Assistant Professor (on study leave) at Uni. of Chittagong, Bangladesh
Forest ecologist researching drought-induced forest die-off, regeneration dynamics, and climate-driven shifts in forest composition under global change.
I am a forest ecologist working on climate- and drought-driven changes in forest structure, regeneration, and species composition. I am currently pursuing my PhD at CREAF (UAB, Barcelona), focusing on drought-induced forest die-off and land-use legacies across climatic gradients. My research integrates field observations, long-term ecological monitoring, and spatial analyses to assess forest resilience under increasing climatic stress.
I aslo hold a permanent faculty position as Assistant Professor at the University of Chittagong (currently on study leave) and have prior experience in applied conservation and natural resource management, linking ecological research with forest restoration and land management practice.
I will present a poster at the Mediterranean Network Forum, Valencia, Spain
The aftermath of die-off: Composition shifts to broadleaf species, regeneration failure, and structural complexity in Scots pine–dominated forests.
A short oral pitch will also accompanying the poster presentation.
Learn more about the poster here!
La Caixa Doctoral INPHINIT Fellowship (2022-2025).
Marie Curie ITN Doctoral Fellowship (declined the offer).
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship (2015-2017).
UNEP/UNESCO/BMU Short Course Fellowship (2021) for an ecosystem restoration training.
Featured publication: Using data from Scots pine forests across Catalonia, we show that regeneration consistently fails under defoliated canopies, even in climatically suitable sites, whereas die-off–created gaps promote seedling establishment and sapling progression. Closed canopies can nonetheless act as microclimatic refugia, allowing older saplings to persist at climatically marginal sites. The results have direct implications for adaptive forest management under increasing drought stress.
Chowdhury, F.I. et al. (2026). Canopy cover and species’ climatic niche shape Pinus sylvestris regeneration after drought-induced die-off. Forest Ecology and Management, 603, 123438. DOI
Chowdhury, F.I. et al., 2025. Land-use legacies and tree species richness affect short-term resilience in reforested areas of the world’s largest refugee camp. Ecological Engineering 215, 107612. DOI
Chowdhury, F.I. et al., 2025. Drought-induced die-off triggers species composition shift at warmer and drier edges of climate gradient in Pinus sylvestris forests of Catalonia (NE Spain). European Journal of Forest Research. DOI
Chowdhury, F.I. et al., 2024. Deadwood and Tree-related Microhabitat’s abundance and diversity are determined by the interplay of drought-induced die-off and local climate. Forest Ecology and Management 563, 121989. DOI
Chowdhury, F.I. et al., 2022. Drivers of nocturnal stomatal conductance in C3 and C4 plants. Science of The Total Environment 814, 151952. DOI
See full publication list here!
I served as Principal Investigator and contributor on multiple nationally and internationally funded research and applied conservation projects addressing forest restoration, land-use change, ecosystem resilience, and biodiversity conservation.
See all project contributions here!
Principal Investigator. Assessed how drought-induced forest die-off alters forest structure, regeneration, and species composition to inform silvicultural strategies for adaptive forest management.
Principal Investigator. Evaluated land-use legacies and ecosystem resilience in refugee-led reforested landscapes of the Kutupalong refugee camp, providing evidence-based recommendations for ecosystem restoration.
My teaching philosophy is grounded in learning through application, critical thinking, and mentored independence. I view teaching as an extension of research, where students learn not only concepts but also how to ask ecological questions, work with data, and interpret results in real-world contexts.
Specifically, I emphasize the integration of theory with hands-on practice, particularly in forest ecology, GIS, and remote sensing. Students are encouraged to work with real datasets, develop reproducible workflows, and critically evaluate uncertainty and assumptions.
In supervision, my focus is on guided autonomy. I support students in developing clear research questions, selecting appropriate methods, and communicating results effectively, while progressively encouraging independent decision-making. I place strong value on inclusivity, clarity, and constructive feedback, aiming to create a learning environment where students gain both technical skills and confidence.
Chowdhury, F. I., et al. (2025). Drought-induced die-off alters vegetation diversity across climatic gradients in Catalan Pinus sylvestris forests. III SIBECOL & XVII AEET Meeting, Pontevedra, Spain, October 2023. Oral presentation.
Chowdhury, F. I., et al. (2023). Drought increases forest structural complexity through tree-related microhabitats in Pinus sylvestris forests of Catalonia. XVI Congreso Nacional de la AEET, Almería, Spain, October 2023. Poster presentation.
