Research - Digital Natural Resources
FNR Digital Natural Resources' research spans over several areas which includes developing integrated systems of quantitative techniques for assessing and analyzing forest and associated ecosystems. Efforts focus on advancing quantitative methods related to statistical, simulation, and analytical modeling of natural systems at varying spatial and temporal scales.
FNR forestry research expands and collaborates across Purdue University with theIntegrated Digital Forestry Initiative (iDiF) led by Songlin Fei, professor and the Dean's Remote Sensing Chair. This research is working towards developing platforms and strategies that leverage digital technology to measure, monitor and manage urban and rural forests to maximize social, economic and ecological benefits.
Areas of Specialization
- Remote Sensing, Monitoring and Sensor Networks
- Modeling of Natural Resources
- Geographic Information Science
- Natural Resource Informatics
- Decision Support Systems
- Spatial Analysis
Faculty
Dr. John Couture
Integrating chemical and landscape ecology to advance our understanding of the influence of trophic-level interactions on ecosystem functioning
Dr. Songlin Fei
Spatial analysis and pattern recognition, invasive species distribution modeling and forest ecosystem dynamic modeling
Dr. Brady Hardiman
Ecosystem responses to anthropogenic modification including disturbance, management, land-use change associated with urbanization, remote sensing, and ecosystem modeling.
Dr. Bryan Pijanowski
Land-use modeling & spatial ecology, ecological assessment, natural resource economic impact analysis
Dr. Patrick Zollner
Behavioral ecology of ecological landscapes, forest management in changing landscapes, animal movements
Learn More About Our Research
View our nine research areas along with our world-class faculty.
Purdue centers seek to support and enhance the research and partnership enterprise at Purdue University. The centers are valued and encouraged at Purdue as they create a venue for faculty to come together to pursue common goals. Forestry and Natural Resources have faculty and staff involved in six centers here at the University.
The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources maintains an impressive collection of state-of-the-art research and education facilities. These labs, green houses, and educational facilities are a fundamental component that enables our faculty and students to learn, make new discoveries, and engage our clients in using these discoveries to sustain our nation’s ecosystems and natural resources.
The mission of the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources is to develop and disseminate knowledge in the natural resource sciences associated with the protection, management, and sustainable use of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. One way the department accomplishes our mission is by owning and managing 24 properties located throughout the state to provide opportunities for research, extension, and education that achieves sustainable use of our natural resources.
See Research Digital Natural Resources' Stories
Researchers from across the globe traveled to Purdue for the Science-i Bridging Worlds Workshop,...
Dr. Songlin Fei spoke about Alien Forest Pest Explorer: Forest Health Applications, as part of...
The black walnut tree (Juglans nigra), prized for its rich, dark color in hardwood furniture and...
Four research centers and four long-term research projects are housed within the Purdue...
Whether we realize it or not, artificial intelligence—AI—plays a big role in our...
Purdue FNR congratulates three faculty members on their promotions, which were announced at the...