Zhao Ma
Department:
Forestry and Natural Resources
Research:
My Human Dimensions Lab focuses on one overarching research question: How do individuals and organizations make environmental and natural resource decisions in the context of social-ecological change? We examine environmental and natural resource decision-making processes at multiple scales in multiple contexts, with a particular focus on how individuals and organizations make environmental and natural resource decisions in response to various ecological, climatic, social, economic, political, and cultural changes and how various environmental and natural resource decisions subsequently impact individuals, households, communities, organizations, and landscapes.
Current Projects:
1. Perceptions and management of soil contamination in urban farms in Indiana (PhD student: Nathan Shoaf) 2. Conservation-oriented adaptation to climate change in Rhode Island (PhD student: Mary Strickland) 3. Community forest restoration project in Hawaii (PhD student: Rebekah O'hara) 4. Purdue Climate Change Research Center (2021-2023). PI. Incorporating community agency in reducing uncontrolled wildfires (PhD student: Katy Dix) 5. Community revitalization in Areas of Concerns in the Great Lakes region (MS student: Isabelle Staph) 6. Delta Stewardship Council Delta Science Program (2021-2024). Co-PI. Integrating social and ecological research to control invasive species: Fostering collective action among private and public stakeholders (A collaborative grant with Suisun Resource Conservation District, Utah State University, Santa Clara University, Chapman University; post-doc: Vaish Tripuraneni) 7. USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station (2020-2023). PI. Oak ecosystem restoration on private lands across Chicago and the Driftless Area. 8. National Science Foundation, Geography and Spatial Sciences Program (2017-2022). PI. Co-producing environmental conservation and social equity: Is conditionality in Payments for Ecosystem Services a necessity or impediment? 9. Indiana Department of Natural Resources (2018-2022). Co-PI (PI: Rob Swihart). Integrated deer management in Indiana.
Contact:
Email: zhaoma@purdue.edu
Link: Website/profile of Zhao Ma