Interaction between humans and the environment is focus of 15 new NSF-funded projects

From Southwestern deserts to tropical mangrove reefs, everywhere humans live or go we impact the environment, and the environment impacts us. Fifteen new projects totaling more than $21.6 million funded by the NSF will explore these complex interactions in ecosystems around the globe, examine how they affect a variety of species from humans to bees to trees, and develop tools and models that can be used to predict future impacts to vital resources.

Each award supports research in a specific socio-environmental system, across multiple systems, or the creation of networks of scientists to share data and advance socio-environmental research.

Projects awarded to NSF EPSCoR jurisdictions include:

• Developing new strategies for urban-rural systems to overcome interconnected social, environmental, and technological challenges (PI: Ulrike Passe, IOWA State University). Award Amount: $500,000
• Cumulative effects of ecological and social stressors on the dynamics of integrated ranching-wildlife systems: drought, wolves, and human decision-makers (PI: Chloe Wardropper, University of IDAHO), Award Amount: $1,597,830
• Resilience in agricultural socio-environmental systems (PI: Craig Allen, University of NEBRASKA-Lincoln), Award Amount: $403,020
• Cultural resilience and shifting baselines of the North American fur trade (PI: Courtney Hofman, University of OKLAHOMA), Award Amount: $1,551,062
• Conservation incentives and the socio-spatial dynamics of water sustainability (PI: Thomas Neeson, University of OKLAHOMA), Award Amount: $1,596,980