Research Projects

DREAMS: Developing Resilient Ecological Assessment & Monitoring System in a War-torn Sudan (2026–2028)

Funding: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

Sudan's ongoing conflict has severely damaged its savanna ecosystems, accelerated deforestation, and made field monitoring nearly impossible. The DREAMS project addresses this crisis by establishing a resilient, scalable virtual monitoring system that combines:

• High-resolution satellite remote sensing (Sentinel-2, Landsat 8, GEDI)
• Citizen science networks for ground-truthing
• Integration of recent ecological datasets from academic, NGO, and government sources

The project targets four priority reserves across Sudan—Alnour Reserved Forest (Blue Nile State), Wad Albasheer (Gedaref State), Dinder National Park (Sinnar State), and Radom National Park (South Darfur State)—selected for their ecological diversity and conservation significance. Ten permanent 1-hectare virtual plots will be established at each site, with data processed on cloud-based platforms (Google Earth Engine) and made accessible via an online dashboard.

A key component is a capacity-building workshop connecting ecologists from conflict-affected regions worldwide, fostering innovations to develop resilient ecological monitoring programs in crisis contexts.

Other Ongoing Projects

TREES: Towards Resilient Ecosystems and Enhanced Services in Sudan (AGYA-funded, 2024–2026): An AGYA Tandem Project investigating climate change and anthropogenic impacts on Sudan's savannah ecosystems through participatory agroforestry practices as resilient and nature-based solutions for restoration.

Exploring Urban Trees in Times of Crisis (AGYA-funded, 2024–2026): Assessing tree cover, diversity, and pollution levels in Sudanese urban areas using citizen science methods.

CLIFF Experiment – Terrestrial Salamanders in Changing Climate and Fragmented Landscapes (Harvard Forest, 2025): Investigating how forest fragmentation and drought affect red-backed salamanders and their prey in New England forests.

BEST Initiative – Backing Ecologists to Succeed and Thrive in Crisis Zones (AGYA-funded, 2024–present): Developing mentoring programs and supporting networks for ecologists working in conflict-affected regions, inspired by the 2024 ESA Annual Meeting session. See a publication related to this project.