The use of artificial lights is a unique indicator of human activities, which can be observed from space, and a source of light pollution, impacting our night sky, fauna, flora and human health. The current transition to LED lighting technologies might lead to brighter, whiter and more glary lighting. This research project aims to measure the changes in lighting combining remote sensing from space and ground based measurements, to answer both methodological questions (regarding the measurement methods) and thematical questions (regarding the factors explaining light pollution and its extent). The results of this research will hopefully assist in reducing light pollution and to raise awareness to this topic.

Bush Heritage Australia’s Edgbaston Reserve (9,300 ha), protects a series of Great Artesian Basin springs that are home to a range of rare and endemic fish, macroinvertebrates and plants. The wetted area associated with the springs fluctuates in extent, due to seasonal and daily variations in temperature and rainfall. The stable ‘pool’ area of the wetland near the spring vent and the variable shallow ‘tail’ area provide different habitats for flora and fauna. Determining the extent of these different habitats requires fine scale understanding of the spatiotemporal variation in wetland extent.

This project will use ground based digital repeat photography and high resolution satellite imagery to measure the expansion and contraction of the wetted area of a spring at fine temporal frequency.