Essential Grassland Degradation Variables Mapping Based on Multiple Remote Sensing Datasets

One fully funded scholarship is available in the School of Geography in 2026/27. This scholarship is open to UK status applicants and covers tuition fees plus maintenance. <br /> <br /> This Masters by Research place provides an exciting opportunity to pursue postgraduate research in the satellite monitoring of desertification. <br /> <br /> The School of Geography invites applications from prospective postgraduate researchers who wish to commence study for a Masters by Research in the academic year 2026/27 (an earlier start may be possible).

<p>Desertification - the degradation of drylands caused by human activities catalysed by climatic variation - is a major global problem. About 40% of world land surface area in the arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid zones is susceptible to it, and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) coordinates efforts to tackle it. Yet there is no reliable estimate of its actual global extent and rate of change: previous estimates have relied on subjective expert assessments or on proxy variables derived from low resolution satellite images, and the Third Edition of the World Atlas of Desertification (2018) does not include any global map of desertification at all. This constrains the work of the UNCCD and implementation of the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) target in the Sustainable Development Goals. So new methods for measuring desertification using satellite sensors are urgently needed. </p> <p>This project will devise new methods for monitoring the degradation of grasslands, which account for 94% of all degraded drylands. It will involve experimenting with the mapping of new variables using some of the latest satellite sensors and drones and innovative image classification algorithms. It will study grasslands in China, which cover 42% of national land area, and use data collected by both Chinese and European Space Agency (ESA) satellites. The project is supported by the DRAGON 6 Programme of ESA and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, and will build on a previous collaboration between the UK and Chinese partners in the DRAGON 5 Programme. The student - who must have a UK or EU passport - will spend up to 6 months in Beijing working with our Chinese partner. </p> <p>Aims </p> <ol> <li>Devise new methods for monitoring the degradation of grasslands with new variables. </li> <li>Use these methods to produce a map of grassland degradation in China. </li> </ol> <p> <br /> Methodology </p> <p>To map grassland degradation in China the project will experiment with the mapping of new variables, including Photosynthetic Vegetation and Non-Photosynthetic Vegetation coverage, shrubification, rodent hole density and grazing intensity. To do this it will analyse data collected from a selection of recently launched optical and radar satellite sensors and drones with a range of spatial resolutions, including both Chinese (GF-6) and ESA (Sentinels 1 and 2) satellites. It will use image fusion, machine learning and other advanced classification algorithms. Image classification will be supported by collecting field data in Inner Mongolia.  </p> <p> </p> <p>Information about the Award</p> <ul> <li>We are offering one full-time Masters by Research scholarship in the School of Geography for one UK status candidate, covering UK tuition fees and a UKRI matched maintenance stipend (currently £21,805 in 2026/27) for one year.</li> </ul> <p>Duration of the Award</p> <ul> <li>Full-time (1 year) Masters by Research.</li> </ul> <p>Other conditions</p> <ul> <li>Applicants must not be currently studying a postgraduate degree.</li> <li>Award must be taken up by 1^st October 2026.</li> <li>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance to the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.</li> </ul>

<p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University's website</a>. <strong>Please state clearly</strong> in the research information section that the research degree <strong>you wish to be considered for is <em>Essential Grassland Degradation Variables Mapping Based on Multiple Remote Sensing Datasets</em></strong> as well as <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/geography/staff/1040/dr-anne-grainger">Dr. Anne Grainger</a> as your proposed supervisor.</p> <p>More information on how to apply and required supporting documents can be found <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">here.</a> You will be also be required to provide a personal statement which outlines your interest in the project you are applying for, why you have chosen it and how your skills map onto the requirments of the project. </p> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<p>We are offering one fully funded scholarship to study Masters by Research project Essential Grassland Degradation Variables Mapping Based on Multiple Remote Sensing Datasets at the School of Geography, University of Leeds for one UK status candidate. The funding covers UK tuition fees as well as a UKRI matched maintenance stipend (currently £21,805 in 2026/27) per year, for one year.</p> <p>If you are unsure whether you are eligible for UK fees/funding, please see our <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-fees/doc/fee-assessment">fee assessment page.</a></p>

<p>For further project information please contact Dr Anne Grainger: geo6agr@leeds.ac.uk</p> <p>For application guidance and queries please contact the Faculty of Environment PGR Admissions Team: ENV-PGR@leeds.ac.uk</p>