Dr. Jonathan Dandois

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.

Publications

FULL LIST: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=9iRaccMAAAAJ&hl=en

Dandois, J. P. and E. C. Ellis. 2013. High spatial resolution three-dimensional mapping of vegetation spectral dynamics using computer vision. Remote Sensing of Environment 136:259-276. [download] [blog post]

Dandois, J. P. and E. C. Ellis. 2010. Remote sensing of vegetation structure using computer vision. Remote Sensing 2(4):1157-1176. [download]

Courses

GES497 -- GES Undergraduate Internship: I am currently the instructor for a GES internship credit for undergraduate students.  Our interns are helping out with total station surveying and forest inventory of our forest sites on campus, working on Python code development for georeferencing and data processing, and helping to maintain current RC aircraft (Hexakopters) and develop new flying systems.