New PhD thesis by Athanasios Votsis (Feb 3rd, 2017)

Athanasios Votsis will defend his PhD thesis: Space and price in adapting cities – exploring the spatial economic role of climate-sensitive ecological risks and amenities in Finnish housing markets on February 3rd 2017, 10:00.

Opponent is professor Stan Geertman from Utrecht University and professor Petri Pellikka act as a custos. Location is Brainstorm auditorium in Dynamicum.

The thesis is available as e-thesis: https://helda.helsinki.fi/handle/10138/173459

Bachelor’s Seminar in Geoinformatics starts at November 1st 2016

The Bachelors’s seminar in geoinformatics for study year 2016-2017 starts at tuesday November 1st 2016. In the first session we will discuss about and select your thesis’ topics. During this seminar students will prepare their Bachelor’s thesis. All geography students who have selected geoinformatics for their major and who are at the moment at stage of Bachelor’s thesis are warmly welcome. Please, register in the Weboodi.

  • Teacher: senior lecturer Petteri Muukkonen
  • Course code: 56302
  • Course name (in finnish): LuK-seminaari, geoinformatiikka

Bachelor thesis: Throughfall and remote sensing in tropical rain forest

(Photo: Joose Helle)

Joose Helle studied in his geoinformatics bachelor thesis how aerial laser scanning and hemispherical photographs suites for studying forest throughfall. His study area is located on the Taita Hills, Kenya. Main results are that water observations are applicable for analyzing forest throughfall, precipitation and interception in tropical rain forests. In addition, aerial laser scanning is applicable for measuring canopy height. These information can be used together to understand water balance in tropical rain forest.

JooseHelle_kandi_2016 (PDF)

Source: Helle, Joose (2016). Lentolaserkeilaus ja hemisfaarikuvaus metsikkosadannan tutkimisessa Taitavuorilla Keniassa. Julkaisematon kandidaatintutkielma. Geotieteiden ja maantieteen laitos, Helsingin yliopisto. 80 s.

 

 

Python for Geo-People

Two programming courses, Automating GIS processes and Introduction to Quantitative Geology, started today in Kumpula with 50 enrolled students in total. The aim of both courses is to introduce students to the python programming language and its applications in geosciences and geography.

The first part of both courses, “Python for geo-people“, focuses on the basics of programming and is held as joint lectures and practical sessions for all the students. In the second teaching period, the courses will go on their separate ways focusing on the two fields of specialization. The twin-course is lead by Henrikki Tenkanen (GIS processes) and David Whipp (quantitative geology) from the Department of Geosciences and Geography.

Teaching and learning is done using cloud computers (powered by CSC), and version control trough Git and GitHub. All the course materials are shared openly on GitHub during the autumn: https://github.com/Python-for-geo-people 

PythonForGeopeople

 

 

 

Remote sensing course “Advanced remote sensing 2016 (563010)” will start on 4th of April 2016

Dear students,

“Advanced remote sensing 2016” will start on the 4th of April with an introduction to topical remote sensing applications, data and methods related to global environmental change.

The registration to the course in WebOodi is open until the 17th of March. The maximum number of students is 12 due to the limitations of the GIS-lab. The students will be informed on the acceptance by the 18th of March.

See WebOodi for further information on the course content.

Best regards,
Janne Heiskanen & Eduardo Maeda

GIS course “56074 Basics in geoinformatics and remote sensing (3 cretis)” is starting at March 17th 2016

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GIS course “56074 Basics in geoinformatics and remote sensing (3 cretis)” is starting at March 17th 2016. Sign in to course in WebOodi-platform. Select one of six exercise groups. The maximum size of one exercise group is 23 students due the limitation of GIS-lab. Course is giving in Finnish. For more information see Moodle-page https://moodle.helsinki.fi/course/view.php?id=19807

Teachers senior lecturer Petteri Muukkonen and professorPetri Pellikka.

Welcome to course.

News about Amazon research

A recent study led by Eduardo Maeda is featured at the Faculty of Science research news: http://www.helsinki.fi/facultyofscience/research/news/2015/amazon.html

The study combines satellite data and hydrological measurements for studying the consequences of extreme climatic events in the Amazon forest. “The researchers fear that, if climate scenarios are proven right, a permanent change in the western Amazon may start to take place within 10 years.”

See also:
Article in Geophysical Research Letters, 16.9.2015, Disruption of hydroecological equilibrium in southwest Amazon mediated by drought.

 

 

CHIESA project seminar on October the 7th in Kenya

Geoinformatics research is being presented in the CHIESA project seminar in the Taita Hills, Kenya on October the 7th, 2015.

CHIESA (Climate Change Impacts on Ecosystem Services and Food Security in Eastern Africa) is an international research and development project aiming at increasing knowledge on the impacts of climate change on ecosystem services in mountainous areas in Eastern Africa. The project is funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, and coordinated by the International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) in Nairobi.

The seminar is hosted by the Taita Research Station, University of Helsinki. Opening remarks are given by the Governor of the Taita Taveta County, H.E. John Mruttu and Prof. Juha Karhu from the University of Helsinki. See the seminar program at the Taita Research Station website.