SHIVANI NEGI

PhD Student

Research Title: Assessing the impact of Saltwater Intrusion on Peat Degradation in Coastal Oil Palm Plantations Using Geospatial and Machine Learning Approach
Research Group: Tropical Environmental Change (TEC)
Thesis Advisor: Assoc Prof Massimo Lupascu and Assoc Prof Hao Tang

I have always had a keen interest in the potential of geospatial science in addressing real-world environmental challenges. With a background in Computer Science and Engineering and a Master's in Remote Sensing and GIS, along with professional experience in wetland and peatland mapping, climate risk assessment, and greenhouse gas estimation, my interest in carbon-rich ecosystems began to take shape. Working closely with these landscapes made me realise how vulnerable they are to climate and land-use pressures, and how difficult they are to monitor through conventional means. This experience has shaped my current research interest in using geospatial and data-driven approaches to detect and understand peatland degradation.

The research examines how saltwater intrusion contributes to peat degradation in coastal oil palm plantations across Southeast Asia. Using advanced geospatial and analytical techniques, the study aims to estimate surface salinity levels using remote sensing-derived indicators, track associated land use and land cover change over time, and quantify the relationship between saltwater intrusion and peat degradation indicators. The findings are expected to support early identification of vulnerable peatlands and inform more effective monitoring and restoration strategies for these increasingly threatened coastal landscapes.