Steven de Jong
Field observations are necessary to verify whether your interpretation of the satellite images is correct. It is this combination that makes this field so interesting.
The cutting down of vegetation greatly increases the risk of mudslides and landslides in mountainous areas. Steven de Jong, Professor of Physical Geography, performs the valuable task of understanding disasters such as mudslides and landslides better and trying to predict them.
"Using computer models, we reconstruct these processes. It is remarkable how it is becoming increasingly easier to describe and model the processes, yet it remains difficult to later apply these models to other areas," according to de Jong.
Risk of forest fire
"Together with students, we also carry out research into the risk of forest fires in southern France. During fieldwork, we measure the biomass and moisture content in the vegetation. Using satellite images, we can then identify the high-risk regions in large areas of land. In these specific regions, the forest can be preventively cut down."
Bubonic plague in Kazakhstan
But I believe you are also interested in the outbreak of the bubonic plague? "Yes, we have been requested by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine to participate in this research. In Kazakhstan, the bubonic plague is spread by gerbils (desert rats) and the outbreak is related to the reproductive period of these animals. Using satellite images, we try to identify where the gerbils are located and whether their population is growing. This is possible because the burrows in which gerbils live can be seen on satellite images. Why don't we just drive around there? Because we are talking about an area as large as France."
Fieldwork necessary
"Satellite images themselves are not enough. Field observations are necessary to verify whether your interpretation of the satellite images is correct. It is this combination that makes this field so interesting."
Steven de Jong is Professor of Physical Geography at the Faculty of Geosciences.