Message from the Chair

Soil and water are the foundations of ecosystems and vital resources in urban, agricultural, and natural landscapes. The Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences (DSWES) provides highly visible leadership in teaching, research, and extension/outreach programs related to improving the productivity of agriculture with environmentally sound management practices, improving water quality, and protection and conservation of natural resources. Our department is one of the few in the nation that offers comprehensive research and educational programs (molecular to landscape level) involving terrestrial, wetlands, and aquatic ecosystems. In addition to traditional on-campus educational programs, we use innovative e-technologies to offer educational programs to place-bound students. Our graduates and postdoctoral fellows are highly competitive in the job market and are thus well placed at universities, state and federal agencies, and private industry.

The DSWES programs are designed to meet the changing needs of our clientele at state, national, and international levels. To meet new challenges and explore new opportunities, the DSWES’s research, teaching, and extension programs are focused on five areas within the contexts of sustainability, water quality, carbon sequestration, greenhouse gases, and climate change:

• Carbon Dynamics and Ecosystem Services
• Landscape Analysis and Modeling
• Nutrient, Pesticide, and Waste Management
• Soil, Water, and Aquifer Remediation
• Wetlands and Aquatic Ecosystems

Our programs are supported by a number of sponsors, including state and federal agencies and private industry. We extend our sincere thanks to funding agencies, sponsors, and students, who help us to maintain high-quality research, teaching, and extension programs. As you browse through our website, please provide your comments and suggestions that will help us to serve you better.

Matt R. Whiles