Zu Dienle Tan

I’m a research fellow under the Climate Transformation Program, working on topics related to fire risk, carbon loss, and tropical reforestation. I have a background in conservation and restoration ecology. My past research includes quantifying aboveground carbon in tropical forests using LiDAR and satellite technologies, as well as examining the drivers of peatland biomass burning and perceptions of restoration interventions in Indonesia. In particular, I am interested in employing interdisciplinary methods – such as combining social science research with spatial analyses – to improve environmental management. ​​

Selected publications:​

1. Tan ZD, Ramdzan KNM, Denoun LML, ..., Chong KY, Zeng Y (2025) Aboveground and soil carbon in novel forest ecosystems in Singapore: A case study of abandoned plantation secondary forests. Plants, People, Planet, 7(6): 1803-1812. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.70047

2. Tan ZD, Lupascu M, Wijedasa L (2021) Paludiculture as a sustainable land use alternative for tropical peatlands: A review. Science of the Total Environment, 753, 142111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142111

3. Tan ZD, Carraso R, Taylor D (2021) Spatial correlates of forest and land fires in Indonesia. International Journal of Wildland Fires, 30(9): 732. https://doi.org/10.1071/WF20036_CO 

4. Tan ZD, Carrasco R, Sutikno S, Taylor D (2022) Peatland restoration as an affordable nature-based climate solution with fire reduction and conservation co-benefits in Indonesia. Environmental Research Letters, 17(6): 064028. 10.1088/1748-9326/ac6f6e 

5. Tan ZD, Sutikno S, Carrasco R, Taylor D (2023) Local community representations of tropical peatlands and implications for restoration in Riau, Indonesia. Restoration Ecology, 31(5): e13900. https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.13900 

Media features:

1. How Covid-19 is affecting governance in Indonesia’s peatlands. 7 October 2021. https://ari.nus.edu.sg/ariscope/how-covid-19-is-affecting-governance-in-indonesias-peatlands/

2. Three things Jokowi could do better to stop forest fires and haze in Indonesia. The Conversation. 31 July 2019. https://theconversation.com/three-things-jokowi-could-do-better-to-stop-forest-fires-and-haze-in-indonesia-120497  

3. Water sharing in Indonesia key to smothering transboundary haze. East Asia Forum. 14 March 2019. https://eastasiaforum.org/2019/03/14/water-sharing-in-indonesia-key-to-smothering-transboundary-haze/