Kim Calders and his team at Ghent University study forest dynamics. They do so by making 3D scans of trees across the globe. With these scans, they create ‘digital forest twins’, which in turn enable the researchers to use satellite data to monitor forest disturbances from space. Apart from academics, the project team also includes Kenneth Cools, whose illustrations and animations promote and disseminate the research goals and findings. We spoke to Kim and Kenneth about the origins and added value of their unique collaboration.
Google ‘SpaceTwin’ and you will arrive at a landing page depicting a lush forest against a mountain backdrop. Two silhouettes are conducting measurements. It’s not the introduction of a new movie or book, but of a research project led by UGent professor Kim Calders, studying forest disturbances and recovery from space.
One extra click to the About page brings you to a short movie where Calders explains why that’s such an important topic: “Forests play an important role in the global carbon cycle. They provide a range of ecosystem services such as biodiversity conservation and also cooling of the local climate. Through their growth and photosynthesis, they also absorb global CO2 emissions.”
Digital forest twins
“We’ve recently been seeing an increased number of forest disturbances—both human-induced and of natural origin. These disturbances can change the structure and the species composition of forests.”
“Luckily, we now have better ways to monitor disturbances at global scales through satellites, but what we also need to do is collect data at a local scale to calibrate and validate the information obtained from satellites.” And that’s precisely what Calders is aiming to do.
“We basically scan the forest in 3D and make a digital twin model,” he says when we call him in his office in Ghent. “This digital twin helps us to make more realistic satellite simulations.”
The European Research Council awarded Calders with a prestigious 5-year Starting Grant to finance his plans. On the Team page of the SpaceTwin website, you’ll find that apart from Calders, the team consists of a postdoctoral researcher, three PhD students and… a graphic designer by the name of Kenneth Cools.