The research interests of this group involve understanding human impact and use of the environment from a variety of disciplinary perspectives that span the natural, physical and social sciences.

Specific areas of research include geographic information systems and remote sensing, environmental change, urban planning, rural policy and planning, environmental conservation and landscape studies. The sustainable development of marine fisheries and forestry are two particularly important areas of research along with the development of technology surrounding the production and use of biofuels from microalgae and non-food crops.