Texas AgriLife Research
Projects and Resources
Programs
Genetics and Systematics
Plant population genetics, genomics, molecular biology, plant transformation, molecular genetics, and cytogenetics—with particular emphasis on southern pine species—are major strengths of ESSM faculty. Participation in the Western Gulf Tree Improvement Program ensures that this science contributes to preserving and improving populations of five southern pine species and several hardwood species. The Tracy Herbarium contains plant specimens from around the world, including an outstanding collection of new-world grasses and wetland species.
Ecosystem Science
An improved understanding of managed and wild ecosystems should influence societal decisions concerning current and future environmental challenges. Our faculty and students provide ecological insight into potential outcomes, risks, and trade-offs associated with both naturally and human-induced environmental impacts. Research activities emphasize biogeochemistry, eco-hydrology, globalchange biology, human dimensions, ecological economics, and integrative sciences.
Ecosystem Management
ESSM research, education, and extension programs translate scientific and experiential knowledge into practical strategies for resolving important natural resource issues for multiple stakeholder groups. Ecosystem management brings an integrative sciences approach to resource management as a way to address the many opportunities and challenges of the 21st century. Major environmental problems benefit from approaches that work with the complexities of natural processes and social systems rather than against them.
Spatial Sciences
Spatial sciences allow students, scientists, and practitioners to observe, explore, and analyze the Earth and its ecosystems from both outside and inside the classroom. Ecosystem science and management requires understanding spatial processes that define ecosystem dynamics. The spatial sciences in ESSM provide students with a set of contemporary and cutting-edge technologies for inventory, characterization and mapping, and assessment of natural and man-made environments. These technologies include remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), spatial statistics, and the Global Positioning System (GPS).