Remote sensing of stream restoration activities in a forested environment
Faculty mentor/Supervisor
Michael Wing
Email Address
Department Affiliation
Forest Engineering Resources & Management
Project Location
Corvallis
Project Description
The primary emphasis will be on a USFS-funded project that is examining the impacts of riparian restoration impacts on rivers in western Oregon. Other federal and state agencies are also participating in this research. The AIS Lab has collected high resolution imagery using unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) from several Oregon locations over three years. The student would be involved in the on-going processing and analysis of these databases using GIS and remote sensing software. This experience would include experience with geospatial software packages and geoprocessing techniques. Other project work is also likely and would involve creating and analyzing spatial databases. These skills should be very attractive to potential future employers.
Describe the type of work and tasks you anticipate the student will perform
The student’s primary duty will be creating, maintaining, and analyzing large robust geospatial datasets. Most of the student work will involve using geospatial software to perform operations like clipping, creating terrain models, and extracting pixel values from multispectral datasets. Other project work may include generating, manipulating, and analyzing both small and large spatial database. PhD student Will Hirsch will be the primary mentor in using programming and geospatial analysis techniques to perform operations on the databases. The student will ideally work more independently once familiar with the processing techniques, and the work can be accomplished remotely by logging into one of the AIS Lab machines. Training and mentoring can also be accomplished remotely through Zoom.
Please list special or preferred skills
The student will have foundational GIS, remote sensing, and/or programming experience. Students with advanced experience working with large imagery datasets are preferred. Students with knowledge or interest in forestry.
Hourly rate of pay
$17.00
Certification
Yes
What is the expected timeline of this project?
The primary project and other potential projects are currently ready for MEP student involvement. We would like the MEP student to begin as soon as they are able. We anticipate a weekly schedule of between 6-8 hours.
Are special skills or knowledge required to work on this project?
Yes
Will training be provided?
Yes
How many hours per week do you anticipate a student to work?
6-8
How many hours per week do you anticipate engaging in direct mentorship?
1-2
The primary mentor will be PhD student Will Hirsch and FERM faculty members Michael Wing. We will introduce the student to geospatial software packages they will use throughout their academic and professional career. The student will leave the project with practical knowledge of ArcGIS and other packages used for geospatial processing and analysis at the industry level. Through our project, the student will learn the critical role of geomatics in the forest management workflow. By contributing to a collaborative research project, the student will understand how scientists rely on scientific data to support management decisions. Gaining applied experience in GIS, remote sensing, and programming will make the student a desired employee and skilled resource for future hiring managers. The graduate student mentor for this project followed a professional trajectory in interdisciplinary geospatial science and will provide beneficial career and academic advice to the undergraduate student. The AIS lab will provide the student further resources and connections if interested in UAS operations and applied remote sensing research. The student will also experience a collaborative laboratory environment that functions through remote settings and the process that goes into conducting applied research. Mentored employment will allow a student interested in geospatial science to apply their coursework and surround themselves with OSU faculty and students engaged in helping them succeed.