Jonathan Dandois
Ph.D., Department of Geography and Environmental Systems, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 2013
B.S., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 2003
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My research focuses on the development and use of a low-cost remote sensing system comprised of off-the-shelf digital cameras, hobbyist remote controlled aircraft and computer vision software, Ecosynth, for measuring tree and forest canopy 3D structure and composition at fine spatial scale. Broadly, I am interested in using remote sensing for studying patterns of forest structure and composition across different types of natural and anthropogenic landscapes. For my dissertation research, I am focused on understanding how forest canopies are measured by a computer vision structure from motion system and also in understanding how we can use this new combination of existing technologies to improve understanding of forest ecosystems. For example, a key research interest that could be advanced by Ecosynth would be in improving understanding of the spatial and temporal patterns of canopy structure and spectral traits at fine-spatial scale throughout the growing season. My research is primarily based on the UMBC campus in Baltimore MD, but I also study the forest at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) in Edgewater MD.
Alumni: 2008-2013; GES, IGERT