For the past 20 years, my research program has been focused at the interface of farming strategies and natural resource conservation. Domestically my work has looked at common crop and livestock production systems in the upper Midwest and their farm-level impact on soil and water conservation, soil health, pesticide use, and nutrient cycling. Specifically this has meant looking a conventional grain and dairy systems, as well as rotational grazing and organic production systems. Newly initiated themes include nutrient trading between grain and dairy farms, and the restoration of oak savanna through managed grazing. (wicst.wisc.edu)
Internationally, my work has focused on steep sloped production systems, primarily in the high Andes. In this arena, larger scale environmental impacts resulting from farming systems have been studied (biodiversity, carbon sequestration, surface hydrology). Specifically we have worked on upper watershed management for improved stream flow and paramo grassland management for biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration (www.condesan.org/PPA/). In a new initiative we are developing a partnership with four Chinese Academy of Science Institutes in Southwest China to study biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods (www.swchina.wisc.edu/).
|
Order our recently
Program Description