Ecological Technology Design & Engineering Research

As people around the globe seek to deal with increasing urbanization, energy constraints, climate worries, unsustainable food supplies, ecosystem loss and economic hardship they are increasingly turning to natural systems for answers and solutions. Scientists and engineers in the Environmental Science and Technology Department are investigating new ways that humanity with its various agricultural, industrial and urban systems can more closely mimic the sustainability and beauty of natural ecosystems.

For over three decades ecological engineers have proven that wastewater can be purified by the natural processes found in wetlands, such as swamps and marshes. Now researchers are asking what other wastes can ecosystems with their diverse flora and fauna treat? Can natural systems turn wastes into valuable products like energy? What does it take to have natural bacteria clean up a toxic waste site? How can wildlife be managed in the new ecosystems found in cities? How do you restore a wetland in a city covered with parking lots, roads and massive buildings? What roles can natural systems play in sustainable, healthy food production systems?

Discoveries and technological innovations in Ecological Design and Engineering are helping to repair the growing disconnect between humanity and its ecological life support. Re-establishing this connection will help to sustain economic prosperity, improve the quality of life, and preserve natural systems. Find out more about what our engineeirng-scientists are doing by looking below.

Ecological Technology Design Researchers

	Lowell Adams, Adjunct Associate Professor Wildlife Ecology, Urban Wildlife, Urban Ecosystems ladams4@umd.edu
	Andrew Baldwin, Associate Professor Plant Ecology of Natural, Restored, and Treatment Wetlands, Ecological Engineering baldwin@umd.edu
	Jennifer Becker, Assistant Professor Groundwater Bioremediation, Air Emissions from Animal Operations,Treatment and Management of Animal Production and Other Residuals jgbecker@umd.edu
	Gary Felton, Associate Professor Extension Water Quality Specialist gfelton@umd.edu
	Pat Kangas, Associate Professor Ecological Design, Ecological Engineering, Tropical Ecology and Sustainability pkangas@umd.edu
	Stephanie Lansing, Assistant Professor Research Focus: Renewable Energy and Ecological Waste Treatment slansing@umd.edu
	David Ross, Professor Extension Horticultural Engineering, Water and Nutrient Management, Greenhouse Environment dsross@umd.edu
	David Tilley, Associate Professor Ecological Engineering, Wetland Health Assessment, Energy-based Environmental Accounting dtilley@umd.edu
	Richard Weismiller, Professor Soil and Water Resources, Nutrient Management, International Programs rweismil@umd.edu
	Fred Wheaton, Professor Aquacultural Engineering, Recirculating Systems, Seafood Production and Processing fwheaton@umd.edu

For more information, contact Kintija Eigmina, Web and Communications Coordinator

Last updated: 07/28/2009