My research has been influenced to a major extent by the needs of the Universities with which I have been associated. This is reflected in my publication list, which began with a series of technical photogrammetric papers during my period at Glasgow University, and in my early years at Aberystwyth.
Research in intertidal areas and land use mapping at Aberystwyth resulted in a change of direction towards the use of colour and colour infrared aerial photography. The two major projects completed during this period were my work on the Dyfi Estuary and Dartmoor National Park.
My appointment at UNE saw a continuation of this work for a few years. However, it soon became clear that satellite remote sensing would be more relevant to the Australian situation and the work being done at UNE. This led to research into analysis of remotely sensed imagery, initially using photographic methods, and later digital image processing when the software and hardware became available.
One of the early uses of Landsat imagery in Australia was its use in the survey of potential wilderness areas in eastern New South Wales. I coordinated the application for funding and managed the project for all but the last few months when I was on study leave. This project led to the creation of many new National Parks in New South Wales, of which Wollemi, north-west of Sydney is the largest. In addition much of the recent NSW legislation on wilderness has been based on the principles established by our report. The report was eventually reprinted three times.
My earlier interests in aerial photography have continued in joint projects with Professor G. Connah of the Department of Archaeology and Palaeoanthropology and Assoc. Professor J. Sinden of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Business Management, both at UNE. The project with Professor Connah was funded by ARGC and investigated the uses of aerial photography in locating and recording aboriginal sites. The project with Professor Sinden was funded by the New England Dieback Committee and investigated the distribution and impact of dieback in the area south east of Armidale.
My interests in digital image processing have also resulted in research into the development of low cost image processing for distance education. Several grants from the UNE External Studies Development Fund have enabled me to produce digital image processing software, which is used in my own teaching as well as in other institutions.
I have produced two videos on colour aerial photography and digital image display, particularly for use by external students. I have attended workshops on computer aided learning and multimedia and am currently working on a computer aided learning package called Geoskills which was published in 2000. It won second place in the Individual Category of the Mapping Sciences Institute Australia and Hatch Associates 2000 Technology, Research and Development Award and was Highly Commended in Excellence in Mapping Sciences Award by the Mapping Sciences Institute Australia.
My research is concerned with the integration of remotely sensed data and geographic information systems (GIS) in the field of urban and regional planning. I have been working in digital image processing for over 10 years, first on A DEC-20 mainframe computer and since 1986 on the ERDAS microcomputer based system. My latest work involves the integration of high resolution SPOT panchromatic data with SPOT multispectral and Landsat Thematic Mapper data of Armidale and with GIS data for planning. This involves using ERDAS and Arc/Info. I have also worked in GIS applications in the delimitation of urban spheres of influence. I have also become interested in the use of this software for visualisation and its use in computer aided learning.
| Alan Jones Home | Brief CV | Research | Teaching |
Geography and Planning,
School of Human & Environmental Studies,
University of New England,
Armidale, N.S.W. 2351, Australia.
Phone +61 267 73 2696 Fax +61 267 73 3030
Home +61 267 72 5121
E-mail ajones@pobox.une.edu.au
Web page compiled A.D.Jones 4 February, 1999, modified 3 June, 2003
© 1999 Alan Jones