Pondicherry University, India
About the Lab
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
The ECO-GIS LAB was established in 2010 with the vision of integrating ecological research and geospatial technologies to address environmental challenges. Founded by Prof. S. Jayakumar, the lab started as an initiative to apply GIS and remote sensing in ecological studies, focusing on forest dynamics, biodiversity conservation, and habitat modeling.
Over the years, the lab has expanded its research domains to include forest fire analysis, elevation ecology, species distribution modeling, wetland bird studies, and urban heat island effects, among others. Through interdisciplinary research, technological advancements, and collaborations with academic and conservation institutions, ECO-GIS LAB has become a leading center for ecological and geospatial studies.
Today, the lab continues to push the boundaries of environmental research and geospatial applications, providing data-driven insights for ecosystem conservation and sustainable landscape management.
Our Research Domains
At ECO-GIS LAB, we focus on a wide range of ecological and geospatial research areas, addressing critical environmental challenges through advanced GIS and remote sensing techniques. Our current research domains include:
🌿 Forest Ecology – Understanding forest dynamics, biodiversity patterns, and ecosystem functions.
🔥 Forest Fire – Analyzing fire patterns, impacts on biodiversity, and post-fire regeneration.
⛰ Elevation Ecology – Studying how altitude influences species distribution and ecosystem processes.
🌱 Restoration of Forests in Landslide-Affected Areas – Developing strategies for ecological recovery and landscape restoration.
🦢 Wetland Birds – Assessing bird diversity, habitat preferences, and conservation needs in wetland ecosystems.
🐘 Elephant Habitat Analysis – Mapping and modeling elephant movement corridors and habitat suitability.
📍 Species Distribution Modeling – Predicting species habitats under changing environmental conditions.
🏙 Urban Heat Island & Nature-Based Solutions – Investigating urban temperature variations and promoting green infrastructure for climate resilience.
Research Group
Prof. S. Jayakumar
Prof. S. Jayakumar is a senior ecologist with over 30 years of teaching and research experience in the fields of forest ecology, biodiversity conservation, and geospatial technologies. He is a Professor in the Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences at Pondicherry University, where he has played a pivotal role in shaping ecological research and education.
His research spans a wide range of areas, including forest fire ecology, elevation ecology, landscape dynamics, restoration of degraded ecosystems, species distribution modeling, and nature-based solutions for climate resilience. His work focuses on biodiversity-rich ecosystems such as the Western Ghats, Eastern Himalayas, and Eastern Ghats, with an emphasis on understanding ecological responses to natural and anthropogenic disturbances.
Prof. Jayakumar has supervised 12 Ph.D. scholars and is currently guiding 6 more. He has also mentored over 100 M.Sc. students for their dissertation research, covering diverse topics in ecology, environmental science, and geospatial applications. His guidance has helped shape the careers of many young researchers and professionals in the environmental sector.
He has led and contributed to numerous national and international research projects, including Erasmus+ CBHE initiatives. He is the founder of the ECO-GIS Lab (established in 2010) at Pondicherry University, which serves as a center of excellence for interdisciplinary research integrating ecology with geospatial science.
Beyond his research contributions, Prof. Jayakumar has been actively involved in curriculum development, e-learning initiatives, capacity building, and academic leadership. He has served as Head of the Department (2018 - 2022) and has organized several training programs, summer/winter schools, workshops, and international conferences. His commitment to academic excellence and research-driven education continues to inspire students and colleagues alike.
Doctoral Researchers in Progress
Doctoral Researchers Graduated from My Lab
Dr. Satyam Verma
PhD awarded in 2017
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Fulbright Fellow, Department of Environmental Sciences,
Dr. Harisingh Gour University in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Thesis: Effect of forest fire on tree diversity, biomass and soil properties in a tropical dry deciduous forest of Western Ghats, India
Dr. Swapna Sarika Khadanga
PhD awarded in 2020
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Centre for Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
Thesis: Floristic diversity and carbon stock along the elevation gradient in Mahedrangiri hill, Eastern ghats, India.
Dr. Neha Jaiswal
PhD awarded in 2024
Current Position: Project Scientist, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, India.
Thesis: Exploring Tree Diversity, Soil Carbon Dynamics, and Biomass Variation Along Elevation Gradients and Aspect in Srivilliputhur Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Ghats: A Machine Learning Perspective
Dr. Runel Chandra Boro
PhD awarded in 2022
Current Position: Entrepreneur (Sericulture and Fish farming),
Udalguri district, Assam
Thesis: Studies On Some Physiological And Biochemical Aspects And Cocoon Commercial Characters Under Thermal Stress Condition In Different Ecoraces Of Eri Silkworm (Samia Ricini Donovan).
