 |
|
|
|
The Human-Environment Regional Observatory-Central Massachusetts (HERO-CM) research program provides opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to analyze the causes and consequences of global environmental changes at local scales in faculty-led research projects. This program permits students to conduct research in interdisciplinary and inter-institutional projects. Current HERO research is funded by the National Science Foundation, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Thoreau Foundation, and the O’Connor ‘78 Fund.
|
|
 |
Central Massachusetts
HERO-CM has three main areas of research: large-area forest change monitoring, vulnerability analysis, and prediction of land use and land cover change.
| Forest Change Monitoring |
Vulnerability Analysis |
Land Change Prediction |
Research questions:
What are the patterns and processes associated with timber harvest and forest growth in Massachusetts?
How can remote sensing help us accurately and consistently monitor these regional-scale changes? |
Research questions:
How have public water systems in Massachusetts adapted to the effects of climatic hazards such as droughts and floods?
How well suited is this coping capacity for the sprawling population growth pattern currently unfolding in the region? |
Research questions:
How can information about historic human behavior help anticipate and guide future human behavior concerning the way humans change the land cover?
How can we use geographic information science (GIS) computer technology appropriately to address these questions? |
For additional information contact
Professor Colin Polsky at
cpolsky@clarku.edu.
New
research grant awarded to HERO (January 2007)! This grant will catalyze
research by HERO Professors Polsky and Rogan.
Sponsors
|
|
|
Additional Resources
|
|
|
|
You may also be interested in:
|
|
|
|
Read an interview with Colin Polsky
|
2006 MaFoMP HEROs Ryan Frazier, Steve McCauley, Joe Fortier, Dominic Pascarelli, Alina Taus, and Paula Kiviranta begin their field training in Wells State Park
|
|
