Dr. Yonten Dorji is a Scientist at the College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan specializing in forest dynamics, climate science, and conservation. He earned his PhD in Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology from the Göttingen University, Germany. He also holds an MSc in Climatology & Mountain Forestry from BOKU University, Vienna, Austria, and a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Botany from the University of Queensland, Australia.
Dr. Dorji is currently a Programme Leader for the MSc Conservation Biology programme. He has served as Head of the Department of Forest Science [2016–2019]. He also worked as an Expatriate Scientist at the Georg-August-Universität, Goettingen, Germany [2019–2022], where he contributed to global forest ecology studies.
An active scholar, Dr. Dorji has numerous publications in high-impact journals. He supervises PhD and MSc research candidates, serves on the College Research Committee (CRC), College Academic Committee (CAC), and engages in peer-review as a Reviewer & Section Editor for the Journal of Trees (Springer NATURE), BJNRD & Journal of Plant Genetic Resources (Cambridge University Press).
Personal Information
Dr. Yonten Dorji
Sr. Lecturer/ Researcher
College of Natural Resources
Royal University of Bhutan
Punakha, Bhutan
Email: Ydorji.cnr@rub.edu.bt
Alt Email: Yonten.dorji@uni-goettingen.de Phone (O): +975 2 376249
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6508-9582 ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yonten-Dorji
Google Scholar Profile: https://scholar.google.de/citations?user=jzTSd4wAAAAJ&hl=en
Education Qualification
PhD in Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology from the University of Göttingen, Germany [2019 – 2023]
MSc in Climatology & Mountain Forestry, BOKU University, Austria [2013 to 2015]
BSc (Hons) Environmental Botany, University of Queensland, Australia [2005 to 2008]
Job Experience
Programme Leader for MSc Conservation Biology Programme, CNR [2024 – Ongoing]
Expatriate Employee as Researcher for Fakultät Forstwissenschaften, Georg-August Universität, Germany [2019 – 2022]
Head of the Department of Forest Science at the College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan [2016 – 2019]
National Sector Advisory Committee Member for Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Bhutan [2016 – 2019]
Committee Member for UNESCO Madenjeet Centre for South Asia Forestry, earlier based in UWICER, Bumthang, Bhutan [2016 – 2018]
Committee Member of the College Research Committee [CRC] and the College Academic Committee [CAC] at CNR, Royal University of Bhutan.
Principal Supervisor for PhD and MSc research candidates
Programme Leader for BSc Forestry [2009 – 2013]
Reviewer for Journal of Trees, Springer NATURE
Reviewer for Journal of Plant Genetics Resources, Cambridge University Press
Section Editor and Reviewer for BJNRD [Bhutan Journal of Natural Resource Development]
Research Area
Grants (Funded Research/ Projects):
SortiScan- Assessment of quality attributes and automated quality grading of standing trees through the use of mobile laser scanning. 2019-01 to 2021-01 | Contract Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank (Göttingen, Lower Saxony, DE) GRANT_NUMBER: 844732 http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100018686
Rapid assessment of roadside bird diversity in Punakha District, 2018-02 to 2020-05 | Grant Royal University of Bhutan (Thimphu, BT) FUNDREF: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100014156
Klimabäume Stutel Project ‘Urban Green 2021+’: Selecting Urban and Climate Resilient Trees. In partnership with LWG Bavarian State Institute for Viticulture and Horticulture, Veitshochheim, Germany 2020-01 to 2023-01 | Contract REF: https://www.lwg.bayern.de/landespflege/urbanes_gruen/085113/ https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00468-023-02479-1
CNR Project Coordinator for 41 Trainings to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry officials, funded by EU-TCP, European Union Project. 2017-01 to 2019-01 | EU-TCP Project FUNDREF: CNR-EUTCP, MoAF
Assessment of nutrients from Parthenium hystephorus compost using different inoculants 2017-07 to 2019-02 | Grant FUNDREF: Royal University of Bhutan (Thimphu, BT)
Coccinellidae diversity of Bhutan (Insecta: Coleoptera) 2017-03 to 2019-04 | Grant AURG grant (Thimphu, Bhutan, BT) URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/00305316.2021.1930604
Assessment of Biomass, Carbon Stock and Climate Change Mitigation Potentials of Balcooa Bamboo 2017-02 to 2018-03 | Award Royal University of Bhutan (Thimphu, Bhutan, BT) FUNDREF: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100014156
Area of Interests
Forest Ecology | Climate Change | Forest Structure & Dynamics | Carbon Sequestration | Fine root biomass | Terrestrial Laser Scanning | Silviculture
Awards
PhD with Outstanding grade: “Magna Cum Laude” from Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Germany
Bronze medal from His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, for the dedicated ten years of service to the Nation.
Publication and projects
Dorji, Y., Isasa, E., Pierick, K. et al. Insights into the relationship between hydraulic safety, hydraulic efficiency and tree structural complexity from terrestrial laser scanning and fractal analysis. Trees 38, 221–239 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-023-02479-1
Dorji, Y., Schuldt, B., Neudam, L., Dorji, R., Middleby, K., Isasa, E., … & Seidel, D. (2021). Three-dimensional quantification of tree architecture from mobile laser scan- ning and geometry analysis. Trees, 35, 1385-1398. DOI: https://link.springer.com/ar- ticle/10.1007/s00468-021-02124-9
Dorji Y, Annighöfer P, Ammer C, Seidel D (2019): Response of beech (Fagus syl- vatica ) trees to competition- new insights from using fractal analysis. Remote Sens- ing 11 (22): 2656. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/rs11222656
Ahmed, I.U., Dorji, Y., Chhetri, P.B. (2023). Soil C Sequestration in Himalayan Land- scape: Impacts of Vegetation and Edaphic Interactions Under Changing Climate. In: Mishra, G., Giri, K., Nath, A.J., Francaviglia, R. (eds) Soil Carbon Dynamics in Indian Himalayan Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-3303-7_2
Waiba, N., & Dorji, Y. (2024). From National to Local: A Comprehensive Vulnerabil- ity Assessment Framework for Climate Change Adaptation in Bhutan. bioRxiv. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5037109/v1
Himes, A., Bauhus, J., Dorji, Y., Adhikari, S. et al. Forestry in the Face of Global Change: Results of a Global Survey of Current Forestry Reports 9, 473– 489 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40725-023-00205-1
Rabten, T., Dorji, Y., & Tobgay, T. (2024). Assessment of Terrestrial Carbon Stock: Evaluating Forest Structure and its Carbon Sequestration Potential of the Ecotone Re- gion in Gama Luma. RSquare. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-3303-7_2
Seidel D, Ehbrecht M, Dorji Y, Jambay J, Ammer C, Annighöfer P (2019) Identifying architectural characteristics that determine tree structural Springer Nature: Trees – Structure and Function 33: 911-919. DOI: 10.1007 / s00468-019-01827-4
Dolkar, T., & Dorji, Y. (2024). Exploring the Regeneration Dynamics and Conserva- tion Threats to Endemic Rhododendron kesangiae (DG Long & Rushforth) in Bhutan’s National Botanical Park at Lungchutse, Dochula. bioRxiv, 2024-09. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/2024.09.03.610747
Dorji, Y., Schuldt, , Neudam, L. et al. (2021) New insights into tree architecture from mobile laser scanning and geometry analysis. Dryad. DOI: 10.5061/dryad.2fqz612n6
Dorji, , & Dorji, Y. (2024). Insights into the Spatial Ecology of Sambar Deer (Cervus unicolor) in Bhutan’s Protected Area at Phrumsengla National Park: Habitat Preferences and Conservation Challenges. bioRxiv, 2024-08. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs- 4957866/v1
Dorji, Y., Isasa, E., Cabral, J., Tobgay, T., Annighöfer, P., Schuldt, B., & Seidel, D. (2023). Insights into the relationship between hydraulic safety, hydraulic efficiency and tree structural complexity from terrestrial laser scanning and fractal Research Square. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2744981/v1
Nidup, and Dorji, Y. (2024). Assessing Aquatic Avian Biodiversity along Hydropower Dam Gradient: Understanding Impacts of Kurichhu Dam-Induced River Fragmentation in Kurrichu River Basin. bioRxiv, pp.2024-09. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/2024.09.18.613804
Dorji, Y and Seidel, D. New insights into drivers and passengers of tree architecture. PhD Dissertation Published by Georg-August-Universität Gottingen, Germany. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.53846/goediss-9891
K, Jambay. J, Dorji. Y, Gyelpo. T, Wangda. L. (2020) A pictorial guide to roadside Avifauna of Punakha District, Bhutan – Pocket field guide. College of Natural Resources
Dorji Y, Annighöfer P, Ammer C, Seidel D (2019) Response of internal architecture of beech (Fagus sylvatica ) trees to intra and interspecific competition. Science Meeting of Switzerland, Austria and Germany, Gfö Conference paper, Munster, Germany. DOI: https://www.gfoe.org/de/node/1562
Dorji Y, Godbold, DL (2016). The Effects of Experimental Drought on the Fine Root Biomass of Two Different Altitudinal Forests of Master Dissertation. BOKU Uni- versity, Vienna, Austria.
Yonten S, Dorji Y. Influence of forest fire frequency on nest-site selection and nest- use by White-bellied heron (Ardea insignis) at Athang Gewog under Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhag (2018). Royal Society for Protection of Nature, Bhutan. Rufford Funded. https://rufford.org/projects
Dorji Y, Ahmed IU, Godbold DL, Wangdi N, (2017). Vegetative and edaphic control on soil C storage in altitudinal forests of Himalayan Poster at the Gfö Conference. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.33514.72641
Dorji Y, Gamage H, Shmidt S. (2008). Morphological and Biochemical differences be- tween the putative polyploidy and diploid lines of Elaeocarpus grandis trees in different temperature regimes. Thesis. University of Queensland, Biological Sciences Faculty, Brisbane, Australia.
Dorji Y, Shmidt S. (2007). Alligator Weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) Aggression Over Australian Native Weed (Alternanthera denticulata) in a greenhouse experimental University of Queensland, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Australia. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.11657.24163
Wangdi N, Dorji Y, Om K, Nirola MP (2018). Reducing the Vulnerability of Bhutan’s Forests to the Expected Impacts of Climate Change. Policy Brief. UWICER Policy Brief Series 2018: No.1, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Bhutan.
Sacha, , Dorji. Y, Nepal, N., Choden, S., Ghally, TB., Dendup, KC. (2021) Regener- ation status and soil nutrient content in blue pine forest in Thimphu, Western Bhu- tan. Indonesian Journal of Social and Environmental Issues (IJSEI), 2 (1), 48-58. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47540/ijsei.v2i1.201
Conference Presentations and Guest Speaker
Speaker at GfÖ Conference on “Response of internal architecture of beech (Fagus sylvatica ) trees to intra and interspecific competition”. Science Meeting of Switzerland, Austria and Germany, 2019 GfÖ Conference, Munster, Germany.
Guest Speaker on ‘Forest Management and Silviculture in Bhutan’ on 10.03.2019 at the Department of Forest Ecology, Goettingen University, Germany
Poster Presentation on ‘The Effects of Experimental Drought on the Fine Root Biomass of Two Different Altitudinal Forests of Bhutan’. 2018 National Symposium, Thimphu, Bhutan.
Guest Speaker on “Story of GNH Development Philosophy in Bhutan” on 19 January 2020 at George-August-Universität, Göttingen, Germany.
International Conference presentation titled ‘Vegetative and edaphic control on soil C storage in altitudinal forests of Himalayan Bhutan’ at the 2016 GfÖ Conference, Science Meeting of Switzerland, Austria and Germany.
BIMSTEC-IFPRI Conference on Environment and Climate Change, October 10-11, 2023, Organized by International Food Policy Research Institute, Paro Bhutan.
Participant in Paro Forum on Water Management and Climate Change: Bridging Knowledge to Action. Organized by JSW Law Climate Change & Environment Law Centre. February 21 to 24, 2025
National Conference Poster Presentation titled ‘Soil Carbon Sequestration Dynamics in Himalayan Bhutan amidst the Changing Climate’ organized by the College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan from 25-27 March 2025.