Michael A. Merchant
About Michael A. Merchant
Michael A. Merchant is a Remote Sensing Specialist with extensive experience in geographic information systems and remote sensing techniques. He has worked with various organizations, including Ducks Unlimited Canada, and has contributed to significant projects involving landcover mapping and wetland detection across Canada.
Current Role at Ducks Unlimited Canada
Michael A. Merchant has been serving as a Remote Sensing Specialist at Ducks Unlimited Canada since 2015. In this role, he oversees the National Boreal Program, focusing on satellite-based mapping of boreal landcovers. His work involves employing advanced techniques such as object-based analysis and machine learning to enhance mapping accuracy and efficiency. Merchant's expertise contributes to the organization's efforts in wetland conservation and habitat management across Canada.
Education and Academic Background
Michael A. Merchant completed his Ph.D. in Geography at the University of Guelph from 2020 to 2024. Prior to this, he earned a Master of Science in Geography from the same institution between 2012 and 2014. His academic journey began with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography (Honors) from 2007 to 2012. Throughout his studies, he focused on geomatics and remote sensing, laying a strong foundation for his career in environmental mapping and analysis.
Professional Experience in Remote Sensing
Merchant has extensive experience in remote sensing and GIS. He worked as an Agricultural Geomatics Assistant at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in 2014 and as a GIS Data Technician for the City of Ottawa during the same year. His roles at the University of Guelph included Research Assistant and Teaching Assistant, where he contributed to various projects related to hydrogeomatics and ecosystem dynamics. His work has involved using advanced software tools such as eCognition, ERDAS, SNAP, and ArcGIS.
Research Contributions and Projects
Michael A. Merchant has contributed to significant research in remote sensing and land cover mapping. He assessed machine learning algorithms for land cover mapping in Yukon, documented in a publication by Merchant et al. in 2019. He has also led projects utilizing airborne LiDAR and orthophotography to interpret wetland types in Alberta and employed multi-date Landsat-8 OLI data for mapping land cover changes in the Peace Athabasca Delta. His work includes advising a Mitacs funded project on novel wetland mapping methods in Alberta.
Technical Skills and Methodologies
Merchant possesses strong technical skills in remote sensing methodologies. He has implemented semi-automated identification techniques using satellite imagery to detect placer mining ponds in Yukon. His expertise includes utilizing Sentinel-2 optical and multi-date ALOS PALSAR radar fusion for mapping in the Akaitcho region. He has also conducted rule-based remapping of Forest Resource Inventory ecosites using LiDAR data, demonstrating his proficiency in applying advanced technologies to environmental monitoring.