Neal J Pastick, PhD
Neal Pastick is a Research Physical Scientist with the Earth Resources and Observation Science (EROS) Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Dr. Pastick has conducted data science research for environmental applications over the past 15 years, in close collaboration with a diverse set of geoscientists from industry, federal, and academic institutions. His work primarily focuses on the comprehensive characterization of Earth systems by integrating field observations, ecological insights, remote sensing technologies, and cutting-edge advancements in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. This multidisciplinary approach has yielded significant contributions to our understanding of landscape dynamics and environmental change. Recently, this research has focused on several key areas related to climate change and environmental disturbances:
- Investigating the effects on the cryosphere, hydrology, and vegetation across northern circumpolar regions.
- Studying land cover conditions and the spread of invasive annual grasses in drylands of the western United States.
- Monitoring and mapping the distribution of soil properties and conditions in Alaska and other regions.
Dr. Pastick has authored over 30 referred publications and contributed to approximately 50 presentations given at scientific meetings. His research has been covered by numerous news agencies (e.g., the Guardian, the Washington Post) and popular magazines (e.g., Scientific American).
Professional Experience
Advance and formulate new USGS initiatives focusing on AI/ML and advanced computing for environmental science applications.
Integrate multimodal data sources and models to achieve a comprehensive understanding of Earth's terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Assess the historical and potential future impacts of climate change and other agents on fragile and rapidly evolving ecosystems, including the Arctic, Boreal regions, and Drylands.
Foster collaboration between USGS, academia, industry, and government agencies to push the boundaries of Earth science and promote AI/ML innovations in environmental research.
Apply ecological theory and a deep understanding of Earth system processes to develop and refine scientific workflows that address complex environmental and natural resource challenges.
Lead cutting-edge physical science studies on complex environmental processes, ensuring meticulous execution and transparent reporting, and confidently present findings in public and scientific forums.
Serve as a key consultant for AI/ML and spatiotemporal data challenges, offering expert advice to scientists and program specialists across various disciplines.
Design and manage projects that explore the effects of human-induced changes and natural disturbances on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Education and Certifications
PhD. in Natural Resources Science & Management (Assessment, Monitoring, and Geospatial Analysis track; University of Minnesota – Twin Cities)
B.S. in Geography and Business Management (Minnesota State University, Mankato).
Science and Products
Early Estimates of Exotic Annual Grass (EAG) in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, 2024
Early Estimates of Exotic Annual Grass (EAG) in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, 2023
Alaska permafrost characterization: Geophysical and related field data collected in 2021
Early Estimates of Exotic Annual Grass (EAG) in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, 2022 (ver 6.0, July 2022)
Early Estimates of Exotic Annual Grass (EAG) in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, July 2021, (ver 2.0, January 2022)
Fractional Estimates of Multiple Exotic Annual Grass (EAG) Species in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, 2016 - 2023 (ver. 4.0, July 2024)
Permafrost characterization at the Alaska Peatland Experiment (APEX) site: Geophysical and related field data collected from 2018-2020
Early Estimates of Exotic Annual Grass (EAG) in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, May 2021, v1
Weekly cloud free Harmonized Landsat Sentinel-2 (HLS) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data for western United States (2016 – 2019).
Fire impacts on permafrost in Alaska: Geophysical and other field data collected in 2015
Alaska permafrost characterization: Geophysical and related field data collected from 2019-2020
Near real time estimation of annual exotic herbaceous fractional cover in the sagebrush ecosystem 30m, USA, July 2020
Eyes on Earth Episode 105 – Imagery Challenges of Alaska
In this episode of Eyes on Earth, we focus on Alaska. Rich in wildlife and natural resources, not to mention its sheer size, Alaska has long been a source of fascination for remote sensing scientists. But it is also a source of frustration, with frequent cloud and snow cover and months of darkness each year.
Upland Yedoma taliks are an unpredicted source of atmospheric methane
Investigating permafrost carbon dynamics in Alaska with artificial intelligence
Rapid and gradual permafrost thaw: A tale of two sites
Heterogeneous patterns of aged organic carbon export driven by hydrologic flow paths, soil texture, fire, and thaw in discontinuous permafrost headwaters
Multi-species inference of exotic annual and native perennial grasses in rangelands of the western United States using Harmonized Landsat and Sentinel-2 data
Characterizing methane emission hotspots from thawing permafrost
The climate envelope of Alaska’s northern treelines: Implications for controlling factors and future treeline advance
Rapid monitoring of the abundance and spread of exotic annual grasses in the western United States using remote sensing and machine learning
Decadal-scale hotspot methane ebullition within lakes following abrupt permafrost thaw
USGS permafrost research determines the risks of permafrost thaw to biologic and hydrologic resources
Characterizing land surface phenology and exotic annual grasses in dryland ecosystems using Landsat and Sentinel-2 data in harmony
Geospatial data mining for digital raster mapping
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Early Estimates of Exotic Annual Grass (EAG) in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, 2024
Early Estimates of Exotic Annual Grass (EAG) in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, 2023
Alaska permafrost characterization: Geophysical and related field data collected in 2021
Early Estimates of Exotic Annual Grass (EAG) in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, 2022 (ver 6.0, July 2022)
Early Estimates of Exotic Annual Grass (EAG) in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, July 2021, (ver 2.0, January 2022)
Fractional Estimates of Multiple Exotic Annual Grass (EAG) Species in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, 2016 - 2023 (ver. 4.0, July 2024)
Permafrost characterization at the Alaska Peatland Experiment (APEX) site: Geophysical and related field data collected from 2018-2020
Early Estimates of Exotic Annual Grass (EAG) in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, May 2021, v1
Weekly cloud free Harmonized Landsat Sentinel-2 (HLS) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data for western United States (2016 – 2019).
Fire impacts on permafrost in Alaska: Geophysical and other field data collected in 2015
Alaska permafrost characterization: Geophysical and related field data collected from 2019-2020
Near real time estimation of annual exotic herbaceous fractional cover in the sagebrush ecosystem 30m, USA, July 2020
Eyes on Earth Episode 105 – Imagery Challenges of Alaska
In this episode of Eyes on Earth, we focus on Alaska. Rich in wildlife and natural resources, not to mention its sheer size, Alaska has long been a source of fascination for remote sensing scientists. But it is also a source of frustration, with frequent cloud and snow cover and months of darkness each year.
Upland Yedoma taliks are an unpredicted source of atmospheric methane
Investigating permafrost carbon dynamics in Alaska with artificial intelligence
Rapid and gradual permafrost thaw: A tale of two sites
Heterogeneous patterns of aged organic carbon export driven by hydrologic flow paths, soil texture, fire, and thaw in discontinuous permafrost headwaters
Multi-species inference of exotic annual and native perennial grasses in rangelands of the western United States using Harmonized Landsat and Sentinel-2 data
Characterizing methane emission hotspots from thawing permafrost
The climate envelope of Alaska’s northern treelines: Implications for controlling factors and future treeline advance
Rapid monitoring of the abundance and spread of exotic annual grasses in the western United States using remote sensing and machine learning
Decadal-scale hotspot methane ebullition within lakes following abrupt permafrost thaw
USGS permafrost research determines the risks of permafrost thaw to biologic and hydrologic resources
Characterizing land surface phenology and exotic annual grasses in dryland ecosystems using Landsat and Sentinel-2 data in harmony
Geospatial data mining for digital raster mapping
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.