Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC)
UMESC has identified a series of Science Programs, used to group similar science projects, researchers, and administrative resources/needs. Individual science projects are conducted at the Team level. It is not uncommon for individual team members (researchers and support staff) to have associations with multiple Science Teams and Programs.
Aquatic Ecosystem Health: The role of the Aquatic Ecosystem Health program is to conduct research to protect, mitigate, and enhance the health of aquatic ecosystems. Research conducted within the Program is focused on the following 3 areas of study, (1) controlling aquatic invasive species, (2) fisheries restoration, and (3) understanding the impacts of contaminants on aquatic ecosystems.
- Aquatic Invasive Species Control
- Fisheries Restoration
- Aquatic Toxicology
River Ecology: The River Ecology program focuses their research on; providing information on the overall structure and function of aquatic ecosystems; providing specific information on available resources; and evaluating various management, conservation, and restoration practices, to determine how such practices affect aquatic ecosystems.
- River Productivity
- Native Mussels
Long Term Resource Monitoring: The Long Term Resource Monitoring (LTRM) element provides decision makers with the scientific information needed to maintain the Upper Mississippi River System as a viable multiple-use large river ecosystem. The LTRM is the research and monitoring element of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Upper Mississippi River Restoration (UMRR) Program. The LTRM is implemented by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the five UMRS states; Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin.
Wildlife Ecology: The Wildlife Ecology program provides scientific information to UMESC's partners to support the conservation and management of terrestrial (primarily amphibian and reptile) and avian (birds and bat) species.
- Amphibian and Reptiles
- Conservation Ecology
- Wildlife Toxicology
Geospatial Sciences and Technology: The Geospatial Sciences and Technology (GST) program focuses its efforts on providing technical and data development assistance to UMESC and its program partners. The GST teams specialize in; using geospatial (location referenced) and remote sensing technology to collect, create, and analyze geospatial data; and creating decision support tools that make geospatial data and technology more accessible to resource managers and researchers.
- Spatial Ecology
- Resource Mapping and Spatial Analysis
Science Initiatives
