Research at the Earth Systems Research Center

For more than 30 years, the ESRC has been on the forefront of Earth science research, leading efforts that expand our global understanding of the Earth’s delicate systems and how they are changing. Our faculty are consistently cited in prestigious journals for their well-crafted research studies. But you’ll also find them in town halls, community centers, on the airwaves, and before students and members of Congress, translating their discoveries into what it means, why it’s important, and how it impacts us all.

Our research is supported by grants from NASANOAA, the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Forest Service (USDAFS), U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the State of New Hampshire.

Our Research Groups:

A Fire Plume. Part of the NOAA FIREX image collection
Atmospheric Chemistry

Studying gases and airborne particle movement and interactions

Photo of two people flying a drone with snow covered mountains in background.
Cold Regions, Hydrology, and Climate

Studying climate-induced changes to winter conditions and infrastructure

researchers taking forest measurements
Ecohydrology

Studying forest hydrology, ecophysiology, and biogeochemistry

single mushroom
Ecosystems and Fungi

Fungal symbioses rule the terrestrial world

Silhouette in front of UNH map
Geospatial Science Center

GIS, Remote Sensing, Web/Story Mapping, Database Management

earth
Global Ecology

Studying ecosystem responses and feedbacks to global change

granite geodata portal

NH GRANIT

NH Statewide GIS Clearinghouse

drone
Satellite, Airborne, and UAV Remote Sensing

Satellite, Airborne, and UAV Remote Sensing

Using spatial data to study the environment

snow covered field
Snow, Ice & Climate

Exploring cryosphere – climate interactions

forest
Terrestrial Ecosystems

Terrestrial Ecosystems

Ecology and biochemistry at local to regional scales 

field of flowers
Trace Gas Biogeochemistry

Understanding radiatively important gases and their sinks and sources

A rocky river in the White Mountains of New Hampshire
Water Systems Analysis Group

Exploring water in our world