Research is conducted at the local and regional levels.
The objective of this research is to understand and anticipate the ecosystem changes that will result from altered environmental conditions and to understand the sensitivity of key ecosystem processes and components to different levels of stress. Species migration and ecosystems composition changes will be predicted based on climate, weather, and air pollution scenarios derived from general circulation models and other sources. Threshold limits of ecosystem stability and diversity will be determined. Life histories, population dynamics, competitive interactions, and community dynamics of plants and animals under altered environments are being studied. Threatened, endangered, and sensitive species are also being studied.