EAGLE Students in Kruger National Park: Internship at SANParks

EAGLE MSc students Sebastian Rothaug and Clemens Schömig are currently completing an internship/InnoLab with SANParks in Kruger National Park, South Africa. During their stay, they are contributing to a project on fire and drought dynamics in savanna ecosystems.

Their work focuses on UAS-based post-fire monitoring and vegetation analysis. As part of this, they conduct drone flights using different sensor types, including LiDAR, thermal, and multispectral systems. These data help to document vegetation structure and post-fire recovery in the study area.

In addition to the aerial surveys, Sebastian and Clemens are involved in ground-based data collection. This includes tree inventory measurements that provide reference data for interpreting and validating the remote sensing observations.

The internship offers an opportunity to work in an international research environment and to collaborate with scientists and practitioners in conservation and ecology. It also allows for exchange with other students working in related fields.

Fieldwork in the park comes with the added experience of observing wildlife during daily activities, which is a unique aspect of working in this environment.

Through their internship, Sebastian and Clemens gain practical experience in applying Earth Observation UAS technologies to ecological questions, while contributing to ongoing monitoring efforts in Kruger National Park.