When an ecosystem has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed, ecological restoration can initiate or accelerate its recovery. Our faculty focus on research that helps revive ecosystems with respect to their health and integrity and the sustainability of the natural resources they provide. We identify and track the changes and the causes of ecosystem damage, whether they’re natural events such as wildfire and floods or due to human activities, direct or indirect. Our research has applications to the management of rangelands, wetlands, and other natural areas. We also research ways to mitigate the effects of climate change and to design financially and logistically feasible restoration strategies.
