New foundation grant funded to develop forest digital twins for fire mitigation

Forests in the southeastern United States play a vital role in protecting communities from climate extremes such as hurricanes, flooding, and drought. They store carbon, cool the air, stabilize soil, and help absorb heavy rainfall. However, as extreme weather events become more frequent and intense, land managers need better tools to understand which forests are most vulnerable and how to protect them. This project will create Forest Digital Twins—highly detailed virtual models of real forests that show the location, structure, and species of individual trees. Using advanced sensors, satellite imagery, and artificial intelligence, we will build realistic digital forests that allow us to safely test different management strategies—such as planting certain tree species or adjusting forest density—before applying them in the real world. These simulations will help predict how forests respond to extreme weather and identify the most effective, cost-efficient ways to strengthen their resilience. The tool will be open-access, meaning scientists, land managers, policymakers, and conservation organizations can use it to guide decisions. By combining cutting-edge technology with ecological science, this project will help communities better prepare for climate challenges while protecting forests that safeguard people, wildlife, and the environment.

Postdoc Zhuohong Li will lead the develop of the AI models. He will leverage the extensive resources provided by NEON.