Sustainability Science

Introduction:

The study of sustainability science focuses on the ways in which human societies can operate over longer timescales, given the limitations of Earth’s raw materials and ecosystem services. Consistent with SMEA’s emphasis on human dimensions of global change, questions of sustainability are woven throughout SMEA courses, and throughout the research agendas of students and faculty alike. Relevant faculty research areas include management of common pool resources, the study of integrated human and ecological systems, and global change policy.

Faculty Active in this research area:

Please see individual faculty web pages for more about their work in this area.

Related SMEA courses:

  • SMEA 510: Topics in Marine Ecology
  • SMEA 550: Marine Biodiversity: Law, Science, and Policy
  • SMEA 591: Marine Science in the Coastal Zone

Examples of what MMA students do in this research area:

  • learn about processes that structure marine ecosystems, and how these processes are influenced by environmental change
  • gain statistical and analytical skills relevant to the study of marine ecosystems
  • explore the growing field of marine ecosystem management
  • learn how policies can be applied at the scale of ecosystems
  • learn how to apply resilience thinking to the management of marine and coastal ecosystems

Examples of related MMA student theses:

  • Pucylowski, Teressa. 2017. Life Cycle Assessment of Oyster Farming in Washington State.
  • McTiernan, Kaylie. 2018. Tidal Energy Scenario Analysis: Holistic Considerations for Sustainable Development.
  • Bowser, Colin. 2019. Triple Bottom Line Thinking and the California Coastal Commission.
  • Montgomery, Sarah. 2020. Eulachon Ocean Ecology: Developing a Model for Abundance.

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