Biodiversity

PI: Bryan Pijanowski;  Co-PIs: Jinha Jung, Jingjing Liang;  Funding: NASA

Building a multi-sensor biodiversity framework that is applied to major terrestrial global biomes by using three ISS sensor platforms (GEDI, DESIS and ECOSTRESS), several space-based remote sensing platforms (e.g., MODIS, Landsat, ICESat 1/2), in situ acoustic sensor data, and "silent" in situ data (field surveys, national and regional forest inventory data, UAV data, and meteorological data).

PI: Mike Saunders;  Co-PIs: Jeff Holland(FNR), Catherine Aime(FNR); Liz Flaherty (FNR), Barny Dunning (FNR); Mike Jenkins (FNR); Pat Zollner (FNR);  Funding: Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources

The Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment (HEE) is a 100-year collaborative study of the effects of forest management on animals and plants in Indiana. HEE brings together academic, non-profit and state organizations including, among others, Purdue, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Ruffed Grouse Society, a conservation group focused on improving wildlife habitats and forest health.

PI: Joseph Sobieralski;  Co-PI: Jason Hoverman;  Funding: US Fish and Wildlife Service

The introduction and spread of invasive species are costly to both the environment and economy. Human activities such as shipping and recreational boating have been a well-documented pathway for the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) throughout the U.S. The objective of this project is to provide a detailed analysis of seaplane travel and the risks posed as a pathway for the spread of AIS in U.S. waterways. By filling this key research gap, the project will provide stakeholders with the necessary information to better understand AIS risks.

PI: Songlin Fei (FNR);  Co-PI: Nicole Kong (GIS, Libraries);  Funding: US Forest Service, NSF, Purdue

Invasion of exotic pests can significantly alter the structure, function, and services of forest ecosystems. Unfortunately, large portions of the forest systems in the United States are impacted by invasive pests. There is a need for linking the pest invasion risks to forest hosts at local, regional, and continental scales to be incorporated into management plans to ensure the sustainability of U.S. forests and the vital ecosystem services they provide. The project team has facilitated the interactive visualization and efficient dissemination of pest invasion risk information to natural resource managers, policy makers, land owners and researchers through the creation of the Alien Forest Pest Explorer, a user-friendly platform that enables anyone to understand what pests trees in a specific area may face, how to identify them and how to protect them.