What does Crowther Lab do?

Crowther Lab is an interdisciplinary research group at ETH Zurich, founded by ecologist Professor Thomas Crowther in 2017. The lab focuses on ecological processes that influence climate change and biodiversity loss, aiming to develop nature-based solutions for global restoration efforts. Its diverse team includes experts in Earth sciences, remote sensing, ecology, data science, and communications, allowing for comprehensive research that extends beyond typical academic constraints. The lab generates global ecological maps to identify restoration sites and species, models climate impacts of restoration, and studies carbon cycle regulators using satellite imagery and ground data. It employs tools like ArcGIS for spatial analysis and visualization, making its findings accessible to scientists, policymakers, and the public. Crowther Lab's work has significantly influenced global initiatives, including the UN's approach to ecosystem restoration, and it aims to serve as a central hub for ecological information guiding nature-based climate solutions.