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NODES will mobilize the tools of citizen and data science combined with Earth observations to monitor, analyze, and foster progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
To realize this vision, NODES will exploit novel data ecosystems in which several actors interact via infrastructure, analytics, and applications to produce, analyze, exchange, and consume data.
Three main cross-fertilizing pillars characterize the research focus of NODES:
- Advancing the field of citizen science: NODES will remain at the forefront of citizen science from conceptual advancements to innovations in citizen science practice, including the development of new means to acquire, analyze, and openly share citizen science data, as well as how citizen science can contribute to the SDGs and sustainability.
- Enriching Earth observation: NODES will utilize new types of Earth observation technology (e.g., high-resolution imagery, drones, and the Internet of things (IoT)) and develop applications that focus on the interplay between Earth observation and citizen science using Geo-Wiki tools, various forms of remote sensing, and on-site observation.
- Exploiting the digital revolution: NODES will harness the opportunities arising from the digital revolution by exploiting advancements in computing capabilities, data science (e.g., machine and deep learning), environmental informatics, and the geospatial sciences, among others, to enhance integrated systems science research and generate new and innovative data sets for further insights.
Projects
Urban ReLeaf - Citizen-powered data ecosystems for inclusive and green urban transitions
Open-Earth-Monitor Cyberinfrastructure (OEMC)
Staff
Gary Watmough
Guest Research Scholar (NODES)
Tobias Sturn
Research Scholar (NODES)
Ian McCallum
Research Group Leader and Principal Research Scholar (NODES)
Linda See
Principal Research Scholar (NODES)
News
03 July 2026
Tree-Quest: a citizen science tool for collecting single-tree information
Tree-Quest is a citizen science mobile tool that enables users to measure aboveground biomass related attributes (tree diameter, height and species) and estimate carbon stored in trees while contributing data for forest and urban tree mapping, supporting research on biomass and carbon storage. Engaged citizens can measure nearby trees in their local surroundings, such as parks and along the streets in urban areas, integrating science into their daily routines. This helps generate valuable ground-based observations on trees in urban environments that can be used for satellite-based carbon assessment.
05 May 2026
Amazon understory forests show short-term boost in CO₂ uptake – but this comes at a cost
Tropical forests are one of the planet's most important carbon sinks – often also called "the lungs of the Earth". But their future in a high-CO₂ world remains uncertain. IIASA researchers contributed to a new study, which suggests even small understory trees in the Amazon may initially buffer climate change more strongly. Their long-term capacity to store carbon could, however, be restricted by nutrient availability, highlighting the vulnerability of these ecosystems under future climate conditions.
17 April 2026
IIASA and OSCE explore collaboration on emerging technologies and security challenges
Earlier this week, IIASA welcomed a delegation from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to Schloss Laxenburg for a high-level exchange on advancing collaboration at the intersection of science, policy, and emerging technologies.
Events
Brussels, Belgium
GRANULAR and RUSTIK to Hold Joint Final Conference in Brussels
Aussois, France
Forest and people: from skyview to local dynamics
ESA-ESRIN, Frascati - Italy
Earth Observation for Official Statistics and policy indicators reporting Conference
Focus
Annual Report 2025
Annual Report 2025: Advancing Systems Analysis Program Highlights
As global challenges become increasingly interconnected, the Advancing Systems Analysis Program continued to develop innovative approaches for understanding complexity and supporting better decisions. In 2025, the program’s research revealed new insights into urban sustainability, resilience in an era of polycrisis, public health, and sustainable development.
22 December 2025
The Public Policy Lab: A new interactive stakeholder engagement tool
IIASA recently introduced its latest innovation to country teams of the Food, Agriculture, Biodiversity, Land, and Energy (FABLE) Consortium: the Public Policy Lab (PPL), an interactive platform designed to help stakeholders explore, develop, and assess national food and land-use pathways together.
Publications
Berger, K., Requena Suarez, D., Szantoi, Z., César de Sá, N., Fritz, S. , Milenkovic, M., Maso, J., Heinrich, V., & Herold, M. (2026). Towards a FAIRer future: insights from Europe's geospatial community. European Journal of Remote Sensing 59 (1) e2676254. 10.1080/22797254.2026.2676254.
Milenkovic, M., Hofhansl, F. , Weinacker, R., Sturn, T., Karanam, S., Wild, B., Hollaus, M., Neumayr, C., Iglseder, A., Pfeifer, N., Zappa, L., Bruckman, V.J., Breitfuss-Schiffer, R., Schumacher, B., Gresse, H., Joly, A., Bonnet, P., Shchepashchenko, D. , See, L. , McCallum, I. , & Fritz, S. (2026). Tree-quest: A citizen science app for collecting single-tree information. Ecological Informatics 97 e103897. 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2026.103897.
Melnikova, I., Yokohata, T., Shchepashchenko, D. , Sitch, S., & Maksyutov, S. (2026). Land Carbon Sink Distribution in Northern Eurasia Is Driven by Climate Change. Global Biogeochemical Cycles 40 (7) e2025GB008971. 10.1029/2025GB008971.
Fraisl, D. (2026). Citizen Science in support of SDG monitoring. In: EADI/IOB 2026: Shaping Sustainable Futures: Global Challenges, (G)local Solutions?, 29 June-2 July 2026, Antwerp, Belgium.
Duncanson, L., Montesano, P.M., Neuenschwander, A., Zarringhalam, A., Thomas, N., Minor, D.M., Wulder, M.A., White, J.C., Guenther, E., Feng, T., Leitold, V., Hancock, S., Armston, J., Puliti, S., Mandel, A.I., Shah, S., Silva, C., Purslow, M., Bruening, J., Breidenbach, J., Næsset, E., Saarela, S., Hunka, N., Kellner, J.R., Healey, S.P., Shchepashchenko, D. , Wallerman, J., Neigh, C.S.R., Carvalhais, N., & Dubayah, R. (2026). Global and boreal estimates of woody aboveground biomass for 2020: Filling GEDI'S northern data gap with ICESat-2 and harmonized Landsat Sentinel-2. Remote Sensing of Environment 340 e115406. 10.1016/j.rse.2026.115406.