Dr Sana Khan

I am a research scientist with primary training in the field of fluvial geomorphology, hydrology and spatial science. I use my scientific knowledge and research skills in conjugation with remote sensing techniques and products along with geostatistical analysis skills to harness the big data that is made available as a result of revolution in spatial science and technological advances.

I am fascinated by the interaction between landscape morphology (landscape and local scale terrain forms) and resultant processes (geomorphic and hydrological) that design our landscapes via erosional and depositional mechanisms. I am excited to be a part of scientific community in this revolutionary era where we can ‘pluck the low hanging fruit’ of remote sensing technology and high computing resources to better understand the landscapes at unprecedented scales.

For geospatial analysis, I use a variety of datasets- raw LASer point cloud, DEMs (LiDAR, SRTM, AW3D30), historical aerial imagery, historical parish maps, contemporary aerial imagery, discharge records, geomorphic maps and lithological maps. I have experience in advanced data visualization, geo-statistical analysis and machine learning analysis via ESRI GIS, SAGA GIS and Python. I also have experience with hydrological and sediment models.

As our understanding of integrated landscape processes expands with research in various branches of environmental sciences, my research path is leading towards work in other fields as well- carbon, biodiversity, habitat and water quality. I aim to to develop better understanding of landscape characteristics for more informed applied research leading to sustainable landscape prioritisation.

Current projects at CSIRO include:

1) Northern Australia Water Resource Assessment- https://www.csiro.au/en/showcase/nawra

2) Regional Ecosystem Accounting Project- https://research.csiro.au/macroecologicalmodelling/projects/

3) Digital Water and Landscapes- Seamlessly merging DEMs of variable resolution

4) Testing InSAR capability for erosion assessment

5) Above ground biomass landscape assessment

Selected publications:

• Khan, S., Fryirs, K., Bizzi, S., 2021 Modelling sediment (dis)connectivity across a river network to understand locational-transmission-filter sensitivity and identify hotspots of potential geomorphic adjustment. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5213

• Khan, S., Fryirs, K., Ralph, T. J., 2021 Geomorphic controls on the diversity and patterns of fluvial forms along longitudinal profiles. CATENA 203, 105329 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2021.105329

• Khan, S., Fryirs, K., Shumack, S., 2021 Semi-automating the calculation of catchment scale geomorphic controls on river diversity using publically available datasets. CATENA 203, 105354 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2021.105354

• Khan, S., Fryirs, K., 2020 An approach for assessing geomorphic river sensitivity across a catchment based on analysis of historical capacity for adjustment. Geomorphology 359, 107135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2020.107135

• Khan, S., Fryirs, K., 2020 Application of globally available, coarse resolution Digital Elevation Models for delineating valley bottom segments of varying length across a catchment. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.4930

• Khan, S., Sinha, R., Whitehead, P., Sarkar, S., Jin, L., Futter, M.N., 2018. Flows and sediment dynamics in the Ganga River under present and future climate scenarios. Hydrological Sciences Journal 63, 763–782. https://doi.org/10.1080/02626667.2018.1447113