The aim of this project is to validate the Sentinel-2 derived fuel moisture content data for mallee-heath ecosystems and softwood pine plantations in New South Wales.

Accurate moisture content estimations for these ecosystems have the potential to improve fire spread models, and result in more accurate predictions of fire behaviour.

The ANU team will use already-existing data from stakeholders, and will provide a protocol for the collection of FMC data that can be used to validate the Sentinel-2 FMC data product. The protocol will be used by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to collect FMC data in mallee-heath sites across the north coast region and, by the NSW Forestry Corporation to collect FMC data in softwood pine plantations during harvesting or thinning operations in the state.

(Image: European Space Agency)