Professor for GIS and Remote Sensing

appointed Research Professor 2018-2022

Head of the M.Sc. Study Programme Forest Information Technology (FIT)

Topics and Focus:

• Forestry 4.0 / Forst 4.0 / Presision Forestry
• UAV / UAS applications
• LiDAR and photogrammetric point clouds
• Multispectral Time Series Analysis
• Digital Forest Inventories and environmental monitoring

Federal Research Profressorship 2018-2022 at HNEE

Prof. Dr. rer. nat Jan-Peter Mund was appointed as a Research Professor at HNEE in September 2018 and holds a Federal Research Professorship for 4 years from 2018 to 2022.

Projects:

Build4People Project: research of a sustainable Cambodia

BioEcon-European-Vietnamese Higher Education Network for Sustainable Forest- and Bio-Economy

GeoServices — 4 — Sustainability - Erasmus Project (2016-2018)

GIS in Enviromental Management 2012-2014  

Teachings:

B.Sc. or M.Sc. Thesis Proposals and FIT Research Projects proposals(including open topics)

e-lecture on GIS and hydrology at IWRM education (BGS, 2012)

References:

Publications

Curriculum vitae

Topical News

Conferences and Seminars

Monitoring urban green space in Phnom Penh (Sneak preview of ongoing research work ) 

Spatial analyses of cities require an extensive knowledge of the prevailing land cover. The practice of remote sensing allows researchers to record up-to-date datasets of land cover by carrying out a semi-automated land cover classification. In March 2020, the local research team from the Royal University of Phnom Penh parter of HNEE in the Build4people project, surveyed and verified more than 600 “ground-truth points” in Phnom Penh using a mobile phone mapping app called “Input APP” which are used as training and validation data for the very high resolution land cover classification of Phnom Penh. A first map shows the first preprint of our very high resolution classification results based on Rapid Eye satellite date provided by Planet.

Welcome to new FIT Students as academic 2020/2021 year starts online

FIT student produces urban heat maps 

Research by a FIT student contributed to the Build4People project that is implemented by several universities including HNEE in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. To study urban climate and the influence of building design on thermal comfort, the Build4People project installed weather stations in the Cambodian capital as well as in rural places with the aim to evaluate the urban heat island effect. The instrumentation was set up from the Royal University Phnom Penh and has sensors for temperatures, humidity and wind. This gives a solid data base for annual as well as hourly data. At HNEE, Mr. M. Gulam, student of the Master programme Forest Information Technology, conducted a spatial analysis of the remotely sensed surface temperature in Phnom Penh using the Land surface products of Landsat 8 and Sentinel. Both product measure the temperature of the surface of the Earth in Kelvin (K). Land surface Temperature is an important parameter in many energy balance and hydrologic modeling studies and surface Temperature data is also useful for monitoring urban vegetation and urban heat islands.

WINMol - a new project researching wind throw kicks off

Extreme weather events have become more frequent in recent years. A study by the German Insurance Association (GDV) and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) estimates a 50 percent increase in general storm damage by 2100 (Donet et al 2011). In July 2020, a new project, led by HNEE, kicked off with the title: "Prevention and reduction of future storm calamities in economically used forest stands".  The project aims to adapt and optimise storm damage models on different scale levels for German portfolios, create vulnerability maps and hand sheets for forestry practice and integrate the results in ELDAT smart. The calculations for storm damage modelling are based on terrestrial and remote sensing data of real wind throw areas, recorded by NASA and ESA satellites, among others. In addition, numerous geo-data are included in the calculations - for example on soil type, water content, forest structure and wind conditions at storm-damaged and unharmed neighbouring sites. The results the starting point for the creation of so-called vulnerability maps, from which the probability of storm damage to forest areas can be derived. At the end of the project, all the information will be presented in handouts with practical recommendations.The project is funded by the Fachagentur für Nachwachsende Rohstoffe (FNR) and implemented togetther with the Thünen Institute.

HNEE taught at Bio EcoN seasonal school in Valladolid

From 2 – 15 February 2020, about 70 international students gathered at the University of Valladolid (UVa) in Palencia, Spain for the second BioEcoN “seasonal schools”. The BioEcoN Seasonal Schools equiped students with knowledge and skills required to help mold and navigate in the rapidly developing field of sustainable forest-based bioeconomy, particularly in SE Asia and Europe. The session provided a platform to discuss this topic in a highly interdisciplinary and inspiring atmosphere among many international scholars and lecturers. Participants learnt new methods, tools and technologies from various disciplines. In Palencia, head of the project, Prof Jan-Peter Mund informed that the seasonal school at UVa was the last one for 2020. Further seasonal schools are postponed due to the Corona pandemic.

UAV Flight Campaign at Royal University of Phnom Penh

On December 2, 2019 Prof. Mund held a academic talk about ”Urban Green in Phnom Penh” to3^rd semester undergraduate students at the Royal Universtiy of Agriculture (RUA). A joint UAV flight campaign in the followed the lecture. The effort resulted in a new UAV orthophoto of the FLMLA faculty and adjacent RUA facilities and a 3D point cloud of a section of RUA campus. The event was part of the research cooperation initaited by the Build4People project. During the workshop the research associates of both partners Ms. Amelie McKenna (HNEE) and Mr. Kimheng (RUA) presented plans for their joint field work stages in Phnom Penh in 2020. RUA Rector H.E. Dr. Ngo Bunthan met the B4P research team and was interested in new aerial orthophoto technologies as well as further cooperation opportunities among RUA and HNEE.

Kick off for Research Cooperation in Cambodia: The Build4People Project

The Build4People officially started with a Launch Conference on 26 November 2019 in Phnom Penh. The main objective of this conference was to introduce about the innovative long-term Build4People project funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research. The Build4People project aims to research and promote the use of sustainable buildings and sustainable urbanization in Phnom Penh Prof. Mund and research associate Amelie McKenna head work package 4 on Urban Green.

HNEE students attended WHERECAMP

On November 14, 2019 HNEE students and Prof. Mund joint GeoIT  experts at the Technical University of Berlin for the Wherecamp Conference. This year the conference focused  the  research insights around GeoIoT, GNSS, digital mapping, (autonomous) mobility and spatial intelligence of the GeoIT domain including industry and academic institutions.

International Summer Schools in Spain and Vietnam

The EUROPEAN-VIETNAMESE HIGHER EDUCATION NETWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE FOREST- AND BIO-ECONOMY  (BioEcon) organizes two Summer Schools and a Winter School The courses  equip students with knowledge and skills required to help mold and navigate in the rapidly developing field of sustainable forest-based bioeconomy, particularly in SE Asia and Europe. They provide a platform to discuss this topic in a highly interdisciplinary and inspiring atmosphere among many international scholars and lecturers. Participants receive instruction on four module topics over two weeks, learning new methods, tools and technologies from various disciplines. Two field trips are foreseen for each summer school, including practical training at a local forest site (marteloscope) and a cultural excursion (National Park, etc.). Summer schools in Vietnam are planned in September 2019 and March 2020, the Winter School in Spain is schedules in February 2010. Get more information.

BioEcoN Project launched at Vietnam National University of Science

On September 2018, Prof. Mund, Prof. Cremer and BioEcoN Coordinator Kevin Beiler attended the opening of a project meeting at the Vietnam national University of Science in Hanoi. The BioEcon project team signed a number of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) regarding the implementation of the project. The BioEcoN Project aims to developing teaching materials ont he topic of bio-economy. It addresses the level of academic, methodology and institutional skills among all universities through the design and development of a new graduate blended or e-learning programm. In times of resource scarcity, a bio-economy based on renewable resources like forest products is one to increasing consumption of materials and energy. Bio-Economy in itself cannot be considered as self-evidently sustainable.

The BioEcoN project has been funded under the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union for three years from the end of 2017. It is co-hosted by HNEE, VNU University of Science, University of Valladolid from Spain, South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences from Finland, Vietnam National University of Forestry and Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry.

IFEM Student supports UAV surveys of WCS in Cambodia

An IFEM Student has started his research internship in Cambodia at the Wildlife Conservation Society, (WCS - Cambodia). He will collaborate with Mr. Phien Sayon and participate in several forest and ecosystem protection acitivies in Cambodia applying his UAV aerial image collection capacity and exchange knowledge about using UAS for nature protection and conservation topics in South-East Asia.

Rollentausch am Waldcampus

HNEE-Professor und Försterin vom Forstgut Sauen / August Bier Stiftung tauschen für einen Tag die Arbeitsplätze im Rahmen des Projekts „PerspektivWechsel“ des MWFK.

GeoS4S International Summer School-3 at HNE in Eberswalde welcomes 70 international guests

The consortium of the GeoServices-4-Sustainability (GeoS4S) project consisting of 10 universities from Europe, China and Thailand conducted its 3rd International Summer School (ISS-3) for 2 weeks at Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE), Germany from 9th to 20th July, 2018.

70 participants from 20 countries participated in the two-week long GeoServices-4-Sustainability (GeoS4S) international summer school which concluded in Eberswalde on 21 Julye 2018. Organized at HNEE together with a consortium of 10 universities from Europe, China and Thailand, the project is co-funded by EU Commission under the Erasmus Plus programme.

Participants were taught 10 modules on geo-informatics by lectures from different partner universities that took the lead in delivering the specific courses. Prof. Jan-Peter Mund, Frank Torkler and Stuart Krause represented the teaching capacity from HNEE. 

Excursion to AGIT 30

Digital records - like paying by credit card or recording sports activities with the help of a fitness tracker - help to paint a detailed picture of our movement patterns and the associated activities. Most mobile phones deliver data that determines our location even more precisely and, above all, uninterruptedly. The AGIT Symposium & EXPO 2018, chose the focus “me | places | spaces”. For the first time a group of HNEE students on the initiative of Prof. Mund took part in the event from 4 to 6 July.

Representatives from research and industry discussed the role of the geo-information industry in an urban world in the context of smart city initiatives, their challenges on issues such as energy, infrastructure and mobility.

GeoS4S-ISS-2 and Dissemination Conference-1 concluded successfully in China - HNEE students and lectures attend Summer School in China

50 students from more than 20 faculties coming from 10 universities and institutions in Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Thailand and China  attend the GeoS4S Summer School in Nanjing, China. For two weeks, expert practitioners specialized in the field set up ten professional courses, and intend to develop and enhance students' spatial thinking and practical skills in those area related toGIS. They will explore topics such as ‘Incident and Crisis Management for Sustainability’, ‘Geo-Visualization’ ‘Smart City’ and more. Prof. Jan-Peter Mund together with Stuart Krause (Msc FIT) delivers modules on Forest Biomass and Carbon Stock Quantification. In the sessions students will learn methods and tools for estimating, quantifying, calculating and monitoring the baseline of different carbon pools and carbon stocks chances related land management measures.

With the Summer School from  9.-16. March, the GeoS4S provides opportunities to the current learner/students to acquire knowledge and skills in addition to their regular curricula, in an international learning environment. The Geo-Services 4 Sustainability (GeoS4S) project is funded by the European Union and aims to develop a master course curriculum around geo-informatics and sustainability.

BioEcoN: 2nd Technical and Curriculum Development meeting conducted in Mikkeli, Finland 

In the second wekk of June the second BioEcoN Technical and Curriculum Development meeting was successfully conducted at the Mikkeli technical University in South-Eastern Finland.

Bio-Econ: First Technical Meeting conducted at VNUF in Hanoi, Vietnam

During the first week of March 2018, the BioEcoN consortium met for the first technical meeting at the Vietnam National University of Forestry in Hanoi. The BioEcon-Project aims to develop a Msc. Curriculum on sustainable bio-economy by 2020. Researchers and lectures from HNEE but also Spain, Finland and Vietnam used the meeting in Hanoi to discuss the topic of bio-economy. Sharing these approaches indicated different traditions and multi-actors perspectives in the four countries. These perspectives will flow into the learning and teaching materials to be developed. At the end of the meeting the team agreed on work packages to be implement until the next technical meeting in June 2018 in Finland.

WhereCamp2017 at TU Berlin

Today mapping and navigation are amongst the most popular everyday usages of mobile devices. Finding your location on a phone is no longer a novelty, it has become a standard consumer expectation.

HNEE FIT students attended the WhereCamp2017, while Prof. Mund chaired the session No 3  in the University track at WhereCamp 2017.

4th KWF Focus Days in Paaren/Glien

The KWF Focus Days in Paaren/Glien take place on 27th and 28th September. The conference focuses on IT solutions in forestry. Prof. Jan-Peter Mund will speak on data standardisation in a forum on data management in forest monitoring and joins a discussion on  opportunities and risks of  big data in forestry. The UAV Research Group will the use of drones for forest applications. HNEE will also present efforts on logistics and forest growth and yield.

UAV Research Group presents IT solutions for  forest surveying ahead of KWF conference

At a press conference ahead of the upcoming KWF Focus Days 2017 , Brandenburg’s Environmental Minister Jörg Vogelsänger witnessed drone demonstration flights performed by HNEE. Stuart Krause from HNEE’s UAV Research Group showed how drone imagery can support forest survey or monitoring for forest  pests.

HNEE successful in Erasmus Plus Call 2017

With the idea of a European-Vietnamese Higher Education Network for Sustainable Forest- and Bio-Economy, HNEE was successful in the latest Erasmus Plus Call on Capacity Building in Higher Education. The proposal was selected amongst 756 eligible applications for the call. Together with three Vietnamese Universities, the South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences and the University of Valladolid HNEE aims elaborate high quality teaching materials and curricula on bio-economy. Prof. Mund who took the lead on developing the proposal explains the idea. “The participating universities have the opportunity to renew and align their curricula towards multidisciplinary skills and competencies. This will better support innovative activities allowing students and future professionals to interface different topics and to foster collaboration between the diverse disciplines of bio-economy”. Currently, administrative and project management procedures are elaborated to enable the project to kick off.

HNEE partner to Sustainable Building project in Cambodia

Five German universities (including HNEE) and an architect partnership received funding from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research to develop a research project on sustainable buildings to enhance urban quality of life in Cambodia. A stakeholder workshop in Phnom Pen will gather counterparts’ contributions and feedback to the project. As contribution of HNEE, Prof. Mund envisions to develop an urban green index based on remote sensing products. Methodologically, this research aims at linking human viewpoints directly with ecological aspects of urban green. The gathered climatic information can be used in the future to prepare recommendations at the neighbourhood level in a 3D simulation. For more information, follow the project on Facebook.

Congratulation to HNEE students!

In November 2016, two FIT students and one IFEM student have won the first prize at the ESA GSA Gallileo Hackahthon on location-based service at the Beuth Hochschule in Berlin. The GIS learners from HNEE showed that they acquired excellent coding skills. Well down! The Hackathon was part of the WhereCamp 2016 at Beuth Hochschule in Berlin.