CHRISTOPHER ALLAN LEGG
Nationality
British
Date of Birth
17/11/1944
Educated in Britain and Zambia
Email christopher.legg@blueyonder.co.uk
Telephone (44) 0117-904-1533 and 0778-359-7147
Website http://calegg.com/
January 2007-Present. Independent RS/GIS consultant. Based in Bristol, UK
a) Agriculture. Spatial analysis of child nutrition data in relation to agricultural production, population distribution
and biophysical factors for the West Africa node of the Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support System
(ReSAKSS-WA). Targeting interventions for the Crop Crisis Control Programme (C3P) against serious
diseases of cassava and bananas in East Africa based on field disease and food security surveys and
agricultural production and population data (including field training courses in Kenya and DRC in GPS and
GIS). GIS and GPS support for Great Lakes Cassava Initiative funded by Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation (also targeting virus diseases of cassava), including GPS training (field training and
development of self-training Agilix GoCourse), mapping of disease data and sites of cassava multiplication,
and development of smartphone-based field data collection system using GeoDexy. Selection of target
villages in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Ghana and Mali for the USAID-funded Africa RISING programme as a
consultant to IFPRI.
b) Geology.Due Diligence appraisal and report on Maamba Coal Mine, Zambia for client interested in
investment. Compilation of previous exploration data and re-interpretation of geology using remote sensing
for an area in NW Province of Zambia for an exploration client, and management of follow-up geochemical
survey. Assessment of geophysical, geochemical and drilling data for an area of Basement copper
mineralisation in Zambia. Remote sensing based groundwater surveys for clients in Mozambique and South
Africa. Remote sensing studies for target identification in Ethiopian Proterozoic volcanics (polymetallic
massive sulphides) and Holocene volcanics (epithermal gold) followed by field-checking. Remote sensing
re-interpretation of the geology of the Mamfe Basin, and of an area of Archaean volcanics in Maroua
District, Cameroon. Preparation of exploration programmes for cooper deposits in north-western Zambia,
and for coal in Swaziland. Design and supervision of drilling programme for coal in the Gwayi River area,
Zimbabwe. Due-diligence study of the Faleme iron deposits in south-eastern Senegal.
c) Other. Consultancy for Catholic Relief Services, USA, on global emergency response to natural disasters.
Assessment for International Food Policy Research Institute of accuracy of various satellite-derived land
cover datasets
Main software used QGIS, MultiSpec, Monteverdi
Active member of Geological Remote Sensing Group, Geological Society of London and of Royal Africa Society
January 2003-December 2006. IITA Ibadan, Nigeria. Manager GeoSpatial Laboratory
Provision of support for IITA scientists in GIS, Remote Sensing, Agroclimatology, Biometrics,
Research Database Management and landscape modeling. Managing and coordinating the work of 16
National Staff at IITA stations in Ibadan, Yaounde, Cotonou and Kampala. Organisation of training courses
in Biometrics, Database management, GPS and GIS at IITA stations for IITA staff and collaborators.
Compilation of spatial data sets for Sub-Saharan Africa from public domain and other sources. Specifically
processing SRTM DEMs for countries of SSA, production of MODIS-based vegetation map, compilation
of Landsat data sets. Undertaking research into methods of processing and presenting new global data sets,
techniques for mapping socio-economic variables and methods for targeting IITA interventions and site
selection. Experimentation with new GPS systems and combinations of GPS and PDA for field data
collection.
Specific projects undertaken included mapping poverty and child nutrition nationally for Nigeria
on the basis of household livelihood and mother and child health surveys, and mapping a range of socioeconomic variables including poverty for a detailed survey of the Niger Delta area. Different GIS
techniques have been tested for extrapolating poverty and nutrition variables, including compound
regression and Geostatistics. Application of GIS for site selection and targeting for the Sub-Saharan Africa
Challenge Programme and USAID Southern Africa Livelihoods Programme. Setting up West African node
of the Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support System (SAKSS) for USAID, and supporting SAKSS
operations by mapping development domains and spatial analysis of socio-economic and crop production
variables. Collaborating with the Nigerian National Space Agency on agricultural applications of remote
sensing in Nigeria. Providing GIS support for the C3P programme on cassava and banana disease
mitigation in the Great Lakes region of East Africa.
Main software used: ArcView, ArcGis, ENVI, DIVA
November 2000-December 2002. IITA Humid Forest Eco-regional Centre, Yaounde, Cameroon. Landscape
Ecologist. EU-funded through ICRAF and ASB
Developing landscape-based models for three test villages within the Humid Forest Benchmark area,
based on experience with FLORES-type models in the SIMILE modeling environment in Indonesia and
Zimbabwe. These models link sub-models of farming and forest systems in the villages with sub-models of
villages, lineages and households, incorporating biophysical data collected by IITA and others as well as
socio-economic and household decision-making data from the villages. GPS techniques were used
extensively to produce detailed maps of land-use mosaics in the villages, and satellite remote sensing
provided more extensive land-cover information to enable extrapolation of modeling results to wider areas.
The models are intended to examine the effect of different interventions, for example introduction of new
crop varieties and improved farming systems, on forest-crop mosaics, and in particular on rates of
deforestation.
Compilation of GIS database on Congo Basin area, including topographic, climatic, demographic and
crop-production data. Assessment of new sources of regional satellite imagery for eco-zonal studies and for
use in scaling-out of model results. Evaluation of detailed satellite imagery including IKONOS, ASTER,
Hyperion for vegetation and soils mapping.
Training of International and local staff in applications of Simile modeling environment and techniques of
spatial data collection using GPS and PDA.
Main software used – SIMILE, ArcView, ENVI
June-October 2000. EU Leuser Management Unit, Medan, Indonesia. GIS Advisor
Consolidation and re-structuring of existing GIS database, selection and training of staff, introduction of
advanced GIS/RS techniques, development of integrated information system and user interface. Specific
tasks were processing Radarsat-derived DEM of Leuser area and production of derived products,
production of new vegetation map of Leuser from Landsat TM imagery, introduction of Garmin/Palm Pilot
units for GPS mapping, and development of a user interface to the Leuser GIS through ArcExplorer.
Main software used – ArcView, ArcExplorer, ERDAS
April 1995-June 2000. EU Forest Inventory and Monitoring Project, Indonesia. GIS Specialist
Development of Pilot Integrated Forest Resources Information System (IFRIS)
Compilation of data from various sources, including medium-scale forest maps (from satellite remote
sensing), topographic data (digital topographic maps, roads and settlements mapped using GPS), climate
data, geology, forest plot information (botanical inventory and soils data), zoological biodiversity data,
socio-economic data (including data on indigenous hunter-gatherers), and data on protected area
boundaries, into geographic information system with intuitive Bahasa Indonesia interface. Six study areas
in Southern Sumatera included two portions of Taman Nasional Kerinci Seblat, one in western Jambi and
the other in northern Bengkulu, and the whole of the Bukit Barisan National Park, Lampung. IFRIS is
designed as a management and planning tool for Forest Department and other organisations with an interest
in the forests of Indonesia, and will eventually be implemented in all provinces as well as in Forest
Department headquarters. Implementation completed for Southern Sumatera, and preliminary data
compiled for all of Indonesia. Special versions of IFRIS in use in Kerinci Seblat and Bukit Barisan
National Parks, and by WWF Indonesia and Bird Life Indonesia.
Development of techniques for GIS processing and analysis.
Programmes developed for automated terrain analysis, including generation of land-facet maps from digital
elevation models, for interactive analysis of zoological data (eg. Interactive geo-referenced bird-lists), for
three-dimensional display of tree and soils data, for extrapolation of tree species abundances, and for
modeling of deforestation in areas along the eastern and western boundaries of the TNKS. Customisation of
the user interface of the GIS. Evaluating and developing use of low-cost VRML browsers for 3D data
visualisation. Evaluation of hand-held computers interfaced with GPS for field data collection. Worked as a
member of the FLORES team, developing dynamic models for people-forest interactions in Indonesian
rainforest (Jambi, Sumatera) and African dry forest (Zimbabwe).
Training of staff from Forest Department regional offices
Participated in planning and execution of training programmes for staff from regional offices (BIPHUTs
and sub-BIPHUTs) of INTAG (mapping and inventory section of Forest Department). Training
programmes included remote sensing, GIS, GPS and forest inventory. On-the-job training of counterpart
staff in Forest Department Headquarters and at provincial level in advanced GIS techniques, GPS mapping
and data integration. Training manuals in English and Bahasa Indonesia prepared for IFRIS, ArcView and
GPS.
Emergency Monitoring of 1997 Fires in Indonesia
As part of the EUFREG team, monitored fires through September to November 1997 in Kalimantan and
Sumatera using data from local NOAA AVHRR stations, information from the Internet (ERS-2 ATSR,
DMSP, TOMS) and existing GIS (IFRIS, see above). Reported daily to European Union Jakarta office and
planned and managed follow-up project mapping areas and vegetation types burnt.
Main software used – ArcInfo (unix and PC), ArcView, ERDAS
1991-1995. ODA Forest Mapping and Planting Project, Sri Lanka. RS/GIS Specialist
Development of techniques for remote sensing forest mapping. Studies of spectral signatures of main
natural and planted forest types and of seasonal variation. Evaluation of automated classification and
change-detection techniques.
Production of new national forest map and statistics using ERDAS and ArcInfo. Preliminary 1:250,000
scale national map and report produced September 1992. Semi-detailed (1:50,000) mapping completed
May 1994.
Development of Sri Lanka Forest GIS. Pilot GIS for KDN forest reserves (lowland rainforest) and
Knuckles conservation area (montane forest), incorporating forest maps, elevations, slopes, drainage,
access, protected areas and administrative boundaries, and including generation of perspective views for
planning. Modelling climate-vegetation relationships in the Knuckles range.
Linkages with IUCN biodiversity database. Initiated Wildlife Department management GIS and elephant
conflict GIS in ArcView. Initiation of national forest GIS.
Training in remote sensing and GIS for Forest Department and others. Two Forest Department counterparts
undergoing training. Short courses on RS and GIS for Forest Department management and at University of
Peradeniya and Institute for Fundamental Studies, Kandy. Training of Wildlife Dept. staff in GIS.
ODA RS and GIS consultancy missions in Malaysia, India and Indonesia. Consultancy missions to FRIM,
Malaysia (RS/GIS for environmental management), Western Ghats Forestry Project, Karnataka (RS/GIS
forest mapping and management), North-East Sumatera Prawn Project (RS/GIS mangrove mapping,
environmental impact), and ODA Animal Health Project, Indonesia (GIS for epidemiology).
Main software used – ArcInfo (Unix), ArcView, ERDAS
1985-1991 United Kingdom National Remote Sensing Centre. Manager Applications Support Team
Managed team of up to 8 applications scientists (included agricultural, land-use, oceanographic and
geologic specialists) on Hunting Geology and Geophysics (later Hunting Technical Services) support
contract to NRSC. Development of applications of remote sensing in environmental aspects of mineral
industries, disaster monitoring, forestry. Carried out projects on surface mining operations and land
restoration, remote sensing of floods, rangeland fires and oil-slicks, applications of radar in forest and landcover mapping. Use of raster and vector GIS in remote sensing studies (ArcInfo, SPANS, GEMS,
Iconoclast). Projects on applications of vector GIS in image segmentation. Development of educational and
promotional packages for remote sensing. Assisted with production of videos on aspects of remote sensing,
and with preparation of illustrated fact-sheets on remote sensing applications.
Software development
Wrote Mackintosh software "pathrow" to provide information on Landsat and SPOT coverage and overpass
dates. Adviser to developers of new GEMS software, improved RAE image processing packages and UK
Navy SST packages.
Consultant to UK government and EC and other organisations on remote sensing
Member of Polar Platform value added panel, EC Geological Applications Group, EC Spectral RS Group,
UK/Norway ERS-1 Group, UK NRSC Geological Applications and Educational and Training Working
Groups. Consultant on promotional projects for ERS-1 to ESA. Consultant to Arendal regional RS centre
(now GRID Arendal) during planning and establishment stage, 1988-89. Initiated contacts between UK
remote sensing and groups in Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary in 1990.
Main software used – GEMS, ArcInfo (unix)
1982-1985 Directorate General for Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia. Senior Economic Geologist
Mineral deposit studies and exploration planning. Collected database of world volcanic-associated massive
sulphide deposits, and studied Arabian deposits in relation to others to develop exploration strategy.
Field manager of exploration project using satellite and airborne remote sensing. Managed team of up to 16
geoscientists engaged on volcanic-associated massive sulphide exploration in Samran area using Landsat
MSS, airborne Daedelus scanner, helicopter-borne EM, stream sediment geochemistry, volcanic facies
mapping, ground geophysics and drilling. Significant copper, zinc, silver and gold mineralisation located.
Training of local counterpart professionals.
Development of mineral exploration GIS (Intergraph)
Data from Samran project, including topography, geology, geochemistry, geophysics and drilling results
integrated in Intergraph GIS for project management and demonstration purposes.
Main software used – I2S, Intergraph
1980-1982 United Nations Revolving Fund for Natural Resources Exploration, Kenya
Field manager of mineral exploration project
Managing exploration team, including up 400 labourers, six geologists, drill crews and geophysical
contractors, engaged on exploration for massive sulphide deposits in Migori belt, south-west Kenya.
Training local counterpart geologists and technical assistants.
1978-1980 Geological Survey of Zambia
Senior geologist supervising mineral exploration
Planning and management of exploration for zinc, silver, uranium and salt
Management of experimental remote sensing project: OECD funded project on exploration for tin, niobium
and tantalum using specially enhanced Landsat MSS products, including training of counterpart staff
Adviser to government on exploration policy
Advice on prospecting, exploration and mining licenses, and on formulation of emerald mining policy.
1974-1978 Independent geological consultant, Zambia
Geophysical contract work
Carried out resistivity, seismic, electromagnetic, gravity and induced polarisation surveys for groundwater
and mineral exploration. Clients included State Mining Corporation, De Beers, AGIP, farming groups and
private individuals.
Consultant to international mining groups
Assistance with area selection and setting up exploration programmes. Clients included United States Steel,
Preussag, Shell, Irish Base Metals, Metalimex.
Applications of remote sensing in hydrogeology
Used Landsat MSS false colour imagery in structural and lithological mapping for major groundwater
programme for Lusaka city water supply.
Engineering site investigations
Trenching, pitting, drilling and geophysics used in site investigations for hydroelectric dams and major
construction projects in Zambia.
Geological consultant to smallworkers
Geological investigations of deposits of gold, amethyst and emerald.
1967-1974 Geological Survey of Zambia
Mineral exploration and mineral deposit studies: Investigation of deposits of tin, copper, gold, uranium and
industrial minerals
Developed punched-card database of mineral occurrences: Database later computerised, and enabled
production of Mineral Occurrence map of Zambia
Initiated use of LANDSAT imagery in Zambian geology: Ordered first ERTS-1 imagery and carried out
initial structural interpretation during study of rifting related to investigation of thermal springs.
Higher Education Royal School of Mines, London
BSc(hons) Geology 1966 Dissertation on Volcanic Geology of part of Lanzarote
DIC (MSc) Ore Mineralogy 1967 Thesis on "Some aspects of the Mineralogy of Chromite"
Secondary Education, Gilbert Rennie School (now Kabulonga Boys High School) Lusaka, Zambia
Cambridge School Certificate and Higher School Certificate.
Awarded Federal Government Scholarship to University
Numerous publications on economic geology, mineral exploration and geophysics prior to 1985.
More Recent Papers
Legg, C. A. 2008. A Spatial Analysis of Child Nutrition in West Africa. ReSAKSS Working Paper 23, IFPRI,
Washington.
Legg, C. A. 2006. Targeting agricultural research for development in Tanzania – an example of the use of GIS for
ex-ante impact assessment in IITA. Presented at International Association of Agricultural Economists
Conference, Gold Coast, Australia.
Legg, C. A. and Yade, M. 2006. Trans-boundary markets: Examples and spatial modeling techniques in West
Africa. Presented at International Association of Agricultural Economists Conference, Gold Coast,
Australia.
Thornton, P. K., Stroud, A., Legg, C. A., Twomlow, S., Notenbaert, A., and Kruska, R. 2006. Site Selection to test
an integrated approach to agricultural research for development: combining expert knowledge and
participatory Geographic Information System methods. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability,
Vol 4, issue 1, pp1-22
Legg, C. A., 2004. Mapping Poverty and Nutrition in Nigeria; a GIS approach. Paper presented at the ESRI User
Conference, San Diego, USA, August 2004.
Legg, C. A. 2003. CAMFLORES: A FLORES-type model for the humid forest margin in Cameroon. Small-Scale
Forest Economics, Management and Policy. Vol.2 No 2, pp 211-224
Legg, C. A. and Laumonier, Y. 1999. Fires in Indonesia, 1997: A remote sensing perspective. Ambio
Vol. 28, No.6, pp 479-485.
Legg, C. A. and Laumonier, Y. 1998. Spatial and Three-Dimensional Analysis of Tree Species Distribution in forest
sample plots, Jambi Province, Sumatera, Indonesia. In “Data Management and Modeling using remote
sensing and GIS for tropical forest land inventory”, Eds. Laumonier, King, Legg and Rennolls, Rodeo
International, Jakarta.
Legg, C. A. and Scotland, N., 1998. Modeling deforestation in western Jambi province, Indonesia. In
“Data Management and Modeling using remote sensing and GIS for tropical forest land
inventory”, Eds. Laumonier, King, Legg and Rennolls, Rodeo International, Jakarta.
Legg, C. & Jewell, N. 1995. A 1:50,000-scale forest map of Sri Lanka: the basis for a national forest geographic
information system. The Sri Lanka Forester (The Ceylon Forester): 20 (3,4): 35-44.
Legg, C. A. 1991. The Arabian Gulf oil slick, January and February 1991.International Journal of Remote Sensing,
1366-5901, Volume 12, Issue 9, 1991, Pages 1795 – 1796
Legg, C. A. 1991. A review of Landsat MSS image acquisition over the United Kingdom, 1976-1988, and the
implications for operational remote sensing.. International Journal of Remote Sensing 12 , pp. 93-106
Languages
English
French
Bahasa Indonesia
German
Spanish
Arabic
Sinhala
Mother tongue
Fluent spoken and written
Moderately fluent spoken and written
Basic spoken and written
Basic spoken
Rudimentary spoken
Rudimentary spoken