Research - Natural Resource Social Science

Studying the social, political, and economic implications of alternative public policies with regard to the protection, management, and use of natural resources. The awareness, attitudes and behaviors of individuals and groups as these related to natural resources management are also explored.

Faculty:
Dr. Zhao Ma
Natural resource decision making by individual and organizational actors in the context of social-ecological change.

Dr. Linda Prokopy
The role and processes of stakeholder involvement in land use planning in Indiana, consensus building, social indicators in watershed projects.<

Dr. Mo Zhou
Information to come soon.

Areas of Specialization:

  • Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
  • Natural Resource Policy
  • Natural Resource Planning
  • Natural Resource Economics
  • Natural Resource Decision Making
  • Forest Economics

Learn More About Our Research

View our nine research areas along with our world-class faculty.

Purdue centers seek to support and enhance the research and partnership enterprise at Purdue University. The centers are valued and encouraged at Purdue as they create a venue for faculty to come together to pursue common goals. Forestry and Natural Resources have faculty and staff involved in six centers here at the University.

The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources maintains an impressive collection of state-of-the-art research and education facilities. These labs, green houses, and educational facilities are a fundamental component that enables our faculty and students to learn, make new discoveries, and engage our clients in using these discoveries to sustain our nation’s ecosystems and natural resources.​

The mission of the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources is to develop and disseminate knowledge in the natural resource sciences associated with the protection, management, and sustainable use of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. One way the department accomplishes our mission is by owning and managing 24 properties located throughout the state to provide opportunities for research, extension, and education that achieves sustainable use of our natural resources.

See Our Natural Resource Social Science Research Stories

One of the locations in Bolivia with Drs. Bauchet and Ma do their research
Researchers Aim to Solve Conservation Program Participation Puzzle

Drs. Jonathan Bauchet and Zhao Ma are studying the puzzle of participation in Payment for...

Read More
Katy Dix at Yaxha Ruin in Guatemala
Dix Receives D. Woods Thomas Award to Fund Research in Guatemala

Katy Dix, a PhD student in Dr. Zhao Ma’s Human Dimensions Lab, was named as a recipient of...

Read More
A weather station at Martell Forest, an American marten, alumna Zoe Alameida, a long-tailed salamander
FNR Year in Review 2022: The Research and Outreach

In this segment of the FNR 2022 Year in Review, we take a look at the research advances,...

Read More
Dr. Zhao Ma teaching
Ma Earns Research Excellence Award from HDGC Specialty Group

Dr. Zhao Ma will receive the Human Dimensions of Global Change (HDGC) Specialty Group’s...

Read More
Dr. Zhao Ma
Zhao Ma Named Unsung Diversity Hero

Dr. Zhao Ma, professor of natural resource social science, was named as the 2023 faculty...

Read More
A map of trees of the world and a photo  of black vultures eating
2021 Year in Review: The Research

Despite challenges due to COVID-19 limitations, research and outreach continued in Forestry and...

Read More