Geospatial Analytics

Everything is Spatial and Location Matters

NC State’s Center for Geospatial Analytics is the foremost research center of its kind in the nation. Forestry and Environmental Resources faculty in the Center work alongside top researchers, policy experts and leaders in industry to apply geospatial analytics to a host of problems. Their work serves a common purpose: advancing innovative solutions to grand environmental and social challenges, and many of their tools and applications are open-source, free and adaptable for others to use.

Research and teaching in spatial modeling, measurement, visualization and remote sensing are critical in preparing students for professional success, serving the forest industry, and forging new scientific understanding of forests and environmental resources. Technological advances such as the proliferation of Earth observing satellites, phone-based location services and UAS technology, and a growing recognition of the importance of spatial relationships like epidemiology have made geospatial analytics more important than ever.

The teaching and practice of geospatial analytics continues to evolve to meet the growing demand for this essential science in everyday professions. As an enduring core strength in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, geospatial analytics continues to specialize in research areas related to spatial modeling, geovisualization, statistics and remote sensing.  

Geospatial Analytics Research Features

Study: U.S. Flood Damage Risk Is Underestimated

In a new study, NC State researchers found that recent flood maps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency do not capture the full extent of flood risk.

Untangling the Complexity of Stormwater Problems

Researchers at the Center for Geospatial Analytics modeled stakeholders’ perceptions of flooding problems and solutions in the Triangle Region of North Carolina to inform the development of an innovative game called “TomorrowNow.”

New Simulation Tool Can Predict Disease, Pest Spread

NC State researchers have developed a computer simulation tool to predict when and where pests and diseases will attack crops or forests, and also test when to apply pesticides or other management strategies to contain them.

Meet Our Geospatial Analytics Faculty

Interested in Geospatial Analytics research? Contact our faculty to learn more and get involved.

• Josh Gray, Assistant Professor
• Roland Kays, Research Professor
• Katherine Martin, Assistant Professor
• Ross Meentemeyer, Professor
• Stacy Nelson, Professor
• Krishna Pacifici, Associate Professor
• Robert Scheller, Professor