Research Opportunities in Geography at the U.S. Geological Survey (2002) / Chapter Skim
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5 Research on Land-Surface and Society Interactions
5 Research on Land-Surface and Society Interactions
Pages 83-98
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From page 83... ...
Secondary · Urban dynamics; · Regional and place-based research; and · Bridging science, policy, and decision making. This chapter describes the nature of USGS contributions to each of these research lines and explores potential activities that could contribute new knowledge and build bridges among science, policy, and decision making.
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From page 84... ...
This role is appropriate for a federal agency engaged in natural science information and research. The committee assessed the geographic initiatives undertaken by other agencies, and it considers the research agenda for geography presented in this report appropriate for a federal natural science agency and complements the work undertaken by other federal natural science agencies.
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From page 85... ...
· Given that climate changes of the past 300 years have occurred at the same time as rapid human modifications to ecosystems and land surface, what have been the relative and specific effects of climate change versus the effects of human activities? · How will climate change affect biological diversity and ecosystem function?
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From page 86... ...
How will abrupt climate change or increased extreme weather events affect processes that lead to natural hazards, such as landslides, floods, and wildfires? The exploration of these questions depends on the use of historical geographic data and a spatial integrative approach that should characterize the research activities of the Geography Discipline.
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From page 87... ...
Because so much human activity tends to be concentrated along rivers, conflicts between human use, water quality, and ecological health are common. Many organizations inside and outside government are addressing these issues, but our scientific knowledge base is inadequate to inform current management and restoration actions.
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From page 88... ...
Geographers investigate natural and technological hazards by exploring the complicated relationships between society and the natural environment with natural science data that is often collected and archived by the USGS. The mission statement of the USGS clearly states the agency's interest in hazards research.
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From page 89... ...
. The Biology Discipline is becoming more involved in coastal research and the Water Discipline plays a significant role through its monitoring and research on rivers that feed fresh water and sediment to the coastal zone.
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From page 90... ...
Research to determine environmental factors that affect the location of disease vectors, identify changing patterns of vector populations and their habitats, and relate these patterns to human activity improve the nation's ability to predict and control vector-borne diseases. The spread of disease and disease vectors frequently relates to human activity and human alteration of the environment, so geographic researchers should contribute their experience at the interface of nature and society to strengthen this important research element.
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From page 91... ...
The Urban Dynamics Project contributes to geographic research on urban growth and change. Aimed at analyzing land use change in and around urban areas and the environmental consequences of rapid urbanization, the Urban Dynamics project represents a shift of focus for the USGS.
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From page 92... ...
Urban modeling requires understanding human and environmental processes that affect the observed changes at various geographic scales. Most urban dynamics models used by the Urban Dynamics project (e.g., Clarke and Gaydos, 1998)
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From page 93... ...
Examples of defined management regions include the interior Columbia River Basin, the Sierra Nevada region in California and Nevada, the Everglades region of South Florida, and the southern California desert region. The USGS also undertakes regional studies, which the agency calls focus areas.
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From page 94... ...
Third, USGS researchers should extend their isolated regional studies to include comparisons between and among regions. As an ultimate objective USGS researchers should strive to become the integrative regional experts for the nation.
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What simple analysis tools can or should be added to these data delivery systems? These questions should drive Geography Discipline research that can improve the dissemination of data and information to public users.
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From page 96... ...
Developed in 200~2001, it was used successfully to manage firefighting support in the Rocky Mountains during the extreme fire season of the summer of 2000. It allowed fire managers to anticipate rates of spread and identify critical locations where firefighting forces could be strategically placed.
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From page 97... ...
Geographic data often provide the mechanism for effective integration in complex projects or problems. Therefore, the Geography Discipline should lead integrative research on natural science and decision-support systems for the Critical Zone.
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From page 98... ...
· How will abrupt climate change or increased extreme weather events affect processes that lead to natural hazards, such as landslides, floods, and wildfires? The exploration of these questions depends on the use of historical geographic data and a spatial integrative approach that should characterize the research activities of the Geography Discipline.
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