Our aim is to assess the ability of new radar imagery and high resolution multispectral imagery to estimate habitat attributes (metrics) associated with threatened reptiles of the Queensland Brigalow Belt. Specifically, the objectives are: (1) to evaluate the relationships between habitat metrics collected from the field and those generated from radar-multispectral imagery, focusing on "yakka skink" (Egernia rugosa), and (2) to develop a predictive habitat model by utilising field data, imagery, and thematic maps in a geographic information system (GIS) environment.
This study covers several innovative components: a) the first study on using high-resolution satellite imagery to map threatened reptile in the Brigalow Belt; b) a pioneering study to utilise ALOS radar imagery for wildlife habitat mapping in Australia; and c) a novel study that will attempt to evaluate (in the context of habitat mapping) the utility of space-borne sensors to map non-traditional variables like rock outcrops, fallen leaf-litter, branches, hollow logs, understorey old trees, surface roughness, etc.We considered the use of laser remote sensing (lidar) to test its capability to estimate the above variables. Recent biodiversity studies (e.g. Goetz, et al., 2006) indicate lidar's better performance than the traditional remote sensing imagery. But due to the prohibitive cost of lidar data at present, we did not pursue this option. However, this current proposed project, if approved, will be a springboard for future project undertakings on lidar-radar-multispectral data integration
