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Programs of Study
Environmental and Forest Biology
Environmental and Forest Biology (EFB) uses Geospatial Modeling and Analysis to study ecological interactions among and between components of spatially distributed ecosystems. These components consist of both external forcing and internal process functions. The first include such inputs as sunlight, precipitation, temperature, and nutrients, which vary over terrain, rivers, lakes, soils, watersheds. The second include the energy flows and feedbacks that occur between for example, various plant communities, animal and fish species, etc. which also vary over a landscape as a function of their environmental gradient requirements.
Environmental Resources Engineering
Environmental Resources Engineering (ERE) uses GMA for environmental monitoring using remote sensing methods and environmental modeling through the use of geographic information systems (GIS). The graduate program in ERE includes a strong quantitative component ranging from statistical methods to advanced artificial intelligence techniques (e.g. genetic algorithms, neural networks) addressing a wide range of environmental and engineering problems. Spatiotemporal analyses and modeling are of particular emphasis, for example animal movement, land use/land cover change detection, and socioeconomic changes. Research interests include environmental remote sensing focusing on urban and vegetation, GIS-based modeling, algorithm development, satellite and aerial image analysis, spatiotemporal geographic modeling using machine learning methods, and spatial statistics.
Environmental Studies
Environmental Studies (ES) integrates GMA into all five of its Graduate Program in Environmental Science (GPES) areas of study. Spatial models are developed and analyzed in Environmental and Community Land Planning, Environmental Modeling and Risk Analysis, and Water Resources management, while the roles of information in decision making are the concern of Environmental Policy and Democratic Processes, and Communications and Participatory Processes.
In addition to graduate programs, GMA is incorporated into the Environmental Studies undergraduate program. The Geographic Information and Technology Option is designed for students interested in learning about collecting and using environmental information, with an emphasis on spatial analysis. This option concentrates on measurements and technologies applied to solve environmental problems. Distinct attention is devoted to geographic information systems (GISs) and the mapping sciences. Work in this Option is supported primarily by the Faculty of Environmental Resources and Forest Engineering. The Land Use Planning Option make extensive use of GMA in developing environmentally sustainable community growth management plans. Work in this option is supported by the Faculty of Landscape Architecture.
Forest and Natural Resources Management
Forest and Natural Resources Management uses spatial information for studies in forest and resource management, forest harvest management, and GIS technology and implementation. An example of the Forestry Faculty's GMA efforts is the Northern Forest Lands Study. This project involved developing and managing spatial data for more than 4 million hectares of land in New York State. Other projects study the relationship between the location and attribute accuracy of data and the decisions based on analysis of those data sets.
Landscape Architecture
Landscape Architecture (LA) uses GMA for landscape visualization, visibility analysis, and community land planning. The errors in Digital Elevation Models and their effects on visibility analysis have been studied, as well as the relationship between human perception of landscape quality and the geographic features of the land.
Send questions or comments about this page to ljquack@esf.edu
Last updated January 2011
