Spatial Ecology and Environmental Data Sciences (SEEDS Lab)

Tong Qiu, Duke University


We are ecologists at the Nicholas School of the Environment. We use data-model synthesis approaches that integrate satellite and airborne remote sensing with ecological big data and earth system models to understand how terrestrial ecosystems are functioning under global change




Research Themes

*
Tree Fecundity and forest regeneration
Forest ecosystems rely on the fecundity of their trees to regenerate after dieback and disturbance. We are interested in quantifying fecundity variations at species, landscape, and global scales.
Global change impacts on vegetation phenology
Phenology is the intra-annual rhythm of vegetation growth. We develop models to better quantify phenology changes in urban and natural environments.
Biodiversity response to climate and habitat
Biodiversity supports human well-being with food, energy, and materials. We synthesize remote sensing with ecological data within a Bayesian framework to understand and predict biodiversity changes.
Biodiversity feedback to climate systems
We are interested in how structural and functional composition changes of forest, dry land, and urban ecosystems influence carbon, water, and energy exchanges between the biosphere and atmosphere.
Environmetal Data Sciences
We aim to harness emerging frontiers in remote sensing and environmental data science to solve environmental and social issues.