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JULES Phenology for Australia

Start year: 2024

Summary: This project explores the monitoring and modelling of vegetation phenology of the major vegetation cover species across Australia. We seek to engage University of Technology Sydney (UTS) research scientist Dr Jinru Xue, under the supervision of internationally renowned scientist Professor Alfredo Huete, to lead and deliver on research objectives (detailed below) directed at improving Bureau of Meteorology modelling capability for vegetation phenology. The ultimate objective is to translate our understanding of the onset and duration of growing seasons, the timing of peak greenness, and rates of senescence, into modelling capability in the JULES land surface model for improved water and carbon cycle modelling capability. UTS possess the unique scientific expertise in the understanding, modelling and monitoring of Australian vegetation phenology with satellite earth observations. Earth observations provide us with opportunities to adapt existing models, or develop new models, for improved, consistent, nation-wide monitoring and modelling of vegetation phenology. The project with UTS will achieve our overall objective of improving JULES phenology modelling capability by: A) analysing satellite earth observation time series and long-term in situ data for enhanced understanding of vegetation phenology across Australia; B) interrogating current JULES phenological modelling capability; C) reviewing alternative approaches to modelling; and D) adapting JULES phenology to include new parameterisation, conceptualised representation, and observations for improved modelling capability.