Seeking to Stem the Tide
UNH researchers working to protect tidal marsh sparrows
Tidal marsh sparrows, tiny birds that nest in salt marshes, are threatened by sea-level rise and are a conservation priority in the coastal northeast. By understanding how they've adapted to the harsh environment of salt marshes, Adrienne Kovach, associate professor of natural resources and the environment, and her research team at the University of New Hampshire aim to protect tidal marsh... 
Research Snapshot: Early Birds
Protecting tidal marsh sparrows from sea level rise
On the edge of Great Bay at dawn, associate professor of natural resources and the environment Adrienne Kovach (right), master’s student Talia Kuras (left), and undergraduate researcher Margaret Yates ’23 walk carefully through a tidal marsh in Stratham, N.H. to study the tiny birds that live there.
“We are researching tidal marsh sparrows – birds that nest in tidal salt marshes – which are... 
Cohabitating with New England Cottontails
Habitat restoration for at-risk New England cottontail also benefits shrubland birds
Cohabitating Environments
Habitat specialist species are animals that require specific habitats and resources to survive and thrive. They differ from generalists that can live in multiple types of environments.
At-risk specialist species can benefit from surrogate species management. Surrogate species management refers to a conservation approach aimed at benefiting a broad suite of species... 
Oysters as Nitrogen Bioextractors
Research looks at using oysters to help remove nitrogen from NH’s Great Bay
An Estuary of National Significance
For years, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients have flowed in excess into the Great Bay estuary from direct, point-sources like wastewater treatment plants and indirect, non-point-sources like rain runoff from residential, urban and farming land located throughout the watershed. In large amounts, these elements can lead to eutrophication—an over-... 
Download the NHAES 2022 Inspired Horticultural Research Report today!
Learn about some of the latest NHAES research in horticulture and crop production
The latest edition of the NH Agricultural Experiment Station’s Inspired magazine and research report is here! The latest edition explores station research into horticulture management and the potential impacts to New Hampshire of growing new crops in the region and using new tools and practices in the growth and harvesting of favorite New England crops. Download and learn what's inside on our... 
Measuring Methane in Streams
New research highlights the role of small streams in the global methane cycle
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) states that methane is the second biggest contributor to global warming, after carbon dioxide. NOAA has tracked the amount of methane in our atmosphere since 1983; based on the annual increases in parts per billion (ppb) of methane in the atmosphere, they estimate that there’s 162 percent more methane today in our air than there was... 
CAREER Builders
Three faculty members receive prestigious NSF grants
Three UNH assistant professors have received prestigious Faculty Early Career Development Program, or CAREER, awards from the National Science Foundation. With the five-year grants, totaling $2.6 million, the researchers aim to improve how algebra is taught, enhance a computer-based method of machine learning and understand soil microbes in thawing permafrost. The awards, to Marek Petrik of... 
Forest Impacts
UNH Forestry Researchers Receive Grants to Study Issues Impacting Northern Forest Region
What impact do nonnative pests and diseases have on the vegetation of the Northern Forest? How will climate change impact the range of the northern red oak, especially within the Northern Forest?
These are two questions that University of New Hampshire scientists hope to answer with support from the U.S. Forest Service-funded Northeastern States Research Cooperative (NSRC) competitive grants... 
A Lifetime Achievement
COLSA Natural Resources & the Environment Professor Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from Geospatial Education Consortium AmericaView
Professor of Natural Resources and the Environment Russell Congalton has spent close to half a century researching and teaching geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing and geospatial technologies. During that time, he’s witnessed significant change – which is really just the nature of his work: identifying changing habitats and environments from imagery provided by satellites,... 
Microbial Ecologist Honored with CAREER Award
Funds to support research, teaching and outreach targeting soil microbes in thawing permafrost
The National Science Foundation (NSF) recently recognized Jessica Ernakovich, assistant professor of natural resources and the environment, with a prestigious $1.1 million CAREER award to continue her work building a research, teaching and outreach program focused on soil microbes in the Arctic’s permafrost. Ernakovich will study how the microbes behave as the permafrost thaws and how the rate of...