RESEARCH GROUP

Division of Forest Remote Sensing

Updated: December 2025

We conduct research and teaching in remote sensing of forests and other vegetation, as well as environmental analysis with a focus on national maps. The work is primarily based on distance-measuring laser, electro-optical sensors, including digital cameras, and imaging radar.

Sensor platforms have traditionally included satellites, aircraft, or drones. Increasingly, we also use sensors mounted on the ground or on vehicles, capturing trees from the side. Remote sensing methods can provide detailed geographic data for forest planning, ranging from measurements of individual trees and variation within stands to the national level. The collected vegetation information can also be used for nature conservation and ecological research.

A common approach is first to process remote sensing data using various image analysis methods and then, with the support of field reference data, estimate the type and quantity of vegetation. Information on changes is obtained by analysing data from multiple time points. Methods that combine projections of existing data with new sensor data are expected to become increasingly important.

We also carry out assignments for various authorities. Examples include customised mapping and environmental monitoring using remote sensing. The field also maintains expertise in geographic information systems (GIS).

Staff:

The staff list contains links to each person’s profile or e-mail, on the right-hand side on a computer and at the top on a mobile device.

Professors, researchers, university lecturers, postdoctoral researchers

  • Jonas Bohlin, Lecturer, Head of Division
  • Ruben Valbuena, Professor
  • Johan Holmgren, Researcher, Associate Professor
  • Langning Huo, Researcher, Associate Professor
  • Mats Nilsson, Researcher
  • Kenneth Olofsson, Researcher, Associate Professor, Docent
  • Henrik Persson, Researcher, Associate Professor
  • Jörgen Wallerman, Researcher
  • Eva Lindberg, Senior Lecturer
  • Raul De Paula Pires, Postdoctor
  • José Martins, Postdoctor
  • Donato Morresi, Postdoctor
  • Ritwika Mukhopadhyay, Postdoctor
  • Alice Penanhoat, Postdoctor

Technical staff 

  • Peder Axensten, Systems Developer
  • Mona Forsman, Systems Developer
  • Mikael Egberth, Research Engineer
  • Olivia Fors, Research Engineer
  • Petter Ideström, Research Engineer
  • Jonas Jonzen, Research Engineer
  • Juha Niemi, Research Assistant
  • Chiara Zabeo, Research Assistant

Doctoral Students

  • Ameenat Adesina, Doctoral Student
  • Luiz Henrique Elias Cosimo, Doctoral Student
  • Louisa Eurich, Doctoral Student
  • Ansgar Jörgenfelt, Doctoral Student
  • Jacob Parry, Doctoral Student
  • Cameron Pellett, Doctoral Student
  • Shivam Rawat, Doctoral Student
  • Noak Wallgren, Doctoral Student

Administration & Communication

  • Niina Valbuena, Project Manager
  • Sanna-Kaisa Riihimäki, Communicator

External resources

  • Cristiano Reis, Postdoctor
  • Geng Wang, Doctoral Student, PhD candidate in Smart Forestry at Beijing Forestry University (China)