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How “thirsty” trees may make forests more vulnerable to climate change

New Research

Aerial view of a neighborhood with red and brown tiled roofs, dense greenery, and a small pond.

Mar 27, 2026

Water, Water Everywhere – But How to Find It?

A new study finds that commercial satellite imagery data often outperforms public data sets when identifying surface water, but that public data sets may be better at detecting water hidden by forest cover.
A yellow shovel with a pile of snow. - Hourly Weather Data Reveals Climate Trends in U.S. - Geospatial Analytics at NC State University

Nov 17, 2025

Hourly Weather Data Reveals Climate Trends in U.S.

Over the past forty years, parts of the northeast have lost almost 1 1/2 weeks of temperatures below freezing, while portions of some states in the Gulf and Southwest have gained almost 1 1/2 weeks of temperatures that cause heat stress.
Gwen Kirschke smiles crouched on a hill of flowers, with a forest and mountain in the background. - Pollinator Research Takes to the Skies with NASA Grant - Geospatial Analytics at NC State University

Sep 29, 2025

Pollinator Research Takes to the Skies with NASA Grant

As a North Carolina Space Grant Graduate Research Fellow, Geospatial Analytics Ph.D. student Gwen Kirschke is shooting for the stars — but not in the way you might think.
Aerial view of a mini soccer pitch. - Mini-Pitches Create Healthier Communities by Offering Safe, Accessible Recreation Spaces - Geospatial Analytics at NC State University

Sep 22, 2025

Mini-Pitches Create Healthier Communities by Offering Safe, Accessible Recreation Spaces

Two faculty fellows, Aaron Hipp and Tania Allen, were part of a team that found mini-pitches play a crucial role in increasing physical activity and community engagement in underserved communities.
Satellite image of a hurricane. - Research Improves Accuracy of Climate Models – Particularly for Compound Extreme Events - Geospatial Analytics at NC State University

Jul 30, 2025

Research Improves Accuracy of Climate Models – Particularly for Compound Extreme Events

The advance should provide policymakers with improved climate projections that can be used to inform policy and planning decisions. Faculty Fellows Sankar Arumugam and Brian Reich are co-authors.
A silhouette of a person inside of a dark, circular room surrounded by projections of students' research posters. - Center for Geospatial Analytics Students Tackle Real-World Problems Across the Southeast - Geospatial Analytics at NC State University

May 14, 2025

Center for Geospatial Analytics Students Tackle Real-World Problems Across the Southeast

Students in the Master of Geospatial Information Science and Technology (MGIST) program are showing how maps and data can help solve real problems in our communities.
A ruined coastal forest with decaying, fallen trees in shallow waters. - Study examines how climate change has shaped coastal forests over the last decade - Geospatial Analytics at NC State University

Jan 21, 2025

Study examines how climate change has shaped coastal forests over the last decade

A new study finds that climate change may have a range of contrasting effects on coastal forests, both slowing and enabling growth in areas where sea levels are rising and storms are more common.
Traffic sign partially submerged in floodwaters. - How We Classify Flood Risk May Give Developers, Home Buyers a False Sense of Security - Geospatial Analytics at NC State University

Jan 7, 2025

How We Classify Flood Risk May Give Developers, Home Buyers a False Sense of Security

Common methods of communicating flood risk may create a false sense of security, leading to increased development in areas threatened by flooding.
A person walking through a rice field. - Machine learning and satellite imagery could help protect the world's most important crops - Geospatial Analytics at NC State University

Dec 23, 2024

Machine learning and satellite imagery could help protect the world’s most important crops

A new study led by Geospatial Analytics Ph.D. student Varun Tiwari combines satellite imagery with machine learning technology to help model rice crop productivity faster and more accurately.
Landscape of a forested mountain under a cloudy sky. - How "thirsty" trees may make forests more vulnerable to climate change - Geospatial Analytics at NC State University

Dec 16, 2024

How “thirsty” trees may make forests more vulnerable to climate change

A new study led by Geospatial Analytics Ph.D. alum Katie McQuillan suggests that increased maple populations in western NC may leave forests more vulnerable to extreme weather conditions like flooding and drought.