Dr Bunting's research is concerned with the computational processing of spatial data, primarily for the mapping of land surfaces & biophysical attributes both in terms of their current state & as they change through time using remotely sensed (terrestrial, airborne & spaceborne) & ancillary GIS data, to inform policy and understand the processes of change. In particular, his research involves the development of new & automated techniques for information retrieval from image & 3D point cloud datasets.

Over the last 10 years, the main focus of Pete's research has been the Global Mangrove Watch (https://www.globalmangrovewatch.org), where he has led the development of global maps of mangrove extent and change and more recently, a near real-time system for monitoring mangrove losses on a monthly basis. More recently he has been broadening this focus to collaborate with colleagues to map and monitor tropical wetland ecosystems. 

Much of his technical research has been combined within open-source software libraries, such as the Remote Sensing and GIS software library (RSGISLib)—https://www.rsgislib.org. 

Pete Bunting is a Reader in Remote Sensing within the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences (DGES). He originally joined the department in 2004 when he undertook his PhD before moving on to lecturing in 2007. Prior to joining the department, he undertook his undergraduate degree in Computer Science, also at Aberystwyth University. Pete has expertise in Earth Observation, Remote Sensing, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Big Data, Image Classification, and Change Detection. His work significantly contributes to the understanding and monitoring of our planet's environment, particularly through his work Global Mangrove Watch (GMW; http://globalmangrovewatch.org), where he has led the development of global maps of mangrove extent and change.