OPERATIONAL APPLICATION OF THE LANDSAT TIMESERIES TO ADDRESS LARGE AREA LANDCOVER UNDERSTANDING

Abstract. State Government agencies in northern and eastern Australia and the University of Queensland, Brisbane, have been collaborating through the Joint Remote Sensing Research Program (JRSRP). This has resulted in a significant acceleration in the development and successful operational application of remote sensing methods for the JRSRP members and the various state and national programs and policies which they support. The JRSRP provides an open and collaborative mechanism and governance structure to successfully bring together a unique combination of expertise in image processing, field data collection, and data integration approaches to deliver accurate, repeatable and robust methods for mapping and monitoring Australia’s unique ecosystems. Remote sensing provides spatially- and temporally-comprehensive information about land cover features at a range of scales and often for minimal cost compared to traditional mapping and monitoring approaches. This makes remote sensing a very useful operational mapping and monitoring tool for land managers, particularly in the vast rangelands of Australia. This paper outlines recent developments in remote sensing and modelling products that are being used operationally by JRSRP members to address large area landcover understanding.