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Earth and Life Institute

Earth and Climate

eli | Louvain-la-Neuve

Below you will find our main areas of research relating to the Earth and climate. 

This research is carried out within the ELI-C (Earth and Climate) department of the Earth and Life Institute.

You can also find all our scientific publications in the field of Earth and climate on this page.

Would you like to find out more? Contact our researchers by clicking on their names or visit their website if a link is available. 

Climate System Dynamics 

Study of past, current and future climates using a system dynamics approach and a combination of observations and models of different complexities.

We address mathematical and statistical aspects of climate and palaeoclimate dynamics, with references to dynamical system theory, experiments with general circulation models, Bayesian inference and time-series analysis methods to characterise the dynamics of the climate system, estimate its predictability and identify physical mechanisms of variability.

 

 

Academic

Prof. Michel Crucifix

More info: Website

A variety of models, including the Louvain-la-Neuve sea ice model, are developed and used in combination with observations to improve our understanding of sea ice processes and variability as well as our ability to perform predictions of sea ice and its interactions with the rest of the climate system on sub-seasonal-to-decadal timescales.

 

 

Academic

Prof. Thierry Fichefet

More info: Website

Observations and model results are combined through data assimilation to reconstruct past changes over the last century to millennia, to understand the mechanisms responsible for those changes and predict future variations.

 

A particular focus is put on Antarctica and Southern Ocean dynamics. 

 

Academic

Prof. Hugues Goosse

More info: Website

Both geological observations and climate models of different complexities are used to reconstruct and understand global and regional climate changes of the past million years with a focus on interglacial climate having in mind a better understanding of our future global warming. 

 

Special focuses are also on paleo-monsoon dynamics and on interactions between soil and climate.

 

 

Academic

Prof. Qiuzhen Yin

More info: Website

Land Use and Globalization

Study of land use dynamics in the globalization era, with a focus on tropical forests and agricultural changes, on land use displacement across countries, and health impacts of land use.

We study the design and effectiveness of public and private policies to promote sustainable land use, including zero deforestation commitments by global coalitions of private companies, governments and non-governmental organizations.

 

 

Academics

Prof. Eric Lambin

More info: Lambin's website | LUIRET project website

 

Prof. Patrick Meyfroidt

More info: Website

We study how land use and other environmental determinants affect health, with a focus on vector-borne and zoonotic diseases in tropical and temperate areas, using concepts and techniques from spatial epidemiology and ecology.

 

 

Academic

Prof. Sophie Vanwambeke

More info: Website

We study land use transitions, i.e. non-linear land use dynamics at broad scale such as forest transitions and emergence of land use frontiers; linkages between globalization and land use including how supply chain transparency and interventions can halt deforestation; theories of land system change; and social-ecological feedbacks.

 

Academics

Prof. Patrick Meyfroidt

More info: Website

 

Prof. Erasmus zu Ermgassen

More info: Website

Soil, Sediment and Nutrient fluxes 

Study of soil, sediment and nutrient fluxes over timescales ranging from the decade to the millennium, with focus on the sensitivity of soilscapes to climate and human disturbances. 

The research involves experimental studies, field and laboratory measurements and numerical modeling.

We monitor changes in soil carbon content to quantify soil-atmosphere CO2 fluxes and changes in soil quality. Vertical and lateral fluxes of sediment and carbon. 

 

 

Academics

Prof. Bas Van Wesemael (Emeritus)

More info: Website

 

Prof. Kristof Van Oost

More info: Website

We use in-situ produced (Al-26, Be-10) and meteoric (Be-10) cosmogenic radionuclides to constrain dates and rates of geomorphic processes including physical erosion and denudation rates of mountain regions, and chemical weathering rates of the critical zone.

 

 

Academic

Prof. Veerle Vanacker

More info: Website

We develop UAV-based techniques to monitor 4D changes in soil and terrain attributes using UAV-SfM (structure from motion) techniques. 

 

Hyperspectral remote sensing techniques are being developed for up-to-date soil carbon estimates using the future generation of satellites.

 

 

Academics

Prof. Kristof Van Oost

More info: Website

 

Prof. Veerle Vanacker

More info: Website

 

Prof. Bas Van Wesemael (Emeritus)

More info: Website