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First International Symposium on Agricultural & Ecological Remote Sensing drew over 500 students
The first International Symposium on Agricultural and Ecological Remote Sensing and Postgraduate Training Conference took place from 24–26 November 2018 at China Agricultural University (CAU) in Beijing. Hosted by University College London (UCL) and CAU, the event aimed to enhance the long-term impact of the UK-China Newton Agri-Tech Projects, which are funded by STFC and focus on scientific advancements.
The conference brought together researchers from over 110 institutes, including UCL, CAU, the University of Newcastle, and several Chinese research organisations. Twenty-seven professors and more than 600 postgraduate students and research associates presented their work. During the opening session, Professor Philip Lewis highlighted the importance of ESA Sentinels satellites for agricultural monitoring, particularly in the North China Plain (NCP)—a region covering nearly 20% of China’s agricultural land and vital for the country's food security and economy.
Throughout the conference, professors covered various remote sensing techniques used in agriculture and ecology, including optical, SAR, hyperspectral, and solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence methods. They explored how combining different models—such as 3D vegetation canopy radiative transfer models and crop growth models—with remote sensing data can improve monitoring of crop health, growth stages, and product quality, as well as help predict final yields. Other talks focused on the environmental impact of farming, particularly on hydrology and soil fertilisation.
On 26 November, Dr Nicola Pounder from Assimila Ltd. (UK) led a practical training session on Earth Observation Land Data Assimilation (EO-LDAS). As a partner in the UK-China Newton Agri-Tech Projects, Assimila Ltd. plays a key role in integrating satellite data with vegetation growth information. The session also featured contributions from Dr Qingling Wu, Dr Hongyuan Ma, and Feng Yin from UCL’s Department of Geography. The training demonstrated how a 3D vegetation canopy growth model can be used to analyse leaf spectral data and understand canopy structure throughout the growing season.
This hands-on session fostered collaboration between UK and Chinese researchers, helping them tackle common remote sensing challenges in a more interactive and engaging way. Many attendees found the conference helpful and expressed strong interest in a follow-up event with more practical sessions.
The UCL Department of Geography is a key partner in the UK-China Newton Agri-Tech Projects, working closely with Chinese researchers to drive long-term progress. Our goal is to create a sustainable platform where professors, researchers, and students can share knowledge, discuss ideas, and advance remote sensing research for agricultural monitoring.