01
Forest structure & dynamics
Quantifying forest structure, composition, aboveground biomass and change across spatial scales.
Research focus
Reading the forest in four dimensions.
We bridge field ecology and Earth observation to measure structure, monitor change and support better forest management.
02
Multi-platform remote sensing
Connecting terrestrial, airborne and satellite LiDAR with optical and SAR imagery.
03
AI for environmental science
Developing statistical and deep-learning models that turn complex observations into actionable insight.
04
Disturbance & resilience
Tracking the effects of fire, hurricanes and management on forests, carbon and biodiversity.
Carbon cycleTropical forestsIndustrial plantationsOpen-source science
Selected projects
Science built for real landscapes.
Current and recent initiatives supported by NASA, NSF, USDA, JFSP and partners.
NSF · 2024–2028
OpenForest4D
A web-based cyberinfrastructure platform for the next generation of 4D forest mapping and monitoring.
Co-InvestigatorNASA CMS · 2023–2026
CMS4D
A multi-scale data-fusion prototype for monitoring carbon dynamics and fire in the Brazilian Cerrado.
Principal InvestigatorNASA ICESat-2 · 2023–2026
ICESat-4D
Monitoring forest resistance and post-hurricane recovery using ICESat-2, SAR, optical data and ecosystem models.
Principal InvestigatorESTCP · 2023–2027
FuelsCraft
An innovative wildland fuel mapping tool for prescribed-fire decision support on military installations.
Co-InvestigatorOpen science
Methods made useful.
SilvaLab develops open-source tools that help scientists and land managers work with LiDAR and satellite observations.
R package
rGEDI
GEDI data download, processing and visualization.
R package
ICESat2VegR
ICESat-2 data for land and vegetation applications.
R package
rTLsDeep
Tree-level hurricane damage classification with TLS and deep learning.
Shiny app
TreeTop
Extracting forest information from LiDAR point clouds.
R package
rLiDAR
LiDAR data processing and visualization for forestry.
R package
ForestGapR
Tropical forest gap analysis from airborne laser scanning.
Laboratory directorUF faculty profile
Leadership
Carlos Alberto Silva, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Quantitative Forest Science and member of NASA's Carbon Monitoring System and ICESat-2 Science Teams.
Dr. Silva advances the understanding of forest ecosystems by integrating LiDAR, optical and radar observations with quantitative analysis and AI. His work turns measurements into practical insight for carbon monitoring, biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest management.
2021–present
University of FloridaAssociate Professor of Quantitative Forest Science
2018–2021
University of Maryland / NASA GSFCPostdoctoral Research Fellow
2017–2018
USDA Forest Service · RMRSVisiting Researcher
2016–2017
NASA Jet Propulsion LaboratoryVisiting Researcher
Education Forest Engineering and Forest Resources, USP/ESALQ · Ph.D. in Natural Resources, University of Idaho
Teaching & extension
Knowledge that moves between campus and field.
FOR 3430C
Forest Mensuration
Forest resource measurements, inventory techniques, tree content estimation, stand growth and yield.
3 credits · SpringFOR 3434C
Forest Resources Information Systems
GIS, remote sensing and global positioning systems for forest resource management.
3 credits · Summer BEXTENSION
4-H Forest Resources
Connecting University of Florida forest science with youth education and practical resource stewardship.
Explore the programOpportunities
Interested in working with SilvaLab?
Previous 2025 postdoctoral calls are now archived. For future graduate and research opportunities, contact the lab with your research interests and CV.
ContactContact
Let's connect observations to action.
