This research forum is focused on the presentation and discussion of the application of advanced remotely sensed data in the characterization of soil properties and the assessment of the impact of land cover and land use conversion on soil properties and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

For the past several years, researchers at the Earth Observation Laboratory at York University in Toronto, in collaboration with scientists of the Great Lakes Forestry Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, Natural Resources of Canada, and the Science and Technology Branch of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada have worked on a project, “Integrating advanced remote sensing technologies and multi-scale modeling to advance understanding of impact of land conversion of soil properties” funded by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). The study area is the Great Clay Belt area within the District of Cochrane in Ontario. This project aims to generate new knowledge on the impacts of land use conversion on soil properties and GHG emission through an integrated approach using advanced remote sensing technologies combined with multi-scale modeling. It is motivated by the growing demands for accurate and comprehensive assessment of the impact of agricultural expansion in northern Ontario on soil carbon stocks and GHG emission. Specifically, the objectives of this project are to (1) develop methodologies for detecting and mapping land cover/use dynamics in northern Ontario, (2) develop methodologies to characterize soil properties in forest and agricultural lands by exploiting advanced remotely sensed data, and (3) assess how the initial forest and soil properties and subsequent management schemes affect the change of soil carbon stock and GHG emission due to land use conversion.

This forum will feature presentations by the research team of this project, about our research and findings, to be followed by interactive discussions. This virtual forum will run from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM on August 25, 2022. We are looking forward to seeing you.

Zoom link:
https://yorku.zoom.us/j/96608477371?pwd=SzFOd0FHSnh0d0FnelliQ3liNlZFdz09
Meeting ID: 966 0847 7371
Passcode: 241721
For more information, please email Professor Baoxin Hu at baoxin@yorku.ca or Mr. Rory Pittman at rpittman@yorku.ca