Shamim Ahmed

I am a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Wood Science and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). My research focuses on understanding forest structure and predicting wood quality through advanced data analysis, laser scanning technologies, and ecological modeling.

My scientific work explores the relationships between crown architecture, tree growth patterns, and wood formation. Using technologies such as terrestrial laser scanning and point-cloud analysis, I investigate how external tree structure reflects internal wood properties and growth dynamics.

Previously, I completed my Marie Skłodowska-Curie funded PhD (Dr. rer. silv.) in Silviculture (summa cum laude) at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), where I studied how crown shape relates to tree-ring patterns and growth behavior in forests. My research contributes to improving forest monitoring, understanding forest competition dynamics, and developing data-driven approaches for sustainable forest management.

I have authored over 29 peer-reviewed publications with more than 800 citations and collaborate internationally on topics related to forest ecology, forest growth modelling, and mangrove ecosystem dynamics.

My research focuses on forest structure, tree growth dynamics, and wood quality prediction using modern technologies and quantitative modelling approaches. Key areas include:

• Relationships between crown architecture and tree-ring formation
• Predicting wood quality from external tree structure
• 3D laser scanning and point-cloud analysis for forest structure assessment
• Forest growth modelling and competition dynamics
• Forest ecosystem functioning and productivity
• Mangrove ecosystem structure, carbon storage, and restoration
• Data-driven ecological modelling using R and remote sensing tools

My work combines field measurements, dendrochronology, and high-resolution 3D data to understand how tree architecture reflects internal growth processes and ecological interactions.

My research contributes to environmental analysis by improving understanding of forest ecosystem functioning, carbon dynamics, and forest resilience under changing environmental conditions. Through quantitative modelling and structural analysis of forests, my work supports evidence-based forest management and sustainable bioeconomy strategies.

I have experience teaching and mentoring students in forest science, data analysis, and ecological modelling.

Courses and training include:

• Natural Resource Management Data Analysis in R
• Supervision of MSc and BSc thesis projects in forest ecology, forest structure analysis, and ecosystem restoration.

I have supervised several student theses focusing on forest regeneration, soil properties, ecosystem restoration, and mangrove forest dynamics.

1. Kolisnyk, B., Ahmed, S., Wellstein, C., Uhl, E., Drozdowski, S., Bielak, K. (2025). Tree size inequality as a driver of growth dominance across climatic gradients in managed silver fir-dominated forests. Dendrobiology. Vol. 94: 150-161
2. Honold, MA, Hilmers, T., Geldenhuys, CJ, Makhubele, L., van Tol, JJ, Ahmed, S., ... & Pretzsch, H. (2025). Drivers of forest structure and biomass along a climatic gradient in the Soutpansberg, South Africa. Trees, Forests and People, 100945.
3. Ahmed S, Hilmers T, Uhl E, Tupinampa-Simoes F, Bravo F, del Rio M, Pretzsch H. (2025). From suppressed to dominant: 3D crown shapes explain the “to grow or wait” growth behavior in close-to-nature forests. Forest Ecology and Management. 592, 122814.
4. Ahmed, S., Sarker, SK, Kamruzzaman, M., Perri, S., Hilmers, T., Uhl, E., ... & Pretzsch, H. (2025). Soil nutrients and leaf area index interact with species and structural diversity to buffer mangrove productivity against salinity. Soil Ecology Letters, 7(2), 250299.
5. Cudjoe E, Ruiz-Peinado R, Pretzsch H, Ahmed S, Bravo F. 2025. Information about neighborhood competition improves biomass estimation for Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) but not for Pyrenean oak (Quercus pyrenaica Willd.) in young mixed stands. Forest Ecosystems., 100317.
6. Ahmed S, Hilmers T, Uhl E, Tupinampa-Simoes F, Bravo F, del Rio M, Pretzsch H. 2025. Crown structure indicates secondary growth, competition legacy and growth potential of dominant tree species in Europe. Ecological Indicators 170, 113074. 
7. Tasnim, N., Hossain, MR, Fayeem, HAM, Mostofa, ZB, Anika, TT, Mou, M., Modabber, A., Zaddary, AM, Gupta, AD, Marma, M., Imran, MIH, Khan, MMH, Datta, A., Khatun, R., Ahmed, S., Sarker, SK, 2024. Towards data-driven tropical forest restoration: Uncovering spatial variation, interactions and historical management effects on nutrients along soil depth gradients. Science of The Total Environment, 176756.
8. Ahmed S, Hilmers T, Uhl E, Jacobs M, Bohnhorst L, Kolisnyk B, del Rio M, Pretzsch H (2024). Neighborhood competition modulates the link between crown shape and tree ring variability in monospecific and mixed forest stands. Forest Ecology and Management, 560, 121839.
9. Zaman R, Rahman MS, Ahmed S, Zuidema P (2023). What drives carbon stocks in a mangrove forest? The role of stand structure, species diversity, and functional traits. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science.
10. Pretzsch, H., Ahmed, S, Rötzer, T., Schmied, G., & Hilmers, T. (2023). Structural and compositional acclimation of forests to extended drought: results of the KROOF throughfall exclusion experiment in Norway spruce and European beech. Trees, 1-21.
11. Pretzsch, H., Heym, M., Hilmers, T., Bravo-Oviedo, A., Ahmed, S., Ammer, C., ... & del Río, M. (2023). Mortality reduces overyielding in mixed Scots pine and European beech stands along a precipitation gradient in Europe. Forest Ecology and Management, 539, 121008.
12. Ahmed, S., Sarker, SK, Kamruzzaman, M., Ema, JA, Naabeh, CSS, Cudjoe, E., ... & Pretzsch, H. (2023). How biotic, abiotic, and functional variables drive belowground soil carbon stocks along the stress gradient in the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest? Journal of Environmental Management, 337, 117772.
13. Ahmed, S., Sarker, SK, Friess, DA, Kamruzzaman, M., Jacobs, M., Sillanpää, M., ... & Pretzsch, H. (2023). Mangrove tree growth is size-dependent across a large-scale salinity gradient. Forest Ecology and Management, 537, 120954. 
14. Ahmed, S., & Pretzsch, H. (2023). TLidar-based crown shape indicates tree ring pattern in Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst) trees across competition gradients. A modeling and methodological approach. Ecological Indicators, 148, 110116.
15. Ahmed, S., Sarker, SK, Friess, DA, Kamruzzaman, M., Jacobs, M., Islam, MA, ... & Pretzsch, H. (2022). Salinity reduces site quality and mangrove forest functions. From monitoring to understanding. Science of the Total Environment, 853, 158662.
16. Ahmed, S., Kamruzzaman, M., Rahman, M. S., Sakib, N., Azad, M. S., & Dey, T. (2022). Stand structure and carbon storage of a young mangrove plantation forest in the coastal area of ​​Bangladesh: the promise of a natural solution. Nature-Based Solutions, 2, 100025.
17. Islam, MA, Ahmed, S., Dey, T., Biswas, R., Kamruzzaman, M., Partho, SH, & Das, BC (2022). Dominant species losing functions to salinity in the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest, Bangladesh. Regional Studies in Marine Science, 55, 102589. 
18. Pretzsch, H., Ahmed, S., Jacobs, M., Schmied, G., & Hilmers, T. (2022). Linking crown structure with tree ring pattern: methodological considerations and proof of concept. Trees, 36(4), 1349-1367.
19. Pretzsch, H., Bravo-Oviedo, A., Hilmers, T., Ruiz-Peinado, R., Coll, L., Löf, M., Ahmed, S. ... & del Río, M. (2022). With increasing site quality asymmetric competition and mortality reduces Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stand structuring across Europe. Forest Ecology and Management, 520, 120365. 
20. Ahmed, S., & Kamruzzaman, M. (2021). Species-specific biomass and carbon flux in Sundarbans mangrove forest, Bangladesh: Response to stand and weather variables. Biomass and Bioenergy, 153, 106215.
21. Dey, T. Ahmed S., & Islam, MA. (2021). Relationships of tree height-diameter at breast height (DBH) and crown diameter-DBH of Acacia auriculiformis plantation. Asian journal of forestry, 5(2). 
22. Ahmed S, Kamruzzaman M, Azad MS, Khan MNI. (2021). Fine root biomass and its contribution to the mangrove communities in three saline zones of Sundarbans, Bangladesh. Rhizosphere 17, 100294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rhisph.2020.100294
23. Azad MS, Kamruzzaman M, Ahmed S., Kanzaki M. (2021). Litterfall assessment and reproductive phenology observation in the Sundarbans, Bangladesh: A comparative study among three mangrove species. Trees, Forests and People, 100068. 
24. Azad MS, Kamruzzaman M, Paul S, Ahmed S., Kanzaki M. (2020). Vegetative and reproductive phenology of the mangrove Xylocarpus mekongensis Pierre in the Sundarbans, Bangladesh: relationship with climate variables. Regional Studies in Marine Science, 38. doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2020.101359
25. Kamruzzaman M, Paul SK, Ahmed S, Azad MS, Osawa, A. (2019). Phenology and litterfall production of Bruguiera sexangula (Lour.) Poir. in the Sundarbans mangrove forests, Bangladesh. Forest Science and Technology. 15 (3), 165-172, DOI: 10.1080/21580103.2019.1638314
26. Kamruzzaman M, Basak K, Paul SK, Ahmed S, Osawa A. (2019) Litterfall production, decomposition and nutrient accumulation in Sundarbans mangrove forests, Bangladesh. Forest Science and Technology, 15 (1), 24 32, DOI: 10.1080/21580103.2018.1557566 2018 
27. Kamruzzaman M, Ahmed S, Paul S, Rahman MM, Osawa A. (2018). Stand structure and carbon storage in the oligohaline zone of the Sundarbans mangrove forest, Bangladesh. Forest Science and Technology., 14(1), 23-28. doi:10.1080/21580103.2017.1417920
28. Kamruzzaman M, Ahmed S, & Osawa A. (2017). Biomass and net primary productivity of mangrove communities along the Oligohaline zone of Sundarbans, Bangladesh. Forest Ecosystems, 4(1), 16. doi:10.1186/s40663-017-0104-0
29. Kamruzzaman M, Minhaj-Uj-Siraj M, Ahmed S, Osawa A. (2017). Regeneration status of mangrove species under mature stands in the oligohaline zone of the Sundarbans, Bangladesh. Regional Studies in Marine Science, 16, 15-20. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2017.07.0 
30. Conference Paper 
    1. Ahmed S…… Pretzsch H. Unveiling the internal patterns: Linking external crown shape and internal Wood traits of trees by using artificial intelligence. Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Ecosystems Management, Palencia, Spain (18th April 2023)