Environmental and Natural Resources
OSU's environmental and natural resource research covers a wide variety of areas from
preserving plant and animal wildlife to preserving natural resources, such as water
infrastructure and forests. This research contributes to conserving our natural resources
while also educating the world on threats to our natural environment and what solutions
can be offered to lessen such dangers.
Natural Resource Ecology and Management
Researchers in the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management study a variety of invasive species and climate change topics that are relevant to either maintaining or restoring the health and sustainable function of agroecosystems, such as forests, animals and soil microbiomes.
In this department, researchers also study a variety of animal populations in the wild, such as black bears, turkeys and wild pigs as a means of determining how to preserve populations or protect landscapes against invasive species.
Oklahoma Water Resources Center
Through state and federal collaboration, the OWRC finds new solutions to the state's
most critical water needs through research. Along with helping to preserve Oklahoma
dams, the center joins animal scientists in researching topics like the impacts of
cattle herds on water sources. They also work with soil scientists to study water
conservation topics related to agricultural crops.
The center is part of a five-year project to develop new tools and guidelines for
monitoring and preserving the structural integrity of the more than 4,700 dams in
Oklahoma.
In other research
Not all OSU entomologists are focused on combating crop pests. Many of them research
the potential beneficial properties of various insects like bees and beetles and the
role certain plant life can play in expanding pests like ticks and mosquitoes. Research
on insects, such as the American burying beetle, also study the benefits of human
health and food conservation.
Biosystems engineers also play a part in the conservation of natural resources by
joining various departments in research on water conservation and other factors.