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Overview

The Terrestrial Sciences domain is focused on understanding and quantifying the processes and patterns that characterize the Earth's surface and near-surface environments across multiple spatio-temporal scales. We are interested in the physical, chemical and biological processes that operate at or near the Earth's surface, and our research integrates across several disciplines, such as physical geography, soil science, geomorphology, hydrology, ecology, geology, and biogeosciences. To address research problems, we use an interdisciplinary toolkit that integrates remotely-sensed data, field observations, small-scale physical experiments, and numerical models. Our research has strong links with other research domains within our department, such as ocean sciences and atmospheric and climate sciences, and also other departments across campus.

 Affiliated Faculty

Professor
Director of the Earth Research Institute
Professor Caylor studies the interactions between water, vegetation, and society across the world’s drylands.
Professor
My research sits at the nexus of landscape ecology, remote sensing, and GIScience to develop the data and methods needed to advance conservation science and decision-making.
Associate Professor
Mechanics of landscape evolution in modern and ancient times.
Professor
Vice Chair of Undergraduate Programs
I am a biogeochemist. I investigate natural and anthropogenic processes that influence patterns of element cycling in terrestrial ecosystems.
Associate Professor
Prof. Larsen studies interactions among land use decisions, biodiversity, and ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes.
Professor
Vegetation–atmosphere interactions, urban climate, urban ecology, remote sensing, carbon cycle, water and energy budgets.
Professor
I use remote sensing to study environmental problems using sensors that cover the entire electromagnetic spectrum.
Associate Professor
Vice Chair of Graduate Programs
How changes in climate and water availability affect ecosystem diversity, productivity, and resilience across large spatial scales.
Professor
Coastal and aeolian (windblown) geomorphology, beaches, dunes, coastal erosion, sediment transport, geoarchaeology.