text:
Dr Mathias (Mat) Disney
I am a Reader in Remote Sensing in the Department of Geography and member of the Environmental Monitoring and Modelling Group.
I can usually be found in Room 113, Pearson Building, or failing that in room 106, the EO research lab. My office number is +44 (0)20 7679 0592.
Contact: UCL Dept. of Geography, Office 113, Pearson Building, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7679 0592 (int. x30592)
email: mathias . disney @ ucl . ac . uk
twitter: @mathiasdisney
Blog: Terrestrial laser scanning
3D simulation tools: 3D Veglab
I am a Reader in Remote Sensing in the Department of Geography and member of the Environmental Monitoring and Modelling Group. I am also a member of the NERC National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO).
My background was a BSc in physics, followed by our very own UCL MSc in remote sensing. I then studied radiative transfer modelling of crop canopies for my PhD, using detailed 3D models to explore the information content of moderate resolution satellite data, to test simpler models and validate new (at the time!) satellite albedo products based on these simpler approaches. This led to work with NASA colleagues on the MODIS BRDF/albedo product, amongst other things.
My research interests lie in using new observations of terrestrial ecosystems, particularly trees and forests, across scales from individual leaves to global. My aim is to better understand the interactions between vegetation, climate and people, by quantifying the relationships between tree form and function. I do this by combining traditional field measurements with cutting-edge new technologies including in particular ground-based terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and satellite Earth Observation (EO). The approaches I have helped develop are now being used to underpin new space-based global forest measurements by NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), among other international organisations e.g. for calibration and validation of the forthcoming NASA GEDI (2018) and ESA BIOMASS (2021) missions. I have led field campaigns to Gabon, Ghana, and the US for this work.
I have pioneered the use of new highly-accurate TLS measurement and models to provide unique 3D measurements of forest structure and biomass. These measurements are proving to be of critical importance in reducing uncertainty in estimates of tropical forest C stocks from ground and space. My new approach to 'weighing' trees with lasers by calculating their 3D shape and volume very precisely, is providing new insights into current tropical forest C stocks. I have collaborated widely with partners across the tropics to characterise forest AGB, for example in the new AmazonFACE CO2 enrichment experiment set up near Manaus and funded by (among others) INPA, CNPq and Brasil Governo Federal (http://amazonface.org/program). Under various funding from NERC, the EC and others I am generating new samples of tree volume (and mass) with which to test existing methods and develop improved relationships with much lower uncertainty. This is particularly importance for the UN programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation in Developing Countries (REDD+) in terms of valuation of avoided deforestation C in tropical forests. This has led to funding via the UK Government Technology Strategy Board (TSB) for remote sensing of C in collaboration with industry ('Big Data' BioClim project) and through EC funding (EU Horizon 20:20 BACI).
My work on characterising forest structure is also providing new ways to test fundamental hypotheses relating tree and forest structure to function: what controls tree size and shape? How do size and form reflect the various contributions of metabolic, environmental and evolutionary constraints? What are the implications for responses to disturbance and change? These questions are almost impossible to answer for large, hyper-diverse trees and forests; accurate measurements of tree structure of the sort I have developed are providing new insights and empirical tests of these hypotheses, which have been sorely lacking so far. This work has led to a wide range of publications, outreach activities, and funding to lead field campaigns, develop methods, organise and participate in international workshops and research networks around the broad themes of new forest measurements. I was co-recipient of funding from the Royal Society to hold a special meeting on the Terrestrial Laser Scanning revolution in forest ecology (Feb 2017) and guest editor of and contributor to the subsequent special issue of the Royal Society: Interface Focus special issue (as well as providing the cover image). I have collaborated widely including with groups in the UK, Europe, the US, Australia, Ghana, Gabon, Brazil, Peru, Malaysia and elsewhere. As part of my outreach and impact activities in the area of public understanding, my work has featured in various recent high profiles documentaries for the BBC, and in the wider press. I maintain a blog around my work which has led to new public outreach activities, including in schools, with local government and community organisations and other organisations, including a high profile exhibition The Future Starts Here, at the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2018.
You can find out more about what I do, and some of the exciting places we've been working, on my lidar research blog here. I collaborate widely; I'm a firm believer that sharing data & ideas etc. means we all move forward faster. Perhaps more importantly, working with other people opens my eyes to new ways of doing things and generates potential new areas of research. That's got to be a good thing!
Citation information
My Google scholar profile is here: ~5000 citations, h-index 30 (as of 05/2018).
Peer-reviewed publications:
Chernetskiy, M., Gobron, N., Gomez-Dans, J., Morgan, O., P. Lewis, C. Schmullius and Disney, M. I. (2018) Simulating arbitrary hyperspectral bandsets from multispectral observations via a generic Earth Observation-Land Data Assimilation System (EO-LDAS), Advances in Space Research, in press.
Wilkes, P., Disney, M. I., Boni Vicari, M., Calders, K. and Burt, A. (2018) Estimating urban Above Ground Biomass with multi-scale LiDAR, Carbon Balance & Management, doi: 10.1186/s13021-018-0098-0.
Calders, K., Origo, N., Burt, A., Disney, M. I., Nightingale, J., Raumonen, P., Åkerblom, M., Makhi, Y. and Lewis, P. (2018) Realistic Forest Stand Reconstruction from Terrestrial LiDAR for Radiative Transfer Modelling, Remote Sensing, 10(6), doi: 10.3390/rs10060933.
MacBean, N., Maignan, F., Bacour, C. Lewis, P., Peylin, P., Guanter, L., Köhler, P., Gomez-Dans, J., and Disney, M. I. (2018) Strong constraint on modelled global carbon uptake using solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence data, Scientific Reports, 8, Article number: 1973, doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-20024-w.
volu8, Article number: 1973(2018):10.1038/s41598-018-20024-w
Calders, K., Origo, N., Disney, M. I., Nightingale, J., Woodgate, W., Armston, J. and Lewis, P. (2018) Variability and bias in active 3D and passive 2D ground-based measurements of effective plant and wood area index, Agric. And Forest Meteorol., Volume 252, 231–240, doi: 10.1016/j.agrformet.2018.01.029.
The terrestrial laser scanning revolution in forest ecology I, F. M., , M. I., , R., , C. and
Malhi, Y., Bentley, L. P., Jackson, T., Lau, A., Shenkin, A., Herold, M., Calders, K., Bartholomeus, H. and Disney, M. I. (2018) Understanding the ecology of tree structure and tree communities through terrestrial laser scanning, Royal Society Interface Focus, special Issue on Royal Society meeting 'The terrestrial laser scanning revolution in forest ecology', doi: 10.1098/rsfs.2017.0052.
Disney, M. I., Boni Vicari, M., Calders, K., Burt, A., Lewis, S., Raumonen, P. and Wilkes, P. (2018) Weighing trees with lasers: advances, challenges and opportunities, Royal Society Interface Focus, special Issue on Royal Society meeting 'The terrestrial laser scanning revolution in forest ecology', doi: 10.1098/rsfs.2017.0048.
Åkerblom, M., Raumonen, P., Casella, E., Disney, M. I., Danson, F. M., Gaulton, R., Schofield, L. and Kaasalainen, M. (2018) Non-intersecting leaf insertion algorithm for tree structure models, Royal Society Interface Focus, special Issue on Royal Society meeting 'The terrestrial laser scanning revolution in forest ecology', doi: 10.1098/rsfs.2017.0045.
Meir P., Shenkin, A., Disney, M. I., Rowland, L., Malhi, Y., Herold, M. and da Costa, A. (2017) Plant Structure-Function Relationships and Woody Tissue Respiration: Upscaling to Forests from Laser-Derived Measurements. In: Tcherkez G., Ghashghaie J. (eds) Plant Respiration: Metabolic Fluxes and Carbon Balance. Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration (Including Bioenergy and Related Processes), vol 43. Springer, Cham. Doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-68703-2_5.
Van Leeuwen, M. and Disney, M. I. (2017) Vegetation Structure (LiDAR). Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences. Elsevier, doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-409548-9.10543-3 (local PDF).
Woodgate, W., Armston, J. D., Disney, M. I., Suarez, L., Jones, S. D., Hill, M. J., Wilkes, P., Soto-Berelov, M. (2017) Validating canopy clumping retrieval methods using hemispherical photography in a simulated Eucalypt forest, Agric. For. Meterol, 247, 181-193, doi: 10.1016/j.agrformet.2017.07.027.
Gonzalez de Tanago, J., Lau, A., Bartholomeus, H., Herold, M., Avitabile, V., Raumonen, P., Martius, C., Goodman, R. C., Manuri, S., Burt, A., Disney, M. I. andCalders, K. (2017) Estimation of above-ground biomass of large tropical trees with Terrestrial LiDAR, Methods in Ecology and Evolution, DOI: 10.1111/2041-210X.12904 (open access).
Pettorelli, N., Nagendra, H., Rocchini, D., Rowcliffe, M., Williams, R., Ahumada, J., De Angelo, C., Atzberger, C., Boyd, D., Buchanan, G., Chauvenet, A., Disney, M. I., Duncan, C., Fatoyinbo, T., Fernandez, N., Haklay, M., He, K., Horning, N., Kelly, N., de Klerk, H., Liu, X., Merchant, N., Paruelo, J., Roy, H., Roy, S., Ryan, S., Sollmann, R., Swenson, J. and Wegmann, M. (2017) Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation: three years on, Remote Sens Ecol Conserv, 3, 53–56. doi:10.1002/rse2.53.
Wilkes, P., Lau, A., Disney, M. I., Calders, K., Burt, A., Gonzalez de Tanago Menaca, J., Bartholomeus, H., Brede, B. and Herold, M. (2017) Data Acquisition Considerations for Terrestrial Laser Scanning of Forest Plots, Rem. Sens. Environ., 196, 140-153, DOI: 10.1016/j.rse.2017.04.030 (Open Access).
Origo, N., Calders, K., Nightingale, J. and Disney, M. I. (2017) Influence of levelling technique on the retrieval of canopy structural parameters from digital hemispherical photography, Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 237-238, 143-149, DOI: 10.1016/j.agrformet.2017.02.004.
Calders, K., Disney, M. I., Armston, J., Burt, A., Brede, B., Origo, N., Muir, J. and Nightingale, J. (2017) Evaluation of the Range Accuracy and the Radiometric Calibration of Multiple Terrestrial Laser Scanning Instruments for Data Interoperability, IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 55(5), 2716 - 2724, DOI: 10.1109/TGRS.2017.2652721.
Disney, M. I. (2016) Lumps and Bumps: lightweight lidar for small-scale topography, GEO: connexion, 15 (8), 65-66 (PDF copy).
Hancock. S., Anderson, K., Disney, M. I. and Gaston, K. (2016) Measurement of fine-spatial-resolution 3D vegetation structure with airborne waveform lidar: Calibration and validation with voxelised terrestrial lidar, Remote Sensing of Environment, 188, 37-50 (open access), doi: 10.1016/j.rse.2016.10.041.
Woodgate, W., Armston, J., Disney, M. I., Suarez, L., Jones, S. D., Hill, J., Wilkes, P. and Soto-Berelov, M. (2016) Quantifying the impact of woody material on leaf area index estimation from hemispherical photography using 3D canopy simulations, Agric. Forest Meteorol., 226-227, 1-12, doi:10.1016/j.agrformet.2016.05.009 (local PDF).
Disney, M. I., Muller, J.-P., Kharbouche, S., Kaminski, T., Vossbeck, M., Lewis, P. and Pinty, B. (2016) A new global fAPAR and LAI dataset derived from optimal albedo estimates: comparison with MODIS products, Remote Sensing, 8(4), 275; doi:10.3390/rs8040275 (PDF version, 26MB).
Gomez-Dans, J., Lewis, P. and Disney, M. I. (2016) Efficient emulation of radiative transfer codes using Gaussian processes and application to land surface parameter inferences, Remote Sensing, 8(2), 119, DOI: 10.3390/rs8020119 (PDF version).
Cuni-Sanchez, A., White, L. J. T., Calders, K., Jeffrey, K., Abernethy, K., Burt, A., Disney, M. I. , Gomez-Dans, J., Gilpin, M. and Lewis, S. L. (2016) African savanna-forest boundary dynamics: a 20-year study, PLOS One, 11(6): e0156934. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0156934.
Disney, M. I. (2016) Remote sensing of vegetation: potentials, limitations, developments and applications. In: K. Hikosaka, K., Niinemets, U. and Anten, N. P. R. (eds) Canopy Photosynthesis: From Basics to Applications. Springer Series: Advances In Photosynthesis and Respiration, Springer, Berlin, pp289-331. ISBN: 978-94-017-7290-7. DOI: 10.1007/978-94-017-7291-4. Pre-publication PDF version.
Calders, K., Newnham, G., Armston, J., Disney, M. I., Schaaf, C., and Paynter, I. (2015) Terrestrial LIDAR for forest monitoring, Chapter 2.10 in GOFC-GOLD (2015) A sourcebook of methods and procedures for monitoring and reporting anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and removals associated with deforestation, gains and losses of carbon stocks in forests remaining forests, and forestation. GOFC-GOLD Report version COP21-1, (GOFC-GOLD Land Cover Project Office, Wageningen University, The Netherlands).
Hackenberg, J., Spiecker, H., Calders, K., Disney, M. I. and Raumonen, P. (2015) SimpleTree – An efficient open source tool to build tree models from terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) clouds, Forests, 6, 4245-4294, doi:10.3390/f6114245. HTML version. PDF version. SimpleTree website.
Anderson, K., Hancock, S., Disney, M. I. and Gaston, K. (2015) Is waveform worth it? A comparison of LiDAR approaches for vegetation and landscape characterisation, Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation, doi: 10.1002/rse2.8. OA PDF copy from publisher.
Newnham, G. J., Armston, J. D., Calders, K., Disney, M. I., Lovell, J. L., Schaaf, C. B., Strahler, A. H. and Danson, F. M. (2015) Terrestrial Laser Scanning for Plot Scale Forest Measurement, Current Forestry Reports, DOI: 10.1007/s40725-015-0025-5 (PDF).
Woodgate, W., Disney, M. I., Armston, J., Jones, S. D., Suarez, L., Hill, M. J., Wilkes, P., Soto-Berelov, M., Haywood, A. and Mellor, A. (2015) An improved theoretical model of canopy gap probability for Leaf Area Index estimation in woody ecosystems, Forest Ecology and Management, 358, 303-320 (local PDF).
Widlowski, J. L., Mio, C., Disney, M., Adams, J., Andredakis, I., Atzberger, C., Brennan, J., Busetto, L., Chelle, M., Ceccherini, G. and Colombo, R. (2015) The fourth phase of the radiative transfer model intercomparison (RAMI) exercise: Actual canopy scenarios and conformity testing. Remote Sensing of Environment, 169, 418-437.
Hartley, I. P., T. C. Hill, T. Wade, R. J. Clement, J. B. Moncrieff, A. Prieto-Blanco, Disney, M. I., B. Huntley, M. Williams, N. J. K. Howden, P. A. Wookey, R. Baxter (2015) Quantifying landscape-level methane fluxes in subarctic Finland using a multi-scale approach, Global Change Biology, DOI: 10.1111/gcb.12975 (local PDF of accepted proof).
Hancock, S., Armston, J., Zhan Li, Gaulton, R., Lewis,P., Disney, M. I., Danson, F.M., Strahler, A., Schaaf, C., Anderson, K. and Gaston, K. J. (2015) Waveform lidar over vegetation: An evaluation of inversion methods for estimating return energy, Remote Sensing of Environment, 164, 208-224 (Open Access, and local PDF).
Calders, K., Newnham, G., Burt, A., Murphy, S., Raumonen, P., Herold, M., Culvenor, D., Avitabile, V., Disney, M. I., Armston, J. and Kaasalainen, M. (2015) Non-destructive estimates of above-ground biomass using terrestrial laser scanning, Methods in Ecol. and Evolution, 6, 198-208, 10.1111/2041-210X.12301 (local PDF here), WU press release; UCL press release.
Danson, F. M., Gaulton, R., Armitage, R. P., Disney, M. I., Gunawan, O., Lewis, P. E., Pearson, G. and Ramirez, A. F. (2014) Developing a dual-wavelength full-waveform terrestrial laser scanner to characterise forest canopy structure, Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 198-199, 7-14, DOI: 10.1016/j.agrformet.2014.07.007 (local PDF).
Hackenberg, J., Morhart, C., Sheppard, J., Spiecker, H., and Disney, M. I. (2014) Highly accurate tree models derived from terrestrial laser scan data - a method description, Forests (OPEN ACCESS), Special Issue: LiDAR and Other Remote Sensing Applications in Mapping and Monitoring of Forests Structure and Biomass), 5, 1069-1105; doi:10.3390/f5051069.
Chen, X. T., Disney, M. I., Lewis, P. and Armston, J. (2014) Sensitivity of direct canopy gap fraction retrieval from airborne waveform lidar to topography and survey characteristics, Remote Sensing of Environment, 143C (2014) OPEN ACCESS, 15-25, DOI: 10.1016/j.rse.2013.12.010.
Widlowski, JL, Pinty, B, M Lopatka, C Atzberger, D Buzica, M Chelle, M. I. Disney, JP Gastellu-Etchegorry, M Gerboles, N Gobron, E Grau, H Huang, A Kallel, H Kobayashi, P Lewis, M Schlerf, J Stuckens, W Qin, D Xie (2013, in press) The 4th Radiation Transfer Model Intercomparison (RAMI-IV): Using ISO standards to evaluate model proficiency, JGR Atmospheres, 118, 6869–6890, doi:10.1002/jgrd.50497 (PDF).
Knyazikhin, Y, Lewis, P., Disney, M. I., Mõttus, M, Rautiainen, M, Stenberg, P, Kaufmann, R, Marshak, A, Schull, MA, Carmona, PL, Vanderbilt, V, Davis, AB, Baret, F, Jacquemoud, S, Lyapustin, A, Yang, Y and Myneni, RB (2013) Reply to Ollinger et al. (2013): Remote sensing of leaf nitrogen and emergent ecosystem properties, Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, doi:10.1073/pnas.1305930110 (PDF). See Ollinger et al. letter here.
Weissert, L. and Disney, M. I. (2013) Carbon storage in peatlands: A case study on the Isle of Man, Geoderma, 204-205, 111-119 (PDF).
Knyazikhin, Y, Lewis, P, Disney, M. I., Stenberg, P, Mõttus, M, Rautiainen, M, Kaufmann, R, Marshak, A, Schull, MA, Carmona, PL, Vanderbilt, V, Davis, AB, Baret, F, Jacquemoud, S, Lyapustin, A, Yang, Y and Myneni, RB (2013) Reply to Townsend et al.: Decoupling contributions from canopy structure and leaf optics is critical for remote sensing leaf biochemistry. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1301247110, (PDF). See Townsend et al. letter here.
Calders, K., Lewis, P., Disney, M. I., Verbesselt, J. and Herold, M. (2013) Modelling LiDAR waveforms to solve for canopy properties, Rem. Sens. Environ., 134, 39-49, doi: 10.1016/j.rse.2013.02.018 (PDF).
Armston, J., Disney, M. I., Lewis, P., Scarth, P., Phinn, S., Lucas, R., Bunting, P., Goodwin, N. (2013) Direct retrieval of canopy gap probability using airborne waveform lidar, Remote Sensing of Environment,134, 24-38 (PDF).
Raumonen, P, Kaasalainen, M, Åkerblom, M, Kaasalainen, S, Kaartinen, H, Vastaranta, M, Holopainen, M, Disney, M. I. and Lewis, P (2013) Comprehensive Quantitative Tree Models From Terrestrial Laser Scanner Data, Remote Sensing, 5(2), 491-520; doi:10.3390/rs5020491. See the direct link (free access) or local PDF version.
Stoy, P. C., Williams, M., Evans, J. G., Prieto-Blanco, A., Disney, M. I., Hill, T. C., Ward, H., Wade, T. J., and Street, L. (2013) Upscaling tundra CO2 exchange from chamber to eddy covariance tower, Antarctic and Alpine Research, 45 (2), 275-284 (PDF).
Knyazikhin, Y, Schull, MA, Stenberg, P, Mõttus, M, Rautiainen, M, Yang, Y, Marshak,A, Carmona, PL, Kaufmann, R, Lewis, P, Disney, M. I., Vanderbilt, V, Davis, AB, Baret, F, Jacquemoud, S, Lyapustin, A and Myneni, RB (2012) Hyperspectral remote sensing of foliar nitrogen content. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, 110(3), E185-E192, doi:10.1073/pnas.1210196109 (PDF and Suppl. Information). See also commentary by Prof. Susan Ustin (local PDF here).
Hancock, S., Lewis, P., Foster, M., Disney, M. I., and Muller, J. -P. (2012) Measuring tree height over topography and understory vegetation with dual wavelength lidar: a simulation study, Agric. For. Meteorol., 161, 123-133, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2012.03.014 (PDF) .
Pfeifer, M. Disney, M. I., Quaife, T., and Marchant, R. (2012) Terrestrial ecosystems from space: a review of earth observation products for macroecology applications Glob. Ecol. and Biogeog., 21, 603-624, DOI: 10.1111/j.1466-8238.2011.00712.x, (PDF; Supplementary Material).
Pfeifer, M., Alemu, G., Pellikka, P., Disney, M. I., and Marchant, R. (2012) Leaf area index changes along precipitation gradients in tropical biomes of the Eastern Arc Mountains and their catchment areas Rem. Sens. Environ., 118, 103-115, 10.1016/j.rse.2011.11.009 (PDF).
Hancock, S., Disney, M. I., Muller, J. -P., Lewis, P. and Foster, M., (2011) A threshold insensitive method for locating tree tops with waveform lidar, Rem. Sens. Environ., 115 (12) 3286-3297, doi:10.1016/j.rse.2011.07.012, doi:10.1016/j.rse.2011.07.012 (PDF).
Disney, M. I., Lewis, P., Gomez-Dans, J., Roy, D., Wooster, M. and Lajas, D. (2011) 3D radiative transfer modelling of fire impacts on a two-layer savanna system, Rem. Sens. Environ.., 115, 1866-1881, DOI: 10.1016/j.rse.2011.03.010 (PDF)
De Kauwe, M.,G. Disney, M. I., Quaife, T., Lewis, P. and Williams, M. (2011) An assessment of the MODIS collection 5 Leaf Area Index product for a region of mixed coniferous forest, Rem. Sens. Environ., 115 (2), 767-780 (PDF).
Disney, M. I., Kalogirou, V., Lewis, P. E., Prieto-Blanco, A., Hancock, S. and Pfeifer, M. (2010) Simulating the impact of discrete-return lidar system and survey characteristics over 2 young conifer and broadleaf forests, Remote Sensing Environment, 114, 1546-1560, doi:10.1016/j.rse.2010.02.009 (PDF).
Disney, M. I., Lewis, P., Bouvet, M, Prieto-Blanco, A. and Hancock, S. (2009) Quantifying surface reflectivity for spaceborne lidar via two independent methods, IEEE Trans. Geosci. Rem. Sens., 47(10), 3262-3271, doi: 10.1109/TGRS.2009.2019268 (PDF).
Stoy, P., Williams, M., Disney, M. I., Prieto-Blanco, A., Huntley, B., Baxter, B. and Lewis, P. (2009) Upscaling as ecological information transfer: A simple framework with application to Arctic ecosystem carbon exchange, Landscape Ecology, 24, 971-986, doi: 10.1007/s10980-009-9367-3 (PDF).
Quaife, T., Lewis, P., De Kauwe, M., Williams, M., Law, B., Disney, M. I. and Bowyer, P., (2008) Assimilating Canopy Reflectance data into an Ecosystem Model with an Ensemble Kalman Filter, Rem. Sens. Environ., 112(4),1347-1364, doi:10.1016/j.rse.2007.05.020 (PDF).
Quaife, T., Quegan, S., Disney, M. I., Lewis, P., Lomas, L and Woodward, F. I. (2008) The impact of land cover uncertainties on estimates of biospheric carbon fluxes, Global Biogeochemical Cycles 22, GB4016, doi:10.1029/2007GB003097 (PDF).
Widlowski, J. -L., Robustelli, M., Disney, M. I., J.-P. Gastellu-Etchegorry, T. Lavergne, P. Lewis, P. R. J. North, B. Pinty, R. Thompson and M. M. Verstraete (2008) The RAMI Online Model Checker (ROMC): A web-based benchmarking facility for canopy reflectance models, accepted Rem. Sens. Environ., 112(3), 1144-1150, doi:10.1016/j.rse.2007.07.016. (PDF)
Lewis, P. E. and Disney, M. I. (2007) Spectral invariants and scattering across multiple scales from within-leaf to canopy, Rem. Sens. Environ. doi:10.1016/j.rse.2006.12.015 (PDF).
Grace, J., Nichol, C., Disney, M. I., Lewis, P., Quaife, T. and Bowyer, P. (2007) Can we measure photosynthesis from space?, Global Change Biol., 13, 1484-1497, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2007.01352.x (PDF).
J-L. Widlowski,M. Taberner,B. Pinty,V. Bruniquel-Pinel, Disney, M. I., R. Fernandes,4 J.-P. Gastellu-Etchegorry,5 N. Gobron,1 A. Kuusk,6 T. Lavergne,1 S. Leblanc,4 P. E. Lewis,3 E. Martin,5 M. M ottus,6 P. R. J. North,7 W. Qin,8 M. Robustelli,1 N. Rochdi,4 R. Ruiloba,2 R. Thompson,9 W. Verhoef,10 M. M. Verstraete,1 D. Xie,11 (2007) The third RAdiation transfer Model Intercomparison (RAMI) exercise: Documenting progress in canopy reflectance models, Journal of Geophys. Research (Atmospheres), 112, D09111, doi:10.1029/2006JD007821 (PDF).
Huang, D., Knyazikhin, Y., Dickinson, R., Rautiainen, M., Stenberg, P., Disney, M. I., Lewis, P., Cescatti, A., Tian, Y., Verhoef, W., Martonchik, J. and Myneni, R. B. (2007) Canopy spectral invariants for remote sensing and model applications, Rem. Sens. Environ., 106, 106-122. (PDF)
Disney, M. I., Lewis, P., Saich, P. (2006) 3D modelling of forest canopy structure for remote sensing simulations in the optical and microwave domains, Rem. Sens. Environ., 100(1), 114-132. (doi:10.1016/j.rse.2005.10.003, PDF)
Disney, M. I., Lewis, P., Thackrah, G., Quaife, T., Barnsley, M. J. (2004) Comparison of MODIS broadband albedo with values derived from other EO data at a range of scales and ground measurements, over an agricultural site, Int. Journ. Rem. Sens., 25(23), 5297-5317 (PDF).
Pinty, B., Widlowski, J.-L., Taberner, M., Gobron, N., Verstraete, M. M., Disney, M. I., Gascon, F., Gastellu, J.-P., Jiang, L., Kuusk, A., Lewis, P., Li, X., Ni-Meister, W., Nilson, T., North, P., Qin, W., Su, L., Tang, S., Thompson, R., Verhoef, W., Wang, H., Wang, J., Yan, G., Zang, H. (2004) Radiation Transfer Model Intercomparison (RAMI) exercise: Results from the second phase, J. Geophys. Res., 109(D6), D06210 10.1029/2003JD004252 25 March 2004 (PDF).
Schaaf, C. B., Gao, F., Strahler, A. H., Lucht, W., Li, X., Tsang, T., Strugnell, N., Xiaoyang, Z., Jin, Y., Muller, J.-P., Lewis,P., Barnsley, M. J., Hobson, P. H., Disney, M. I., Roberts, G., Dunderdale, M., Doll., C., D'Entremont, R. P., Hu, B. and Liang, S., Privette, J. L. and Roy, D. (2002) First operational BBRDF, albedo nadir reflectance products from MODIS, Rem. Sens. Environ., 83:135-148 (PDF).
Barnsley, M. J., Lewis, P., O' Dwyer, S., Disney, M. I., Hobson, P., Cutter, M. and Lobb, D. (2000) The potential of the CHRIS-PROBA instrument for measurement of vegetation properties from space, Rem. Sens, Rev., 19:171-189. (PS version 26.1MB) , Tex version (43K) .
Disney, M. I., Lewis, P. and North, P. (2000) Monte Carlo methods in optical canopy reflectance modelling, Rem. Sens. Rev., 18:163-196. (PDF)
Lewis, P., Disney, M. I., Barnsley, M. J. and Muller, J.-P. (1999) Deriving albedo maps for HAPEX-Sahel from ASAS data using kernel-driven BRDF models, Hydrol. and Earth Sys. Sci., 3(1):1-13.
Disney, M. I. (2016) Remote sensing of vegetation: potentials, limitations, developments and applications. In: K. Hikosaka, K., Niinemets, U. and Anten, N. P. R. (eds) Canopy Photosynthesis: From Basics to Applications.Springer Series: Advances In Photosynthesis and Respiration, Springer, Berlin, pp289-331. ISBN: 978-94-017-7290-7. DOI: 10.1007/978-94-017-7291-4. Pre-publication PDF version.
S. Quegan, P. Lewis, T. Quaife, G. Roberts, M. Wooster, Disney, M. I. (2008) Satellite observations in regional scale calculations of carbon exchange, The Continental-Scale Greenhouse Gas Balance of Europe, Dolman, Han; Valentini, Riccardo; Freibauer, A. (Eds.), Ecological Studies vol 203, Springer, 390p, ISBN: 978-0-387-76568-6. (PDF)
Project reports
Lewis, P. , Disney, M. I., Gomez-Dans, J. , Wooster, M., Pinty, B. and Roy, D. (2011) Radiative Transfer Modelling for the characterisation of natural burnt surfaces, ESA Final Report: AO/1-5526/07/NL/HE.
Conference papers
Armston, J., Nickeson, J., Duncanson, L., Disney, M. I., Camacho, F. and Roman, M. (2018) Overview and Status of the CEOS Land Product Validation Subgroup, Geophysical Research Abstracts Vol. 20, EGU2018-13297-1, 2018 EGU General Assembly 2018.
Disney, M. I. (2017) Weighing trees with lasers: TLS for biomass from tropical forests to city churchyards, Keynote address to Silvilaser, Blacksburg, Virginia Oct 10-12 2017.
Strahler, A., Atkins, J., Béland, M., Burt, A., Crawford, D., Danson, M., Disney, M. I., Elsharif, A., Gaulton, R., Gough, C., Jovanovic, T., Schaaf, C. and Stovall, A. (2017) Early scanner data and structure retrievals from TLS calibrated by destructive sampling at Harvard Forest, Silvilaser, Blacksburg, Virginia Oct 10-12 2017.
Calders, K., Burt, A., Origo, N., Disney, M. I., Nightingale, J., Raumonen, P., Åkerblom, M. and Lewis, P. (2017) Virtual forests: realistic forest stand reconstruction from terrestrial lidar, Silvilaser, Blacksburg, Virginia Oct 10-12 2017.
Wilkes, P., Disney, M. I., Burt, A., Calders, K. and Boni Vicari, M. (2017) New methods to scale estimates of urban tree biomass, Silvilaser, Blacksburg, Virginia Oct 10-12 2017.
Hancock. S., Armston, J., Tang, H., Duncanson, L., Hofton, M. Bryan Blair, J., Disney, M. I., Marselis, S., Kellner, J. R., Fatoyinbo, L. and Dubayah, R. (2017) Bridging the gap between spaceborne, airborne and terrestrial lidar: The GEDI simulator, Silvilaser, Blacksburg, Virginia Oct 10-12 2017.
Origo, N., Nightingale, J., Sanchez-Azofeifa, A., Musilek, P., Disney, M. I. and Calders, K. (2017) Towards traceable validation of fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (fAPAR) products derived from Earth Observation, RSPSoc Annual Conference, Imperial College London, Sep. 5-8 2017.
Disney, M. I., Wilkes, P., Calders, K., Burt, A. and Boni Vicari, M. (2017) How can we improve estimates of tropical forest biomass? NCEO Annual Conference, 28-30 June 2017, Bath.
Wilkes, P., Disney, M. I., Calders, K., Boni Vicari, M. and Burt, A. (2017) Estimating the Urban Carbon Sink: a case study in Camden, NCEO Annual Conference, 28-30 June 2017, Bath.
Calders, K., Burt, A., Origo, N., Disney, M. I., Nightingale, J., Raumonen, P. and Lewis, P. (2016) Large area virtual forests from terrestrial laser scanning data, IGARSS2016, Beijing, China, 10-15 July 2016.
Gomez-Dans, J., Lewis, P., Pounder, N., Timmermans, J., Disney, M. I., Chernetskiy, M. Waldner, F. Demarez, V., Battude, M. and Kussul, N. (2016) Data Assimilation Techniques to Monitor Agricultural Areas, ESA Living Planet, Prague, Czech Republic, 10-12 May 2016.
Gomez-Dans J., Lewis, P., Roy, D., Brennan, J., Huang, H. and Disney, M. I. (2016) A Simple Spectral Model of Fire Impacts, ESA Living Planet, Prague, Czech Republic, 10-12 May 2016.
Mahecha, M., Flach, M., Reichstein, M., Babst, F., Bodesheim, P., Conway, E., Denzler, J., Disney, M. I., Erb, K., Frank, David, Frank, Dorothea, Herold, M., Jung, M., Kattge, J., Laurin, G., Papale, D., Perez, R., Reiche, J., Rodner, E., Sandel, B., Schmullius, C. and Urban, M. (2016) Detecting Changes in Essential Ecosystem and Biodiversity Properties: The H2020 project BACI, ESA Living Planet, Prague, Czech Republic, 10-12 May 2016.
Kaminski, T., Pinty, B., Voßbeck, M., Gobron, N., Govaets, Y., Muller, J.-P., Kharbouche, S., Disney, M. I. and Lewis, P. (2016) New Land Surface Products from the JRC-TIP applied to Surface Albedo Products, ESA Living Planet, Prague, Czech Republic, 10-12 May 2016.
Origo, N., Nightingale, J., Calders, K., Sánchez-Azofeifa, A. and Disney, M. I. (2016) Using a Wireless Sensor Network and a Virtual Forest Stand to Validate Satellite-derived fAPAR, ESA Living Planet, Prague, Czech Republic, 10-12 May 2016.
Calders, K. Burt, A., Origo, N., Disney, M. I., Nightingale, J., Raumonen, P., Lewis, P. and Brennan, J. (2016) Constructing a large area virtual validation forest stand from terrestrial LiDAR, ESA Living Planet, Prague, Czech Republic, 10-12 May 2016.
Disney, M. I., Burt, A., Calders, K., Raumonen, P., Herold, M., Lewis, P., Lewis, S., Boni Vicari, M., Rowland, L., Meir, P. and Mitchard, E. (2016) 3D measurements of tropical forest structure for biomass, morphology and calibration and validation of satellite observations, ESA Living Planet, Prague, Czech Republic, 10-12 May 2016.
Disney, M. I., Lewis, P., Gomez-Dans, J., Chernetskiy, M., Urban, M., Schmullius, C. and Mahecha, M. (2016) Merging EO data across domains for terrestrial biodiversity change indicators, ESA Living Planet, Prague, Czech Republic, 10-12 May 2016.
Disney, M. I., van Leeuwen, M., Lewis, P., Gomez-Dans, J., Smallman, L., Williams, M., Quaife, T. and López-Saldaña, G. (2016) Combining Earth Observation, field data and models to upscale biogenic greenhouse gas emissions over agricultural landscapes, ESA Living Planet, Prague, Czech Republic, 10-12 May 2016.
van Leeuwen, M., Disney, M. I. et al. (2016) Assimilating Earth observation data across the UK for estimating greenhouse gas budgets, EGU, 17-22 April 2016, Vienna, Austria.
Lanconelli, C. et al., including Adams, J. and Disney, M. I. (2016) Traceable quality assurance for independent reference data used in the validation of satellite ECV estimates, EGU, 17-22 April 2016, Vienna, Austria.
MacBean, N., F. Maignan, P. Lewis, C. Bacour, P. Peylin, L. Guanter, P. Köhler, J. Gomez-Dans, Disney, M. I., F. Chevallier (2015) Constraining GPP with Fluorescence: A Model-Data Fusion Approach for Constraining Modeled GPP at Global Scales Using GOME-2 Solar-Induced Fluorescence data, AGU San Francisco, Dec 2015.
Armston, J., Scarth, P., Lucas, R., Lewis, P., Disney, M. I. and Phinn, S. (2015) Validation of continental scale vertical plant profile mapping using waveform lidar airborne laserscanning, Silvilaser 2015, Sept 28-Oct 2 2015, La Grande Motte, France.
Calders, K., Disney, M. I., Nightingale, J., Origo, N., Barker, A., Raumonen, P., Lewis, P., and Fox, N. (2015) Traceability of essential climate variables through forest stand reconstruction with terrestrial laser scanning, Silvilaser 2015, Sept 28-Oct 2 2015, La Grande Motte, France.
Calders, K., Burt, A., Newnham, G., Disney, M. I., Murphy, S., Raumonen, P., Herold, M., Culvenor, D., Armston, J., Avitabile, V., Kaasalainen, M. (2015) Reducing uncertainties in above-ground biomass estimates using terrestrial laser scanning, Silvilaser 2015, Sept 28-Oct 2 2015, La Grande Motte, France.
Hancock, S., Anderson, K., Disney, M. I., Gaston, K. J. (2015) Using full-waveform lidar to characterise urban habitat structure and function, Silvilaser 2015, Sept 28-Oct 2 2015, La Grande Motte, France.
Disney, M. I., Burt, A. , Calders, K., Raumonen, P., Lewis, P., Rowland, L. , Mitchard, E. and Meir, P. (2015) New approaches to assessing tropical forest biomass and structure using terrestrial laser scanning, RSPSoc, NCEO and CEOI-ST Joint Annual Conference, Southampton, UK, September 9-11 2015.
Gomez-Dans, J., Lewis, P., Disney, M. I. and Mezzera, C. (2015) Emulation, Emulation, Emulation! Efficient radiative transfer models for biophysical parameter retrieval, RSPSoc, NCEO and CEOI-ST Joint Annual Conference, Southampton, UK, September 9-11 2015.
Disney, M. I. (2014) New 3D measurements of forest biomass and structure, NCEO-CEOI Joint Science Conference, University of Sheffield, 24-27 June, Sheffield.
Gomez-Dans, J., Lewis, P., Quaife, T, Lines, E. and Disney, M. I. (2014) Data Assimilation for land surface studies in the Sentinel era: how can we deliver? NCEO-CEOI Joint Science Conference, University of Sheffield, 24-27 June, Sheffield.
Disney, M. I., Burt, A., Calders, K., Raumonen, P., Gonzalez de Tanago, J., Cuni Sanchez, A., Herold, M., Armston, J., Lewis, S., Lines, S. and Lewis, P. (2014) New applications of 3D measurements and modelling to quantifying forest structure and biomass, Global Vegetation Modelling and Measurement (GV2M) meeting, Avignon, France, 3-7 Feb 2014.
Calders, K., Newnham, G., Herold, M., Murphy, S., Raumonen, P., Culvenor, D., Burt, A., Avitabile, V., Amston, J. and Disney, M. I. (2014) Non-destructive Estimations of above-ground biomass using terrestrial lidar, Global Vegetation Modelling and Measurement (GV2M) meeting, Avignon, France, 3-7 Feb 2014.
Calders, K., Newnham, G., Herold, M., Murphy, S., Culvenor, D., Raumonen, P., Burt, A., Amston, J., Avitabile, V. and Disney, M. I. (2013) Estimating above-ground biomass from terrestrial laser scanning in Australian Eucalypt open forest, Silvilaser 2013, Beijing, China, 9-11 Oct 2013.
Armston, J. et al. including Disney, M. I. (2013) Intercomparison of Terrestrial Laser Scanning Instruments for Assessing Forested Ecosystems: A Brisbane Field Experiment, B11G-0443, AGU San Francisco, Dec. 2013.
Jimenez, C. et al. including Disney, M. I. (2013) Earth observation WAter Cycle Multi-mission Observation Strategy – EvapoTranspiration (WACMOS-ET): advancing in the production of evapotranspiration from satellite observations, EUMETSAT Meteorological Satellite Conference, 16-20 Sept. 2013.
Jimenez, C. et al. including Disney, M. I. (2013) Earth observation WAter Cycle Multi-mission Observation Strategy – EvapoTranspiration (WACMOS-ET): advancing in the production of evapotranspiration from satellite observations, ESA Living Planet Symposium, Edinburgh 9-13 Sept. 2013.
Lewis, P., Gomez-Dans, J. and Disney, M. I. (2013) A Vision for a Land Observation System, ESA Living Planet Symposium, Edinburgh 9-13 Sept. 2013.
Gomez-Dans, J., Lewis, P., Quaife, T., Wooster, M., Roy, D. and Disney, M. I. (2013) Edge-Preserving Data Assimilation for Fire Monitoring using Moderate Resolution Optical Data, ESA Living Planet Symposium, Edinburgh 9-13 Sept. 2013.
Woodgate, W., Armston, J., Disney, M. I., Jones, S., Suarez, L.,Hill, M., Wilkes, P., Soto-Berelov, M., Haywood, A. and Mellor, A. (2013) The impact of sensor characteristics for obtaining accurate ground-
based measurements of LAI, in proc. IGARSS2013, Melbourne, Australia, Jul 21-26 2013.
Disney, M. I., Burt, A., Raumonen, P., Armston, J., Calders, K. and Lewis, P. (2013) Rapid characterisation of forest structure using TLS and 3D modelling, in proc. IGARSS2013, Melbourne, Australia, Jul 21-26 2013.
Knyazikhin, Y., Lewis, P., Disney, M. I. et al. (2013) Monitoring canopy structure and leaf biochemistry using multiangle and hyperspectral data, NASA Terrestrial Ecology Science Team meeting, Scripps Seaside Forum, La Jolla, California, USA, April 30-May 2 2013..
Gomez-Dans, J., Lewis, P., Disney, M. I., Roy, D. and Wooster, M. (2013) Edge-preserving data assimilation and a spectral change interpretation model for fire monitoring using optical DA, EGU Vienna, 7-12 April 2013.
Schaepman, M. E., Morsdorf, F., Leiterer, R., Pfeifer, N., Hollaus, M., Disney, M. I., Lewis, P., Gastellu-Etchegorry, J.-P., Brazile, J. and Koetz, B. (2012) Novel reference site approach to prototyping, calibrating, and validating Earth observation data and products, AGU San Francisco, USA, 3-7 Dec 2012.
Disney, M. I., Lewis, P. and Raumonen, P. (2012) Testing a new vegetation structure retrieval algorithm from terrestrial lidar scanner data using 3D models, Silvilaser 2012, 16-19 September, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Armston, J., Disney, M. I., Scarth, P., Lucas, R., Phinn, S., Lewis, P. and Goodwin, N. (2012, submitted) Simulating the impact of changing airborne lidar sensor and survey properties on estimation of vegetation structure parameters, Silvilaser 2012, 16-19 September, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Morsdorf, F., Leiterer, R., Schaepman, M., Pfeifer, N., Hollaus, M., Lewis, P., Disney, M. I., Gastellu-Etchegorry, J.-P., Brazile, J. and Koetz, B. (2012) 3D-Vegetation Laboratory: A scientific support tool for accuracy assessment and prototyping of EO data and products, ForestSAT 2012, 11-14 September, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, US.
Calders, K., P. Lewis, M. I. Disney, J. Verbesselt, M. Herold (2012) Effects of clumping on waveform lidar in modelled forest canopies, IEEE IGARSS 2012, 22-27 July 2012, Munich, Germany.
Casella, E., J. Morrison, M. I. Disney, M. Danson, H. McKay (2012) Estimating forest canopy structure from tLIDAR measurements: a case study with a 670nm laser, Lidarnet workshop, Univ. of Leicester, 2-3 April 2012.
Armston, J., Disney, M. I.,Lewis, P., Scarth, P., Bunting, P., Lucas, R., Phinn, S., Goodwin, N. (2011) Comparison of Discrete Return and Waveform Airborne Lidar Derived Estimates of Fractional Cover in an Australian Savanna, SilviLaser 2011, Oct 16-20 2011, Hobart, Tasmania.
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HARTLEY, I. P, HILL, T. C., WADE, T., CLEMENT, R. J., MONCRIEFF, J. B., PRIETO-BLANCO, A., DISNEY, M. I., HUNTLY, B., WOOKEY, P. A., BAXTER, R. (2011) Landscape-level methane fluxes in arctic Finland: sources, sinks and environmental control, BES Annual Meeting 2011, 12 - 14 September, University of Sheffield, UK.
Gomez-Dans, J., Lewis, P., Disney, M. I., Watt, J. (2010) A probabilistic framework for inverting reflectance data using the PROSPECT model, Forestsat'2010, Lugo, Spain, 7-10 September, 2010.
Gomez-Dans, J., Lewis, P., Disney, M. I., Wooster, M., Roy, D. (2010) A novel approach to fire detection and characterisation using optical remote sensing, Forestsat'2010, Lugo, Spain, 7-10 September, 2010.
Pfeifer, M. Marchant, R., Disney, M. I. et al (2010) Carbon Mapping in the Eastern Arc Mountains Biodiversity Hotspot - from Ground to Space", in proc. ESA Living Planet Symposium, 27 June - 2 July, Bergen, Norway.
Lewis, P. E. and Disney, M. I. (2010) On canopy spectral invariants and hyperspectral ray tracing, 2nd Workshop on Hyperspectral Image Processing: Evolution in Remote Sensing (WHISPERS), 14-16 June, Reykjavik, Iceland. (PDF)
MacBean, N. Disney, M. I., P. Lewis, and P. Ineson (2010) Using satellite observations to improve model estimates of CO2 and CH4 from peatlands, ESA Living Planet Symposium, Bergen, Norway, 28 June - 2nd July 2010.
MacBean, N. Disney, M. I., P. Lewis, and P. Ineson (2010) Using satellite observations to improve model estimates of CO2 and CH4 flux: a Metropolis Hastings Markov Chain Monte Carlo approach, EGU meeting, Vienna, Austria, 3-7 May 2010.
Disney, M. I., A. Prieto-Blanco, P. Lewis, M. Williams, P. Stoy, T. Hill, R. Poyatos, R. Baxter, B. Huntley, T. Wade, J. Moncrieff (2010) Deriving above-ground biomass of mountain birch across Fennoscandian regions from remotely sensed data, IPY Oslo Science Conference 8-12 June, Oslo, Norway.
Stoy, P. C., Williams, M., Hill, T., Evans, J., Prieto-Blanco, A., Disney, M. I., Fletcher, B., Poyatos, R., Wade, T., Street, L. and Moncrieff, J., (2010) Multi-scale functional convergence of tundra vegetation simplifies carbon flux modeling, IPY Oslo Science Conference 8-12 June, Oslo, Norway.
Gaulton, R., F. M. Danson, G. Pearson, P. E. Lewis and M. I. Disney (2010) The Salford Advanced Laser Canopy Analyser (SALCA): A multispectral full waveform LiDAR for improved vegetation characterisation, in Proc. Rem. Sens. and Photog. Soc. Conference, Burlington House, London, 5th May 2010.
Williams, M., Stoy, P. C., Baxter, R., Phoenix, G, Hill, T., Moncrieff, J., Sloan, V., Evans, J., Harding, R., Fletcher, B., Poyatos, R., Hartley, I., Street, L., Wade, T., Subke, J., Disney, M. I., Prieto-Blanco, A. and Wookey, P. (2010) The carbon cycle of Arctic Fennoscandia: Assimilating multi-scale observations into ecological models, Ecol. Soc. America, Aug 1-6 2010, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Atherton, J. Hill, T. Wade, T., Moncrieff, J., Williams, M., Disney, M. I., Prieto-Blanco, A., Clement, R. and Nichol, C. (2009) Airborne remote sensing of photosynthetic light use efficiency and carbon uptake along an arctic transect in Finland, AGU Fall meeting, 14-18 December 2009, San Francisco, California, USA.
Hill, T. C.; Stoy, P. C.; Baxter, R.; Clement, R.; Disney, M. I.; Evans, J.; Fletcher, B.; Gornall, J.; Harding, R.; Hartley, I. P.; Ineson, P.; Moncrieff, J.; Phoenix, G.; Sloan, V.; Poyatos, R.; Prieto-Blanco, A.; Subke, J.; Street, L.; Wade, T. J.; Wayolle, A.; Wookey, P.; Williams, M. D. (2009) The Sub-Arctic Carbon Cycle: Assimilating Multi-Scale Chamber, Tower and Aircraft Flux Observations into Ecological Models, AGU Fall meeting, 14-18 December 2009, San Francisco, California, USA.
Williams, M., Stoy, P., Disney, M. I., Evans, J., Fletcher, B., Gornall, J., Harding, R., Hartley, I., Hill, T., Ineson, P., Moncrieff, J., Phoenix, G., Pope, V., Poyatos, R., Prieto-Blanxo, A., Subke, J., Street, L., Wade, T., Wayolle, A. and Wookey, P. (2009) The carbon cycle of Fennoscandia: assimilating multi-scale observations into ecosystem models, in proc. ICDC8 International Carbon Dioxide Conference, Jena, 13-19 Sept, 2009.
Prieto-Blanco, A., Disney, M. I. , Lewis, P., Gómez-Dans, J and Ganguly, S. (2009) Satellite Monitoring of Disturbances in Arctic Ecosystems, in proc. IGARSS09, Cape Town, SA, 12-17 July 2009.
Lewis, P., Quaife, T., Gómez-Dans, J., Disney, M. I., Wooster, M., Roy, D. and Pinty, B. (2009) Modelling the impact of wildfire on spectral reflectance, in proc. IGARSS09, Cape Town, SA, 12-17 July 2009.
Prieto-Blanco, A., Disney, M. I. and Lewis, P. (2008) Satellite Monitoring of Disturbances in Arctic Ecosystems, EOS Trans. AGU, 89(53), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract U13B-0051.
S. Hancock, P. Lewis, Disney, M. I., M. Foster, J.-P. Muller (2008) Assessing the accuracy of forest height estimation with long pulse waveform lidar through Monte-Carlo ray tracing, in proc. Silvilaser08, 17-19 September, Edinburgh, 2008
Disney, M. I., Lewis, P. and Bouvet, M. (2008) Quantifying surface reflectivity for spaceborne lidar missions, in proc. IGARSS'08, 5-11 July, Boston, USA, 2008.
M. De Kauwe, T. Quaife, P. Lewis, Disney, M. I. and M. Williams(2008) Estimating the spatial exchange of carbon through the assimilation of Earth Observation (EO) derived products using an Ensemble Kalman Filter, in proc. IGARSS'08, 5-11 July, Boston, USA, 2008.
S. Hancock, Disney, M. I., P. Lewis, J.-P. Muller (2008) Exploring the measurement of forests with full waveform lidar through Monte-Carlo ray tracing, in proc. IGARSS'08, 5-11 July, Boston, USA, 2008.
N. Macbean, Disney, M. I., Lewis, P. and P. Ineson (2008) Using remote sensing data to quantify changes in vegetation over peatland areas, in proc. IGARSS'08, 5-11 July, Boston, USA, 2008.
Quaife, T,. Lewis, P., Disney, M. I., DeKauwe, M., Williams, M. and Law, B. (2007) Assimilating reflectance data into an ecosystem model to improve estimates of terrestrial carbon fluxes, in pro. IGARSS07, Barcelona, Spain, 23-27 July 2007.
Disney, M. I. and Lewis, P. (2007) Spectral invariant behaviour of a complex 3D forest canopy, in proc. 10th ISPMSRS meeting, Davos, Switzerland, 12-14 March 2007.
Pfeifer, M., Disney, M. I. and Lewis, P. (2007) Simulating gap fraction of complex forest scenes, in proc. 10th ISPMSRS meeting, Davos, Switzerland, 12-14 March 2007.
Lewis, P. and Disney, M. I. (2007) Modelling Canopy reflectance with spectral invariants, in proc. 10th ISPMSRS meeting, Davos, Switzerland, 12-14 March 2007.
Hancock, S., Lewis, P., Muller, J. P and Disney, M. I. (2007) Using Monte Carlo ray tracing to investigate the measurement of forest parameters with the Echidna laser scanner, in proc. 10th ISPMSRS meeting, Davos, Switzerland, 12-14 March 2007.
Hancock, S., Disney, M. I., Lewis, P. and Muller, J.-P. (2006) Using lidar to characterise tree canopies, in proc. of IWMMM-4, 20-24th March 2006, Sydney, Australia.
Quaife, T., Lomas, M., Picard, G., Disney, M. I., Woodward, F. I., Quegan, S. and Lewis, P. (2005) Using SPOT-VEGETATION data for dynamic vegetation modelling within the Centre for Terresrial Carbon Dynamics (CTCD), in proc. Int. VEGETATION User Conference, XXX, XXXX, Vol 5., pp247-254.
Disney, M. I., Lewis, P., Quaife, T. and Nichol, C. (2005) A spectral invariant approach to modelling canopy and leaf scattering, in proc. of ISPMSRS05, Beijing, China, October 17-19 2005, ISSN 1682-1750, 318-320.
Lewis, P., Hillier, J., Watt, J., Andrieu, B., Fournier, C., Saich, P. and Disney, M. I. (2005) 3D dynamic vegetation modelling of wheat for remote sensing simulations and inversion, in proc. of ISPMSRS05, Beijing, China, October 17-19 2005, ISSN 1682-1750, 144-146.
Quaife, T., Lewis, P., Williams, M., Disney, M. I. and DeKauwe, M. (2005) Assimilating Earth Observation data into a vegetation model using an Ensmble Kalman Filter, in proc. of ISPMSRS05, Beijing, China, October 17-19 2005, ISSN 1682-1750, 386-389.
Lewis, P., Disney, M. I., Quaife, T., Nichol, C. and Rebelo, L. (2005) CTCD CHRIS-PROBA activities: biophysical parameter retrieval from CHRIS-PROBAD data over Harwood Forest, Northumberland, UK. In proc. 3rd ESA CHRIS/Proba Workshop, 21-23 MArch 2005, ESRIN, Frascati, Italy (ESA SP-593, June 2005) ( PDF 676K)
M. Disney and S. Lafont (2004) Comparison of MODIS VCF product with detailed ground-based inventory (PPT file), MODIS Vegetation Workshop, 17-19 August 2004, Univ. Montana, USA.
M. Disney, M. Williams and P. Lewis (2004) The potential for assimilation of EO-measured radiance in terrestrial carbon studies: simulation of the canopy radiation regime, NERC EO conference, Plymouth, June 30 - July 1, 2004.
M. Disney, P. Lewis and P. Saich (2004) 3D modelling of forest canopy structure for remote sensing simulation and parameter estimation, in proc. 4th International Workshop on Functional-Structural Plant Models, CIRAD, Montpellier, June 7-11, 2004, p 282.
P.Lewis, P.Saich, M. Disney, B. Andrieu, C. Fournier, T. Macklin and J. Bodley (2004) Calibration of an L-system model of winter wheat for remote sensing modelling and inversion, in proc. 4th International Workshop on Functional-Structural Plant Models, CIRAD, Montpellier, June 7-11, 2004, pp 257-261.
S. Lafont and M. Disney (2004) Evaluation of the MODIS continuous tree cover map over the UK, NERC EO conference, Plymouth, June 30 - July 1, 2004.
S. Lafont and M. Disney (2004) Comparison of a remote-sensed forest map with ground-based inventory, UK Carbon meeting, Sheffield 6-8 January.
P. Lewis, G. Thackrah, T. Quaife, M. Disney, P. Saich and M. Barnsley, (1993) The development of robust algorthms for retrieving biophysical parameters from multiangle hyperspectral image data, Spaceborne Hyperspectral Imaging Workshop, Cannes, December 8-9 2003.
P. Lewis, Barnsley, M., Quaife, T., Thackrah, G., Disney, M. and Saich, P. (2003) Biophysical parameters from CHRIS/PROBA, in proc. SPECTRA Workshop, ESA/ESTEC Noordwijk, Netherlands, Oct. 28-30.
, P. Saich, and P. Lewis Modelling the radiometric response of a dynamic, 3D structural model of Scots Pine in the optical and microwave domains, IGARSS'03 Toulouse, July 21-25, 2003. (PDF 273k)
P. Lewis, P. Saich and M. Disney, B. Andrieu, C. Fournier, S. Ljutovac, Modelling the radiometric response of a dynamic, 3D structural model of wheat in the optical and microwave domains", IGARSS'03 Toulouse, July 21-25, 2003. (PDF 357k)
P. Saich, P. Lewis and M. Disney Biophysical parameter retrieval from forest and crop canopies in the optical and microwave domains using 3D models of canopy structure, IGARSS'03 Toulouse, July 21-25, 2003. (PDF 196k)
T. Quaife, P. Lewis, M. Disney, M. Lomas, Intercomparison of phenological measures derived from medium and coarse resolution earth observation and implications for assimilation into vegetation growth models, IGARSS'03 Toulouse, July 21-25, 2003. (PS 1.63MB)
M. Disney, P. Lewis, G. Thackrah, L. Rebelo, G. Roberts, M. Barnsley, T. Quaife, J. Shaw and P. Hobson (2002) MODIS MOD43 Validation: core sites: Barton Bendish (BB), Norfolk, UK. MODIS validation workshop, Dept. Geography Boston University, October 2002.
G. Roberts, P. Lewis, L. Rebelo, M. Disney, G. Thackrah, M. Barnsley, T. Quaife, J.-P. Muller (2002) MODIS MOD43 Validation: core sites: Mongu/Skukuza, Zambia. MODIS validation workshop, Dept. Geography Boston University, October 2002.
Schaaf, C. B., F. Gao, A. H. Strahler, W. Lucht, X. Li, X. Zhang, Y. Jin, E. Tsvetsinskaya, J.-P. Muller, P. Lewis, M. Barnsley, G. Roberts, M. Disney, C. Doll, S. Liang, D. Roy, and Jeff Privette, Land Surface Albedo, Nadir BRDF-Adjusted Reflectance, and BRDF Product from the MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Proceedings, 11th Conference on Satellite Meteorology and Oceanography, AMS, Madison, WI, 15-18 October, 2001.
P. Saich, P. Lewis, M. Disney and G. Thackrah, 2001. Comparison of Hymap/E-SAR data with models for optical reflectance and microwave scattering from vegetation canopies, in proc. Third International Workshop on Retrieval of Bio- and Geo-Physical Parameters from SAR data for Land Applications, Sheffield, September 2001.
Schaaf, C. B., A. H. Strahler, F. Gao, W. Lucht, X. Li, X. Zhang, Y. Jin, E. Tsvetsinskaya, J.-P. Muller, P. Lewis, M. Barnsley, G. Roberts, M. Disney, C. Doll, S. Liang, and J. L. Privette, Operational Bidirectional Reflectance and Albedo Products from the MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Abstract, IGBP Global Change Open Science Conference in Amsterdam, Netherlands, 9-13 July, 2001.
Schaaf, C. , A. H. Strahler, F. Gao, W. Lucht, X. Li, J.-P. Muller, P. Lewis, M. Barnsley, P. Hobson, M. Disney, G. Roberts, M. Dunderdale, C. Doll, Land Surface Spectral Bidirectional Reflectance and Albedo from the MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Abstract, American Geophysical Union Spring Meeting, Boston, MA, 29 May - 2 June, 2001.
Schaaf, C. B., F. Gao, A. Straler, W. Lucht, T. Tsang, N. Strugnell, X. Li, X. Zhang, J-P. Muller, P. Lewis, M. Barnsley, P. Hobson, M. Disney, M. Dunderdale, G, Roberts, C. Doll and S. Liang. Temporal Characteristics of the MODIS BRDF/Albedo Product. Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on Physical Measurements and Signatures in Remote Sensing, Aussois, France, 8-12 January, 233-238, 2001.
M.J. Barnsley, T. Quaife, P.D. Hobson, J. Shaw, P. Lewis, M. Disney, J-P. Muller, A.H. Strahler, C. Barker-Schaaf and W. Lucht, (2000). Estimation of Land-Surface Albedo and Biophysical Properties using SPOT-4 VGT and Semi-Empirical BRDF Models. In proc: Vegetation 2000. Lago Maggiore, Italy.
Schaaf, C.B.; Feng Gao; Strahler, A.H.; Tsang, T.; Lucht, W.; Strugnell, N.; Xiaowen Li; Muller, J.-P.; Lewis, P.; Barnsley, M.; Hobson, P.; Disney, M.; Dunderdale, M.;Roberts, G., (2000) The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) BRDF and albedo product, AGU Fall 2000 Meeting, San Francisco, Dec 2000.
Schaaf, C.B.; Feng Gao; Strahler, A.H.; Tsang, T.; Lucht, W.; Strugnell, N.; Xiaowen Li; Muller, J.-P.; Lewis, P.; Barnsley, M.; Hobson, P.; Disney, M.; Dunderdale, M.;Roberts, G., (2000) Initial Results From the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) BRDF and Albedo Product, AGU Spring 2000 Meeting, Washington DC, May 30-June 3.
Schaaf, C.B.; Feng Gao; Strahler, A.H.; Tsang, T.; Lucht, W.; Strugnell, N.; Xiaowen Li; Muller, J.-P.; Lewis, P.; Barnsley, M.; Hobson, P.;Disney, M.; Dunderdale, M.; Roberts, G., (2000) The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) BRDF and albedo product: preliminary results, IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposiun, 2000. Proceedings. IGARSS 2000. Volume: 7, 2000 Page(s): 3048 -3050 vol.7
Schaaf, C., Strahler, A., Lucht, W., Tsang, T., Gao, F., Li, X., Strugnell, N., Chen, L., Liu, Y., McIver, D., Muller, J.-P., Lewis, P., Barnsley, M. J., Disney, M. I., Hobson, P., Dunderdale, M. and Roberts, G. (1999) The at-launch MODIS BRDF albedo product, 2nd International Workshop on Multiangular Measurements and Models (IWMMM-2) JRC Ispra, Italy September 15-17, 1999.
Lewis, P. and Disney, M. I. (1999) The development of spectral kernels to improve the linear kernel-driven approach to BRDF modelling, IWMMM-2 JRC Ispra, Italy September 15-17, 1999.
Disney, M. I. and Lewis, P. (1999) Towards a spectral kernel-driven BRDF model, in proc. 25th Annual Remote Sensing Society Conference , 7-10th September, Cardiff, 377-384.
Lewis, P. and Disney, M. I. (1999) Application of the Botanical Plant Modelling System (BPMS) to the analysis of spatial information in remotely sensed imagery , in proc. 25th Annual Remote Sensing Society Conference , 7-10th September, Cardiff, 507-514.
Lewis, P., Disney, M. I. and Riedmann, M. (1999) Application of the Botanical Plant Modelling System (BPMS) to the analysis of spatial information in remotely sensed imagery, in proc. 25th Annual Remote Sensing Society Conference, 7-10th September 1999, Cardiff, 507-514.
Hobson, P. D., Barnsley, M. J., Lewis, P. and Disney, M. I. (1999) Inversion of kernel-driven BRDF models using POLDER-on-ADEOS data, in proc. 25th Annual Remote Sensing Society Conference , 7-10th September, Cardiff, 371-376.
Hobson, P. D., Barnsley, M. J., Lewis, P. and Disney, M. I. and Muller, J.-P. (1999) Inversion of semi-empirical, kernel-driven models using POLDER on ADEOS data, ALPS '99, Meribel, France.
Lewis, P. and Disney, M. I. (1998) The Botanical Plant Modelling System (BPMS): a case study of multiple scattering in a barley canopy, proc.IGARSS'98, Jul. 6th-10th, Seattle, USA.
Disney, M. I. and Lewis, P. (1998) An investigation of how linear BRDF models deal with the complex scattering processes encountered in a real canopy, proc. IGARSS'98, Jul. 6th-10th, Seattle, USA.
Disney, M. I., Lewis, P., Knott, R., Hobson, P., Evans-Jones, K. and Barnsley, M. J. (1998) Validation of a manual measurement method for deriving 3D canopy structure using the BPMS, proc. IGARSS '98, Jul. 6th-10th, Seattle, USA.
Lewis, P. and Disney, M. I. (1997), Examining BRDF model operation with the Botanical Plant Modelling System (BPMS) , proc. Remote Sensing Society Conference, Reading, pp. 298-303.
Lewis, P. and Disney, M. I. (1997), Validation of kernel-driven BRDF models for monitoring albedo in the Sahel, proc. Remote Sensing Society Conference, Reading, pp 304-309.
Disney, M. I., Muller , J.-P., Lewis, P. and Barnsley, M. J. (1997) Production and validation of BRDF and albedo extracted from airborne and spaceborne data, 7th Int. Symp. Phys. Meas. Sig. Rem. Sens., Courchevel, France, April 7-11, 1997, (2):471-478.
Barnsley , M. J., Disney , M. I., Lewis, P., Hesley, Z. and Muller, P. (1996) On the intrinsic dimensionality of the BRDF: Implications for the retrieval of land surface biophysical properties, proc. Remote Sensing Society Conference, Durham, pp 69-70.
My research is more generally in the interactions of radiation (predominantly at optical wavelengths) with the land surface. In particular I am interested in how radiation interacts with vegetation, how we can model and understand this interaction and how we can exploit it to quantify and understand the terrestrial biosphere, particular relate to the carbon cycle - how plants take up and release carbon, naturally, in response to changing climate and under an increasing range of anthropogenic disturbances (eg fire, land use change, agriculture, deforestation and degradation etc). Satellites allow us large-scale but very indirect observations of surface biophysical properties, particularly the extent and dynamics of vegetation. Much of my research effort has been directed at new ways of exploiting observations of this sort to provide quantitative estimates of these things that are consistent with our understanding of climate carbon cycle models and observations. The image below sums up our aims - this shows an area of temperate rainforest on Fraser Island, Northern Queensland, Australia. The variety of structure (shadows, texture) and variations in leaf colour (to do with chlorophyll and water content) is very striking. My aim is to understand and exploit this 'signal' much better than we can do currently, for all sorts of applications that rely on knowing the state of forests like this.
I've continued to work with 3D models over the last few years, as they give us an unprecedented level of detail with which to model radiation interacting with the surface - and this is our satellite signal. Faster, cheaper computers mean we can use these models in ways we never could even a few years ago. I have worked with on the librat modelling software, which we have developed over the years into a powerful modelling tool, which we make freely available. We have used the tools for a range of applications and projects, including exploring lidar signals, modelling fire impacts and for benchmarking and testing simpler models, as part of the ongoing Radiative Transfer Model Intercomparison (RAMI) project; librat is one of the 'credible models' used in the RAMI online model checker. The librat wiki page contains some documentation on the software along with a list of some of the student projects and publications arising from librat over the years. We are always amenable to further collaborations using librat, so drop us an email.
A recent project which demonstrates an application of my 3D radiative transfer work, funded by the European Space Agency Support to Science Element, is 3D Veglab. The project, led by Felix Morsdorf at the University of Zurich, has developed an open toolbox of 3D models and simulation tools, including our librat modelling software. A nice movie (produced by Felix and the UZH group) demonstrating how the toolbox was put together is shown below.
I have a number of movies I've simulated over the years for various teaching and research applications here. Feel free to use these but please provide attribution.
Most recently I have become interested in how we can use new, more direct EO measurements from lidar to probe canopy 3D structure and function. I have been developing new models and methods to exploit observations from spaceborne, airborne and now ground-based lidar scanning instruments to extract canopy structure and biomass. Some recent examples of ongoing work in this are are available on the Geography blog page, including scanning forests in Queensland, Australia and ongoing work looking at forest structure and biomass in Gabon, W. Africa. See this video on youtube for a visualisation of 3D laser data from a forest plot in Gabon (video: Kim Calders)
This work addresses the requirement to be able to measure biomass, particularly in the tropics, more consistently, and ideally, independent of other field-based and satellite-derived measures, all of which rely on empirical (allometric) relationships between trunk diameter, height and volume (and hence biomass). But you can also scan elephants!
Images courtesy of Andy Burt (UCL), Kim Calders, Jose Gonzalez de Tanago (both Wageningen), and the UCL and Wageningen teams, and Gabonese National Parks Agency.
In early 2014 we obtained a new Riegl VZ-400 TLS instrument using NERC funding. WE will be using this instrument to scan forests across the world, but our first work is with Forest Research (UK Forestry Commission) at their experimental forest in Alice Holt, Surrey. We are scanning leaf-off and leaf-on conditions in a plantation oak woodland, before destructively harvesting the trees to weigh them, providing validation of our 3D reconstructions from the lidar. A first fly-through of these data is here:
My funding comes from a variety of sources, but primarily NERC and ESA.
I sit on or contribute to a number of national and international scientific panels, groups and journal editorial boards including: NERC's Airborne Research Facility; co-lead of CEOS Land Product Validation Biomass subgroup; invited member of GEOBON (Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observations Network) Ecosystem Function Working Group; NCEO Capability Leader: Radiative Transfer Modelling and 3D Measurement; science team member on NASA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (NPP) for BRDF/albedo; editorial board of new open source interdisciplinary journal, Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation; science advisory committee ForestSAT 2018; co-organiser of Royal Society funded meeting: The terrestrial laser scanning revolution in forest ecology, Chicheley Hall, 2017.
Research Grants/ Awards
- EU Horizon 20:20: FODEX: Tropical Forest Degradation Experiment, proposal 757526: (€244K of €1.9M total, PI, lead RO Edinburgh).
- NERC Standard Grant: Understanding tree architecture, form and function in the tropics, NE/P011780/1: (£250K, PI, lead RO Oxford).
- NASA ROSES Carbon Monitoring System (CMS): Future Mission Fusion for High Biomass Forest Carbon Accounting, led by T. Fatoyinbo and L. Duncanson ($30K, collaborator).
- AmazonFACE travel award, Manaus, Brazil: Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (cNPQ) Brazil (£5K, PI).
- Studentship: Brazilian National funding via Students without Borders (~£100K, PI)
- NERC Capital Award: Handheld laser scanning instrument for rapid 3D measurement (£31K), PI.
- NERC Standard Grant: Weighing Trees with Lasers: reducing uncertainty in tropical forest biomass and allometry: NE/N00373X/1 (£630K, PI).
- 2015-2016 ESA BIOMASS mission support: Calibration/validation campaign at AfriSCAT site, Akasa, Ghana: in conjunction with Wageningen University, €25K, co-I.
- 2015 Noragues Travel Grants Program, French Guiana: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS, France), ~€10K, PI.
- 2015-2018 NCEO PhD studentship: New methods of monitoring and modelling disturbance using EO, £85.5K.
- 2014-2015: NERC National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO) Phase 2: Terrestrial Carbon and Vegetation, 3D RT modelling and measurement, UCL component £248K for first 18 months, PI with Prof. P. Lewis.
- 2015-2018 EU FP7: METEOC2: Metrology for Earth Observation and Climate: II, €5M total led by National Physical Laboratory, UCL unfunded partner to NPL value of ~£300K, co-I.
- 2015-2018 EU Horizon 20:20 BACI: Detecting changes in essential ecosystem and biodiversity properties – towards a Biosphere Atmosphere Change Index (BACI), €3.3M total, consortium of 10 partners; UCL component €246, PI.
- 2014-2018 EU FP7 QA4ECV: Quality Assurance for Essential Climate Variables, €5M total, UCL component €440K (shared between MSSL: €312K and Geog €127K).
- NERC Capital Award: Terrestrial laser scanner, £117K.
- 2013-2017 NERC GREENHOUSE: Generating Regional Emissions Estimates with a Novel
Hierarchy of Observations and Upscaled Simulation Experiments, £156K from £2.5M total consortium, led by Edinburgh Geosciences (NE/K002554/1).
- 2012-2016: NERC PhD CASE studentship with EADS Astrium, Quantifying forest state and degradation: exploiting new lidar measurements (~£100k), PI.
- 2011-2013: ESA 3DVegLab: A 3D modelling tool for simulating remote sensing observations (€70K).
- 2009-2010: ESA ASCOPE: Simulating the reflectivity of spaceborne LIDAR (€100K).
- 2008-2012: PI in rebid for carbon component of NERC National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO), NE/F001444/1.
- 2007-2010: NERC PhD studentship, with CTCD and UKPopnet, including £10k funding for fieldwork and data
- 2007-2010: European Science Foundation ATANS (Abisko Transnational Researcher) travel funding (£6K).
- 2006-2009: Arctic Biosphere-Atmosphere Coupling across multiple Scales (ABACUS), NERC Consortium project, £205K.
- 2004-2007: NERC Capital Equipment Grant: "ASD Spectroradiometer" £78K
- 2004-2007: Associate co-I: NERC Centre of Excellence in Earth Observation "The Centre for Terrestrial Carbon Dynamics", £2.25M (UCL protion approx £450K)
Data funding/Science Teams:
- 2007+: ESA PI (ABACUS project)
- 2000+: Multiple NERC ARSF acquisitions
My research in recent years has involved funding and collaboration across a range of sources and disciplines, including UK research councils, NASA, European Space Agency (ESA), EU, as well as NGOs and other organisations. The research has been part of work contributing to provision of information on global environmental processes, particularly vegetation and the land surface more generally, that has been used nationally and internationally to inform government and agency activities. Examples of this include: development and testing of global satellite datasets such as albedo, provided by NASA and ESA and used by a wide variety of government, NGO and other users such as the Met Office and ECMWF; development of new methods for monitoring change (particularly fire impacts) and forest carbon stocks eg for NGOs, African National Parks agencies (Gabon, S. Africa). Work on albedo has featured in the IPCC AR4 (2007) and AR5 (2013). I have led various consultancy projects through UCL, working with a range of industrial partners including via collaborative PhD research funding, enabling development of new remote sensing methods and instrumentation, particularly lidar. I have sat on government panels assessing government funding in environmental science for a range of agencies including NERC, NASA, ESA, the Environmental Protection Agency of Ireland and the Australian National Research Council, among others. My lidar work contributes to the development, calibration and validation of new space missions from both ESA and NASA to measure biomass, particularly in tropical forests.
I have participated and/or led a number of activities to bring the work I do to the wider public, as well as trying to promote interest in science topics more generally. I have been involved in two Royal Society Summer Exhibitions, contributed material on forests, fire and carbon to the NERC representative (Prof. Shaun Quegan) presenting examples of NERC-funded environmental science to the Parliamentary Committee on Science and Technology. I have been involved in in Network for Calibration and Validation of Earth Observation Data (NERC Knowledge Transfer project) and wider international CEOS Working Group on Calibration and Validation activities (e.g. lead of core MODIS validation site in UK, http://landval.gsfc.nasa.gov/coresite.php?SiteID=6; co-lead of CEO LPV subgroup on biomass). I regularly give lectures to schools across a range of age groups (from 11 to 18), focusing on topics of carbon, forests and climate change. I have given live presentations to children via virtual learning environments (see
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/1101/11011001) and I have written for national school publications on these same topics. My lidar scanning work has featured in a number of recent documentaries, including the award-winning Oak Tree: Nature's Greatest Survivor; and Life and Death on Your Lawn.
I maintain a blog of my lidar activities http://disneytls.blogspot.co.uk and I am active on twiiter as @mathiasdisney
Undergraduate courses
First Year
GEOG1006 Ideas in Geography
convenor: Dr. J. Kneale Here is the course webpage.
Scientific Method I: (PPTX file; PDF file).
Scientific Method II: (PPTX file; PDF file).
Environmental Modelling: I (PPTX file; PDF file).
Environmental Modelling: II (PPTX file; PDF file).
Useful information for tutor groups
Nature journal web page
Science journal web page
Science in Society essays in Science
Science Magazine: Tragedy of the Commons revisited
Geographical journals from UCL Library.
Prospect magazine
Introduction to Gauch, H. (2003) Scientific Method In Practice
Gauch, H. (2006) Science, Worldviews and Education, Science & Education, DOI 10.1007/s11191-006-9059-1
Hardin, G. (1968) The Tragedy of the Commons, Science, 162, 1243-1248
Second Year
GEOG2021 Environmental Remote Sensing
Convenor: Prof. P. Lewis
A 2nd year introduction to remote sensing, covering how we acquire data, information extraction and various applications of remote sensing. The course is split between lectures and practicals and forms the usual requirement for 3rd year course, GEOG3010. Taught jointly with Prof. P. Lewis Here is the course webpage.
Third Year
GEOG3051 Principles and Practice of Remote Sensing
Convenor: Dr. M. Disney
A 3rd year course following on from GEOG2021, introducing the fundamental concepts of how radiation interacts with the Earth's surface at a range of wavelengths, the laws and principles we use to exploit this interaction, and examples of remote sensing applications including LIDAR and RADAR remote sensing of vegetation and the terrestrial carbon cycle. Contains a practical element of programming to handle simple image analysis, again building on GEOG2021.
The course web page is here, including outline and lecture notes.
Graduate courses
Background reading (and guide to mathematical requirements) for potential MSc Students
Plagiarism notes: Guidelines and regulations on plagiarism for UCL Geography Physical MSc Students
MSc Remote Sensing/Environmental Modelling: Analytical and Numerical Methods (GEOGG121):
Convenor: Dr. M. Disney
Module web page, including outline, practicals, reading list etc.
MSc Remote Sensing: Principles and Practice of Remote Sensing (GEOGG141):
Convenor: Dr. M. Disney
Module web page including course outline and lecture notes.
MSc Remote Sensing: GMES: Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GEOGG142)
Convenor: Prof. J.-P. Muller
Global vegetation biophysical parameters from EO: Lecture notes (PPTX file; PDF file)
Calibration and validation: Lecture notes (PPTX file; PDF file)
References for GMES lectures
PhD Students
Current PhD students
2015-current: Matheus Boni Vicari
2015-current: James Brennan (2nd supervisor)
2014-current: Jennifer Adams
Topic: Standards for the validation of geophysical remote sensing products; EU studentship, in conjunction with JRC Ispra (Nadine Gobron lead supervisor).
Previous PhD students
2012-2016: Andrew Burt
Topic: Quantifying forest state and degradation: exploiting new measurements and models. NERC CASE studentship, in conjunction with EADS Astrium. Co-supervisors: Prof. P. Lewis and Dr. S. Lewis (both UCL).
September 2012-current: Charlotte Wheeler (2nd supervisor)
Topic: Designing Tropical Forests of the Future to mitigate Climate Change. NERC CASE studentship in conjunction with Permian, supervised by Dr. S. Lewis (UCL).
2007-2011: Natasha Macbean
Topic: Monitoring and modelling vegetation response under catchment-scale treatment regimes using Earth Observation (EO) data. Joint CTCD/UKPopnet studentship. Co-supervisor: Prof. Phil Ineson, University of York.
Steven Hancock: studentship. Co-supervisor with Prof. P. Lewis and Prof. P. Muller.
Additional: supervisory role/input in various other PhD studentships including: Dr. John Armston (Univ of Queensland, Australia), Dr. Will Woodgate (Univ. of Melboure, Australia).
2005-2009:Martin DeKauwe
Topic: Data assimilation: Integrating EO data into ecosystem models
Co-supervisor with Prof. P. Lewis (UCL), Dr. M. Williams (Edinburgh) and Prof. S. Evans (Forest Research).
MSc students
Various (2005-present, no particular order) across MSc Remote Sensing, MSc Environmental Mapping, MSc Conservation, MSc Climate Change: Ben Grundy, Lena Weissert, Jacques Malaprade, Sam Fleming, Vasilios Kalogirou, Louise Ireland, Ruth Boogert, Martin Vickers, Niall Origo, Will Vincent, Alasdair Hitchens, Jennifer Adams etc. Co-supervisor of various others including Kim Calders, Jake Simpson.


text:
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Wednesday Promo- Susan Gourley
Welcome Susan!
Susan Gourley writes YA fantasy and dabbles in fantasy romance. She has five fantasy romances already publishes under the pen name, Susan Kelley.
The Keepers of Sulbreth, is the first book in her YA fantasy series with the second book, Beyond the Gate, due for release in 2011.
Susan teaches high school and keeps tabs on her four children's activities. She's a member of RWA, Pennwriters, and her local RWA chapter, CPRW.
Why do you write fantasy YA?
I've always wanted to write fantasy. Some of the first books I feel in love with and kept on my shelf were fantasy books. I feel fortunate to be in the right spot as the YA market takes off and shows no sign of slowing down.
What is your strongest motivator for writing?
I enjoy writing and did it for years before I was published like so many other writers. The sense of accomplishment when I complete a manuscript never gets old. Reading reviews and hearing from readers always fires up my drive to stay at the keyboard and work on the next book.
What are you working on now?
I've completed my four book series, The Futhark Chronicles, and am working on a new YA fantasy series. This series delves into some darker parts of human nature and touches on the clash of cultures and religious believes. I'm not sure yet how many book this newest epic will stretch into but it will be three at least.
Cover Blurb
With elfin blood in his veins, talented swordsman Cage Stone is an indispensable half-breed with a special purpose. He must save Futhark from the monsters that detect growing evil in society and threaten to destroy the human race. Blessed with miraculous enhancements, Cage is the only man who can prevent the annihilation of the world. He is the chosen one—a savior in need of his soul mate to complete his mission.
Long ago, these precious elves created a powerful magic to imprison the demon beings. Now acciptors, cave boas, and gordragons have emerged from their sleepy cavern to torment their victims with malilcious relish. Before abandoning Futhark forever, the elves entrusted only a few Keepers of the Gate with the knowledge and ability to restore the supernatural spell that holds their enemies captive. With the passage of time, these fragile scales have weakened, putting humanity at risk.
Sabelline is a Keeper with a tremendous burden. She must renew the seals with a selected Marshal at her side. Only she can create the mystical union with Cage that will enable them to descend into the depths of hell and drive these horrid creatures back into oblivion. But will their mysterious, spiritual bond surpass the daunting obstacles on the way to Kingdom's Gate in time to rescue Futhark from destruction?
Cage raced to meet the real demon, the first he'd ever seen in person. He passed through the misty fabrications that had chased the young woman and wondered at her pretend fear. What purpose? The Exarch had somehow created the illusions, but was she also responsible for these real demons?
It made no sense to him. Not that it mattered at the moment.
The creatures' stench assailed his sensitive nose as he neared. Rotted meat and damp mold. The monsters glistened with layers of lizardlike scales instead of animal hide. Not something his sword could hope to pierce.
When the lead creature rumbled a mere step from him, Cage leaped to the side as high as he could. He slashed across the creature's eyes with his sword as he flew a whisker's distance out of the reach of its lethal teeth.
His ears rang as the demon bellowed. Cage landed lightly on his feet and swung his sword again, this time at the underbelly of the lumbering hellspawn. He swore as his blade slid across the thick scales doing little damage.
The monster stopped with much tearing of grass and dirt. It swung its massive head toward Cage. It gave him small satisfaction to see the red glow had gone from its eyes. He'd taken its sight, but what other senses might such a magical beast possess?
A loud clap akin to thunder shook the lawn. Cage fell backward as a wave of thick air slapped his chest. He couldn't pull any breath into his lungs. Still, he rolled away from the invisible force and came to his feet with his sword ready.
Another loud clap reverberated through the cool night air. A bright flash stole his vision for a moment. Cage stumbled back from the battle. Who was attacking what?
The demon he'd blinded sank to its knees and screamed in vicious protest.
As his vision cleared, he saw the other beast fall to its side. A number of men and women approached the downed monsters with slow, cautious steps. Cage stood his ground with sword drawn. Shards of agony shot from the center of his chest as he tried to draw in a full breath.
"Are they dead?" the little lady, the Exarch, asked as she strode into the light.
"This one is, and the other is dying," one of the women answered.
The Exarch stared at the monsters for a long time with narrowed eyes and a tight mouth. Then she lifted her gaze to Cage. "Are you injured?"
Cage lowered his sword. He knew there were no more demons abroad, but he wasn't entirely sure all danger had passed. Damn, his chest hurt. He could barely see the tiny lady across the carcass of the beast. "The demon didn't injure me."
The Exarch raised a fine eyebrow, but Cage didn't care what she thought of his tone. He hurt, and this little lady had started this dangerous havoc.
"Come with me," she ordered Cage.
He held his ground for a moment. What had all this to do with the king's tournament? Had this been the final contest, against such fearsome creatures? He took a step and gasped as it jarred his chest.
The Exarch paused and looked back at him. He followed, fighting back a wave of dizziness.
Somewhere behind him lurked a dark menace. It felt more distant and less focused than it had been right before the demons appeared, but it was real. And before him marched a little lady filled with secrets and capable of deception. And magic.
Cage rubbed his chest and followed her. The fear he hadn't felt at the appearance of the hellspawn filled him now.
He wished he could pack up his womenfolk and flee Sulbreth, but the instincts that never failed him warned him he was ensnared in a trap from which he could not escape.
Buy Link:
Posted by Paty Jager at 12:01 AM
Labels: Fantasy, Susan Gourley, The Keepers of Sulbreth
2 comments:
- Cate Masters said...
Hi Susan! Good to see you out and about! And always good to learn more about you. The Keepers of Sulbreth is on my TBR list (on my night table, actually!). Can't wait to read it.
Wishing you all the best,
- Susan Gourley/Kelley said...
Thanks for stopping by, Cate. I hope you like 'Keepers.' And thanks, Paty, for having me on your lovely blog.
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
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If you are interested in hill holidays, every part of India has some fascinating and deserving hill stations as your destinations. In north, Kashmir, Shimla, Manali and Srinagar are very popular places to your spend your vacation in enjoyable & memorable ways. In east, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Haflong are always ready to give you incredible tourism experience. In west, Matheran, Mahabaleshwar, Lonavala and Khandala are just to treat you and give you mesmeric holiday experience. In south, Munnar, Ponmudi, Wayanad, etc create a lifetime travel experience with refreshing air and action packed activities.
If you are interested in wildlife tourism, you have a great experience of wildlife tourism in this country by visiting famous wildlife sanctuaries, tiger reserves, national parks and bird sanctuaries. Great Himalayan National Park, Dudhwa National Park, Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary, Desert National Park, Kanha Tiger Reserve, Bandhavgarh Tiger Sanctuary, Nagarhole & Bandipur Wildlife Park, Periyar Tiger Reserve, etc are popular travel destination in India catering your wildlife interest.
Konark (noted for exquisitely carved temples, beaches and archaeological museum), Porbandar (birth place of Mahatma Gandhi, noted for beaches, ashrams and palaces), Aguada Beach in Goa, Fort Kochi Beach, Mahabalipuram (noted for beaches and shore temple), etc are beach heritage of India you will love to explore on your India travel and tours.
If you are interested in monuments and rich cultural heritage of India then in my point of view Rajasthan can be your perfect destination. The royal and imperial state of Rajasthan is globally acclaimed for its magnificent monuments including forts, palaces, temples, havelis and museums.


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Life LatelyMonday, April 10, 2017
Wanting to add one of these snowball looking bushes to our yard. I saw this one on a walk recently and it was a showstopper! I don't know what they're called (besides snowball looking bush) but I've seen them blooming everywhere lately.
Adjusting to our new living situation. It's taken a little while to feel like home, since most of our things are in boxes and half the house is a total mess...but we're getting there.
Waiting for summer. I'm so ready for it. We've had a few classic April showers days and, even though I know they're helping with this horrible pollen, I just can't wait for days on end of sunshine.
Cooking on an electric skillet (and using the crockpot and grill). We're starting the kitchen remodel first, so our stove and sink our out of commission at the moment. I'm having to get creative!
Looking at paint swatches until I go cross-eyed. My two favorite wall colors are white and gray which are the absolute worst colors to choose because there are literally a MILLION of them with the subtlest differences. At this point, I'm thinking I should just close my eyes and pick one at random.
Starting week 23 of BBG and still really loving this program. I'm trying really hard to bring morning workouts back.
Hitting my step count EASILY on house project days. Moving, let alone remodeling, is no joke. No wonder Joanna Gaines looks so fit!
Listening to lots of podcasts lately. The Bobbycast and This Nashville Life are two of my favorites lately. For some reason, the behind-the-scenes of the music industry is really fascinating to me and these two shows, while mostly about country music, really dive into the hidden parts of it. Mark and I also just finished S-Town and we both really liked it, even though it got a little dark and twisted at points.
Wearing these Nikes all the time. I spotted them on Lauren Loves a while back and then snagged them when they were on sale a few months ago. Great decision.
Waking up a little earlier than usual. Ever since reading Amanda's post about waking up, I've been trying to actually get up when I wake up instead of lounging in bed. I succeeded one day last week, but I'm going to give it a serious try again this week.
Trying to find a new swimsuit for this summer, even though it's probably entirely too early to be thinking about this. I love the halter style that is everywhere this year and have my eye on this one.
Using all my self-control to avoid the plant section. Working on a house means lots of trips to Lowes, which also means walking by the newly packed plant section. I can't bring any more plant babies home while we're working on the house, but I'm always eyeing them while Mark paces the plumbing aisle.
6 comments
Are those hydrangeas? That's what they look like to me. I hope that y'all are enjoying the new house!ReplyDeleteReplies
Well, I figured it out...they're actually called Snowball Viburnum. I wasn't too far off base! The bushes get super tall so I was confused as to how a hydrangea bush could get that big! lol Mystery solved.Delete
yes! hydrangeas are the best!ReplyDeleteReplies
Love hydrangeas! I found out these are actually called Snowball Viburnum. They're basically hydrangeas taller cousins lol. We found a hydrangea bush in the backyard of our new house and I can't wait to see if it blooms this year!Delete
Are you going to be documenting your house remodel projects here? I'd love to see the changes! Also, Bobby Bones is amazing. My bf and I love listening to his radio show.ReplyDeleteReplies
Yes! I'm hoping to share some before photos soon. :)Delete


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By Tom Demerly.
Camelbak has made significant improvements to their H.A.W.G and M.U.L.E. backpack hydration systems for the 2012 season. As they continue to dominate the growing reservoir-fed, backpack hydration category- a category Camelbak invented- their refinements show better performance and load capacity for these core models.
The M.U.L.E. and H.A.W.G. are acronyms that stand for "Medium to Ultra Long Endeavors" and "Holds A Lot of Water and Gear". These day-capacity packs provide enough room for the new 100 ounce, 3 liter Antidote reservoir and essential all day gear for off road athletes, adventure racers, hikers and fast packers.
The single largest improvement to Camelbak H.A.W.G. and M.U.L.E is the Antidote reservoir system. Antidote is a new line of Camelbak reservoirs that are easier to clean and dry, easier to remove and replace in the pack and have greatly improved fill caps with integrated drying legs. Antidote is an enormous improvement over previous reservoirs from Camelbak and leads the industry in reservoirs. The Antidote uses a new, larger cap/opening to bridge the gap between roll-top reservoirs such as Ultimate Direction, Platypus, Hydrapak and Source. The larger opening permits rapid refilling while the reservoir is in the pack without unrolling a roll-top style closure at the top of the reservoir. The large opening in the Antidote reservoir also facilitates easier cleaning.
The Antidote reservoir also uses a quick disconnect hose, borrowed from Camelbak's military designs built to use with in-line water filters and protective masks in a contaminated environment. The quick disconnect hose on Antidote is easy to use and virtually leak proof during attachment/detachment. In line water filters, insulated hoses and other accessories are built around the Antidote reservoir system.
Camelbak Antidote is also one of the most durable hydration reservoirs in the industry. In general, screw-on cap style reservoirs are less prone to bursting than roll top designs. Rob Curtis, contributor to the Military Times Gear Scout website, performed an interesting impact test of reservoirs in his blog post.
Curtis' test shows what might happen if you were on a guided bike tour and a lot of luggage got unloaded from your tour van on top of your hydration pack.
The bite valve on the new Antidote reservoirs used on the M.U.L.E. and H.A.W.G. is angled ninety degrees for ergonomics and has a dependable on/off spigot that prevents spilling. If there is one change I'd like to see in most reservoir/hose hydration systems it would be a slightly larger diameter hose for better flow rate. Anyone who has done a long adventure race, hike or mountain bike race with a tube-fed hydration system knows that your mouth gets sore sucking on the narrow tubes.
Camelbak H.A.W.G. NV.
Camelbak's 2011 H.A.W.G. NV is a panel loading 1159 cubic inch volume pack with 9 total pockets. There are two small accessory pockets on the waist belt for energy gels, small sunscreen container, keys, a small GPS or cell phone/radio. The side pockets on the pack bag are perfect for flat repair kits, a headlight, gloves, a light hat, spare batteries, multi tool and any small items regularly used that you don't want to open the main compartment to search for.
The back of the pack features a great helmet carrier for a cycling helmet that fits a large Giro road helmet and low profile climbing helmets like the Petzl Meteor. The deeper Petzl Ecrin Roc doesn't fit well. When not in use the sides of the helmet holder zip shut and the entire thing nearly disappears. An outer pocket includes an organizer with a key lanyard and pockets, great for a small camera, memory card holder, multi tools, snacks, etc. At the top of the pack is a convenient hypalon-zippered fleece pocket for media or sunglasses. The pocket won't accommodate full size ski goggles but will take larger sports sunglasses such as Oakley. The fleecy interior is easy on lenses.
The main pack bag features an internal hanger to hold up a second hydration reservoir. There is also a hose orifice from the main compartment that threads through to the hydration reservoir sleeve to accommodate two reservoirs and hoses. That is a ton of potential hydration capacity. As with most panel-loaders there are four compression straps with Fastex style buckles to manage the size of the pack bag and compress loads. The hydration compartment houses the 100 ounce Antidote reservoir and uses an excellent retention bar to hold the reservoir up and orient the fill cap away from your back for better comfort and quicker filling. You can use other reservoirs in this pack of course, but there is no top mounted hanger for them in the hydration reservoir sleeve- only the support for the Antidote reservoir.
Suspension on the H.A.W.G. NV starts with the "N.V.I.S." system- pronounced like the word "envious". The acronym stands for "Next Generation Ventilated Integrated System", shortened to NV or "envy" in the name. It's a system designed to make other pack users envious of its superior ventilation according to Camelbak. The system provides an open mesh and closed cell, slotted foam support system that stands the main pack bag away from your back. The system works well but is not as effective as Deuter's "aircomfort" system that stands the entire pack bag away from your back. Shoulder straps use the D-Fit system for a great fit and location of shoulder straps even when you are moving quickly or don the pack quickly. D-Fit enables the pack straps to rotate and find their best, most comfortable position on your back. A sternum strap has vertical adjustment to pull the straps together removing load from your shoulders.
The Camelbak H.A.W.G. NV also has an integrated rain cover housed in a zippered lower pocket. The cover simply pulls out and fits over the pack like a large shower cap.
Camelbak M.U.L.E. NV.
Camelbak's M.U.L.E. NV is a slightly smaller pack that eliminates the side pockets and goes down to 854 cubic inches or 14 liters claimed capacity. It uses the same 100 ounce Antidote reservoir. The arrangement of the pockets is slightly different with a small accessory pocket on the front of the pack and the organizer pocket behind that. These two pockets ride on the helmet carrying that doubles as a great place to shove a wind shell or a towel. There are two attachment points on the M.U.L.E. NV for safety L.E.D. lights, one low and one high. At the top of the pack bag is a fleece lined media/optics pocket. Behind this is the zipper for the main pack bag and the half zipper for the Antidote reservoir.
The two pockets on the waist band carry over from the H.A.W.G. NV. These pockets use an overlapping envelop style closure that isn't as secure as a zippered pocket. Don't use these for keys or a cell phone- a heavy hit on a mountain bike could eject them.
Suspension on the M.U.L.E. NV mimics the H.A.W.G. NV including the great ventilation features.
The M.U.L.E. NV is sold in three colors with the bright "sulphur spring/graphite" color being my favorite not only for external visibility but for enabling you to see the content of the pack when you look inside it. It's also easy to spot in an airplane overhead or on your buddy's back when he's gotten a half mile up the trail from you.
Having used many of Camelbak's products in addition the competitors from The North Face, LaFuma, Salomon, Triple Aught Design, Blackhawk, Gregory, Mountain Hardware, INOV-8 and many others I know the design of these two packs is on par with most of the others except the higher end packs from Salomon, Triple Aught Design, Deuter and Osprey. Interestingly, the Octane series of packs from Camelbak including our previously reviewed Octane LR and Octane XCT seem to have better symmetry of construction and alignment of trim features. The Camelbak Octane series packs seem to have nicer workmanship and trim features. I'd also like to see a system that manages the free-running end of the compression straps so they don't flop around when the pack is cinched down, although strap keepers are available aftermarket. Finally, Camelbak needs to find a zipper closure that doesn't pull apart for these two packs. Two of the zipper pulls on my test bags came off on the first day of testing. I repaired them with a multi tool and tweezers, but it's a hassle.
The load organization on these two packs is very good because of the number of pockets. This load segregation prevents having to sort through a large main compartment to locate small, important items like a multi tool, sunglasses or camera.
I love the design of both of these packs and would like to see Camelbak tighten up the quality control so the pockets and trim features were symmetrical. It doesn't change their function, but it puts them on cosmetic par with the other brands. Given their strong design, that is where Camelbak belongs.