Md. Rafikul Islam

About my research

Currently, I'm working as a doctoral student at the Centre for Environmental and Climate Science (CEC), Lund University. The PhD project is embedded in a large Formas project that aims to assess the biotic and abiotic climate effects (“costs”) of rotation forestry. The aim of my research is to analyze scenarios of alternative reforestation strategies (after clear-cut and after forest fire) for different climate predictions using ecosystem model (LPJ-GUESS) and field level vegetation and carbon data. Additionally, I employ machine learning techniques to examine environmental conditions that influence carbon fluxes, providing detailed insights into the underlying processes.

About me

I have a background in forestry from Khulna University, Bangladesh, where I obtained my Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Forestry and Master of Science in Forestry. My research focused on developing allometric equations for estimating stand-level carbon stock of trees in Bangladesh.

I earned my second master’s degree, an Erasmus Mundus double master’s degree in Mediterranean Forestry and Natural Resources Management from the University of Lisbon, Portugal, and an MSc in Forestry and Environmental Science from the University of Tuscia, Italy. For my master's thesis, I investigated the relationship between different vegetation indices (VIs) and the interannual variability of carbon fluxes (GPP and NEE). I also evaluated the applicability of MODIS, Landsat-8, and Sentinel-2 based VIs in predicting these fluxes, further enhancing my knowledge and skills in remote sensing, large data handling, and ecosystem modeling.

Additionally, I successfully completed a 6 ECTS course titled "Monitoring Terrestrial Ecosystems Carbon Cycle (ICOS)" at the University of Tuscia and a short intensive course titled "Fundamental Concepts of Biogeochemical Cycling" at George-August University Goettingen, Germany.

Beyond my professional background, I am an easy-going person who believes in simplicity and that it is never too late to do the right thing. I work well with diverse groups as well as independently. In my leisure time, I enjoy traveling to new places and appreciating the charming beauty of nature.