PhD Defence Yiwei Duan | Mapping phyllosphere microbial communities of temperate European forests using environmental DNA and remote sensing

Mapping phyllosphere microbial communities of temperate European forests using environmental DNA and remote sensing

Yiwei Duan is a PhD student in the Department of Natural Resources. (Co)Promotors are prof.dr.ir. A.K. Skidmore and dr. A. Siegenthaler from the Faculty ITC and dr. G.A. de Groot of the Wageningen University.

Yiwei Duan’s PhD research explores the tiny organisms—bacteria and fungi—that live on the leaves of trees in forests. These canopy microbes play important roles in forest ecosystems but are rarely studied.

Using a combination of DNA-based techniques and satellite imagery, she discovered how tree species, environmental conditions, and tree health influence these microbial communities. Her work shows that changes in tree condition, such as lower water levels in leaves, are linked to certain microbial species.

By combining lab data with satellite observations, Yiwei developed a way to map these microbial communities across forest landscapes using satellites. Her findings offer a new, novel tool for monitoring forest health and detecting early signs of stress—supporting better forest management in a changing climate.