Individual Project

The Individual Project is either industrially or Cranfield University driven. Students select the individual project in consultation with the course team. It provides the opportunity to demonstrate independent research ability, the ability to think and work in an original way, contribute to knowledge, and overcome genuine problems in relation to the management of the earth's resources. It also offers students the opportunity to work with the types of organisation they will be seeking employment with on successful completion of the course.

For part-time students, the research project is usually performed at their employer's premises on a topic of interest to the student and the employer.

Projects from 2009/2010:

Investigating the application of pansharpening for monitoring urban vegetation
Changes in grassland and scrub extent on the chalk downland of the Chilterns at Dunstable, Smithecombe and Sharpenhoe, Bedfordshire
Development of a spatial data validation toolkit for map archive catalogues
An investigation into traffic congestion forming on the M25 motorway using observed site data
Investigating the opportunities and limitations for mapping geological structures from SRTM DEMs
Offshore renewable energy and spatial analysis of the elasmobranchs habitats
An investigation into the degree of compliance of the Moorland Burning Code 2007 in the North York Moors and Peak District
Identifying geospatial technologies to assist a not-for-profit organisation in the informal settlement of Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya

Projects from 2008/2009:

Object based image classification methods for geological mapping
Potential overlap between offshore renewable energy developments and fisheries in UK waters
Development of a spatial data validation tool for map catalogues
Agricultural services from remote sensing - The project showed how field observations at key dates through the growing season demonstrated the use of remote sensing products as a good basis for nitrogen management in winter wheat. Increasing nitrogen applications in areas of the field where canopy development is behind target and decreasing applications in areas above target can lead to an increase in yield of 40%. The accuracy of image products in predicting canopy biophysical parameters, such as Green Area Index (GAI) and shoot density were assessed. GAI values compared favourably against field observations, on average only underestimating by 0.4, however shoot density was less precise, The study showed that for the purpose of increasing productivity by assessing fertiliser application the hypothesis was proven correct.
Implementation of digital classification techniques for vegetation mapping within Il Ngwesi Community Conservation Area, Northern Kenya - The aim of the project was the creation of a baseline survey design and vegetation classification to be used for the purpose of mapping and monitoring vegetation within the Il Ngwesi area. Remote sensing techniques used ASTER satellite imagery along with a physiognomic vegetation classification scheme to classify vegetation into a number of broad categories. A ground survey was undertaken to train the classification, with the use of GPS to locate sample locations on the ground. A contingency matrix was used to derive an overall accuracy for the classification of 69%. Inaccuracies occurred due to the categories containing the same vegetation species but with varying densities, stage of growth or health. Despite this, the results were considered by Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Il Ngwesi staff as an accurate representation of the vegetation and forms an integral part of their GIS.
Erosion status of the Howgill Fells, Yorkshire Dales National Park - The study locates and maps the main erosion features of the fells and assesses their severity for comparison against previous studies. The study aimed to map erosional features in the fells, compile information on factors influencing erosion (climate, soil composition, morphology, land use), propose a risk model for the area and to discuss the use of GIS technology for soil erosion studies such as this. The study concluded that erosion on the fells is a problem although presently the system appears stable with only higher ground and steeper slopes being significantly affected. This is due to the lack of recent severe weather conditions and the high proportion of vegetated ground. If these conditions continue further stabilisation should occur, however, with the predictions of climate change and increasing the rainfall in northern England the area could be at greater risk.