AusCover

TERN AusCover enables the use and access of field-verified remote sensing data products for accurate and precise mapping and monitoring of Australian ecosystems.

This partnership of over 12 government and academic institutions collects data about ecosystems using satellites, airborne sensors, and onground systems. We then develop tools and data products that enable researchers and resource managers to measure, investigate and understand  how our environments are structured and are changing over time.

Our primary goal is to assist in the production of ecosystem science data products designed specifically for Australian conditions. We work collaboratively across Australian science and natural resource management organisations to provide infrastructure that enables data collection, calibration, validation, synthesis, and development of new knowledge.

AusCover focuses on geospatial data products measuring several biophysical variables for Australian ecosystems, including time-series, map products, and the associated field calibration and validation data that enable users to evaluate and appropriately apply our products in their work. Our datasets are used for a wide range of applications in ecosystem science and natural resources management.

AusCover also provides access to a national network of experts, field instruments, and field protocols for use in ecosystem science and natural resource management. We support a nationally consistent approach to the delivery, calibration and validation of key remote sensing datasets, and our data is also the basis for calibration of numerous global earth observation data products.

Key uses of AusCover

A wide range of professionals across government, research, and industry use AusCover to:

• Assess natural and human induced changes in the environment including impacts of bushfires, climate variability, and intensive development;
• Compare environmental variables across the country in space and time by drawing upon the satellite image archives for Australia;
• Measure the relative benefits and impacts of legislated environmental management programs on Australia’s major land and coastal ecosystems; and
• Facilitate national and international links between research, government, and industry.

Remote sensing data delivery, instrumentation, and ground validation

As well as delivering valuable remote sensing data products for use in science and management, AusCover’s suite of infrastructure includes tools that assist researchers to undertake their work more effectively. In total, AusCover delivers:

• Nationally-consistent, standard biophysical data products;
• Specialised satellite, airborne, and onground research-grade data;
• Metadata and technical support documents;
• Physical storage and efficient delivery to end-users;
• Solved data formats, interoperability and data management/policy;
• Set national standards and field validation protocols, including the Australian first ‘AusCover Good Practice Guidelines’ handbook that gives details on how to correct and check remotely sensed data products to ensure they can be used for science and management applications; and
• International benchmarking e.g. Committee on Earth Observation Satellites Working Group for Calibration and Validation of Land Products.

Data themes

AusCover’s data products address the following key themes:

• Land cover dynamics and Phenology
• Vegetation composition and diversity
• Fire dynamics and impacts
• Vegetation structural properties and Biomass
• Field survey datasets
• Airborne datasets
• Corrected surface reflectance products
• Other environmental data such as solar radiation, rainfall, and water vapour pressure

For more information on AusCover's work and to access the AusCover data portal you can visit the AusCover website.

Biophysical image map data sets produced by the AusCover Facility

Facility Director:

Dr Alex Held
CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research
E:
www.auscover.org.au

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