Research program areas within the School of Environment and Natural Resources are used to enhance and impart knowledge of natural and social systems and their essential relationships in the context of natural resource use and management. The following are a few of the research initiatives within the School of Environment and Natural Resources.

Carbon Management & Sequestration Center

The Carbon Management and Sequestration Center (C-MASC) is identifying ways to minimize carbon (C) loss and maximize retaining C in land, reducing the effects of C on global climate change that will radically change plant, animal and human life if left unaddressed.

Rattan Lal talks about carbon sequestration.

Environmental Communication, Analysis, and Research for Policy Working Group (ECARP)

The ECARP Working Group is a vibrant and multi-disciplinary research, development, and consultation center staffed by a core group of affiliated faculty members and graduate research associates representing the social, management, and natural sciences.

Forest Ecosystem Restoration & Ecology Lab

The objectives of the research program in forest ecosystem restoration and ecology are to conduct basic research into the factors that control the structure and function of natural and managed ecosystems; and

to conduct applied research to help develop tools and methodologies to re-establish or restore the natural structure and function of ecosystems in disturbed landscapes.

The Wilma H. Schiermeier Olentangy River Wetlands Research Park

The Wilma H. Schiermeier Olentangy River Wetland Research Park is designed to be one of the most comprehensive wetland research and education facilities in the nation at a major university. It is located on a 30-acre site immediately north of the Columbus campus.

View a video on the history and research conducted at the ORWRP.

Soil and Environmental Biochemistry and Microbial Ecology Lab

The Soil and Environmental Biochemistry and Microbial Ecology Lab applies world class research and teaching in solving problems related to managing wisely our limited soil resources, improving agricultural productivity for the betterment of all people, and creating excellent local and global environmental quality.

Stream Ecology Laboratory

The Stream Ecology Laboratory is working to understand how different land use practices influence the functional ecology of streams, how to quantitatively assess the efficacy of watershed restoration activities, and how different sampling protocols and analytical methods influence results of stream bioassessments and monitoring.

Terrestrial Wildlife Ecology Laboratory (TWEL)

TWEL works at contributing information and expertise to support effective stewardship of Ohio's wildlife resources, and to promote understanding of ecological and social factors that effect wildlife and natural resources nationally and internationally

Urban Coyote Ecology and Management

The Cook County, ILlinois, Coyote Project is comprised of a select group of researchers. With the help of many agencies, these researchers set up a comprehensive study of coyotes in Chicago metropolitan areas including the capturing, collaring and monitoring of the coyote.

Urban Forestry

Urban forestry is the management of managed ecosystems dominated by human activity. Urban forestry differs from traditional forestry and arboriculture in that it takes an ecological approach to management of the urban forest as a whole rather than concentrating on individual trees or stands.