Dr Steve Gao

Spatial Ecological Modeller

https://people.csiro.au/G/S/steve-gao

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Biography

I am Sicong Steve Gao, a Research Scientist at CSIRO Environment specialising in spatial ecohydrology and remote sensing. My research combines satellite observations, field measurements, hydrological modelling and machine learning to understand how vegetation uses water, responds to drought and climate variability, and influences ecosystem water and carbon dynamics. I develop scalable methods and spatial evidence products for evapotranspiration (ET), groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDEs), floodplain and wetland vegetation condition, and forest carbon exchange.

A major focus of my work is understanding GDEs and vegetation water use in water limited landscapes. I investigate how vegetation shifts among rainfall, soil water, surface water and groundwater across seasons and during drought, and how these changes affect ecosystem condition and resilience. This research supports groundwater assessment, environmental water management and climate adaptation by translating complex ecohydrological processes into practical evidence for water managers and decision makers.

Other Interests

I also develop advanced remote sensing approaches using sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF), radiative transfer models (RTM) and geostationary satellite observations to monitor plant physiological activity, evapotranspiration and carbon exchange. By integrating these observations with sap flow, flux tower and other field measurements, I develop and validate methods that improve broad scale assessment of vegetation function and environmental stress.

Academic Qualifications

2020

PhD in Remote Sensing
University of technology Sydney

Current Roles

Research Scientist
Spatial Ecological Modeller

Professional Experiences

2020-2023

Research Fellow
University of Canberra & CSIRO

Professional Areas

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