Dr. Carsten Montzka

Research Group:

Remote sensing research at IBG-3 focuses on the estimation and monitoring of hydrological and biophysical variables from various platforms such as drones, aircrafts and satellites. We do not keep remote sensing isolated, but center our work around establishing a comprehensive linkage towards both simulation models and in situ measurements. This interdisciplinary approach facilitates a more holistic understanding of environmental dynamics, striving to contribute valuable insights that can be applied to improve water resource management and environmental conservation efforts.

Research Focus:

My investigation encompasses three primary areas of focus. Firstly, it involves the estimation and monitoring of soil moisture through radiometry and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), alongside the simulation and data assimilation of agroecosystem models, validated using novel in situ soil moisture measurement approaches. Secondly, the research delves into the monitoring of vegetation properties to enhance comprehension of ecosystem functioning and facilitate carbon accounting. Lastly, it explores the innovative integration of Artificial Intelligence into remote sensing to enhance our understanding of environmental processes.

Research Interest:

• Hydrological remote sensing
• Active and passive microwave remote sensing for surface soil moisture estimation
• Hydrological modeling and data assimilation
• Scaling of soil states and parameters
• Remote sensing of ecosystem functioning