Ms Sara Eshleman

I am a Postdoctoral Research Associate for the ERC/UKRI Biodiversity and the Legacy of Anthropogenic Disturbance on Ecosystems in the Neotropics (BLADEN) project, exploring the long-term human impact on tropical forests in the Bladen Nature Reserve of Belize.

My research involves the long-lasting impacts of humans on environments with research focused in northern Central America. I use remote sensing and field studies to examine the lasting impact of the ancient Maya in Belize. I am particularly interested in how forest composition and structure vary with past human presence and activities. Towards these ends, I use airborne lidar imagery and directed fieldwork that assesses trees, soils, water, and microclimates. I am currently finishing up my PhD on these topics for northwestern Belize. My PhD and MA are from the Department of Geography and the Environment at UT Austin.