3) mapping and assessing the characteristics of coastal vegetation; (4) detecting coastal water turbidity.

At the end of the course, students will develop a project that will allow them to apply the skills acquired during the course.

Testi/Bibliografia

Main suggestions:

Canada Centre for Remote Sensing. Fundamentals of Remote Sensing, http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/earth-sciences/geography-boundary/remote-sensing/fundamentals/1430

Tempfli et al. Principle of Remote Sensing – An introductory textbook, https://webapps.itc.utwente.nl/librarywww/papers_2009/general/principlesremotesensing.pdf

Slides and other readings will be provided.

Metodi didattici

Theoretical lessons will be complemented with readings of research articles that will be assigned to students. The course will include a strong operational component to be developed in class using personal laptops and specific software. Therefore, in addition to the theoretical lessons students will follow labs:

Geomorphology labs: 1. stratigraphic logs (exercises); 2. analysis of unconsolidated coastal sediments.

Remote sensing labs: we will have one lab session per week dedicated to in-class activities based on image and data processing.

Considering the type of teaching activities and methods, in order to follow this course students should have taken the e-learning Module 1- Safety General Training and Module 2- Sefety Specific Training [https://elearning-sicurezza.unibo.it/]

Modalità di verifica e valutazione dell'apprendimento

The practical training will include exercises that will be evaluated during the course and will be part of the final grade. An individual project will be developed by each student for the final exam. The final oral exam will include the presentation of the project as well as answering questions regarding the project and other subjects of the course.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary/permanent disabilities are advised to contact the university office in charge in a timely manner (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ). The office will propose any necessary accommodations, which must be submitted to the course instructor at least 15 days in advance for approval, based on the educational objectives of the course.

Strumenti a supporto della didattica

Students are required to bring their own laptops. The software used for the training will be exclusively open access, as for example QGIS, SNAP and MultiSpec.

Orario di ricevimento

Consulta il sito web di Sonia Silvestri