Research Scientist  ·  Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA)

Katarzyna Ostapowicz

Land system science · Earth observation · Environmental data science
GeoAI · Long-term satellite time series · Multi-sensor fusion · Land transitions · Biodiversity dynamics · Ecosystem resilience · Climate adaptation

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Katarzyna Ostapowicz

About me

Connecting Earth Observation & Environmental Science

I am a research scientist specialising in Environmental Data Science and Earth Observation, with a focus on Land System Science, biodiversity and conservation, and climate change. My research addresses land-use and land-cover dynamics, ecosystem responses, and human–environment interactions across temperate, boreal, and Arctic regions.

I design and apply spatial modelling frameworks integrating multi-sensor satellite time series, machine learning, and GeoAI to quantify long-term environmental change and climate-driven ecosystem transformations.

Alongside research, I have led laboratories and international projects and supervised students at all degree levels.

Education

Academic Degrees

2007
PhD in Earth Sciences (Geography)
Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
Outstanding PhD Thesis Award in Geography, 2005–2007
2004
MSc in Physics
Specialization: Nuclear Physics — Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
2002
MSc in Physical Geography within Environmental and Mathematical Studies
Specialization: Geographic Information Systems — Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
Polish Geographical Society — Outstanding MSc Thesis Award

Experience

Career History

2022 – present
Researcher
Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Norway
2019 – 2021
Visiting Scientist
University of California, Berkeley, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management (ESPM), USA
NAWA Bekker Fellowship
2017 – 2018
Visiting Scientist
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Geography, Germany
2016 – 2023
Head of EO-CHANGE Research Laboratory
Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Institute of Geography and Spatial Management, Poland
2012 – 2013
Visiting Scientist
University of Wisconsin–Madison, Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, USA
Fulbright Senior Advanced Award
2009 – 2020
Assistant Professor
Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Institute of Geography and Spatial Management, Poland
2009
Visiting researcher
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Geography, Germany
DAAD postdoctoral fellowship
2007 – 2009
Postdoctoral researcher
Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Institute of Geography and Spatial Management, Poland
2006 – 2007
Scientific Officer – Contract Agent
European Commission – Joint Research Centre, Italy
2005 – 2006
Trainee
European Commission – Joint Research Centre, Italy
2004 – 2005
Visiting Researcher
Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Centre for Geoinformatics, Austria
OeAD Ernst Mach Grant
2002 – 2007
Doctoral researcher
Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Institute of Geography and Spatial Management, Poland

Research

Selected Projects

2025
PI
Sen2Veg project: Sentinel-2 Seasonal Composites for Vegetation and Land Cover Monitoring
Research Council of Norway (NINA’s strategic initiative programme SATS)
→
2024
PI
POLARSIF project: Assessing Vegetation Phenological Changes in Polar Regions Using Solar-Induced Fluorescence Data
Research Council of Norway (NINA’s strategic initiative programme SATS)
→
2019–2024
Researcher
CHARTER project: Drivers and Feedbacks of Changes in Arctic Terrestrial Biodiversity
European Commission – Horizon 2020
→
2019–2023
PI
TRACE project: Trajectories, causes and consequences of land cover and land use changes in Central Europe
National Science Centre Poland
→
2016–2019
PI
RS4FOR project: Forest change detection and monitoring using passive and active remote sensing data
National Science Centre Poland
→

Output

Selected Publications

Mapping roadless areas in regions with contrasting human footprint
Hoffmann M.T., Ostapowicz K., Bartoń K., Ibisch P.L., Selva N.2024
Scientific Reports, 14, 4722
Mapping grasslands' preservation potential: A case study from the northern Carpathians
Szczęch M., Kania M., Loch J., Ostapowicz K., Strus P.2024
Land Degradation & Development, 35(2), 633-646
The northernmost hyperspectral FLoX sensor dataset for monitoring of high-Arctic tundra vegetation phenology and Sun-Induced Fluorescence (SIF)
Tømmervik H., Julitta T., Nilsen L., Park T., Burkart A., Ostapowicz K., Karlsen S.R., Parmentier F., Pirk N., Bjerke J.W.2023
Data in Brief, 50, 109581
Walking on the dark side: Anthropogenic factors limit suitable habitat for gray wolf (Canis lupus) in a large natural area covering Belarus and Ukraine
Kudrenko S.; Fenchuk V.; Vollering J.; Zedrosser A.; Selva N.; Ostapowicz K., Beasley J.C.; Marco Heurich M.2023
Global Ecology and Conservation, 46, e02586
Evaluation of machine learning algorithms for forest stand species mapping using Sentinel-2 imagery and environmental data in the Polish Carpathians
Grabska E., Frantz D., Ostapowicz K.2020
Remote Sensing of Environment, 251, 112103
ORCID Profile Google Scholar Web of Science

Community

Service

2026 – present
JSPS Norway-Japan Academic Network (NJAN)
Associate Member
2025 – present
Copernicus EU Space Networks
Ambassador · NINA’s representative
2024 – present
Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON)
Member
2023 – present
Svalbard Integrated Arctic Earth Observing System (SIOS)
Member · Remote Sensing Working Group Co-Chair (2026)
2014 – 2020
European Association of Remote Sensing Laboratories (EARSeL)
Member · Jagiellonian University representative
2010 – present
Global Land Project (GLP)
Member
2009 – 2021
Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences (PAU), Commission of Geoinformatics
Member
2008 – 2022
Science for the Carpathians (S4C)
Member · Scientific Steering Committee Member (2012–2022)

Get in touch

Open to
collaboration
& research exchange

I welcome inquiries about joint research, data sharing, student supervision, and interdisciplinary projects in environmental data science.

Institution
Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA)
FRAM – High North Research Centre
Hjalmar Johansens gate 14, Tromsø, 9007 Norway
Phone
+47 465 05 709