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Research Focus

Natural Resource Disturbances

The natural resources of the U.S. are under constant threat from a number of forces. Tree pests and diseases from other parts of the world can spread quickly, attacking particular tree species and causing widespread economic damage. Intense wildfires can spread over large areas, threatening both natural resources and built structures. And human development puts pressure on natural resources by replacing natural areas with other land uses and introducing new roads and activities.

We study each of these natural resource disturbance processes in order to understand how disturbances affect the natural environment, how changes in the natural environment affect us, and how we can maintain the health of our natural resources in the face of constant change. Click on the links below to find about more about our research in each category.

• People and Wildfire
  • Improving the Process for Awarding Firefighting Helicopter Contracts
  • Social Aspects of Creating Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs)
  • Public Perceptions of Fire Mitigation on Public Lands
  • What Can the U.S. Learn from the Australian Stay-and-Defend-or-Leave-Early Approach to Fighting Wildfires?
  • Wildfire Management in Wildland-Urban Interface Areas
• Land Development
  • Is Housing a Factor in the Distribution of Invasive (Aggressive, Nonnative) Plants?
  • Wildfire Management in Wildland-Urban Interface Areas
• Tree Pests and Diseases
  • Is Housing a Factor in the Distribution of Invasive (Aggressive, Nonnative) Plants?
  • The cost of the emerald ash borer infestation