Overview

The HYdrogeophysics and REmote Sensing (HY-RES) research group was formed in 2019 with a primary focus on understanding and developing multiscale tools for monitoring soil moisture, a key climate variable, that influences the water cycle, plant growth, and the health of ecosystems.

Recent projects include using naturally emitted gamma rays to identify hidden peat soils using the Geological Survey Ireland’s airborne Tellus Radiometric data. This information is vital for the estimation of  carbon emission factors from Irish soils and the management of climate emission targets. We recently acquired a drone-based Radiometric system which will allow  mapping at a higher resolution than the Tellus data. Some of the groups other projects use field-based geophysical methods for monitoring soil compaction (due to cattle grazing patterns), and generating high resolution soil moisture maps from satellite imagery. This work will help to improve grazing and crop management practices. Ongoing projects include two DAFM funded projects (REWET and D-Tect) with Teagasc, TCD, and MTU on developing new tools to aid reporting to the National Inventory Report (NIR) of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals, and implied emission factors.

A recently funded EPA project (GRaDE) will be updating Ireland’s outdoor gamma radiation dose rate map. HY-RES group members will work with  other researchers from Galway, SETU and UCD to combine the Tellus Radiometric data with in-situ and drone-based measurements. The project outputs will provide baseline information to inform the National Emergency Plan for Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Exposures. Soil Moisture is a theme that runs through all these projects.