Abdulhakim Mohamed Abdi is a geographer and environmental scientist whose work focuses on the interaction between natural systems and human activity. Currently a senior researcher at Lund University’s Centre for Environmental and Climate Science, his research addresses the challenges of understanding and managing landscapes in the context of climate change and biodiversity conservation. Using tools like remote sensing, machine learning, and spatial analysis, Abdulhakim explores how human activities influence and are influenced by natural ecosystems.

Abdulhakim holds a PhD (2017) in Geobiosphere Science from Lund University, where his dissertation examined primary production in African drylands, integrating Earth observation data with socio-ecological analysis. His academic background also includes an MSc (2010) in Geospatial Technologies, earned through an Erasmus Mundus joint program in Portugal, Spain and Germany, and a BSc (2007) in Environmental Geoscience from Montclair State University in the United States. This educational foundation has enabled him to approach environmental challenges from multiple perspectives, integrating physical geography, geoinformatics, and ecosystem analysis.

A significant focus of Abdulhakim research is the application of geospatial technologies to address practical environmental concerns. He has worked extensively on biodiversity monitoring, particularly in forest ecosystems, using advanced remote sensing methods such as satellite imagery and UAV data. His current projects include mapping tree species composition in southern Sweden to support conservation efforts, leveraging machine learning and high-resolution spatial data to improve the accuracy and utility of biodiversity assessments.

Abdulhakim’s research portfolio includes over 34 peer-reviewed publications, with topics ranging from land-use classification in boreal forests to the impacts of climate variability on vegetation in dryland regions. His work is often interdisciplinary, involving collaboration with experts in ecology, climate science, and social sciences to address complex environmental issues. He has contributed to studies on topics such as vegetation-rainfall sensitivity, the supply and demand of net primary production, and the human-climate-environment nexus, providing valuable insights into the dynamics of ecosystems under stress.

In addition to research, Abdulhakim is an active educator. At Lund University, he teaches courses in GIS and environmental monitoring, including modules on both introductory and advanced geospatial methods. He emphasizes hands-on learning and critical thinking, ensuring students develop the skills needed to analyze environmental data and contribute to sustainable management practices. He has also supervised numerous undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students, supporting their academic and professional development.

International collaboration and mobility is an important part of Abdulhakim’s portfolio. He has held positions and conducted research in Denmark, the United States, and Somaliland, contributing to projects that address global challenges such as regional drought impacts on vegetation, land productivity in West Africa, landscape-scale conservation of migratory species, and local-scale perceptions of environmental change.

Abdulhakim also plays a role in shaping the broader scientific community. He serves as an editor for journals such as Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation and Cambridge Prisms: Drylands. Additionally, he has reviewed manuscripts for leading journals like Nature and Science Advances and evaluated research proposals for national agencies, including NASA and the German Research Foundation.

His outreach activities reflect a commitment to making scientific knowledge accessible to broader audiences. He has delivered talks at events like TEDx and the Gothenburg Book Fair, discussing topics such as biodiversity monitoring and the role of artificial intelligence in environmental conservation. His work has also been featured in Swedish Television, highlighting the application of advanced technologies to forest mapping and ecosystem management.

Abdulhakim’s approach to research and education is rooted in interdisciplinary collaboration and practical application. He integrates data-driven analysis with an understanding of socio-ecological dynamics to contribute to sustainable landscape management in the face of rapid environmental change.

For more information about his work, publications, and ongoing projects, you can send him a message using the contact form or find him on LinkedIn. A list of his publications can be found on Google Scholar or ORCID.