Malnutrition linked to poor quality diets affects at least 2 billion people globally. Forests and trees are key sources of dietary diversity in some rural settings. Here, we develop and explore the conceptual links between diet diversity and forested landscapes in the rural tropics. We summarize the state of knowledge regarding diets obtained from forests,…

A rapidly growing body of work suggests mountain streams emit surprisingly large amounts of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Studies in these environments are scarce and estimates of CO2 fluxes from aquatic environments are poorly constrained. High-altitude tropical grasslands, known as “páramos,” are characterized by high solar radiation, high precipitation, and low temperature. They also…

As data, including geospatial data, are increasingly mobilized in the service of governments and corporations, their unequal conditions of production, their asymmetrical methods of application, and their unequal effects on both individuals and groups have become increasingly difficult for data scientists–and others who rely on data in their work–to ignore. But it is precisely this…

Biomass feedstock utilization has the potential to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and improve energy security while decarbonizing our energy needs. Energy crops, short rotation woody crops, municipal solid waste, and agricultural and forest residues are considered promising sources of renewable energy. Computer modeling has proven to be a key tool towards minimizing logistics cost.…

Geospatial Analytics Ph.D. students will share current research in a series of lightning talks: Martine Mathieu: Spatial Predictive Dispersion Modeling of Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Concentrations as Surrogates for Exposure in Colfax, Louisiana, USA (advised by Jennifer Richmond-Bryant, FER) Abstract: In Colfax, LA, several residents have experienced adverse health effects in an area surrounding an open…

(Spatial) Scales of Justice: Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Participatory Sciences Summary: The participatory sciences manage public engagement to create bridges between science and society, taking different forms in different disciplines. The discoveries and advances through these large collective efforts are unique and not possible by people working alone. With innovations in geospatial and data…

Environmental Drivers of Vector-borne and Zoonotic Diseases: Leveraging Remote Sensing in Public Health Summary: Vector-borne and zoonotic diseases are responsible for one-sixth of disease and disability worldwide. Their distribution and spread is highly dependent on the environment. In the face of the environmental changes brought about by the Earth-system crisis, remote sensing has gained renewed…

Using Satellite Data for Species Distribution Modeling with GRASS GIS and R Registration opening soon! Summary: Species distribution models (SDM) have traditionally used climatic data as predictors of habitat suitability for the target species. In this hands-on studio, we will explore the use of satellite data to derive relevant predictors. We will perform satellite data…