26 OCT 2023 (THU) 11:30-12:30

Brown Bag Lunch Seminar Series on Remote Sensing

Unlocking Urbanization and Vegetation Restoration with Earth Observation in China

Date: 26 October 2023 (Thursday)

Time: 11:30-12:30 (HKT)

Mode: In Person (Limited seats, registration is required.)

Venue: CLL, 10.10, 10/F, The Jockey Club Tower, Centennial Campus, HKU

Abstract:

China has experienced rapid urbanization and a corresponding decline in rural populations, leading to significant land-use changes and challenges for ecological restoration. Using satellite and demographic datasets, this study tested the hypothesis that urbanization and carbon neutrality are not mutually exclusive, suggesting a large but transient carbon sink from urbanization and rural depopulation. The study further explores urban vegetation change types through satellite time series and change detection methods and finding that 63% of cities are recovery in greenness. Additionally, by mapping the changes in urban tree canopy with deep learning and nano-satellite imageries, clear signs of tree cover increases are observed, supporting urban greening efforts in China.

Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Department of Architecture, HKU

Xiaoxin Zhang received her Doctorate in Geography from the University of Copenhagen in July 2023, with her research focusing on urbanization and vegetation restoration in China. Her recent study, which suggests a large but transient carbon sink due to urbanization and rural depopulation in China, has been published in Nature Sustainability in 2022.