Research - Quantitative Ecology
The Quantitative Ecology group studies and advances quantitative methods related to statistical, simulation, and analytical modeling of natural systems at multiple levels of biological organization and at varying spatial and temporal scales. Members of the group also employ advanced monitoring and informatics techniques to track biota across varied landscapes and synthesize diverse environmental data. The group works to develop, coordinate and promote quantitative research and education addressing a wide range of topics of interest to natural resource professionals.
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. Tomas Höök
Fish ecology and ecological modeling focusing on recruitment processes, foodweb interactions, bio-physical coupling, eutrophication effects and fish life history trait variation
Dr. Jacob Hosen
Leverage internet of things technology to deploy environmental sensors networks that provides real-time sensing for predictive ecosystem models
Dr. Jingjing Liang
Connecting machine learning and big data in studying fundamental questions in forest resource modeling and assessment
Dr. Bryan Pijanowski
Land-use modeling & spatial ecology,ecological assessment, natural resource economic impact analysis
Dr. Michael Saunders
Disturbance-based silviculture/ecological forestry, restoration ecology in forested systems
Dr. Guofan Shao
Disturbance-based silviculture/ecological forestry, restoration ecology in forested systems
Dr. Rob Swihart
Disturbance ecology, effects of habitat fragmentation, spatial modeling of populations & communities
Dr. Pat Zollner
Methodical research on statistical data collection & modeling, spatial statistics and its applications to environmental sciences
Areas of Specialization:
- Quantitative Ecology
- Wildlife Management
- Restoration Ecology
- Conservation Biology
- Spatial Ecology
- Fragmentation Ecology
- Ecotoxicology
- Wildlife Nutrition
- Wildlife Physiology
- Human Wildlife Interactions
- Population Ecology
- Community Ecology
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.