2008 An Environmental Crossroads

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Global warming clouds our future. Pollution degrades our air, soil and water. Environmental toxins compromise the health of our children. Misuse threatens the sustainability of our forests, fisheries, wetlands and coasts, and the health of species that live there.

But there is reason for hope.

Through sound science and policy research, we're finding answers to these problems. Airborne lead and acid rain have been dramatically reduced. Industrial water pollution has decreased. Habitats are being preserved.

Faculty members from the Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences at Duke University are part of the effort to help find these answers and establish new environmental practices and policies to safeguard our natural resources for generations to come.

To contact our experts or learn more about what we're doing in states across the nation, click on the state you're interested in.

Grasslands & Praries
Despite losing more than 82 percent of its original tallgrass prairies to farming and development, Kansas still has more tallgrass acreage than all other states combined. In fact, 80 percent of all remaining tallgrass prairies in North America are found in the state, and more than 500,000 acres are located in Greenwood County alone. These prairies provide many free services to the Sunflower State’s people and wildlife, include water and air purification, flood control, recreation, scenic beauty and habitat for endangered species.

James Clark is an expert on forest biodiversity and on the ecology of forests and grasslands.
tel:(919) 613-8036: e: jimclark@duke.edu

Research focus: Ecology of forests and grasslands, especially how they are affected by global climate change. Statistics and population genetics, as they relate to biodiversity.

Robert Jackson studies grassland responses to past and future atmospheric carbon dioxide, and ecosystem carbon loss caused by woody plant invasion of grasslands.
tel: (919) 660-7408: e: jackson@duke.edu

Research focus: Ecosystem functioning and feedbacks between global change and the biosphere. Atmospheric science, biodiversity, biogeochemistry, environmental chemistry, global climate change, land use and sprawl, soil science, terrestrial ecosystems, water and air resources.