US Forest Service Research and Development Science Program Areas - Rocky Mountain Research Station - RMRS - US Forest Service

  • Rocky Mountain Research Station
  • 240 West Prospect
  • Fort Collins, CO 80526
  • (970) 498-1100
USDA US Forest Service
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Science Program Areas

The Rocky Mountain Research Station is evolving from a Station with 30 research work units (including ecosystem management units and national programs) to a comprehensive programmatic structure consisting of eight Science Program areas and several Research, Development and Applications programs.

Descriptions of the Science Program areas follow below.

Air, Water and Aquatics Science

Air quality, water availability, water quality, and aquatic habitats are critical issues within the rapidly changing Western United States. The Air, Water and Aquatics Science program is committed to the development of knowledge and science applications related to air and water quality, as well as the habitat quality, distribution, diversity, and persistence of fish and other aquatic species. More.

Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute

The Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute, utilizing its expertise in wilderness law, policy, and management, works to assure that the science necessary for the understanding and stewardship of designated wilderness and similarly managed wild ecosystems is developed, delivered and applied to those responsible for managing such lands. More.

Fire, Fuel and Smoke Science

The Fire, Fuel and Smoke Science program works to improve the safety and effectiveness of fire management through the creation and dissemination of basic fire science knowledge. The program invsetigates the impacts of fires on the environment by means of fundamental and applied research for understanding and predicting fire behavior, its effects on ecosystems, and its emissions into the atmosphere. More.

Forest and Woodland Ecosystems Research

Forests and woodlands are increasingly being impacted by large scale urbanization and human developments, uncharacteristically large and severe wildfires, insect and disease outbreaks, exotic species invasions, and drought, and interactions of multiple stressors at local, landscape, and regional scales. The Forest and Woodland Ecosystems Research program acquires, develops, and delivers the scientific knowledge for sustaining and restoring forests and woodlands landscape health, biodiversity, productivity, and ecosystem processes. More.

Grassland, Shrubland and Desert Ecosystems

Disruptions by large-scale clearing for agriculture, water diversions, extensive grazing, changes in the native fauna, the advent of alien weeds, altered fire regimes, and increases in human-caused insect and disease epidemics have contributed to produce areas that are in unsuitable condition. The Grassland, Shrubland and Desert Ecosystems program addresses the biology, use, management, and restoration of these grass and shrublands. More.

Inventory, Monitoring and Analysis Science

The Inventory, Monitoring and Analysis Science program provides the resource data, analysis, and tools needed to effectively identify current status and trends, management options and impacts, and threats and impacts of fire, insects, disease, and other natural processes. More.

Human Dimensions

The Human Dimensions program provides social and economic science based innovation to human societies as they develop a sustainable relationship with their environment. Major issues confronting societies across the globe such as global climate change, energy, fire, water, and ecosystem services all have important social-economic dimensions that will be explored and addressed by this program. More.

Wildlife and Terrestrial Ecosystems

The Wildlife and Terrestrial Ecosystems program is engaged in sustaining species and ecosystems of concern through studies of ecological interactions within and between plant, aquatic, and terrestrial animal communities; understanding public use effects through studies elucidating social and economic values associated with consumptive and non-consumptive uses of fish and wildlife; managing terrestrial and aquatic habitats; and evaluating outcomes of land and water uses and natural disturbances. More.

Rocky Mountain Research Station
Last Modified: Monday, 28 April 2008 at 17:17:46 EDT (Version 1.0.5)