research topics in environmental science pdf

Research Topics & Ideas: Environment

100+ Environmental Science Research Topics & Ideas

Finding and choosing a strong research topic is the critical first step when it comes to crafting a high-quality dissertation, thesis or research project. Here, we’ll explore a variety research ideas and topic thought-starters related to various environmental science disciplines, including ecology, oceanography, hydrology, geology, soil science, environmental chemistry, environmental economics, and environmental ethics.

NB – This is just the start…

The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps . In this post, we’ll kickstart the process by sharing some research topic ideas within the environmental sciences. This is the starting point though. To develop a well-defined research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , along with a well-justified plan of action to fill that gap.

If you’re new to the oftentimes perplexing world of research, or if this is your first time undertaking a formal academic research project, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course. Also be sure to also sign up for our free webinar that explores how to develop a high-quality research topic from scratch.

Overview: Environmental Topics

• Ecology /ecological science
• Atmospheric science
• Oceanography
• Soil science
• Environmental chemistry
• Environmental economics
• Environmental ethics
• Examples  of dissertations and theses

Topics & Ideas: Ecological Science

• The impact of land-use change on species diversity and ecosystem functioning in agricultural landscapes
• The role of disturbances such as fire and drought in shaping arid ecosystems
• The impact of climate change on the distribution of migratory marine species
• Investigating the role of mutualistic plant-insect relationships in maintaining ecosystem stability
• The effects of invasive plant species on ecosystem structure and function
• The impact of habitat fragmentation caused by road construction on species diversity and population dynamics in the tropics
• The role of ecosystem services in urban areas and their economic value to a developing nation
• The effectiveness of different grassland restoration techniques in degraded ecosystems
• The impact of land-use change through agriculture and urbanisation on soil microbial communities in a temperate environment
• The role of microbial diversity in ecosystem health and nutrient cycling in an African savannah

Topics & Ideas: Atmospheric Science

• The impact of climate change on atmospheric circulation patterns above tropical rainforests
• The role of atmospheric aerosols in cloud formation and precipitation above cities with high pollution levels
• The impact of agricultural land-use change on global atmospheric composition
• Investigating the role of atmospheric convection in severe weather events in the tropics
• The impact of urbanisation on regional and global atmospheric ozone levels
• The impact of sea surface temperature on atmospheric circulation and tropical cyclones
• The impact of solar flares on the Earth’s atmospheric composition
• The impact of climate change on atmospheric turbulence and air transportation safety
• The impact of stratospheric ozone depletion on atmospheric circulation and climate change
• The role of atmospheric rivers in global water supply and sea-ice formation

Topics & Ideas: Oceanography

• The impact of ocean acidification on kelp forests and biogeochemical cycles
• The role of ocean currents in distributing heat and regulating desert rain
• The impact of carbon monoxide pollution on ocean chemistry and biogeochemical cycles
• Investigating the role of ocean mixing in regulating coastal climates
• The impact of sea level rise on the resource availability of low-income coastal communities
• The impact of ocean warming on the distribution and migration patterns of marine mammals
• The impact of ocean deoxygenation on biogeochemical cycles in the arctic
• The role of ocean-atmosphere interactions in regulating rainfall in arid regions
• The impact of ocean eddies on global ocean circulation and plankton distribution
• The role of ocean-ice interactions in regulating the Earth’s climate and sea level

Tops & Ideas: Hydrology

• The impact of agricultural land-use change on water resources and hydrologic cycles in temperate regions
• The impact of agricultural groundwater availability on irrigation practices in the global south
• The impact of rising sea-surface temperatures on global precipitation patterns and water availability
• Investigating the role of wetlands in regulating water resources for riparian forests
• The impact of tropical ranches on river and stream ecosystems and water quality
• The impact of urbanisation on regional and local hydrologic cycles and water resources for agriculture
• The role of snow cover and mountain hydrology in regulating regional agricultural water resources
• The impact of drought on food security in arid and semi-arid regions
• The role of groundwater recharge in sustaining water resources in arid and semi-arid environments
• The impact of sea level rise on coastal hydrology and the quality of water resources

Topics & Ideas: Geology

• The impact of tectonic activity on the East African rift valley
• The role of mineral deposits in shaping ancient human societies
• The impact of sea-level rise on coastal geomorphology and shoreline evolution
• Investigating the role of erosion in shaping the landscape and impacting desertification
• The impact of mining on soil stability and landslide potential
• The impact of volcanic activity on incoming solar radiation and climate
• The role of geothermal energy in decarbonising the energy mix of megacities
• The impact of Earth’s magnetic field on geological processes and solar wind
• The impact of plate tectonics on the evolution of mammals
• The role of the distribution of mineral resources in shaping human societies and economies, with emphasis on sustainability

Topics & Ideas: Soil Science

• The impact of dam building on soil quality and fertility
• The role of soil organic matter in regulating nutrient cycles in agricultural land
• The impact of climate change on soil erosion and soil organic carbon storage in peatlands
• Investigating the role of above-below-ground interactions in nutrient cycling and soil health
• The impact of deforestation on soil degradation and soil fertility
• The role of soil texture and structure in regulating water and nutrient availability in boreal forests
• The impact of sustainable land management practices on soil health and soil organic matter
• The impact of wetland modification on soil structure and function
• The role of soil-atmosphere exchange and carbon sequestration in regulating regional and global climate
• The impact of salinization on soil health and crop productivity in coastal communities

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Chemistry

• The impact of cobalt mining on water quality and the fate of contaminants in the environment
• The role of atmospheric chemistry in shaping air quality and climate change
• The impact of soil chemistry on nutrient availability and plant growth in wheat monoculture
• Investigating the fate and transport of heavy metal contaminants in the environment
• The impact of climate change on biochemical cycling in tropical rainforests
• The impact of various types of land-use change on biochemical cycling
• The role of soil microbes in mediating contaminant degradation in the environment
• The impact of chemical and oil spills on freshwater and soil chemistry
• The role of atmospheric nitrogen deposition in shaping water and soil chemistry
• The impact of over-irrigation on the cycling and fate of persistent organic pollutants in the environment

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Economics

• The impact of climate change on the economies of developing nations
• The role of market-based mechanisms in promoting sustainable use of forest resources
• The impact of environmental regulations on economic growth and competitiveness
• Investigating the economic benefits and costs of ecosystem services for African countries
• The impact of renewable energy policies on regional and global energy markets
• The role of water markets in promoting sustainable water use in southern Africa
• The impact of land-use change in rural areas on regional and global economies
• The impact of environmental disasters on local and national economies
• The role of green technologies and innovation in shaping the zero-carbon transition and the knock-on effects for local economies
• The impact of environmental and natural resource policies on income distribution and poverty of rural communities

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Ethics

• The ethical foundations of environmentalism and the environmental movement regarding renewable energy
• The role of values and ethics in shaping environmental policy and decision-making in the mining industry
• The impact of cultural and religious beliefs on environmental attitudes and behaviours in first world countries
• Investigating the ethics of biodiversity conservation and the protection of endangered species in palm oil plantations
• The ethical implications of sea-level rise for future generations and vulnerable coastal populations
• The role of ethical considerations in shaping sustainable use of natural forest resources
• The impact of environmental justice on marginalized communities and environmental policies in Asia
• The ethical implications of environmental risks and decision-making under uncertainty
• The role of ethics in shaping the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable future for the construction industry
• The impact of environmental values on consumer behaviour and the marketplace: a case study of the ‘bring your own shopping bag’ policy

Examples: Real Dissertation & Thesis Topics

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various environmental science-related degree programs to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

• The physiology of microorganisms in enhanced biological phosphorous removal (Saunders, 2014)
• The influence of the coastal front on heavy rainfall events along the east coast (Henson, 2019)
• Forage production and diversification for climate-smart tropical and temperate silvopastures (Dibala, 2019)
• Advancing spectral induced polarization for near surface geophysical characterization (Wang, 2021)
• Assessment of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter and Thamnocephalus platyurus as Tools to Monitor Cyanobacterial Bloom Development and Toxicity (Hipsher, 2019)
• Evaluating the Removal of Microcystin Variants with Powdered Activated Carbon (Juang, 2020)
• The effect of hydrological restoration on nutrient concentrations, macroinvertebrate communities, and amphibian populations in Lake Erie coastal wetlands (Berg, 2019)
• Utilizing hydrologic soil grouping to estimate corn nitrogen rate recommendations (Bean, 2019)
• Fungal Function in House Dust and Dust from the International Space Station (Bope, 2021)
• Assessing Vulnerability and the Potential for Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in Sudan’s Blue Nile Basin (Mohamed, 2022)
• A Microbial Water Quality Analysis of the Recreational Zones in the Los Angeles River of Elysian Valley, CA (Nguyen, 2019)
• Dry Season Water Quality Study on Three Recreational Sites in the San Gabriel Mountains (Vallejo, 2019)
• Wastewater Treatment Plan for Unix Packaging Adjustment of the Potential Hydrogen (PH) Evaluation of Enzymatic Activity After the Addition of Cycle Disgestase Enzyme (Miessi, 2020)
• Laying the Genetic Foundation for the Conservation of Longhorn Fairy Shrimp (Kyle, 2021).

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are quite specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. To create a top-notch research topic, you will need to be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you’ll need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.

Need more help?

If you’re still feeling a bit unsure about how to find a research topic for your environmental science dissertation or research project, be sure to check out our private coaching services below, as well as our Research Topic Kickstarter .

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50 Best Environmental Science Research Topics

May 31, 2023

Environmental science is a varied discipline that encompasses a variety of subjects, including ecology, atmospheric science, and geology among others. Professionals within this field can pursue many occupations from lab technicians and agricultural engineers to park rangers and environmental lawyers. However, what unites these careers is their focus on how the natural world and the human world interact and impact the surrounding environment. There is also one other significant commonality among environmental science careers: virtually all of them either engage in or rely on research on environmental science topics to ensure their work is accurate and up to date.

In this post, we’ll outline some of the best environmental science research topics to help you explore disciplines within environmental science and kickstart your own research. If you are considering majoring in environmental science or perhaps just need help brainstorming for a research paper, this post will give you a broad sense of timely environmental science research topics.

What makes a research topic good?

Before we dive into specific environmental science research topics, let’s first cover the basics: what qualities make for a viable research topic. Research is the process of collecting information to make discoveries and reach new conclusions. We often think of research as something that occurs in academic or scientific settings. However, everyone engages in informal research in everyday life, from reading product reviews to investigating statistics for admitted students at prospective colleges . While we all conduct research in our day-to-day lives, formal academic research is necessary to advance discoveries and scholarly discourses. Therefore, in this setting, good research hinges on a topic in which there are unanswered questions or ongoing debates. In other words, meaningful research focuses on topics where you can say something new.

However, identifying an interesting research topic is only the first step in the research process. Research topics tend to be broad in scope. Strong research is dependent on developing a specific research question, meaning the query your project will seek to answer. While there are no comprehensive guidelines for research questions, most scholars agree that research questions should be:

1) Specific

Research questions need to clearly identify and define the focus of your research. Without sufficient detail, your research will likely be too broad or imprecise in focus to yield meaningful insights. For example, you might initially be interested in addressing this question: How should governments address the effects of climate change? While that is a worthwhile question to investigate, it’s not clear enough to facilitate meaningful research. What level of government is this question referring to? And what specific effects of global warming will this research focus on? You would need to revise this question to provide a clearer focus for your research. A revised version of this question might look like this: How can state government officials in Florida best mitigate the effects of sea-level rise?

Our interest in a given topic often starts quite broad. However, it is difficult to produce meaningful, thorough research on a broad topic. For that reason, it is important that research questions be narrow in scope, focusing on a specific issue or subtopic. For example, one of the more timely environmental science topics is renewable energy. A student who is just learning about this topic might wish to write a research paper on the following question: Which form of renewable energy is best? However, that would be a difficult question to answer in one paper given the various ways in which an energy source could be “best.” Instead, this student might narrow their focus, assessing renewable energy sources through a more specific lens: Which form of renewable energy is best for job creation?

 3) Complex

As we previously discussed, good research leads to new discoveries. These lines of inquiry typically require a complicated and open-ended research question. A question that can be answered with just a “yes” or “no” (or a quick Google search) is likely indicative of a topic in which additional research is unnecessary (i.e. there is no ongoing debate) or a topic that is not well defined. For example, the following question would likely be too simple for academic research: What is environmental justice? You can look up a definition of environmental justice online. You would need to ask a more complex question to sustain a meaningful research project. Instead, you might conduct research on the following query: Which environmental issue(s) disproportionately impact impoverished communities in the Pacific Northwest? This question is narrower and more specific, while also requiring more complex thought and analysis to answer.

4) Debatable

Again, strong research provides new answers and information, which means that they must be situated within topics or discourses where there is ongoing debate. If a research question can only lead to one natural conclusion, that may indicate that it has already been sufficiently addressed in prior research or that the question is leading. For example, Are invasive species bad? is not a very debatable question (the answer is in the term “invasive species”!). A paper that focused on this question would essentially define and provide examples of invasive species (i.e. information that is already well documented). Instead, a researcher might investigate the effects of a specific invasive species. For example: How have Burmese pythons impacted ecosystems in the Everglades, and what mitigation strategies are most effective to reduce Burmese python populations?

Therefore, research topics, including environmental science topics, are those about which there are ample questions yet to be definitively answered. Taking time to develop a thoughtful research question will provide the necessary focus and structure to facilitate meaningful research.

10 Great Environmental Science Research Topics (With Explanations!)

Now that we have a basic understanding of what qualities can make or break a research topic, we can return to our focus on environmental science topics. Although “great” research topics are somewhat subjective, we believe the following topics provide excellent foundations for research due to ongoing debates in these areas, as well as the urgency of the challenges they seek to address.

1) Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

Although climate change is now a well-known concept , there is still much to be learned about how humans can best mitigate and adapt to its effects. Mitigation involves reducing the severity of climate change. However, there are a variety of ways mitigation can occur, from switching to electric vehicles to enforcing carbon taxes on corporations that produce the highest carbon emission levels. Many of these environmental science topics intersect with issues of public policy and economics, making them very nuanced and versatile.

In comparison, climate change adaptation considers how humans can adjust to life in an evolving climate where issues such as food insecurity, floods, droughts, and other severe weather events are more frequent. Research on climate change adaptation is particularly fascinating due to the various levels at which it occurs, from federal down to local governments, to help communities anticipate and adjust to the effects of climate change.

Both climate change mitigation and adaptation represent excellent environmental science research topics as there is still much to be learned to address this issue and its varied effects.

2) Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is another fairly mainstream topic in which there is much to learn and research. Although scientists have identified many forms of sustainable energy, such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power, questions remain about how to best implement these energy sources. How can politicians, world leaders, and communities advance renewable energy through public policy? What impact will renewable energy have on local and national economies? And how can we minimize the environmental impact of renewable energy technologies? While we have identified alternatives to fossil fuels, questions persist about the best way to utilize these technologies, making renewable energy one of the best environmental science topics to research.

3) Conservation

Conservation is a broad topic within environmental science, focusing on issues such as preserving environments and protecting endangered species. However, conservation efforts are more challenging than ever in the face of a growing world population and climate change. In fact, some scientists theorize that we are currently in the middle of a sixth mass extinction event. While these issues might seem dire, we need scientists to conduct research on conservation efforts for specific species, as well as entire ecosystems, to help combat these challenges and preserve the planet’s biodiversity.

4) Deforestation

The Save the Rainforest movement of the 1980s and 90s introduced many people to the issue of deforestation. Today, the problems associated with deforestation, such as reduced biodiversity and soil erosion, are fairly common knowledge. However, these challenges persist due, in part, to construction and agricultural development projects. While we know the effects of deforestation, it is more difficult to identify and implement feasible solutions. This is particularly true in developing countries where deforestation is often more prevalent due to political, environmental, and economic factors. Environmental science research can help reduce deforestation by identifying strategies to help countries sustainably manage their natural resources.

Environmental Science Topics (Continued)

5) urban ecology.

When we think of “the environment,” our brains often conjure up images of majestic mountain ranges and lush green forests. However, less “natural” environments also warrant study: this is where urban ecology comes in. Urban ecology is the study of how organisms interact with one another and their environment in urban settings. Through urban ecology, researchers can address topics such as how greenspaces in cities can reduce air pollution, or how local governments can adopt more effective waste management practices. As one of the newer environmental science topics, urban ecology represents an exciting research area that can help humans live more sustainably.

6) Environmental Justice

While environmental issues such as climate change impact people on a global scale, not all communities are affected equally. For example, wealthy nations tend to contribute more to greenhouse-gas emissions. However, less developed nations are disproportionately bearing the brunt of climate change . Studies within the field of environmental justice seek to understand how issues such as race, national origin, and income impact the degree to which people experience hardships from environmental issues. Researchers in this field not only document these inequities, but also identify ways in which environmental justice can be achieved. As a result, their work helps communities have access to clean, safe environments in which they can thrive.

7) Water Management

Water is, of course, necessary for life, which is why water management is so important within environmental science research topics. Water management research ensures that water resources are appropriately identified and maintained to meet demand. However, climate change has heightened the need for water management research, due to the occurrence of more severe droughts and wildfires. As a result, water management research is necessary to ensure water is clean and accessible.

8) Pollution and Bioremediation

Another impact of the increase in human population and development is heightened air, water, and soil pollution. Environmental scientists study pollutants to understand how they work and where they originate. Through their research, they can identify solutions to help address pollution, such as bioremediation, which is the use of microorganisms to consume and break down pollutants. Collectively, research on pollution and bioremediation helps us restore environments so they are sufficient for human, animal, and plant life.

9) Disease Ecology

While environmental science topics impact the health of humans, we don’t always think of this discipline as intersecting with medicine. But, believe it or not, they can sometimes overlap! Disease ecology examines how ecological processes and interactions impact disease evolution. For example, malaria is a disease that is highly dependent on ecological variables, such as temperature and precipitation. Both of these factors can help or hinder the breeding of mosquitoes and, therefore, the transmission of malaria. The risk of infectious diseases is likely to increase due to climate change , making disease ecology an important research topic.

10) Ecosystems Ecology

If nothing else, the aforementioned topics and their related debates showcase just how interconnected the world is. None of us live in a vacuum: our environment affects us just as we affect it. That makes ecosystems ecology, which examines how ecosystems operate and interact, an evergreen research topic within environmental science.

40 More Environmental Science Research Topics

Still haven’t stumbled upon the right environmental science research topic? The following ideas may help spark some inspiration:

• The effects of agricultural land use on biodiversity and ecosystems.
• The impact of invasive plant species on ecosystems.
• How wildfires and droughts shape ecosystems.
• The role of fire ecology in addressing wildfire threats.
• The impact of coral bleaching on biodiversity.
• Ways to minimize the environmental impact of clean energies.
• The effects of climate change on ocean currents and migration patterns of marine species.

Environmental Justice and Public Policy

• Opportunities to equalize the benefits of greenspaces for impoverished and marginalized communities.
• The impact of natural disasters on human migration patterns.
• The role of national parks and nature reserves in human health.
• How to address inequalities in the impact of air pollution.
• How to prevent and address the looming climate refugee crisis.
• Environmentally and economically sustainable alternatives to deforestation in less developed countries.
• Effects of environmental policies and regulations on impoverished communities.
• The role of pollutants in endocrine disruption.
• The effects of climate change on the emergence of infectious diseases.

AP Environmental Science Research Topics (Continued)

Soil science.

• Effects of climate change on soil erosion.
• The role of land management in maintaining soil health.
• Agricultural effects of salinization in coastal areas.
• The effects of climate change on agriculture.

Urban Ecology

• How road construction impacts biodiversity and ecosystems.
• The effects of urbanization and city planning on water cycles.
• Impacts of noise pollution on human health.
• The role of city planning in reducing light pollution.

Pollution and Bioremediation

• The role of bioremediation in removing “forever” chemicals from the environment.
• Impacts of air pollution on maternal health.
• How to improve plastic recycling processes.
• Individual measures to reduce consumption and creation of microplastics.
• Environmental impacts of and alternatives to fracking.

Environmental Law and Ethics

• Ethical implications of human intervention in the preservation of endangered species.
• The efficacy and impact of single-use plastic laws.
• Effects of religious and cultural values in environmental beliefs.
• The ethics of climate change policy for future generations.
• Ethical implications of international environmental regulations for less developed countries.
• The impact and efficacy of corporate carbon taxes.
• Ethical and environmental implications of fast fashion.
• The ethics and efficacy of green consumerism.
• Impacts of the hospitality and travel industries on pollution and emissions.
• The ethical implications of greenwashing in marketing.
• Effects of “Right to Repair” laws on pollution.

Final Thoughts: Environmental Science Research Topics

Environmental science is a diverse and very important area of study that impacts all aspects of life on Earth. If you’ve found a topic you’d like to pursue, it’s time to hit the books (or online databases)! Begin reading broadly on your chosen topic so you can define a specific research question. If you’re unsure where to begin, contact a research librarian who can connect you with pertinent resources. As you familiarize yourself with the discourse surrounding your topic, consider what questions spring to mind. Those questions may represent gaps around which you can craft a research question.

Interested in conducting academic research? Check out the following resources for information on research opportunities and programs:

• Research Opportunities for High School Students
• Colleges with the Best Undergraduate Research Programs
• College Success
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Emily Smith

Emily earned a BA in English and Communication Studies from UNC Chapel Hill and an MA in English from Wake Forest University. While at UNC and Wake Forest, she served as a tutor and graduate assistant in each school’s writing center, where she worked with undergraduate and graduate students from all academic backgrounds. She also worked as an editorial intern for the Wake Forest University Press as well as a visiting lecturer in the Department of English at WFU, and currently works as a writing center director in western North Carolina.

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2019 Best Papers published in the Environmental Science journals of the Royal Society of Chemistry

In 2019, the Royal Society of Chemistry published 180, 196 and 293 papers in Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts , Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology , and Environmental Science: Nano , respectively. These papers covered a wide range of topics in environmental science, from biogeochemical cycling to water reuse to nanomaterial toxicity. And, yes, we also published papers on the topic of the environmental fate, behavior, and inactivation of viruses. 1–10 We are extremely grateful that so many authors have chosen our journals as outlets for publishing their research and are equally delighted at the high quality of the papers that we have had the privilege to publish.

Our Associate Editors, Editorial Boards, and Advisory Boards were enlisted to nominate and select the best papers from 2019. From this list, the three Editors-in-Chief selected an overall best paper from the entire Environmental Science portfolio. It is our pleasure to present the winners of the Best Papers in 2019 to you, our readers.

Overall Best Paper

In this paper, Johansson et al. examine sea spray aerosol as a potential transport vehicle for perfluoroalkyl carboxylic and sulfonic acids. The surfactant properties of these compounds are well known and, in fact, key to many of the technical applications for which they are used. The fact that these compounds are enriched at the air–water interface makes enrichment in sea spray aerosols seem reasonable. Johansson et al. systematically tested various perfluoroalkyl acids enrichment in aerosols under conditions relevant to sea spray formation, finding that longer chain lengths lead to higher aerosol enrichment factors. They augmented their experimental work with a global model, which further bolstered the conclusion that global transport of perfluoroalkyl acids by sea spray aerosol is and will continue to be an important process in determining the global distribution of these compounds.

Journal Best Papers

Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts

First Runner-up Best Paper: Yamakawa, Takami, Takeda, Kato, Kajii, Emerging investigator series: investigation of mercury emission sources using Hg isotopic compositions of atmospheric mercury at the Cape Hedo Atmosphere and Aerosol Monitoring Station (CHAAMS), Japan , Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts , 2019, 21 , 809–818, DOI: 10.1039/C8EM00590G .

Second Runner-up Best Paper: Avery, Waring, DeCarlo, Seasonal variation in aerosol composition and concentration upon transport from the outdoor to indoor environment , Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts , 2019, 21 , 528–547, DOI: 10.1039/C8EM00471D .

Best Review Article: Cousins, Ng, Wang, Scheringer, Why is high persistence alone a major cause of concern? Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts , 2019, 21 , 781–792, DOI: 10.1039/C8EM00515J .

Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology

First Runner-up Best Paper: Yang, Lin, Tse, Dong, Yu, Hoffmann, Membrane-separated electrochemical latrine wastewater treatment , Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol. , 2019, 5 , 51–59, DOI: 10.1039/C8EW00698A .

Second Runner-up Best Paper: Genter, Marks, Clair-Caliot, Mugume, Johnston, Bain, Julian, Evaluation of the novel substrate RUG™ for the detection of Escherichia coli in water from temperate (Zurich, Switzerland) and tropical (Bushenyi, Uganda) field sites , Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol. , 2019, 5 , 1082–1091, DOI: 10.1039/C9EW00138G .

Best Review Article: Okoffo, O’Brien, O’Brien, Tscharke, Thomas, Wastewater treatment plants as a source of plastics in the environment: a review of occurrence, methods for identification, quantification and fate , Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol. , 2019, 5 , 1908–1931, DOI: 10.1039/C9EW00428A .

Environmental Science: Nano

First Runner-up Best Paper: Janković, Plata, Engineered nanomaterials in the context of global element cycles , Environ. Sci.: Nano , 2019, 6 , 2697–2711, DOI: 10.1039/C9EN00322C .

Second Runner-up Best Paper: González-Pleiter, Tamayo-Belda, Pulido-Reyes, Amariei, Leganés, Rosal, Fernández-Piñas, Secondary nanoplastics released from a biodegradable microplastic severely impact freshwater environments , Environ. Sci.: Nano , 2019, 6 , 1382–1392, DOI: 10.1039/C8EN01427B .

Best Review Article: Lv, Christie, Zhang, Uptake, translocation, and transformation of metal-based nanoparticles in plants: recent advances and methodological challenges , Environ. Sci.: Nano , 2019, 6 , 41–59, DOI: 10.1039/C8EN00645H .

Congratulations to the authors of these papers and a hearty thanks to all of our authors. As one can clearly see from the papers listed above, environmental science is a global effort and we are thrilled to have contributions from around the world. In these challenging times, we are proud to publish research that is not only great science, but also relevant to the health of the environment and the public. Finally, we also wish to extend our thanks to our community of editors, reviewers, and readers. We look forward to another outstanding year of Environmental Science , reading the work generated not just from our offices at home, but also from back in our laboratories and the field.

Kris McNeill, Editor-in-Chief

Paige Novak, Editor-in-Chief

Peter Vikesland, Editor-in-Chief

• A. B Boehm, Risk-based water quality thresholds for coliphages in surface waters: effect of temperature and contamination aging, Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts , 2019, 21 , 2031–2041,   10.1039/C9EM00376B .
• L. Cai, C. Liu, G. Fan, C Liu and X. Sun, Preventing viral disease by ZnONPs through directly deactivating TMV and activating plant immunity in Nicotiana benthamiana , Environ. Sci.: Nano , 2019, 6 , 3653–3669,   10.1039/C9EN00850K .
• L. W. Gassie, J. D. Englehardt, N. E. Brinkman, J. Garland and M. K. Perera, Ozone-UV net-zero water wash station for remote emergency response healthcare units: design, operation, and results, Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol. , 2019, 5 , 1971–1984,   10.1039/C9EW00126C .
• L. M. Hornstra, T. Rodrigues da Silva, B. Blankert, L. Heijnen, E. Beerendonk, E. R. Cornelissen and G. Medema, Monitoring the integrity of reverse osmosis membranes using novel indigenous freshwater viruses and bacteriophages, Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol. , 2019, 5 , 1535–1544,   10.1039/C9EW00318E .
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Home » 500+ Environmental Research Topics

500+ Environmental Research Topics

Environmental research is a crucial area of study in today’s world, as we face an increasing number of complex and pressing environmental challenges. From climate change to pollution, biodiversity loss to natural resource depletion, there is an urgent need for scientific inquiry and investigation to inform policy, decision-making, and action. Environmental research encompasses a broad range of disciplines, including ecology, biology , geology, chemistry , and physics , among others, and explores a diverse array of topics , from ocean acidification to sustainable agriculture. Through rigorous scientific inquiry and a commitment to generating evidence-based solutions, environmental research plays a vital role in promoting the health and well-being of our planet and its inhabitants. In this article, we will cover some trending Environmental Research Topics.

Environmental Research Topics

Environmental Research Topics are as follows:

• Climate change and its impacts on ecosystems and society
• The effectiveness of carbon capture and storage technology
• The role of biodiversity in maintaining healthy ecosystems
• The impact of human activity on soil quality
• The impact of plastic pollution on marine life
• The effectiveness of renewable energy sources
• The impact of deforestation on local communities and wildlife
• The relationship between air pollution and human health
• The impact of agricultural practices on soil erosion
• The effectiveness of conservation measures for endangered species
• The impact of overfishing on marine ecosystems
• The role of wetlands in mitigating climate change
• The impact of oil spills on marine ecosystems
• The impact of urbanization on local ecosystems
• The impact of climate change on global food security
• The effectiveness of water conservation measures
• The impact of pesticide use on pollinators
• The impact of acid rain on aquatic ecosystems
• The impact of sea level rise on coastal communities
• The effectiveness of carbon taxes in reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• The impact of habitat destruction on migratory species
• The impact of invasive species on native ecosystems
• The role of national parks in biodiversity conservation
• The impact of climate change on coral reefs
• The effectiveness of green roofs in reducing urban heat island effect
• The impact of noise pollution on wildlife behavior
• The impact of air pollution on crop yields
• The effectiveness of composting in reducing organic waste
• The impact of climate change on the Arctic ecosystem
• The impact of land use change on soil carbon sequestration
• The role of mangroves in coastal protection and carbon sequestration
• The impact of microplastics on marine ecosystems
• The impact of ocean acidification on marine organisms
• The effectiveness of carbon offsets in reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• The impact of deforestation on climate regulation
• The impact of groundwater depletion on agriculture
• The impact of climate change on migratory bird populations
• The effectiveness of wind turbines in reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• The impact of urbanization on bird diversity
• The impact of climate change on ocean currents
• The impact of drought on plant and animal populations
• The effectiveness of agroforestry in improving soil quality
• The impact of climate change on water availability
• The impact of wildfires on carbon storage in forests
• The impact of climate change on freshwater ecosystems
• The effectiveness of green energy subsidies
• The impact of nitrogen pollution on aquatic ecosystems
• The impact of climate change on forest ecosystems
• The effectiveness of community-based conservation initiatives
• The impact of climate change on the water cycle
• The impact of mining activities on local ecosystems
• The impact of wind energy on bird and bat populations
• The effectiveness of bioremediation in cleaning up contaminated soil and water
• The impact of deforestation on local climate patterns
• The impact of climate change on insect populations
• The impact of agricultural runoff on freshwater ecosystems
• The effectiveness of smart irrigation systems in reducing water use
• The impact of ocean currents on marine biodiversity
• The impact of climate change on wetland ecosystems
• The effectiveness of green buildings in reducing energy use
• The impact of climate change on glacier retreat and sea level rise
• The impact of light pollution on nocturnal wildlife behavior
• The impact of climate change on desert ecosystems
• The effectiveness of electric vehicles in reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• The impact of ocean pollution on human health
• The impact of land use change on water quality
• The impact of urbanization on bird populations
• The impact of oil spills on marine ecosystems and wildlife
• The effectiveness of green energy storage technologies in promoting renewable energy use
• The impact of climate change on freshwater availability and water management
• The impact of industrial pollution on air quality and human health
• The effectiveness of urban green spaces in promoting human health and well-being
• The impact of climate change on snow cover and winter tourism
• The impact of agricultural land use on biodiversity and ecosystem services
• The effectiveness of green incentives in promoting sustainable consumer behavior
• The impact of ocean acidification on shellfish and mollusk populations
• The impact of climate change on river flow and flooding
• The effectiveness of green supply chain management in promoting sustainable production
• The impact of noise pollution on avian communication and behavior
• The impact of climate change on arctic ecosystems and wildlife
• The effectiveness of green marketing in promoting sustainable tourism
• The impact of microplastics on marine food webs and human health
• The impact of climate change on invasive species distributions
• The effectiveness of green infrastructure in promoting sustainable urban development
• The impact of plastic pollution on human health and food safety
• The impact of climate change on soil microbial communities and nutrient cycling
• The effectiveness of green technologies in promoting sustainable industrial production
• The impact of climate change on permafrost thaw and methane emissions
• The impact of deforestation on water quality and quantity
• The effectiveness of green certification schemes in promoting sustainable production and consumption
• The impact of noise pollution on terrestrial ecosystems and wildlife
• The impact of climate change on bird migration patterns
• The effectiveness of green waste management in promoting sustainable resource use
• The impact of climate change on insect populations and ecosystem services
• The impact of plastic pollution on human society and culture
• The effectiveness of green finance in promoting sustainable development goals
• The impact of climate change on marine biodiversity hotspots
• The impact of climate change on natural disasters and disaster risk reduction
• The effectiveness of green urban planning in promoting sustainable cities and communities
• The impact of deforestation on soil carbon storage and climate change
• The impact of noise pollution on human communication and behavior
• The effectiveness of green energy policy in promoting renewable energy use
• The impact of climate change on Arctic sea ice and wildlife
• The impact of agricultural practices on soil quality and ecosystem health
• The effectiveness of green taxation in promoting sustainable behavior
• The impact of plastic pollution on freshwater ecosystems and wildlife
• The impact of climate change on plant-pollinator interactions and crop production
• The effectiveness of green innovation in promoting sustainable technological advancements
• The impact of climate change on ocean currents and marine heatwaves
• The impact of deforestation on indigenous communities and cultural practices
• The effectiveness of green governance in promoting sustainable development and environmental justice
• The effectiveness of wetland restoration in reducing flood risk
• The impact of climate change on the spread of vector-borne diseases
• The effectiveness of green marketing in promoting sustainable consumption
• The impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems
• The impact of renewable energy development on wildlife habitats
• The effectiveness of environmental education programs in promoting pro-environmental behavior
• The impact of deforestation on global climate change
• The impact of microplastics on freshwater ecosystems
• The effectiveness of eco-labeling in promoting sustainable seafood consumption
• The impact of climate change on coral reef ecosystems
• The impact of air pollution on human health and mortality rates
• The effectiveness of eco-tourism in promoting conservation and community development
• The impact of climate change on agricultural production and food security
• The impact of wind turbine noise on wildlife behavior and populations
• The impact of light pollution on nocturnal ecosystems and species
• The effectiveness of green energy subsidies in promoting renewable energy use
• The impact of invasive species on native ecosystems and biodiversity
• The impact of climate change on ocean acidification and marine ecosystems
• The effectiveness of green public procurement in promoting sustainable production
• The impact of deforestation on soil erosion and nutrient depletion
• The impact of noise pollution on human health and well-being
• The effectiveness of green building standards in promoting sustainable construction
• The impact of climate change on forest fires and wildfire risk
• The impact of e-waste on human health and environmental pollution
• The impact of climate change on polar ice caps and sea levels
• The impact of pharmaceutical pollution on freshwater ecosystems and wildlife
• The effectiveness of green transportation policies in reducing carbon emissions
• The impact of climate change on glacier retreat and water availability
• The impact of pesticide use on pollinator populations and ecosystems
• The effectiveness of circular economy models in reducing waste and promoting sustainability
• The impact of climate change on coastal ecosystems and biodiversity
• The impact of plastic waste on terrestrial ecosystems and wildlife
• The effectiveness of green chemistry in promoting sustainable manufacturing
• The impact of climate change on ocean currents and weather patterns
• The impact of agricultural runoff on freshwater ecosystems and water quality
• The effectiveness of green bonds in financing sustainable infrastructure projects
• The impact of climate change on soil moisture and desertification
• The impact of noise pollution on marine ecosystems and species
• The effectiveness of community-based conservation in promoting biodiversity and ecosystem health
• The impact of climate change on permafrost ecosystems and carbon storage
• The impact of urbanization on water pollution and quality
• The effectiveness of green jobs in promoting sustainable employment
• The impact of climate change on wetland ecosystems and biodiversity
• The impact of plastic pollution on terrestrial ecosystems and wildlife
• The effectiveness of sustainable fashion in promoting sustainable consumption
• The impact of climate change on phenology and seasonal cycles of plants and animals
• The impact of ocean pollution on human health and seafood safety
• The effectiveness of green procurement policies in promoting sustainable supply chains
• The impact of climate change on marine food webs and ecosystems
• The impact of agricultural practices on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change
• The effectiveness of green financing in promoting sustainable investment
• The effectiveness of rainwater harvesting systems in reducing water use
• The impact of climate change on permafrost ecosystems
• The impact of coastal erosion on shoreline ecosystems
• The effectiveness of green infrastructure in reducing urban heat island effect
• The impact of microorganisms on soil fertility and carbon sequestration
• The impact of climate change on snowpack and water availability
• The impact of oil and gas drilling on local ecosystems
• The effectiveness of carbon labeling in promoting sustainable consumer choices
• The impact of marine noise pollution on marine mammals
• The impact of climate change on alpine ecosystems
• The effectiveness of green supply chain management in reducing environmental impact
• The impact of climate change on river ecosystems
• The impact of urban sprawl on wildlife habitat fragmentation
• The effectiveness of carbon trading in reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• The impact of ocean warming on marine ecosystems
• The impact of agricultural practices on water quality and quantity
• The effectiveness of green roofs in improving urban air quality
• The impact of climate change on tropical rainforests
• The impact of water pollution on human health and livelihoods
• The effectiveness of green bonds in financing sustainable projects
• The impact of climate change on polar bear populations
• The impact of human activity on soil biodiversity
• The effectiveness of waste-to-energy systems in reducing waste and emissions
• The impact of climate change on Arctic sea ice and marine ecosystems
• The impact of sea level rise on low-lying coastal cities and communities
• The effectiveness of sustainable tourism in promoting conservation and community development
• The impact of deforestation on indigenous peoples and their livelihoods
• The impact of climate change on sea turtle populations
• The effectiveness of carbon-neutral and carbon-negative technologies
• The impact of urbanization on water resources and quality
• The impact of climate change on cold-water fish populations
• The effectiveness of green entrepreneurship in promoting sustainable innovation
• The impact of wildfires on air quality and public health
• The impact of climate change on human migration patterns and social systems
• The impact of noise pollution on bird communication and behavior in urban environments
• The impact of climate change on estuarine ecosystems and biodiversity
• The impact of deforestation on water availability and river basin management
• The impact of climate change on plant phenology and distribution
• The effectiveness of green marketing in promoting sustainable consumer behavior
• The impact of plastic pollution on freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity
• The impact of climate change on marine plastic debris accumulation and distribution
• The effectiveness of green innovation in promoting sustainable technology development
• The impact of climate change on crop yields and food security
• The impact of noise pollution on human health and well-being in urban environments
• The impact of climate change on Arctic marine ecosystems and biodiversity
• The effectiveness of green transportation infrastructure in promoting sustainable mobility
• The impact of deforestation on non-timber forest products and forest-dependent livelihoods
• The impact of climate change on wetland carbon sequestration and storage
• The impact of plastic pollution on sea turtle populations and nesting behavior
• The impact of climate change on marine biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in the Southern Ocean
• The effectiveness of green certification in promoting sustainable agriculture
• The impact of climate change on oceanographic processes and upwelling systems
• The impact of noise pollution on terrestrial wildlife communication and behavior
• The impact of climate change on coastal erosion and shoreline management
• The effectiveness of green finance in promoting sustainable investment
• The impact of deforestation on indigenous communities and traditional knowledge systems
• The impact of climate change on tropical cyclones and extreme weather events
• The effectiveness of green buildings in promoting energy efficiency and carbon reduction
• The impact of plastic pollution on marine food webs and trophic interactions
• The impact of climate change on algal blooms and harmful algal blooms in marine ecosystems
• The effectiveness of green business partnerships in promoting sustainable development goals
• The impact of climate change on ocean deoxygenation and its effects on marine life
• The impact of noise pollution on human sleep and rest patterns in urban environments
• The impact of climate change on freshwater availability and management
• The effectiveness of green entrepreneurship in promoting social and environmental justice
• The impact of deforestation on wildlife habitat and biodiversity conservation
• The impact of climate change on the migration patterns and behaviors of birds and mammals
• The effectiveness of green urban planning in promoting sustainable and livable cities
• The impact of plastic pollution on microplastics and nanoplastics in marine ecosystems
• The impact of climate change on marine ecosystem services and their value to society
• The effectiveness of green certification in promoting sustainable forestry
• The impact of climate change on ocean currents and their effects on marine biodiversity
• The impact of noise pollution on urban ecosystems and their ecological functions
• The impact of climate change on freshwater biodiversity and ecosystem functioning
• The effectiveness of green policy implementation in promoting sustainable development
• The impact of deforestation on soil carbon storage and greenhouse gas emissions
• The impact of climate change on marine mammals and their ecosystem roles
• The effectiveness of green product labeling in promoting sustainable consumer behavior
• The impact of plastic pollution on coral reefs and their resilience to climate change
• The impact of climate change on waterborne diseases and public health
• The effectiveness of green energy policies in promoting renewable energy adoption
• The impact of deforestation on carbon storage and sequestration in peatlands
• The impact of climate change on ocean acidification and its effects on marine life
• The effectiveness of green supply chain management in promoting circular economy principles
• The impact of noise pollution on urban birds and their vocal communication
• The impact of climate change on ecosystem services provided by mangrove forests
• The effectiveness of green marketing in promoting sustainable fashion and textiles
• The impact of plastic pollution on deep-sea ecosystems and biodiversity
• The impact of climate change on marine biodiversity hotspots and conservation priorities
• The effectiveness of green investment in promoting sustainable infrastructure development
• The impact of deforestation on ecosystem services provided by agroforestry systems
• The impact of climate change on snow and ice cover and their effects on freshwater ecosystems
• The effectiveness of green tourism in promoting sustainable tourism practices
• The impact of noise pollution on human cognitive performance and productivity
• The impact of climate change on forest fires and their effects on ecosystem services
• The effectiveness of green labeling in promoting sustainable seafood consumption
• The impact of climate change on insect populations and their ecosystem roles
• The impact of plastic pollution on seabird populations and their reproductive success
• The effectiveness of green procurement in promoting sustainable public sector spending
• The impact of deforestation on soil erosion and land degradation
• The impact of climate change on riverine ecosystems and their ecosystem services
• The effectiveness of green certification in promoting sustainable fisheries
• The impact of noise pollution on marine mammals and their acoustic communication
• The impact of climate change on terrestrial carbon sinks and sources
• The effectiveness of green technology transfer in promoting sustainable development
• The impact of deforestation on non-timber forest products and their sustainable use
• The impact of climate change on marine invasive species and their ecological impacts
• The effectiveness of green procurement in promoting sustainable private sector spending
• The impact of plastic pollution on zooplankton populations and their ecosystem roles
• The impact of climate change on wetland ecosystems and their services
• The effectiveness of green education in promoting sustainable behavior change
• The impact of deforestation on watershed management and water quality
• The impact of climate change on soil nutrient cycling and ecosystem functioning
• The effectiveness of green technology innovation in promoting sustainable development
• The impact of noise pollution on human health in outdoor recreational settings
• The impact of climate change on oceanic nutrient cycling and primary productivity
• The effectiveness of green urban design in promoting sustainable and resilient cities
• The impact of plastic pollution on marine microbial communities and their functions
• The impact of climate change on coral reef bleaching and recovery
• The impact of deforestation on ecosystem services provided by community-managed forests
• The impact of climate change on freshwater fish populations and their ecosystem roles
• The effectiveness of green certification in promoting sustainable tourism
• The impact of noise pollution on human stress and cardiovascular health
• The impact of climate change on glacier retreat and their effects on freshwater ecosystems
• The effectiveness of green technology diffusion in promoting sustainable development
• The impact of plastic pollution on sea grass beds and their ecosystem services
• The impact of climate change on forest phenology and productivity.
• The effectiveness of green transportation policies in promoting sustainable mobility
• The impact of deforestation on indigenous peoples’ livelihoods and traditional knowledge
• The impact of climate change on Arctic ecosystems and their biodiversity
• The effectiveness of green building standards in promoting sustainable architecture
• The impact of noise pollution on nocturnal animals and their behavior
• The impact of climate change on migratory bird populations and their breeding success
• The effectiveness of green taxation in promoting sustainable consumption and production
• The impact of deforestation on wildlife corridors and ecosystem connectivity
• The impact of climate change on urban heat islands and their effects on public health
• The effectiveness of green labeling in promoting sustainable forestry practices
• The impact of plastic pollution on sea turtle populations and their nesting success
• The impact of climate change on invasive plant species and their ecological impacts
• The effectiveness of green business practices in promoting sustainable entrepreneurship
• The impact of noise pollution on urban wildlife and their acoustic communication
• The impact of climate change on alpine ecosystems and their services
• The effectiveness of green procurement in promoting sustainable agriculture and food systems
• The impact of deforestation on soil carbon stocks and their effects on climate change
• The impact of climate change on wetland methane emissions and their contribution to greenhouse gas concentrations
• The effectiveness of green certification in promoting sustainable forestry and timber production
• The impact of plastic pollution on marine mammal populations and their health
• The impact of climate change on marine fisheries and their sustainable management
• The effectiveness of green investment in promoting sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation
• The impact of noise pollution on bat populations and their behavior
• The impact of climate change on permafrost thaw and its effects on Arctic ecosystems
• The impact of deforestation on ecosystem services provided by sacred groves
• The impact of climate change on tropical cyclones and their impacts on coastal ecosystems
• The effectiveness of green technology transfer in promoting sustainable agriculture and food systems
• The impact of plastic pollution on benthic macroinvertebrate populations and their ecosystem roles
• The impact of climate change on freshwater invertebrate populations and their ecosystem roles
• The effectiveness of green tourism in promoting sustainable wildlife tourism practices
• The impact of noise pollution on amphibian populations and their communication
• The impact of climate change on mountain ecosystems and their biodiversity
• The effectiveness of green certification in promoting sustainable agriculture and food systems
• The impact of deforestation on indigenous peoples’ food security and nutrition
• The impact of climate change on plant-pollinator interactions and their ecosystem roles
• The impact of plastic pollution on freshwater ecosystems and their services
• The impact of climate change on oceanic currents and their effects on marine ecosystems
• The effectiveness of green investment in promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure
• The impact of noise pollution on human sleep quality and mental health
• The impact of climate change on marine viruses and their effects on marine life
• The effectiveness of green labeling in promoting sustainable packaging and waste reduction
• The impact of deforestation on ecosystem services provided by riparian forests
• The impact of climate change on insect-pollinated crops and their yields
• The effectiveness of green procurement in promoting sustainable waste management
• The impact of plastic pollution on estuarine ecosystems and their services
• The impact of climate change on groundwater recharge and aquifer depletion
• The effectiveness of green education in promoting sustainable tourism practices
• The impact of climate change on coral reefs and their biodiversity
• The effectiveness of green labeling in promoting sustainable clothing and textile production
• The impact of deforestation on riverine fish populations and their fishery-dependent communities
• The impact of climate change on mountain water resources and their availability
• The effectiveness of green certification in promoting sustainable tourism accommodations
• The impact of plastic pollution on deep-sea ecosystems and their biodiversity
• The impact of climate change on sea-level rise and its effects on coastal ecosystems and communities
• The effectiveness of green energy policies in promoting renewable energy production
• The impact of noise pollution on human cardiovascular health
• The impact of climate change on biogeochemical cycles in marine ecosystems
• The effectiveness of green labeling in promoting sustainable personal care and cosmetic products
• The impact of deforestation on carbon sequestration and its effects on climate change
• The impact of climate change on wildfire frequency and severity
• The effectiveness of green procurement in promoting sustainable energy-efficient technologies
• The impact of plastic pollution on beach ecosystems and their tourism potential
• The impact of climate change on marine mammals and their habitat range shifts
• The effectiveness of green urban design in promoting sustainable and livable neighborhoods
• The impact of noise pollution on urban human and wildlife communities
• The impact of climate change on soil microorganisms and their roles in nutrient cycling
• The effectiveness of green labeling in promoting sustainable electronics and e-waste management
• The impact of deforestation on watershed services and their effects on downstream ecosystems and communities
• The impact of climate change on human migration patterns and their impacts on urbanization
• The effectiveness of green investment in promoting sustainable water management and infrastructure
• The impact of plastic pollution on seabird populations and their nesting success
• The impact of climate change on ocean acidification and its effects on marine ecosystems
• The effectiveness of green certification in promoting sustainable fisheries and aquaculture
• The impact of noise pollution on terrestrial carnivore populations and their communication
• The impact of climate change on snow and ice dynamics in polar regions
• The effectiveness of green tourism in promoting sustainable cultural heritage preservation
• The impact of deforestation on riverine water quality and their effects on aquatic life
• The impact of climate change on forest fires and their ecological effects
• The effectiveness of green labeling in promoting sustainable home appliances and energy use
• The impact of plastic pollution on marine invertebrate populations and their ecosystem roles
• The impact of climate change on soil erosion and its effects on agricultural productivity
• The effectiveness of green procurement in promoting sustainable construction materials and waste reduction
• The impact of noise pollution on marine mammal populations and their behavior
• The impact of climate change on ocean circulation and its effects on marine life
• The effectiveness of green investment in promoting sustainable forest management
• The impact of deforestation on medicinal plant populations and their traditional uses
• The impact of climate change on wetland ecosystems and their carbon storage capacity
• The effectiveness of green urban planning in promoting sustainable and resilient cities
• The impact of plastic pollution on seabed ecosystems and their biodiversity
• The effectiveness of green certification in promoting sustainable palm oil production
• The impact of noise pollution on bird populations and their communication
• The impact of climate change on freshwater quality and its effects on aquatic life
• The effectiveness of green labeling in promoting sustainable food packaging and waste reduction
• The impact of deforestation on streamflow and its effects on downstream

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Current Topics in Soil Science

An Environmental Approach

• © 2022
• Swapna Mukherjee 0

Formerly at Geological Survey of India, Kolkata, India

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• Addresses current environmental issues and its remedy with soil
• Discusses the increasing concentration of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere
• Suggests possible remedies that can be done to mitigate the issues that our planet is facing

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Table of contents (25 chapters)

Front matter, soil science, soil formation.

Swapna Mukherjee

Soil Minerology

Soil taxonomy and classification, soil quality, soil analytical techniques, soil physics, physical properties of soils, soil structure, soil tillage, soil air and temperature, soil erosion, soil chemistry, concepts of soil chemistry, chemical composition of soil, ion exchange, ph, salinity and sodicity, chemistry of soil nutrient.

• soil science
• soil biology
• soil chemistry
• soil classification
• soil physics
• Environment

About this book

Soil is an important but often neglected element of the climate system. It is the second largest carbon store, or ‘sink’, after the oceans. Despite being a fundamental resource that supports all kinds of life on Earth, concerns related to soil  are often not included as an important environmental issue. Climate changes put soil under pressure. The increasing concentration of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere may cause the microbes in the soil to work faster to break down organic matter, potentially releasing even more carbon dioxide. The soil moisture content is being constantly affected by rising temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns and future projections show that this may continue. 

This book presents current environmental issues and their remedies for soil which are mainly based on soil degradation, soil pollution and the effect of climate change on the soil. Adding xenobiotic chemicals or other alterations in the natural soil environment for agricultural, industrial or urban purposes result in a decline in the soil quality due to improper use or poor management, which is a serious environmental problem. The book is divided into five parts - soil science, soil physics, soil chemistry, soil biology and soil environment. The first part “Soil Science” serves as the introduction to the book and discusses some common topics such as soil formation, mineralogy, taxonomy, quality and analytical techniques. The second part “Soil Physics” is mainly concerned with the physical properties and processes of soil and  their association with effects on air, water and temperature. Soil Chemistry, the third part, discusses the chemical reactions and processes between inorganic and organic components. The fourth part “Soil Biology” explains the biological properties and processes of the soil, with special concern to microbial diversity and its effect on the ecology. Lastly, the fifth part “Soil Environment” discusses the current environmental problems such as climate change and soil pollution, including processes to mitigate these issues through carbon sequestration, nutrient management and land management.

Authors and Affiliations

About the author.

A doctorate in Physics, Swapna Mukherjee started her career with the Geological Survey of India and spent the next 30 years handling various issues both from an applied and academic perspective. Her post doctoral studies sponsored by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), allowed her to concentrate in various analytical techniques in geological studies and subsequently her research interest included other fields of geology and social science. Her research publications have been recognized internationally and cited at various symposium and in international journals. This book is the comprehensive presentation of her vast expertise in different aspects of social science.

Bibliographic Information

Book Title : Current Topics in Soil Science

Book Subtitle : An Environmental Approach

Authors : Swapna Mukherjee

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-92669-4

Publisher : Springer Cham

eBook Packages : Earth and Environmental Science , Earth and Environmental Science (R0)

Copyright Information : Capital Publishing Company, New Delhi, India 2022

Hardcover ISBN : 978-3-030-92668-7 Published: 30 April 2022

eBook ISBN : 978-3-030-92669-4 Published: 29 April 2022

Edition Number : 1

Number of Pages : XXIII, 268

Number of Illustrations : 1 b/w illustrations

Additional Information : Jointly published with Capital Publishing Company, New Delhi, India

Topics : Soil Science & Conservation , Systems Biology , Applied Microbiology , Environmental Management , Climate, general , Environmental Physics

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Environmental Research Topics: 235 Ideas for Students

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Are you looking for environmental research paper topics? With ongoing debates about global warming, air pollution, and other issues, there is no shortage of exciting topics to craft a research paper around. Whether you’re studying ecology, geology, or marine biology, developing the perfect environmental research topic to get your science research assignment off the ground can be challenging. Stop worrying – we got you covered. Continue reading to learn about 235 different ideas on environmental research topics. In this article, we will discuss environmental topics and show you how to choose an interesting research topic for your subject. We will also provide a list of various environmental topics from our research paper services . In addition, we will present you with environmental science research topics, discuss other ideas about the environment for research papers, and offer our final thoughts on these topics for research papers.

What Are Environmental Topics?

Environmental topics provide an analysis of environmental issues and their effect on people, culture, nature, or a particular place, often interdisciplinary, drawing from sciences, politics, economics, sociology, and public policy. Topics about environmental science may include environmental justice, engineering and communication, regulation, economics, and health. Environment research topics may focus on environmental sustainability, impact assessment, management systems, and resources. In addition, these areas for research papers offer a few opportunities to explore our relationship with the environment and consider how human activities influence it through climate change, pollution, or other factors such as natural resource usage as well as biodiversity loss.

What Makes a Good Environmental Research Topic? 

When choosing an environmental research topic, it is essential to consider what makes good environmental topics. Below is an expert list outlining what your topic should be like:

• It should be interesting and relevant to your study field.
• It's essential to consider the topic's potential implications on environment-related policies. Think about the possible positive or negative effects this topic could have when implemented in terms of protecting our environment.
• A good topic should be specific enough to provide a focus for your research paper and allow you to explore a particular issue in depth.
• The research topic should be feasible and manageable to ensure that you can find the necessary information and resources.
• Environmental sciences research topics should be current and relevant to ecological developments.

How to Choose Environmental Science Topics?

When choosing research topics for environmental science, it is essential to research the available information and determine its relevance. It all depends on whether the research topic is feasible and has the potential for exploration. Environmental issue topics should be well-defined and interesting to the researcher. The reason is that the researcher should be able to provide solutions or make suggestions on improvement strategies. You can follow the below steps when choosing environmental science topics for research:

Step 1: Identify topics that are relevant to your research context. Step 2: Develop a list of research areas by extracting critical concepts from the available literature.

Step 3: Select interesting and feasible topics by considering the methods available for analysis.

Step 4: Analyze these topics to identify the gaps in current research and formulate questions for further investigation. Step 5: Review the available literature to gain insights about the chosen topic and develop a research proposal.

Step 6: Consult experts in this field to get feedback and refine the proposed research.

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List of Environment Research Paper Topics

Environmental topics for a research paper can be overwhelming to navigate due to the vast number of issues you can discuss in your article. To help narrow down your research paper search, below is a list of environmental research topics that include climate change, renewable energy, ecology, pollution, sustainability, endangered species, ecosystems, nature, and water management. You can choose one of them as a guide to writing an excellent essay

Environmental Research Topics on Climate Change

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues that humanity is currently facing due to increased temperature levels. Climate change is amongst the most debated environmental research topics among researchers, policymakers, and governments. Here are critical areas related to climate change that you can use for your environmental science research paper topics:

• Causes and effects of climate change.
• Climate change adaptation strategies.
• Climate change impact on rural communities.
• Role of renewable energy sources in mitigating climate change.
• Carbon dioxide emission policies.
• Global warming and its impact on ocean acidification.
• Social effects of climate change.
• Permafrost melting and its implications.
• Role of international organizations in climate change.
• Climate change and forest fire: examining the role of climate change on wildfire season, frequency, and burned area.

Environmental Science Research Topics on Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is essential due to its potential to reduce ecological damage from burning fossil fuels and provides valuable topics in environmental science. You can use renewable energy technologies as a cleaner alternative for generating electricity and heating. In addition, renewable energy is crucial for cooling homes and factories in the world. The following are environmental science topics for research paper on renewable energy:

• Renewable energy types, sources, and their impact on the environment.
• Economic benefits of renewable energy.
• Research on new technologies in renewable energy.
• Role of renewable energy in protecting businesses from legal actions.
• Hydropower and its role in renewable energy.
• Chemical batteries for renewable energy storage.
• Green microgrids in optimizing renewable energy usage.
• Ocean energy and its effects on the environment.
• Geothermal drilling and its consequences.
• Biomass resources and their use in renewable energy.

Environment Research Topics on Ecology

Ecology studies how living organisms interact with each other and their environment. Also, it is an important area of research for understanding how the environment affects the function of various species and ecosystems. It also gives a background for one of the best environment research paper topics. Below are topics for environmental research paper on ecology:

• Biodiversity conservation strategies.
• Impact of pollution on ecosystems.
• Ecological research on saving endangered species from extinction.
• Role of environment in migrations patterns of animals.
• Habitat fragmentation effects on the environment.
• Ecological implications of climate change.
• Ecology and pest control strategies.
• Ecological effects of deforestation.
• Ecology and conservation of marine life.
• Ecological consequences of urbanization.

Research Topics in Environmental Science About Pollution

Pollution is an issue at the forefront of scientific research. As one of the environmental science paper topics, it offers insights into how pollution destroys the environment and its negative impact on human and animal health. Stated below are hot environmental science research topics on pollution which you can use for your article:

• Air pollution: causes & effects.
• Water pollution and its consequences for people and other living organisms.
• Issue of urban & industrial pollution.
• Noise pollution and environment-related health risks.
• Marine plastic pollution in oceans.
• Radiological waste disposal policies.
• Nuclear energy, radiation & health impacts.
• Sustainable waste management solutions.
• Impact of pollution on biodiversity.
• Soil pollution and its effects on agriculture.

Environmental Topics for Research Papers on Sustainability

One of the many topics for environmental research papers is sustainability. Sustainability is an important topic to explore, as it involves finding a way for humans to reduce their ecological footprint and ensure that the environment can recover from our activities. Stated below are environmental topics for research paper on sustainability which you can explore:

• Strategies for sustainable development.
• Renewable energy sources and their effects.
• Environmental sustainability and its economic benefits.
• Sustainable energy sources and their effects.
• Implications of sustainable agriculture on the environment.
• Ecological impacts of sustainable forestry.
• Social implications of renewable energy use.
• Strategies for mitigating ecological impact from unsustainable development.
• Psychological effects of ecological awareness on sustainable practices.
• Influence of ecological sustainability on economic growth.

Environmental Topics to Write About Endangered Species

Endangered species are one of the environmental topics of great importance to research and find solutions for their conservation. Poaching, habitat destruction, and climate change negatively impact endangered species. Also, human activities have put other species at risk of extinction by competing for resources as well as introducing invasive species. Below is a list of cool environment topics to write about endangered species:

• Endangered species conservation.
• Causes & effects of habitat fragmentation.
• Wildlife conservation strategies.
• Climate change impacts on endangered species.
• Illegal wildlife trade and trafficking.
• Marine protected areas for conserving marine life.
• Ecological restoration and reintroduction programs.
• Endangered species in developing nations.
• Human rights & animal welfare laws .
• Captive breeding for conservation purposes.

Environmental Research Paper Topics on Ecosystems

Ecosystems are fascinating to explore in environmental paper topics because they contain a variety of living organisms and are a complex web of interactions between species, the environment, and humans. The subject provides environmental issues topics for research paper essential in exploring the dynamics of ecosystems and their importance. Below is a list of topics for environmental science research paper:

• Ecosystem services & their value.
• Climate change impacts on ecosystems.
• Hydrological cycle & effects on ecosystems.
• Ecological restoration & biodiversity conservation.
• Invasive species & their impact on native species.
• Biodiversity hotspots: areas of high endemism.
• Soil degradation & its impact on ecosystems.
• Sustainable forestry practices.
• Ecological restoration of wetlands.

Environmental Topics About Nature

Nature is a broad topic that includes ecological conservation, protection, and sustainability issues. Environmental research topics about nature allow us to explore areas that focus on preserving and conserving the environment. Research papers about nature can provide insight into utilizing nature as a resource, both from a practical and ecological aspect. Below is a list of environment topics that you can explore in your essays:

• Nature conservation & preservation strategies.
• Climate change effects on natural environments.
• Natural resource management strategies.
• Policies for natural resources management.
• Impact of human development on wildlands.
• Sustainable use of natural resources.
• Role of ethics in nature conservation.
• De-extinction: pros & cons of bringing back extinct species.
• Protected areas & conservation of rare species.

Environmental Issues Topics on Water Management

Water management is an issue that has a significant impact on the environment. Exploring a topic related to water management can provide experts, among others, with insights into environmental science issues and their implications. When it's time to write your project related to water management, you can explore the following topics for environmental issues:

• Water pollution & its control.
• Groundwater management strategies.
• Climate change impact on water resources.
• Integrated water resources management.
• Wetland conservation & restoration projects.
• Industrial effluents role in water pollution.
• Desalination technologies for freshwater production.
• Urbanization impact on groundwater resources.
• Inland & coastal water management strategies.
• Wastewater treatment & reuse technologies.

Environmental Science Topics in Different Areas

Environmental science studies ecological processes and their interactions with living organisms. Exploring environmental science related topics can provide valuable insights into environmental science issues, their ecological implications, and conservation efforts. In addition, these topics can also be explored in different areas, providing a comprehensive understanding of how different factors impact the environment. This section delves into various environmental science topics for projects related to law, justice, policy, economics, biology, chemistry, and health science.

Environmental Law Research Topics

Environmental law governs environmental processes and their interactions with living organisms. Delving into environmental law can uncover invaluable information on environment paper topics, ranging from legal matters and their consequences to preservation initiatives. Students can use the following environmental issue topics for research papers for their essays:

• Climate change liability & lawsuits.
• Strategies for conservation and protection under environmental law.
• Consequences of non-compliance with regulations on the environment.
• Impact of trade agreements on environment protection.
• Regulatory strategies for hazardous waste disposal.
• Strategies for enforcement and compliance with environment-related laws.
• International environment treaties and their implications.
• Effects of climate change legislation on the environment.
• Corporate environmental policies and regulations and their effects.
• Role of law in mitigating environment-related issues.

Environmental Justice Research Topics

Environmental justice seeks to ensure equitable treatment and meaningful involvement of all people in ecological protection, regardless of their race, sex, or economic status. Environment topics related to justice can provide valuable insights into ecological issues and their impacts. Listed below are justice-related Environmental topics to research:

• Implications of unequal access to resources.
• Disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations.
• Consequences of marginalization of marginalized communities from environmental processes.
• Links between poverty and environment degradation.
• Effects of non-participation in environment-related decision-making.
• Policies to ensure access to clean air and water.
• Impact of social inequality on environment protection.
• Intersection between gender, race, and environment justice.
• Ecological consequences of corporate negligence of marginalized communities.
• Disproportionate implications of climate change on vulnerable populations.

Environmental Policy Research Paper Topics

Environmental policy is a set of laws, rules, and regulations created to protect the environment as well as its resources. Studying environment-related policies provides an area for students to explore a range of subjects related to the environment, ranging from local to global. Below are potential environmental sciences research topics for your reference.

• Environmental policy initiatives' implications on global climate change.
• Effectiveness of carbon taxes for air pollution control.
• Land use and development impact on the environment.
• Water quality in the united states, focusing on natural resource governance.
• Educational initiative's impact on public opinion and policy outcomes.
• Social aspects of policy making and implementation on the environment.
• Promoting sustainability from a global perspective.
• Potential for justice initiatives in promoting equitable and effective management.
• Rise of green economy its impact.
• Environment policies and their potential for success.

Environmental Economics Research Topics

Environmental economics seeks to understand environmental issues from an economic perspective. Examining environmental studies topics can offer insights into ecological conservation and sustainability while connecting protection efforts with economic interests and helping inform policies. The following are creative topics about environmental science related to economics:

• Economic impacts of regulating the environment.
• Strategies for environmentally sustainable economic growth.
• Consequences of non-compliance with environment-related regulations.
• Environment conservation and protection using economic incentives.
• Taxes and subsidies and their implications on the environment.
• Economic implications of climate change legislation.
• The private sector role in environment conservation and protection.
• Green finance role in mitigating ecological issues.
• Economics of pollution control and management.
• Conservation and protection of the environment in the face of economic interests.

>> Learn more: Economics Research Topics

Environmental Biology Research Topics

Environmental biology is a field of science that focuses on understanding the interactions between living organisms and their environment. It covers environmental biology topics such as biodiversity, conservation, pollution, management, health, and sustainability. The following are environment research paper topics related to biology:

• Biodiversity conservation in managing the environment.
• Role of biotechnology in reducing air pollution.
• Environment degradation and its consequences on wildlife.
• Role of microorganisms in maintaining soil fertility.
• Ecological consequences of over-exploitation of natural resources.
• Habitat fragmentation and its role in species conservation.
• Education's role in environment conservation.
• Environment degradation and its effects on food security.
• Invasive species and their impacts on ecosystem.

Keep in mind that we have a whole blog on biological topics if you need more ideas in this field.

Environmental Chemistry Research Topics

Environmental chemistry research is a complex interdisciplinary field aiming to understand the behavior of a chemical process within an environment. It involves researching the impact of pollutants in the air, soil, water, and other ecological media. Possible research topics about the environment related to this field include:

• Effect of agricultural chemicals on water systems.
• Air pollution control strategies and their effectiveness.
• Climate change impacts on aquatic ecosystems.
• Sources and implications of persistent organic pollutants.
• Air quality monitoring for urban areas.
• Water quality monitoring in coastal areas.
• Characterization and fate of toxic compounds in soil and groundwater.
• Impact of hazardous chemical waste on the environment.
• Monitoring and remediation of contaminated sites.
• The roles of environmental chemistry in climate change research.

Need more ideas? There is one more blog with  chemistry research topics  on our platform.

Environmental Health Science Research Topics

Environmental health is a diverse field focusing on the natural environment as well as its effects on human health. It is an interdisciplinary field that offers environment topics for research, such as environmental epidemiology, toxicology, and ecology, in addition to risk assessment. Provided below is a list of topics for an environmental science project that is suitable for your research paper:

• Air pollution effects on human health.
• Climate change effects on health.
• Water pollution and public health.
• Noise pollution effects on well-being.
• Mental health effects of environment-related toxins.
• Human health effects of natural disasters.
• Urbanization's effect on human health.
• Sustainable development and public health.
• Role of social media in promoting environmental health and awareness.
• Biodiversity preservation and its impact on human health.

Other Ideas & Topics About Environment for Research Papers

Ecological crisis is a key issue that has continuously affected planet earth. People are becoming more aware of environmental problems as well as their impact on health, well-being, and quality of life. As such, ecological fields for research are becoming ever more critical. This section will explore interesting environmental topics related to current ecological issues, controversial, interesting topics, easy research questions for projects, as well as unique research areas which students might study. These environmental issue project ideas below will help you develop interesting fields for research papers.

Current Issues in Environmental Science

Current ecological issues are a hot topic that has become increasingly important. They provide outstanding environmental issues to write about due to their impact on the environment and human health. The following are environmental issue topics for paper writing that are currently in discussion:

• Global warming and how to prevent its impact.
• Sustainable energy and its role in protecting the environment.
• Water conservation practices.
• Renewable energy role in global ecological protection.
• Carbon footprint and climate change.
• Ozone layer depletion and its effects on human health.
• Plastic pollution and its impact.
• Land degradation and soil erosion.
• Energy industry activities effects on ecological health.
• Air pollution and its impact on human health.
• Deforestation and its consequences.
• Effect of agricultural practices on ecological health.
• Overuse and exploitation of natural resources.
• Industrial waste impact on health.
• Green technology role in ecological protection.

Controversial Environmental Topics for Research Paper

Environmental controversies constitute a significant challenge facing society today. From climate change to air and water pollution, the effects of human activity on our natural environment are increasingly becoming a focus of public debate and research. Research papers on environmental controversial topics can help inform the public as well as policymakers about the potential impacts of human activities on the environment. The following are examples of environmental controversy topics for research paper:

• Climate change: is human activity a primary cause of global warming.
• Deforestation: are current logging practices sustainable in the long term.
• Air pollution: what are the health impacts of air pollution.
• Water pollution: how is water pollution impacting biodiversity and ecosystems.
• Geothermal energy: what potential impacts does geothermal energy extraction have on the environment.
• Renewable energy: are wind and solar energy carbon-neutral.
• Arctic drilling: is drilling for oil in the arctic ocean a viable option given current climate conditions.
• Nuclear power: what health risks are associated with nuclear power plants.
• Biodiversity loss: what steps can you take to protect biodiversity from human activities.
• Endangered species: how protecting endangered species can impact conservation efforts and how they live.
• GMO foods: are genetically modified organisms safe for human consumption? how does GMO food affect humans.
• Pesticides: how does pesticide use affect our health and the environment.
• Ocean acidification: how is ocean acidification impacting marine ecosystems.
• Waste management: what are the most effective ways to manage waste and reduce pollution.
• Resource exploitation: how does the exploitation of natural resources impact local communities.

Interesting Environmental Research Topics

In the context of environmental subjects, research topics explore the effects of human activities on the environment as well as the potential solutions to the identified problems. In addition to providing insight into ecological protection and conservation, research areas in this category cover social issues related to environmentalism and ecological justice. Below are interesting environmental science topics to consider when looking for a research topic in the future:

• Effects of environment-related toxins on human health.
• Climate change effects on coastal habitats.
• Agricultural activities impacts on the environment.
• Groundwater contamination and its effects on water quality.
• Pollution from factories and its impact on the environment.
• Waste management strategies and their impacts.
• Consequences of water contamination on local wildlife.
• Impacts of mining.
• Deforestation effects on ecosystems and species diversity.
• Industrial fishing practices effects.
• Sustainable forestry practices and their impact on ecosystems.
• Nuclear energy production and its consequences.
• Reducing emissions from vehicles and their effects on air quality.
• Landfills implications on the environment.
• Implications of plastic pollution.

Easy Environmental Research Questions for Projects

When it comes to environmental science topics for project work, there are plenty of easy options. Research projects in this category can explore ecological issues as well as their consequences or potential solutions to these problems. The following is a list of the top fifteen most accessible environment project topics for your research project.

• Air pollution levels impact on urban areas.
• Agricultural practices effects on the environment.
• Developing strategies for sustainable development.
• Causes of water contamination.
• Factors contributing to global warming.
• Natural disasters effects on the environment.
• Land use changes effects on the environment.
• Energy consumption impacts on the environment.
• Climate change effects on the environment.
• Industrialization and its consequences.
• Impact of plastic pollution.
• Health risks associated with air pollution.
• Deforestation impacts on the environment.
• Soil erosion and its effects on the environment.
• Causes and consequences of species extinction.

Unique Environmental Research Topics for Students

As environmental issues become increasingly complex, research fields for students become more varied. Unique environmental research topics for college students can range from local ecological concerns to global ones. The following are fifteen unique environmental science research topics for high school students and college students:

• Climate change impact on water quality.
• Acid rain and its effects.
• Urbanization's effect on biodiversity.
• Effects of offshore drilling.
• Ocean acidification and its impact.
• Impact of privatization on natural resources.
• Effectiveness of renewable energy sources.
• Relationship between energy consumption and the environment.
• Potential impacts regarding genetic engineering on biodiversity.
• Toxic waste disposal and its impacts.
• Environment-related policies impact on water quality.
• Deforestation and its effects on soil quality.
• Causes and consequences of ozone layer depletion.
• Relationship between pollution and public health issues.

Final Thoughts on Environmental Topics for Research Papers

This article has provided 235 environmental science research topics for research papers as well as project work that high school and college students can use. Topics range from local issues, such as assessing air pollution levels in an urban area, to global concerns, like examining the ecological effects of plastic pollution. Whether its health risks are associated with air pollution in an environment or the impacts of industrialization, research can help shape your understanding of how to protect as well as preserve our planet. It is up to the students to identify good environmental research topics that are interesting and relevant to them and to delve deeper to understand the earth better.

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Introduction to Environmental Science - 2nd Edition

(14 reviews)

Caralyn Zehnder

Kalina Manoylov

Samuel Mutiti

Christine Mutiti

Allison VandeVoort

Donna Bennett

Copyright Year: 2018

Publisher: University System of Georgia

Language: English

Formats Available

Conditions of use.

Learn more about reviews.

Reviewed by Sarah Schliemann, Lecturer, Metropolitan State University of Denver on 2/2/24

The book is missing many critical environmental subjects including agriculture, conservation, waste disposal, environmental justice, and environmental policy (among others). The book is also missing the human- environment connection. In addition,... read more

Comprehensiveness rating: 1 see less

The book is missing many critical environmental subjects including agriculture, conservation, waste disposal, environmental justice, and environmental policy (among others). The book is also missing the human- environment connection. In addition, there is little to no discussion of solutions to environmental issues. There is no glossary or index.

Content Accuracy rating: 3

Environmental science evolves very fast. Many of the figures and data were very outdated, even considering the book is from 2018. For example, in the Human Demography chapter, the age structure diagrams for the United are from 2000, 2005, and 2010. In the alternative energy chapter, it still says "The main problem with the electric car is that it cannot go very far before it needs to be recharged, something that takes between three to six hours." This statement is not accurate today since fast chargers can fully charge a vehicle in under 30 minutes and many EVs now can go for hundreds of miles without recharging.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 2

As I said above, many of the figures and data are outdated. However, I don't know if there is a way to avoid this issue in environmental science without citing data, which would be problematic as well. Environmental science evolves very quickly and this book would need constant updates.

Clarity rating: 4

The book is clearly written and easy to follow.

Consistency rating: 4

The book is consistent and is easy to navigate.

Modularity rating: 4

The sections are well defined, with headings and subheadings. It could easily be broken up.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 3

The organization is clear and logical. However, each chapter feels like it is isolated from the others. There isn't a theme running through the whole book.

Interface rating: 4

Images and text are clear and easy to read.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

I didn't notice any grammar errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 2

The book is lacking a global perspective on environmental issues.

Reviewed by Matthew Eick, Professor of Environmental Soil Chemistry and Environmental Science, Virginia Tech on 5/17/22

Overall the book is well written and the topics covered are covered adequately for an introduction environmental science class. However, I would like to see the topics covered in the introductory chapter expanded upon and be individual chapters. ... read more

Comprehensiveness rating: 3 see less

Overall the book is well written and the topics covered are covered adequately for an introduction environmental science class. However, I would like to see the topics covered in the introductory chapter expanded upon and be individual chapters. For example Economics, environment, and public policy should be its own chapter. Economics and environmental science are deeply connected and the authors should go more in depth on this topic. Additionally, ecosystems and ecosystem services and biodiversity should be covered more in depth in a separate chapter. Finally, there should be chapters on soils, agriculture, environment and human health, and municipal and hazardous waste. Much of the environmental issues we are currently experiencing are related to these topics (i.e global pandemic, soil degradation and food shortages, and plastic pollution)

Content Accuracy rating: 4

Overall the book is very accurate. I would like to see an updated version with more recent statistics. Some of the data is from 2015 and a lot has changed since then especially with renewable energy. Also, in the non-renewable energy chapter I would like to see some information on tar sands. Furthermore, for nuclear energy the authors only discuss light water reactors and the environmental issues with nuclear. This leads the reader to feel that there is no place for nuclear power in the worlds energy portfolio. There is a whole new generation of nuclear reactors and a recent surge in start up companies examining nuclear energy as a bridge energy source to help us meet our climate goals (i.e terra power). I think this information is critical for environmental science.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

I think updates will be relatively easy and straightforward. However, as mentioned above much of the statistics and data is outdated and the authors need to keep current with new technology such as the next generation of nuclear reactors and advances in renewable energy.

Overall the book is well written and clear and easy to follow.

Consistency rating: 5

The book is consistent in terminology and framework.

Overall this is true except for the first chapter. This was called an introduction but many of the topics covered in this chapter could be stand alone chapters. Much of this information lays the critical framework for subsequent chapters in environmental science.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

I have examined a myriad of environmental science textbooks and this book is consistent with the structure of an introductory environmental science textbook. Introduction, ecology (Which is included in the introduction and should be expanded as a chapter(s)), human population, energy, and pollution.

Interface rating: 5

I found the text to be free of significant errors. In fact I liked the interface as too many of the environmental science textbooks on the market today are littered with figures, tables, graphs, and side bars that they become distractive.

Grammatical Errors rating: 4

I only found a few grammatical errors that could easily be corrected.

Cultural Relevance rating: 4

The book is not culturally insensitive in anyway. In fact I encourage the authors to bring in more cultural examples related to environmental science. For example the hypothesized beginning of Covid-19 in the wet markets of China, high concentration of POPs in the Inuits, and human demography comparisons between developed and developing countries.

I enjoyed reading this textbook and if the authors expanded the subject matter to include additional topics nd the introduction I would consider using it in my introductory environmental science course.

Reviewed by Jill DeVito, Associate Professor of Instruction, Biology Department, University of Texas at Arlington on 5/23/21

Unfortunately, this book does not cover the more interesting (interdisciplinary, applied) environmental topics (environmental economics, environmental careers, legislation and legal issues, etc.). Another topic that I would like to see included... read more

Unfortunately, this book does not cover the more interesting (interdisciplinary, applied) environmental topics (environmental economics, environmental careers, legislation and legal issues, etc.). Another topic that I would like to see included is The Anthropocene.

Content Accuracy rating: 2

Accuracy here is related to how quickly the information becomes outdated in this particular field. The newest edition of my current textbook is up to date (with references to recent executive orders flip-flopping the fate of public lands such as Bears Ears and Escalante, for example), but the open source .pdf does not even contain a positive result for the search term “Paris Agreement” from 2015. I do understand that the business model for open source textbooks does not allow for super frequent updating of the material, but in the subject area of environmental science that can be a deal-breaker. One more example of this: the section on electric vehicles contains a photograph of a prototype electric car from the 1985 World’s Fair. This makes the book look so unprofessional and hopelessly out of date that I would worry about losing my own credibility if I assigned it to my sophisticated Gen Z audience.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 1

See above; the book has become so hopelessly out of date that its accuracy was compromised. One advantage of an open source textbook (particularly the .pdf version) is the ability to link to outside sources of information that may be more current than the textbook (e.g., to the World Population Clock, NASA, NOAA, etc.). These are excellent. On the other hand, some of the links in this book are not very helpful (for example, linking to primitive websites like this one, with the intended video link completely dead, and some of the informational pages copyrighted in 1997: http://geothermaleducation.org).

Clarity rating: 3

The writing is fine. It is not better or worse than the writing I have seen in textbooks for purchase. But see above regarding how frequently it would need to be revised to remain useful.

Consistency rating: 2

Some of the headings are missing, which affects the searchability index. For example, not all of the Chapter “Learning Objectives” are labeled as such. Only four of the eight chapters show up in a search of “Learning Objectives.” Some others are labeled as “learning outcomes” in a different style font (as if overlooked in editing; e.g., chapter 2) and some are not labeled either way (e.g., chapter 3). I have a love/hate relationship with .pdf books, and the one thing I find they (should) always do better than a hard copy is respond instantly and accurately to a word search.

Modularity rating: 2

In summary, my current textbook covers 25 chapters and this one contains 8. There is some consolidation going on there, but the open source book is missing quite a lot of topics, in addition to the fact that consolidated chapters are more difficult to navigate.

See above (regarding the low number of chapters and also some of the inconsistencies in format)

I do like some of the learning objectives (for the existing chapters), which are in some cases similar to those I have intentionally added to my current course because they were not emphasized in the textbook I am using (e.g., precautionary principle).

Interface rating: 2

Since introductory textbooks are never “readable” enough for my taste (and they tend to cover similar content), I tend to judge books by the quality of the figures. That is ultimately one of the major reasons I chose my current textbook, and I one of the reasons I am not ready to switch away from it at this time. It is also one of my biggest complaints about the open source book that I currently use in another course. Not only are the images inferior in their design, but they also have technical limitations that are quite severe (i.e., when you try to export them to a presentation, exam, or learning management system, the image and especially the accompanying text become distorted or even unreadable). I noticed that this textbook is available as a Word document, and it looks like the images and text can be modified more effectively in that format, which is good (but time consuming). I also noticed a strange difference between the Word and .pdf versions of the book. The Word version has a very readable font (although of course that could be altered in the document). The .pdf version is stuck with a less readable font, which is unfortunate since it can’t be changed by the user.

I did not notice grammatical errors (but see format issues above).

I did not notice instances of insensitivity, but the book is notably lacking in some of the most important key concepts that I emphasize in my class, such as environmental refugees, environmental justice, and environmental racism.

The exercise of reviewing this book has made me come to understand why environmental science textbooks are difficult to find in the open source format. This topic seems to be too time sensitive to lend itself to effective treatment by part-time authors who are not being paid to keep the book up to date. It has made me think differently about possibly trying to compile resources myself (instead of using any textbook at all) in the event that I was motivated enough to make the leap to a low or zero cost lecture section.

Reviewed by Laurie DeRose, Assistant Professor of Sociology, The Catholic University of America on 12/29/20

The text provides many definitions, but they are not compiled in a glossary. read more

Comprehensiveness rating: 2 see less

The text provides many definitions, but they are not compiled in a glossary.

Missing some aspects of standard Demographic Transition theory.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

Quite relevant!

A fairly easy read.

Very little analysis in the book; this made internal consistency relatively easy because definitions do not contradict.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 4

Interface rating: 3

Nice images; a bit cumbersome to scroll (few links).

Not insensitive, but not particularly inclusive either.

I reviewed this book with an eye to using it to make a course in Population, Environment, and Society stronger on the "Environment" component. I am sure that my students could benefit from some of the good descriptions of natural science facts and principles, but like some of the other reviewers, I found it heavy on the natural science side, and weak on social and economic issues. For instance, Chapter 4 on Energy did not connect back to stages of the Demographic Transition presented in chapter 3: there is no physical science reason for making such connections, but plenty of social science reasons. Chapter 5 on Alternative Energy was probably the best for population and environment courses: it covered upsides and downsides of various alternatives in ways that would help my students understand that while innovation has allowed population to grow far larger than previous generations thought possible, innovation also brings new challenges. I liked being able to appreciate some of the basic science behind conclusions like "biomass energy can and cannot be carbon neutral." A key tradeoff that the text made clear was biomass for fuel v. biomass for food. A previous review said that the book handles human demography well, but because there was no attention to variation in the lag between the onset of mortality decline and fertility decline, I found the treatment wanting.

Reviewed by Engil Pereira, Assistant Professor, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on 11/13/20

While, this book covers common topics suitable for environmental instruction of Introduction to Environmental Sciences, the comprehensiveness of the book would increase by adding chapters on: Agriculture, Economics, Biogeochemistry, as well as... read more

While, this book covers common topics suitable for environmental instruction of Introduction to Environmental Sciences, the comprehensiveness of the book would increase by adding chapters on: Agriculture, Economics, Biogeochemistry, as well as separate chapters for Oceans and Freshwater. One major problematic departure from our coursework is on economics in environmental science and its strong associations with human energy usage. Excepting an occasional passing mention on cost often without the defining basis, it otherwise wholly ignores micro- or macroeconomics as a holistic lense to view energy and environmental decision-making. For agriculture, the topic is mostly ignored, with the interest chiefly in the sector as a pollutant culminating in one page given to its major role in N2O emissions as the majority of their reference to perhaps the most intensive human efforts applying scientific ingenuity to managing the environment. Even agriculture’s notable pollution contribution to eutrophication is missed in this book’s cursory examination. The book handles Population (i.e., growth rates) and Human demography well. Regarding Environmental policy, relevant policies are mentioned throughout; however ,there is no formal approach to how environmental policies are formulated. Occasionally the authors do offer guidance on policy but appear to be derivatives of their personal ethical perspectives, rather than argued conclusions on compared equities.

Core topics appear to be well related. As mentioned in the Comprehensiveness section, there are relevant discussion areas that should be covered, and some interjections, as mentioned for policy, that may be biased guidance.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 3

Due to the prospective nature of addressing climate change, graphs often are predictive for a near future and in danger of inaccuracies. Similarly references on energy-use will become dated. There are references to websites for additional resources, a Youtube link for a coal powerplant description, and an Excel spreadsheet for a list of terms that may be subject to third party accessibility. Most of the basic science and theories are pretty definitive.

Chapters begin with Learning objectives and chapter contents. The book is written with an accessible prose and examples on elk, cacti, and US energy-use are most familiar to a North American audience. Unfortunately some terms, such as “natural selection” are used but not defined. While more distracting than confusing, many times labelled terms are used prior to being defined (e.g., cells, sustainability, etc.). Or in the case of “competition”, made bold but never defined.

Consistency rating: 3

The first chapter does not follow the formatting or numbered headings of the succeeding chapters and could use subheadings. The end-of-chapter prompts vary in formatting and title, e.g., “Study Questions”, “Practice Problems”, “Questions”. The end-of-chapter term lists vary in formatting, and in one chapter relegated to an Excel spreadsheet.

Modularity rating: 5

The differing formats hints that these chapters were separately written, which may be why they seem modular enough to address in any order. Subheadings are present in most chapters aside from the first. Chapter contents are also given. There is a case when “Coal” is used as a heading twice, rather than for example, “Coal formation” and “Coal consumption for energy”.

The first chapter suffered from explaining biological molecules within cells, before defining cells. Understandably challenging because the flow was apparently to explain relevant science from physics to biology, then groupings in biology from cells to populations and ecosystems, but surprising to find the definition so late. Following the descriptions of the environment then the scientific method, the chapter then delves into sustainability, and other lenses to view environmental science without good transitions.

Most pictures and graphs are helpful. One graph of survivorship curves includes presumably data from the 20th century mixed with curves to the 22nd century. Mixing data with predictions is confusing and may age poorly.

There are not many grammatical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

It does not seem culturally insensitive, but the section on human demographics could have included racial, ethnic, or even regional breakdowns for greater relevance.

I would like to commend the authors for putting time and efforts towards developing this textbook and making it available for all.

Reviewed by Steve Frysinger, Professor, James Madison University on 7/1/20

Environmental Science is the study of human interaction with the natural world, and therefore incorporates knowledge from both the natural and the social sciences. But this text takes a narrower definition. They first say that “environment... read more

Environmental Science is the study of human interaction with the natural world, and therefore incorporates knowledge from both the natural and the social sciences. But this text takes a narrower definition. They first say that “environment describes living and nonliving surroundings relevant to organisms” and then state that “Environmental science studies all aspects of the environment in an interdisciplinary way. This means that it requires the knowledge of various other subjects including biology, chemistry, physics, statistics, microbiology, biochemistry, geology, economics, law, sociology, etc.” While they do mention some aspect of social science in this definition, the book clearly focuses on the natural science aspects of environmental science. This is unfortunate, but it is not uncommon, and environmental science faculty are accustomed to having to bring additional social science readings into their classes. The text includes a very high-level table of contents. There are more detailed outlines within all but one chapter, adding one or two more levels of structure, and the inconsistency between chapters in this regard is quite obvious. The chapters are i. Introduction ii. Population Ecology iii. Human Demography iv. Non-Renewable Energy v. Alternative Energy vi. Air Pollution vii. Climate Change viii. Water

While all of the subjects included are relevant to environmental science, they represent only a subset of what would normally be considered in an environmental science textbook. Notably absent are chapters on topics such as waste, ozone depletion, risk assessment, agriculture, biodiversity, and oceans and the marine environment. There is no index, which is a real short-coming.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

I found no obvious errors or evidence of bias other than the rather unavoidable one that favors environmental protection over some aspects of industrial society.

The topics that are covered are still completely relevant, as are the examples used to illustrate them. Some of the figures and tables are somewhat dated and should be replaced with more current ones. For example, the most recent stratospheric ozone data shown are for 2012. Not showing more current values misses the opportunity to illustrate the positive benefit that accrues from international cooperation on science-based solutions to environmental challenges. Missing are zone-depletion area data between 2012 and 2020 which show very compelling evidence that the problem has stopped growing, likely due to this cooperative response.

The text is generally clear and explains terms used, though the depth and quality of these explanations vary from chapter to chapter. There is also variability in the level of science (such as chemistry) included in discussions of the issues.

There is fairly good consistency of terminology, but the framework varies considerably from chapter to chapter. The book suffers from a lack of integration editing. There is a notable inconsistency in the use of chapter outlines at the beginning of chapters. One chapter (Climate Change) has none, while the others have either one or two levels of depth. The latter also use inconsistent numbering schemes for their subdivisions.

Modularity rating: 3

In some chapters there are several pages that go by without any subheadings, making navigation challenging and creating daunting quantities of unbroken text apt to keep students from reading thoroughly. This makes the user interface to the text awkward at best, and is prone to presenting a barrier to students already intimidated by the subject matter, such as students taking the course out of a general education requirement rather than genuine interest in the subject.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 2

It is quite clear that the text was created by assembling chapters written by different authors without much effort put into integration or flow. Beyond the writing style differing in each chapter, one detects a difference in approach, and I have rarely found an example of one chapter referring to something discussed in a previous chapter. Strangely, the chapters each maintain their own page numbers, which is probably why the table of contents includes no page numbers. But the page numbers shown don’t include the chapter number, so a student looking at a “page 17” cannot easily be sure which chapter that is in. This will also make it awkward for faculty to refer students to particular sections easily. This could be eased by page numbers that include the chapter number, and/or by having chapter numbers and names at the top of each page. In at least one chapter (Climate Change) the order seems awkward – climate change is discussed fairly extensively before the science behind it is introduced, thus assuming the students bring some knowledge of the science to the discussion before the chapter addresses it.

No obvious errors were found in the placement of and reference to figures and tables. But in many chapters, there are large stretches of text without much relief either from illustrations or examples problems. For example, though the introductory chapter provides a cursory review of fundamental chemistry, these are not generally recalled in subsequent chapters to illustrate points made. Such illustrations would serve to break up the intensive reading and also to reinforce the science behind the claims made in the chapters. There is also a missed opportunity to provide hypertext links within the textbook. These would allow students confused by a term (for example) to link to a portion of the text in which that term is defined and illustrated. Similarly, when viewing the text in Adobe Reader I was not able to find a navigation approach other than previous or next pages or the use of the scroll bar. The only hyperlinks are from the table of contents, and there is no convenient way to go “back” to the TOC.

I have not found any outright grammatical errors, but there are occasions of questionable sentence structure and punctuation.

Cultural Relevance rating: 3

No inappropriate language or claims that might offend a diverse readership were found. Some photographs include people from various cultures, though I have found no references to cultural differences as they might impact the environmental issues discussed. And there is no discussion whatsoever of the role of culture in environmental impacts and action. A crucial part of environmental science is the social context. While there are occasional oblique references to some social context issues, it is not addressed explicitly by this text.

This book would be substantially improved by 1. Addition of missing topics (issues, natural sciences, and social sciences) 2. Extensive editing to achieve consistency of structure and integration of content 3. Formatting to include global page numbers, a multilevel table of contents, an index, more subheadings, and hyperlinks between sections both within and between chapters

Reviewed by Emily Nocito, Graduate Student, University of Colorado Boulder on 6/11/20

I view this as an introduction to the introduction of environmental science. It provides some of the bare basics, but overall is lacking. Little attention is paid to land-use change, biodiversity of the environment, oceans, and many more. The... read more

I view this as an introduction to the introduction of environmental science. It provides some of the bare basics, but overall is lacking. Little attention is paid to land-use change, biodiversity of the environment, oceans, and many more. The topics that are covered still feel lackluster in what they actually delve in to. There was also little to no regard to policy, economy, or cultural aspects of the environment.

Content was accurate for the time it was published but could do with an overall update to stay relevant. Some links and sites provided are no longer in service, leading readers to a dead-end.

A cross to bear with any environmental studies textbook is that new information is constantly being produced. Some information is outdated, such as the age structure diagrams and the total carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels graphic. I do think that an update to this text is warranted. The section on the sustainability, the United Nations, and on the IPCC should also be updated.

For an introductory text, important technical terms are bolded and defined. However, it would be useful to have a glossary at the end of the book for quick reference by students

This textbook is lacking on consistency. Chapters are not structured the same way, such as with the chapter outlines. Page numbers are not kept consistent, with each chapter having its own set of page numbers. This would make it confusing to assign readings or ask questions, since there are- for example- several page 18s. Additionally, not all chapters have a terms list at the end, and some list resources, while some list bibliography at the end.

Headers are present, though not consistent chapter to chapter, with little references to itself. There is little indication of what chapter you are in, again made difficult by lack of consistent page numbering.

It would be nice to read chapters “Population Ecology” and “Human Demography” as the last chapters. That works more as a narrative: here are important basic earth systems (semi represented), types of energy, and then how humans interact with (good and bad interactions) the environment. To delve into questions of population and demography without introducing water and climate change gives an incomplete picture.

Some of the hyperlinks are dead or lead to error codes. Images and graphics, while outdated, are clear and concise.

This text contains no grammatical errors

This textbook could do with a chapter on traditional ecological knowledge, to highlight different culture’s interactions with the environment. It would also be nice to highlight environmental scientists from diverse backgrounds to allow students to ‘see themselves’ within the text.

Reviewed by Anita Walz, Associate Professor, Marshall University on 4/17/20

Only a limited number of the subjects that are part of environmental science are covered. The chapters focus mostly on energy production and resulting effect on the climate. Missing are for example agriculture, environmental toxicology, waste... read more

Only a limited number of the subjects that are part of environmental science are covered. The chapters focus mostly on energy production and resulting effect on the climate. Missing are for example agriculture, environmental toxicology, waste management, biodiversity, and conservation. Also, the chapter on Human Demography could have more focus on the relationship between societal development and consumption, carrying capacity (including cultural carrying capacity due to consumption), and population growth. The table of contents is hyperlinked, but this is not obvious. Each chapter re-starts on page 1 and it would help to have a table of content there that either lists the page number or hyperlinks to the sub-section. A glossary would also be helpful. I find it a bit difficult to navigate without scanning up and down all the pages to find what I am looking for.

I did not find any problems with accuracy or bias.

It is inherent in the subject matter that contents will not age well. Environmental charts and statistics change annually. Many facts in this book will age well, but charts that show trends are not all as up-to-date as one would expect from a 2018 edition. In the last chapter on water for example the charts stop in 2005 or 2010. The message still comes across though. It would be mostly these trend charts and the accompanying text that would need regular maintenance.

Clarity rating: 5

The text is written in a clear language and the terminology is introduced (highlighted in bold) and explained well.

Most chapters start out with an outline. However, there are no hyperlinks to sub-sections and only three chapters have page numbers included in the outline. The outline is missing in Chapters1 and 7. These two chapters seem less well organized than the others. Having a consistent table of contents, maybe even hyperlinked on the first page of each chapter would be helpful. It would represent the outline and a guide to the proper page.

There are many sub-headers that split the text into smaller portions, maybe even too many to tie the topics together and allow the message to flow. A table of content with either page numbers or hyperlinks would help with navigation.

Within a chapter the order of sub-topics makes sense.

There is no aid to navigation other than hyperlinks back to the Table of Contents for the whole book and this link is only on the first page of each chapter. Images often have text that is significantly smaller than the main text of the book. They also appear to look "fuzzy", even when one zooms in.

I did not find any errors.

This book reports mostly dry scientific facts and does not go into cultural issues. Social injustice is not touched on, but again, this book covers only some topics in environmental science.

For a free introductory environmental science source, it works well in combination with other sources and I found that commercial books are often no more up-to-date than this book. If students do not have to pay for their books I do not feel bad about selecting only some chapters from one source and then switching to another. So the fact that this book does not cover environmental science comprehensively is not as big of an issue as it would be if students had to buy it. I selected some chapters from this book for a part of my course but found other alternate sources to cover other topics.

Reviewed by Sarah Surber, Assistant Professor, Marshall University on 2/18/20

The book covers a large section of environmental science, which is helpful for an introductory course. However, the topics are not covered in-depth enough to convey the information. There is no glossary, although key words are provided in bold in... read more

The book covers a large section of environmental science, which is helpful for an introductory course. However, the topics are not covered in-depth enough to convey the information. There is no glossary, although key words are provided in bold in the text. Key words are provided at the end of each chapter without definitions. I found many of the diagrams to be much more informative than the actual text, which was helpful.

The book's information is accurate, although it uses a superficial approach to a large number of topics.

Much of the data is already several years old.

The book was clear, but overly basic for a college-level course. Most of the defined terms were too basic.

The book is consistent in how it presents the material, the keywords, and the use of photos, diagrams, and charts.

For a basic overview of various issues, the book is modular enough to assign sections of chapters. However, the lack of page numbering makes it difficult, unless the instructor cuts the sections or explains to use the pdf numbering.

The book adequately covered the breadth of the very basics of environmental science in a coherent manner.

Not all of the pages are numbered. There isn't a link from the table of contents to each subsection, which would help since the page numbering is inconsistent.

No grammatical issues.

I didn't find any issues of cultural relevance, although it focused on environmental issues in the United States more than international issues or contributions to environmental pollution. However, there were international issues and photos used for some examples.

I have used sections of this book to give an overview of certain topics. However, I wouldn't rely on it as the sole textbook at a college level, even an introductory course.

Reviewed by Shamim Ahsan, Professor, Metropolitan State University of Denver on 5/20/19

Too compact with content. does not cover various important environment related issues. Content should compatible to other text book in the market place. one of major element soil was completely ignored. Scientific steps could elaborate to peer... read more

Too compact with content. does not cover various important environment related issues. Content should compatible to other text book in the market place. one of major element soil was completely ignored. Scientific steps could elaborate to peer reviewing process. In population dynamics impacts were not properly reflected. Biodiversity is not covered at all. Water is an important issue, and authors may consider breaking up in two sections: waster resources and Water pollution.

In general accuracy of data and information OK. However, some data's are decade old needs updating of those.

Content is more or less up to date. However, several part of the content needs immediate up-gradation with current status. Environment is dynamic science and issues are being updated on regular basis.

Narratives are often complicated on different issues. Such as in energy section figure 5.4: may confuse students on solar energy. For freshman level class the content should presented in lucid form and easily understandable.

Its consistent within framework of the text book.

The inter-related connection of content should be maintained with lesser numbers of subheading. Realigned with piece meal sub units.

Population dynamics and it impact may be listed at the end of table of content.

As mentioned before some images are confusing and do not illustrate relevancy. For example, IPAT equation after sustainability looks misplaced.

Did not notice any errors.

Without presenting environmental justice, it could be an issue.

I am not quite if this text book provides comprehensive information in major aspects of environmental issues. Lot of issues are not covered in this text book as opposed to other books in market place. This would a disservice to students who use OER sources for not having complete knowledge,

Reviewed by Leslie Straker, Senior Lecturer, Longwood University on 4/11/19

The textbook did not provide any glossary or index. It however, provided a list of key terms at the end of every chapter that were often defined in the chapters themselves. A good introductory environmental textbook should address environmental... read more

The textbook did not provide any glossary or index. It however, provided a list of key terms at the end of every chapter that were often defined in the chapters themselves. A good introductory environmental textbook should address environmental science from the biological, social and economic dimensions. This textbook mostly focuses on the biological and physical dimensions of environmental science and inadequately addresses the social and economic dimensions. Some of the areas that were left out include: history of environmental science, saltwater resources, forestry and land management, waste management and conservation.

In general, the materials presented are accurate but a number of graphs, tables and figures, were not properly referenced. Some of the materials are a little dated so there is room for improvement here. In addition, at least one of the links provided for further reference at the end of Chapter 8, was not working.

What is covered in the book is relevant to an introductory course in environmental science. In the earlier chapters the book focuses on fundamental concepts in physical science and later it addresses the fundamental concepts of air pollution and climate change. However, the book fell short of what I often call “closing the loop.” That is, linking the science with the economics and social issues of environmental science. Notwithstanding, by focusing on a fundamental concepts approach, the book should be able to provide useful information to its general readers for a long time.

The technical language used in the book is clear and appropriate for an introductory course in environmental science. Notwithstanding, a glossary of key technical terms could assist in making the book more user friendly.

There were significant inconsistencies throughout the textbook. While I understand, that the numbering system of each chapter increases the modularity of the textbook, this system was often confusing since there was no header or footer on individual pages to let you know which chapter you were reading at any particular time. Also, chapters were also structured differently. There were inconsistencies with the list of objectives and acknowledgements for example, from chapter to chapter.

The book is broken down into sections that would easily allow for additions and updates to the information covered. The page numbering is restarted in every chapter. Notwithstanding, it could be helpful if a header or footer is placed on each page indicating the name of the chapter. This will allow the reader to be more aware of his location in the textbook at any one time.

The textbook is sufficiently organized for the various topics it covers. However, a more comprehensive textbook will also cover the major resources of the world after the section on climate change. Also, renewable and non-renewable resources should probably be placed after the climate change section.

Navigating through the book is not particularly difficult except that a header or footer making chapters could help with ease of navigation since all chapters restart with a new numbering system. There was no distortion of images or charts in this book.

No grammatical errors were found in the book and the technical language used was appropriate for a book at this level.

Because of the books focus on the biological and physiological aspects of environmental science the diversity of cultural examples is limited. Including the cultural, and economic aspects of environmental science would have allowed for a greater diversity of examples from around the world and the incorporation of different disciplines.

My most significant issue with this textbook is its lack of comprehensiveness. When I teach my introductory course in environmental science, I remind my students that environmental science/environmental management is much about how people use scarce resources. Unfortunately, this textbook hardly touches on many of the resource challenges of the world. Even if I were to use this book, I will also have to use a supplementary textbook that covers some of the key dimensions of environmental science that are not in this book.

Reviewed by Irene Hawkins, Adjunct Professor, Gettysburg College on 3/9/19

The book touched on many of the topics in Environmental Science, but some of them were very superficial. For example, there is little on the topic of environmental health and toxicity, other than a quick discussion of the Precautionary Principle.... read more

The book touched on many of the topics in Environmental Science, but some of them were very superficial. For example, there is little on the topic of environmental health and toxicity, other than a quick discussion of the Precautionary Principle. There is little on the environmental aspects of modern agriculture. This seems to cover some of the environmental science topics, but shallowly and incompletely.

What is in there is accurate from information a decade or more ago. Many of the graphs and figures and data are from more than ten years ago, and in a quickly progressing area of study, this seems like an easy update that has not been made. For example, there are pictures of glacial melt from the McCall Glacier from 1958 to 2003 - why not an update within the last 16 years?

What is there is good - but probably needs to be updated and improved upon. Many of the images/data are not up to date - even with the most recent IPCC report, so it seems like an easy update to get the data more relevant.

It is clear - but boring. Compared with other texts that help the non-major reader engage with the environmental science and help connect the issues to their lives, this book is dry. More case studies and stories that students can relate to to help understand the material would be helpful.

It is consistent - but a bit unremarkable. Why are there new page numbers for each chapter? It is very dry and clinical in the reporting of information, but is not engaging to want the reader to keep exploring these issues.

There are a lack of graphs and data and images to help the reader connect with the fairly lengthy, dry reading sections. The topic of Environmental Science easily leads to connections between the reader and the subject, regardless of their chosen interests - but this text does not encourage engagement.

It is organized. It is based heavily on chemistry and the molecular makeup of the environment right from the beginning, which can cause readers to be turned-off to the material before they have a chance to engage with the topics.

Other than starting each chapter with new page number counts, it is fine.

The grammar was fine. Again, it was dry and clinical, but grammatically correct.

It was politically-correctly written. There were examples from around the world - but primarily centered around the US/Global North. More examples and case studies from other regions of the world would help on many levels - global perspective, interest, etc.

I love the idea of Open Resource texts - however, this is not up to par with an introductory Environmental Science college level course, unless it is HIGHLY supplemented with outside material. Keep improving and more will use it!

Reviewed by Rutherford Platt, Professor, Gettysburg College on 3/1/19

The book has many standard topics in Environmental Science, but is missing or gives cursory attention to agriculture, biodiversity, and conservation. Also, the book includes only cursory discussion of human livelihoods across the word, which are... read more

The book has many standard topics in Environmental Science, but is missing or gives cursory attention to agriculture, biodiversity, and conservation. Also, the book includes only cursory discussion of human livelihoods across the word, which are inexorably tied to environmental change.

The book doesn't do justice to the 'big debates' in environmental science and presents many topics superficially.

The book takes a neural, unbiased tone and is largely accurate.

This book could have been written 20 years ago, and does not include the latest science and thinking on these topics. Many figures are a little old - for example figure 7.12 shows data from 2007. Updates would be fairly easy.

The text is accessible but incredibly dry and overly laden with terminology.

Yes, it is consistent. Consistently mediocre.

The book is overly modular. The authors lose opportunities to connect to concepts presented earlier in the text. For example, why doesn't the population chapter tie back to I = P A T? Environmental science is integrated - you can't just have chapters that are designed to stand entirely alone.

There is no particular logic or flow to the topics. Each chapter pretty much stands alone.

Some of the figures are low quality -- especially the human population chapter.

Grammatical Errors rating: 3

The grammar is fine but again the text is incredibly dry.

The book has very few examples at all, so there is little possibility for offense. I rated this poorly because the should discuss culture and how it intersects with the environment.

1. The book is too short and superficial for a college level course. 2. Except for a cursory description of the scientific method, the book does not convey what do scientists do, how do they operate. 3. The book misses the opportunity to present environmental issues in a compelling, relevant way to students. It begins with the narrowest, driest material (Chemical & Biological Foundations of life). Relevance for sustainability/conservation is only superficially presented. 4. There are few fully developed case studies or real-world applications. 5. Problem solving & understanding complex problems not part of this book. From what I can tell, the book's approach is to define a bunch of concepts.

Reviewed by Simeng Li, Instructor, Florida State University on 11/5/18

As a book that introduces Environment Science to readers that have little prior knowledge in this subject, this book has successfully covered most important areas of Environment Science, including some core concepts and definitions in this... read more

As a book that introduces Environment Science to readers that have little prior knowledge in this subject, this book has successfully covered most important areas of Environment Science, including some core concepts and definitions in this subject, population ecology, human demography, non-renewable energy, alternative energy, air pollution, climate change, and water. The selected topics in this book are able to provide a rough idea of what Environmental Science is mainly about. However, some important areas have not been mentioned or comprehensively discussed. For example, this book has discussed air and water pollution, but soil pollution has not been mentioned. Also, sustainability is a very critical area of Environmental Science. This book has briefly discussed this topic in the Introduction chapter but did extend relevant discussion. I suggest that the authors add a chapter focusing on sustainability, including its social, economic and environment aspects. In addition to comprehensiveness, this book is also weak in its overall depth of discussion. Most of the contents are not really thought-provoking, which is good as a pop science reading material whose readers who are simply interested in Environmental Science. However, this book may need more in-depth contents to meet probably most teachers' expectation as a university-level textbook. What I like about this book is that each chapter has clearly stated out its objectives at its beginning, as well as the questions at the end of each chapter (except Chapter viii. Water). But again, the questions can be a little more challenging for university students.

Overall speaking, the chapters in this book have been well written. It is not easy to write introductory texts that are rigorous and technically sound yet accessible to general readers. The book is accurate overall, but some paragraphs and concepts would benefit from a more rigorous and technical coverage in addition to the general introduction of the concepts provided. Only a few chapters have acknowledged their references, but most chapters did not do so. For example, appropriate citations are missing throughout Chapter i. Introduction. However, even in those chapters that have provided a list of references, the references are not linked to the contents in this book.

The contents that are presented in this book are closely relevant to the subject of Environmental Science. Because most of the contents are fundamental sciences, the book should be able to provide useful information to its general readers unless there are significant game-changing breakthroughs in the covered areas. However, some chapters that should have up-to-date information have not use the most recent references. For example, Chapter v. Alternative Energy should have shown more modern technologies for renewable energy. As a book that is written in 2018, such contents will quickly make the text obsolete within a short period of time.

The book has clearly explained jargons / technological terminologies using accessible yet technical languages. I believe that any high school students can easily learn something about Environment Science with this book. However, the downside is that this book has not provided in-depth information to allow its readers to fully understand some complex concepts.

Consistency rating: 1

The style of writing was not consistent throughout the book. Each chapter has its own page numbers. Structures in different chapters are also different sometimes. For example, some chapters have a list of objectives while some others do not; some chapters have acknowledge the references while some others do not; some chapters use "resources" for the list of references while some others use "bibliographies" for the same. With these inconsistencies, this book seems like a collection of review articles from different authors. To solve this problem, this book need professional editing to improve its consistency.

Overall, the text is easily and readily divided into small reading sections with clear titles. But it seems like the Introduction section is broken down into too many small sections that have ambiguous inherent links.

The overall organization is good but can be improved. The places of some sections can be rearranged. For example, Chapter viii. can be placed right after Chapter vi. because both air and water are essential aspects of the environment. Climate Change (Chapter vii) can be placed after the two chapters about energy, because the use fossil energy is one main reason for climate change.

The interface is pleasant and professional, except that the resolution of some images can be improved.

No major grammatical/stylistic errors were found, although minor mistakes may exist.

This book is not culturally sensitive or offensive.

Conclusively, this book can serve as a good introductory reading material for self-teaching readers, but many aspects of this book must be improved before it can be used as an Environmental Science textbook in universities and colleges.

Table of Contents

• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 2: Population Ecology
• Chapter 3: Human Demography
• Chapter 4: Non-Renewable Energy
• Chapter 5: Alternative Energy
• Chapter 6: Air Pollution
• Chapter 7: Climate Change
• Chapter 8: Water

Ancillary Material

About the book.

This course uses the basic principles of biology and earth science as a context for understanding environmental policies and resource management practices. Our planet is facing unprecedented environmental challenges, from oil spills to global climate change. In ENSC 1000, you will learn about the science behind these problems; preparing you to make an informed, invaluable contribution to Earth's future. I hope that each of you is engaged by the material presented and participates fully in the search for, acquisition of, and sharing of information within our class.

About the Contributors

Caralyn Zehnder , Georgia College and State University

Kalina Manoylov , Georgia College and State University

Samuel Mutiti , Georgia College and State University

Christine Mutiti , Georgia College and State University

Allison VandeVoort , Georgia College and State University

Donna Bennett , Georgia College and State University

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• AN ACCUMULATION OF CATASTROPHE: A POLITICAL ECONOMY OF WILDFIRE IN THE WESTERN UNITED STATES  Dockstader, Sue ( University of Oregon , 2024-03-25 ) This dissertation is an environmental sociological study of wildland fire in what is now the western United States. It examines wildfire management from roughly the 1900s to the present time employing a Marxist historical ...
• Managing Life's Future: Species Essentialism and Evolutionary Normativity in Conservation Policy, Practice, and Imaginaries  Maggiulli, Katrina ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-10 ) Folk essentialist and normative understandings of species are not only prevalent in popular layperson communities, but also end up undergirding United States conservation policy and practice due to the simplistic clarity ...
• Unsettled Ecologies: Alienated Species, Indigenous Restoration, and U.S. Empire in a Time of Climate Chaos  Fink, Lisa ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-10 ) This dissertation traces environmental thinking about invasive species from Western-colonial, diasporic settlers of color, and Indigenous perspectives within U.S. settler colonialism. Considering environmental discourses ...
• Futuremaking in a Disaster Zone: Everyday Climate Change Adaptation amongst Quechua Women in the Peruvian Cordillera Blanca  Moulton, Holly ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-10 ) Indigenous women in Peru are often labeled “triply vulnerable” to climate change due to race, gender, and economic marginalization. Despite Peru’s focus on gender, Indigeneity, and intersectionality in national adaptation ...
• Land Acts: Land's Agency in American Literature, Law, and History from the Colonial Period to Removal  Keeler, Kyle ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-10 ) This dissertation examines land’s agency and relationships to land in the places now known as the United States as these relationships appear in literature and law from early colonization to the removal period. Land Acts ...
• PALEOTEMPERATURE, VEGETATION CHANGE, FIRE HISTORY, AND LAKE PRODUCTIVITY FOR THE LAST 14,500 YEARS AT GOLD LAKE, PACIFIC NORTHWEST, USA  Baig, Jamila ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-09 ) The postglacial history of vegetation, wildfire, and climate in the Cascade Range (Oregon) is only partly understood. This study uses high-resolution analysis from a 13-meter, 14,500-year sediment core from Gold Lake to ...
• On Western Juniper Climate Relations  Reis, Schyler ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-26 ) Western juniper woodlands are highly sensitive to climate in terms of tree-ring growth, seedling establishment and range distribution. Understanding the dynamics of western juniper woodlands to changes in precipitation, ...
• Stories We Tell, Stories We Eat: Mexican Foodways, Cultural Identity, and Ideological Struggle in Netflix’s Taco Chronicles  Sanchez, Bela ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-26 ) Food is a biological necessity imbued with numerous social, cultural, and economic implications for identity production and everyday meaning-making. Food television is a unique medium for the meanings of food and foodways ...
• Soil Nutrient Additions Shift Orthopteran Herbivory and Invertebrate Community Composition  Altmire, Gabriella ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-26 ) Anthropogenic alterations to global pools of nitrogen and phosphorus are driving declines in plant diversity across grasslands. As such, concern over biodiversity loss has precipitated a host of studies investigating how ...
• Multispecies Memoir: Self, Genre, and Species Justice in Contemporary Culture  Otjen, Nathaniel ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-04 ) Liberal humanism articulates an individual, rational, autonomous, universal, and singularly human subject that possesses various rights and freedoms. Although the imagined subject at the heart of liberal humanist philosophy ...
• Understanding How Changes in Disturbance Regimes and Long-Term Climate Shape Ecosystem and Landscape Structure and Function  Wright, Jamie ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-04 ) Long-term and anthropic climatic change intersecting with disturbances alters ecosystem structure and function across spatiotemporal scales. Quantifying ecosystem responses can be convoluted, therefore utilizing multiproxy ...
• Ikpíkyav (To Fix Again): Drawing From Karuk World Renewal To Contest Settler Discourses Of Vulnerability  Vinyeta, Kirsten ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-04 ) The Klamath River Basin of Northern California has historically been replete with fire-adapted ecosystems and Indigenous communities. For the Karuk Tribe, fire has been an indispensable tool for both spiritual practice and ...
• Grassland Restoration in Heterogeneous, Changing, and Human Dominated Systems  Brambila, Alejandro ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-04 ) Ecological restoration is a powerful tool to promote biodiversity and ecosystem function. Understanding underlying system variability and directional change can help predict outcomes of restoration interventions. Spatial ...
• Restoring What? And for Whom? Listening to Karuk Ecocultural Revitalization Practitioners and Uncovering Settler Logics in Ecological Restoration.  Worl, Sara ( University of Oregon , 2022-05-10 ) What does it mean to restore a landscape degraded by settler colonialism? How might a well intentionedprocess like ecological restoration end up causing harm from underlying settler colonial logics? This thesis explores ...
• Instigating Communities of Solidarity: An Exploration of Participatory, Informal, Temporary Urbanisms  Meier, Briana ( University of Oregon , 2021-11-23 ) This dissertationexamines the potential for participatory, informal urbanisms to buildcollaborative relations across ontological, cultural, and political difference. This research contributes to thefield of urban, environmental ...
• The Holy Oak School of Art and Ecology: A Proposal for Arts-Based Environmental Education Programming  Best, Krysta ( University of Oregon , 2021-11-23 ) The following is a proposal for arts-based environmental education programming in elementary schools, after-school programs, and day-camp programs, entitled the Holy School of Art and Ecology. Ecophenomenological, arts-based ...
• Settler Colonial Listening and the Silence of Wilderness in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area  Hilgren, Bailey ( University of Oregon , 2021-11-23 ) The Boundary Waters Canoe Area soundscape in northern Minnesota has a long and contested history but is most often characterized today as a pristine and distinctly silent wilderness. This thesis traces the construction and ...
• Species Dynamics and Restoration in Rare Serpentine Grasslands under Global Change  Hernandez, Eliza ( University of Oregon , 2021-11-23 ) Conserving rare serpentine grasslands is a challenge with ongoing nitrogen deposition. Nutrient-poor patches are fertilized by nitrogen-rich smog and exotic grasses can rapidly spread. Water resources are also being altered ...
• Place-making and Place-taking: An Analysis of Green Gentrification in Atlanta Georgia  Okotie-Oyekan, Aimée ( University of Oregon , 2021-11-23 ) Despite the benefits of urban greenspace, Atlanta’s Westside Park is causing gentrification and displacement pressures in Grove Park, a low-income African-American community in northwest Atlanta, Georgia. This study used ...
• Prairie Plant Responses to Climate Change in the Pacific Northwest  Reed, Paul ( University of Oregon , 2021-09-13 ) Understanding how plants respond to climate change is of paramount importance since their responses can affect ecosystem functions and patterns of biodiversity. At the population level, climate change may alter phenology ...

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351 Environmental Science Research Topics & Ideas

18 January 2024

last updated

Environmental science research topics depend on a vast range of issues pivotal to understanding and safeguarding the natural world. Some themes may dive deep into studies of climate change, assessing its impact on ecosystems and suggesting mitigation strategies. Various topics also explore biodiversity, looking at species conservation and threats to habitats globally. Pollution is another focal area, investigating the sources, effects, and solutions to air, water, and soil contamination. Moreover, sustainable practices focus on renewable energy, green urban planning, and sustainable agriculture. This interdisciplinary field even scrutinizes human behavior, illustrating the complex interplay between socioeconomic factors and environmental health. Thus, environmental science research topics cover exploration, data interpretation, and creative problem-solving, all with the ultimate goal of developing ecologically responsible and sustainable methods for the proper coexistence of people and the natural world.

Hot Environmental Research Topics

• Understanding Climate Change and Food Security Nexus
• Unveiling Mysteries of Deep Ocean Biodiversity
• Exploring Strategies for Sustainable Agriculture
• Harnessing Green Energy: Opportunities and Challenges
• Rethinking Urban Design for Climate Resilience
• Insights Into Ecological Consequences of Deforestation
• Green Building Practices: A Comparative Study
• Endangered Species and Conservation Efforts: A Comprehensive Review
• Examining the Potential of Vertical Farming in Urban Areas
• Strategies for Plastic Waste Management: A Global Perspective
• Microplastics in Marine Ecosystems: An Unseen Threat
• Decoding Links Between Soil Health and Agricultural Productivity
• Effective Water Management Strategies in Arid Regions
• Emerging Contaminants in Freshwater Bodies: Trends and Solutions
• E-Waste Recycling: Technological Advancements and Challenges
• Carbon Sequestration in Forest Ecosystems: A Multidisciplinary Approach
• Human Behavioral Change for Environmental Sustainability
• Analyzing the Effects of Air Pollution on Human Health
• Biodiversity Hotspots and Their Conservation Significance
• Assessing Geoengineering Techniques for Climate Change Mitigation

Easy Environmental Research Topics

• Exploration of Solar Energy Advantages
• Rainwater Harvesting: A Simple Guide
• Why Recycling Matters: A Closer Look
• Green Spaces in Urban Planning
• Wildlife Conservation in Local Communities
• Understanding the Threat of Endangered Species
• Eco-Friendly Farming: The Basics
• Pollution in Cities: An Overview
• Renewable Energy: Current Trends
• Conservation of Water: Simple Methods
• Sustainable Living: Small Changes, Big Effects
• Climate Change: Easy-to-Understand Facts
• Rising Sea Levels: Exploring Causes
• Greenhouse Gases: A Beginner’s Study
• Composting at Home: An Introduction
• Biodiversity in Backyards: A Survey
• Plastic Waste: The Global Picture
• Community Gardens: Environmental and Social Benefits
• Forest Fires and Climate Change: A Link

Interesting Environmental Topics

• Decoding Coral Reef Bleaching Phenomena
• Intricacies of Permaculture Design Principles
• Fascinating World of Biofuels: A Deeper Dive
• Cryptic Life of Microorganisms in Soil Health Maintenance
• Innovative Techniques in Water Purification and Conservation
• Ecology of Urban Bees: A Novel Approach
• Mysterious Decline of Honeybee Populations
• Analysis of Climate Change Predictive Models
• Rise of Veganism: Environmental Implications
• Bizarre Effects of Light Pollution on Wildlife
• Ecosystem Services Provided by Wetlands
• Unfolding the Hidden Costs of Fast Fashion
• Overpopulation and Strain on Environmental Resources
• Wonders of Agroforestry: An Interdisciplinary Investigation
• Unraveling the Puzzle of Eutrophication
• Curious Case of Invasive Species: Winners or Losers?
• Dissecting the Intricacies of Carbon Footprints
• A Magnet for Pollution: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
• Invisible Enemy: Silent Threat of Indoor Air Pollution
• Glacial Retreat: A Story of Changing Climates

Environmental Research Topics for High School

• Influence of Climate Change on Local Weather Patterns
• Renewable Energy Sources: An Overview
• Understanding the Process of Composting
• Examining the Threat of Endangered Species Locally
• Exploring the Concept of Carbon Footprint
• Deforestation and Its Consequences: A Closer Look
• Greenhouse Effect Simplified: Causes and Consequences
• Waste Management: Importance of Recycling and Reusing
• Biodiversity in Your Backyard: An Introduction
• Diving Into the World of Organic Farming
• Air Quality Index and Its Significance
• Examining Coral Reefs: Importance and Threats
• Water Conservation Techniques for Sustainable Use
• Unpacking the Plastic Problem: From Production to Pollution
• Agriculture and Its Environmental Effects: An Overview
• Urban Heat Islands: Causes and Mitigation Strategies
• Natural Disasters: Causes and Preparation Techniques
• Exploring the Connection Between Diet and Environment
• Invasive Species’ Impact on Native Ecosystems
• Sustainability in Action: Everyday Practices for a Greener Future

Environmental Research Topics for College Students

• Unraveling the Mystery of Coral Bleaching
• Environmental Justice: A Multidisciplinary Approach
• Sustainable Transport: A Comparative Study
• Diving Into Deep Sea Mining: Pros and Cons
• Solar Power Efficiency: Opportunities and Challenges
• Biodegradable Plastics: A Solution or a Mirage?
• Hydroelectric Power: Evaluating Environmental Trade-offs
• Permaculture Principles and Its Real-World Applications
• Ecotourism: An Assessment of Environmental and Social Effects
• Air Pollution and Public Health: An Interdisciplinary Study
• Ecological Footprint: Calculation and Interpretation
• Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in Agriculture
• Industrial Agriculture vs. Organic Farming: A Comparative Analysis
• Urban Planning for Climate Resilience: A Detailed Review
• Conservation Strategies for Endangered Species
• Wetlands: Ecological Importance and Conservation Measures
• Ocean Acidification: Causes and Effects on Marine Life
• Green Architecture: Innovations and Challenges
• Sustainable Waste Management: Technological Innovations and Best Practices

Environmental Research Topics for University

• Interconnections Between Forest Fires and Climate Change
• Assessing Sustainability in Supply Chain Management
• Urban Sprawl and Environmental Degradation: A Case Study
• GMO Crops: An Environmental and Social Analysis
• Geospatial Techniques in Environmental Conservation
• Water Quality in Developing Countries: Comprehensive Study
• Marine Pollution: Sources, Consequences, and Mitigation Strategies
• Environmental Ethics: Perspectives and Applications
• Soil Erosion: Causes, Effects, and Control Measures
• Geoengineering Techniques for Climate Change Mitigation
• Sustainable Urban Development: New Avenues and Challenges
• Nanotechnology in Environmental Remediation: A Critical Review
• Climate Policy and International Relations: A Complex Nexus
• Sustainable Fashion: Practices, Challenges, and Future Directions
• Technological Innovations in Renewable Energy: A Trend Analysis
• Green Spaces and Mental Health: An Interdisciplinary Review
• Trends in Sustainable Aquaculture Practices
• Wildlife Trafficking and Environmental Security: A Global Perspective
• Analyzing the Health Effects of Air Pollution
• Disposal and Management of Hazardous Waste: Current Techniques and Challenges

Topics in Environmental Science Research

• Challenges of Sustainable Resource Management
• Environmental Epigenetics: A New Frontier
• Plant-Based Diets and Sustainability: A Deeper Insight
• Unfolding Mysteries of Climate Migration Patterns
• Urban Ecology: Interactions of Humans and Nature
• Biochar as a Soil Amendment: An Analysis
• Threats to Arctic Ecosystems: A Detailed Review
• Influence of Mining Activities on Local Environments
• Deciphering the Ozone Layer Depletion Puzzle
• Flood Risk Management in Changing Climates
• Regenerative Agriculture: Practices and Prospects
• Methane Emissions From Livestock Farming: A Critical Review
• Ecohydrology: Interactions Between Water and Ecosystems
• Ecological Restoration of Degraded Landscapes
• Exploring the World of Conservation Genetics
• Plastic Pollution in Terrestrial Environments: An Emerging Issue
• Bioinformatics in Biodiversity Conservation: A Novel Approach
• Sustainable Tourism Practices: A Global Overview
• Life Cycle Analysis of Consumer Products
• Urban Farming Innovations: A Potential Solution for Food Security

Research Topics for Environmental Issues

• Deciphering the Global Nitrogen Cycle: Anthropogenic Effects
• Climate-Smart Agriculture: Innovation and Adoption Challenges
• Environmental Governance: Comparative Analysis of Global Frameworks
• Quantifying Biodiversity: Advanced Metrics and Methodologies
• Radiative Forcing From Atmospheric Aerosols: A Detailed Study
• Advancing Sustainable Urban Development: A Systems Perspective
• Environmental Risks of Nanomaterials: A Comprehensive Review
• Plant-Microbe Interactions in Phytoremediation: Molecular Mechanisms
• Ecological Modelling for Ecosystem Service Valuation
• Assessing Future Trajectories of Sea Level Rise
• Climate Change Adaptation: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Policy Interventions
• Agricultural Practices and Soil Carbon Sequestration: An In-Depth Study
• Socioeconomic Determinants of Environmental Behavior: A Cross-Cultural Analysis
• Sustainable Water Management in Arid Regions: Novel Approaches
• Challenges in Implementing a Circular Economy: A Case Study
• Holocene Climate Variability: Paleoenvironmental Reconstructions
• Green Chemistry: Emerging Techniques and Environmental Implications
• Bioenergy Production: Environmental Trade-Offs and Opportunities
• Ecosystem Resilience in the Face of Anthropogenic Disturbances

Environmental Safety and Health Topics for Research

• Health Implications of Air Quality: A Comprehensive Study
• Assessing Occupational Hazards in the Mining Industry
• Water Quality and Public Health: An Interdisciplinary Study
• Developing Safety Protocols in the Chemical Industry
• Exploring the Nexus Between Climate Change and Vector-Borne Diseases
• Managing Safety and Health in the Construction Industry
• Radioactive Pollution: Risks and Mitigation Strategies
• Effects of Noise Pollution on Human Health
• Biosecurity Measures in Agriculture: Policies and Implementation
• Assessing Risks of Genetically Modified Organisms to Human Health
• Exposure to Heavy Metals: Health Risks and Regulatory Standards
• Quantifying Health Impacts of Industrial Pollutants
• Food Safety in a Changing Climate: Challenges and Solutions
• Indoor Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases: A Detailed Study
• Developing Protocols for Hazardous Waste Management
• Assessing the Health Effects of Microplastics Exposure
• Understanding Health Risks of Pesticide Exposure in Agriculture
• Psychosocial Factors and Safety Culture in the Oil and Gas Industry
• Health Impact Assessment of Nuclear Energy Facilities

Environmental Engineering Topics for Research

• Innovative Techniques in Wastewater Treatment
• Biofuel Production: Process Optimization and Scale-Up Challenges
• Advancements in Water Desalination Technologies
• Novel Materials for Photovoltaic Cells
• Harnessing Energy From Tidal and Wave Power: Engineering Challenges
• Biodegradable Materials for Sustainable Packaging Solutions
• Remediation Techniques for Contaminated Soil
• Carbon Capture and Storage: Technological Developments
• Improving Efficiency of Wind Turbines: A Technical Review
• Sustainable Construction Materials: A Life Cycle Analysis
• Geotechnical Considerations for Offshore Wind Farms
• Green Synthesis of Nanomaterials for Environmental Applications
• Advanced Oxidation Processes for Water Treatment
• Modeling and Optimization of Landfill Gas Recovery
• Acid Mine Drainage: Mitigation Strategies and Techniques
• Environmental Biotechnology: Harnessing Microbes for Pollution Control
• Heat Transfer in Energy Efficient Buildings: An Analysis
• Natural Fiber Reinforced Composites for Construction Applications
• Sustainable Approaches to Pavement Design and Materials
• Developing Energy Efficient Processes in Chemical Industries

Research Topics for Environmental Biology

• Unraveling Symbiotic Relationships in Coral Reefs
• Genetic Diversity and Conservation: An Interdisciplinary Approach
• Decoding the Functioning of Biofilms in Environmental Systems
• Plant-Soil Interactions in Changing Climate Scenarios
• Molecular Mechanisms of Microbial Bioremediation
• Eco-Immunology: Exploring Disease Dynamics in Wildlife Populations
• Plant Adaptation Strategies to Abiotic Stress Factors
• Marine Microbial Ecology: Unseen Life in the Oceans
• Metagenomics Approaches in Soil Microbial Ecology
• Understanding Invasive Species: Genetic and Ecological Perspectives
• Examining Trophic Interactions Under Climate Change
• Phylogenetic Analysis of Endangered Species for Conservation Strategies
• Genomics of Extremophiles: Survival in Harsh Environments
• Investigating Effects of Plastic Pollutants on Aquatic Life
• Landscape Genetics: Applications in Conservation Biology
• Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Plant Responses to Heavy Metal Stress
• Disease Dynamics in Pollinator Populations
• Functional Traits in Community Ecology: A Novel Approach
• Metabolic Engineering for Biofuel Production

Environmental Law Topics for Research

• Environmental Justice in Land Use Planning: A Legal Perspective
• Assessing Regulatory Frameworks for Carbon Markets
• International Law and Marine Plastic Pollution: A Comprehensive Analysis
• Enforcement Challenges in Wildlife Trafficking Laws
• Analysis of Climate Change Litigation: Global Trends
• Understanding the Legal Aspects of Transboundary Water Conflicts
• Legal Frameworks for the Conservation of Migratory Species
• Analysis of Environmental Impact Assessment Laws Across Countries
• Regulating Genetically Modified Organisms: A Comparative Legal Study
• Corporate Environmental Responsibility: Legal and Ethical Dimensions
• Evaluating Legal Mechanisms for Marine Protected Areas
• Exploring Legal Implications of Geoengineering Techniques
• Regulatory Challenges in the Transition to Renewable Energy
• Forest Rights and Conservation: A Legal Analysis
• Legal Frameworks for the Protection of Indigenous Environmental Knowledge
• Laws Regulating Hazardous Waste Management: A Comparative Study
• Legal Implications of Ecological Restoration Projects
• Regulation of Pesticides: Balancing Health and Environmental Concerns
• Legal Instruments for Regulating Noise Pollution: An Overview
• Analysis of International Agreements on Biodiversity Conservation

Environmental Research Topics About Economics

• Economic Valuation of Ecosystem Services: A Critical Review
• Economic Analysis of Climate Change Mitigation Strategies
• Socioeconomic Drivers of Deforestation: A Comprehensive Study
• Green Growth: Challenges and Opportunities for Developing Countries
• Assessing the Economic Viability of Renewable Energy Sources
• Economic Incentives for Biodiversity Conservation: An Overview
• Incorporating Environmental Costs in Product Pricing: A Case Study
• Investigating the Economics of Carbon Capture and Storage
• Market-Based Instruments for Pollution Control: A Detailed Analysis
• Economic Impacts of Natural Disasters: A Global Perspective
• Analysis of Cap-and-Trade Systems for Carbon Emissions
• Investigating the Effectiveness of Environmental Taxes
• Economic Analysis of Sustainable Agriculture Practices
• Assessing the Economic Feasibility of Biofuel Production
• Economic Implications of Water Scarcity: A Cross-Country Analysis
• Transition to a Circular Economy: Economic and Policy Considerations
• Economics of Sustainable Urban Development: A Detailed Study
• Cost-Benefit Analysis of Green Building Techniques
• Economic Impacts of Coastal Erosion and Sea Level Rise

Environmental History Research Topics

• Perception of Climate Change: A Historical Analysis
• Amazon Rainforest’s Environmental History Unraveled
• Consequences of the Agricultural Revolution on Environment: A Detailed Study
• United States Environmental Movements: An Historical Exploration
• Influence of the Industrial Revolution on Modern Environmental Challenges
• Green Spaces in Urban Planning: A History of Urban Parks
• Global Patterns and Causes of Deforestation: A Historical Overview
• Insights From Paleoclimatology: Climate Variability in Historical Context
• Arctic Exploration and Its Environmental History
• The Emergence of Environmental Law: A Historical Understanding
• From Fossil Fuels to Renewables: A History of Energy Transition
• River Management and Conservation: Historical Perspectives
• Lessons for Climate Change Adaptation From The Dust Bowl History
• Causes and Consequences of Marine Pollution: A Historical Analysis
• Natural Resource Exploitation in Colonial Periods: A Historical Overview
• Forest Management Practices: Historical Insights
• Endangered Species Conservation: Understanding the Historical Context
• Environmental Implications of Pesticide Use: A Historical Analysis
• Nuclear Age: Unraveling Its Environmental History

Controversial Environmental Research Topics

• Genetically Modified Crops: Environmental Savior or Biohazard?
• Nuclear Energy: A Sustainable Solution or Environmental Risk?
• Hydraulic Fracturing and Its Environmental Consequences
• Climate Change Denial: Analyzing the Motives and Consequences
• Geoengineering Solutions for Climate Change: Promise or Peril?
• Anthropocene: Valid Geological Epoch or Human Egotism?
• Intensive Animal Farming: Environmental Concerns and Ethical Dilemmas
• De-extinction and Its Potential Ecological Consequences
• Plastic Waste Management: Incineration vs. Recycling
• Neonicotinoids and Bee Decline: Assessing the Controversy
• Economic Growth vs. Environmental Protection: Reconciling the Dichotomy
• Landfilling vs. Zero Waste Approach: A Comparative Study
• Ocean Fertilization as a Carbon Sequestration Strategy
• E-Waste Management: Export or Domestic Recycling?
• Noise Pollution: Overlooked Environmental Hazard or Nuisance Issue?
• Fast Fashion Industry and Its Environmental Footprint
• Artificial Intelligence in Environmental Management: Boon or Bane?
• Palm Oil Production and Biodiversity Loss: A Complex Connection
• Desalination Plants: Solution for Water Scarcity or Ecological Threat?

Persuasive Environmental Research Topics

• Promoting Green Energy Transition: Evaluating Success Stories
• Waste Segregation at Source: An Essential Step Toward Effective Waste Management
• Adoption of Organic Farming for Sustainable Agriculture
• Nature-Based Solutions: An Underutilized Tool in Climate Change Mitigation
• Changing Consumer Behavior for Sustainable Fashion
• Shifting to Public Transportation: A Key to Urban Sustainability
• Coral Reef Protection: Strategies and Success Stories
• Green Building: A Must for Sustainable Urban Development
• Incorporation of Environmental Education Into School Curriculum
• The Shift From Fast to Slow Fashion: Need of the Hour
• Afforestation as a Natural Climate Solution: Examining Its Potential
• Promoting Circular Economy: A Way Forward for Waste Reduction
• Divestment From Fossil Fuels: An Imperative Climate Action
• Supporting Indigenous Knowledge for Biodiversity Conservation
• Plant-Based Diet: A Strategy for Reducing Carbon Footprint
• Urban Green Spaces: Essential for Human Wellbeing and Biodiversity
• Adoption of Electric Vehicles: A Key to Reduce Carbon Emissions
• Reducing Single-Use Plastics: A Critical Move Toward Sustainability
• Transitioning to Sustainable Fishing Practices: A Global Priority
• Decentralized Renewable Energy Systems: A Solution for Energy Access and Climate Mitigation

Argumentative Environmental Research Topics

• Dams and Hydroelectric Power: Net Gain or Loss for the Environment?
• Wind Energy: Assessing Arguments Around Bird Mortality
• Population Control: Necessary Environmental Strategy or Human Rights Violation?
• International Trade and Its Environmental Consequences
• Arguments Around Carbon Trading and Its Efficacy
• Trophy Hunting: Conservation Strategy or Ecological Disaster?
• Marine Protected Areas: Effective Conservation or Displacement of Fishing Pressure?
• Arguments For and Against Climate Change Geoengineering
• Food Waste: Ethical, Environmental, and Economic Implications
• GMOs and Biodiversity: Assessing Potential Risks
• Arguments Surrounding Water Fluoridation: An Environmental Perspective
• Ecotourism: Sustainable Practice or Threat to Wild Areas?
• Carbon Capture and Storage: Viable Solution or Costly Distraction?
• Deep Sea Mining: Economic Opportunity or Ecological Risk?
• Aquaculture: Solution to Overfishing or New Environmental Problem?
• Arguments For and Against Biofuels as a Green Energy Source
• Fusion Energy: Future of Clean Energy or Pipe Dream?
• Debate Around the Environmental Effects of Cryptocurrency Mining
• Environmental Implications of Space Travel and Exploration

Research Topics for Environmental Debates

• Pros and Cons of Solar Geoengineering as a Climate Solution
• Arguments Surrounding the Use of Genetically Modified Mosquitoes
• Land Rights vs. Conservation: Examining the Debate
• Debate Around Large-Scale Reforestation and Natural Forest Regrowth
• Investigating the Controversy Over Invasive Species Control
• Environmental Justice in Waste Management: A Heated Debate
• Nuclear Power in the Age of Renewable Energy: An Ongoing Debate
• Controversy and Debate Surrounding Carbon Taxes
• Debating the Effects of Air Travel on Climate Change
• Green New Deal: Revolution or Unrealistic Ambition?
• The Controversy Around Synthetic Meat: Environmental Savior or Unproven Experiment?
• Analyzing the Debate Surrounding E-Waste Export Policies
• Understanding the Ongoing GMO Labeling Debate
• Debates Around Solar Energy and Land Use
• Animal Rights vs. Conservation: Unpacking the Conflict
• Exploring the Controversial Intersection of Environmentalism and Immigration
• Debate Over Ocean Acidification and Its Effects on Marine Life
• Investigating the Debate on the Environmental Impact of Veganism
• Analyzing the Controversy Over Urban Vertical Farming
• Debate Surrounding Environmental Cost of Electric vs. Gasoline Cars

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Home > Environmental Studies > Student Theses 2001-2013

Student Theses 2001-2013

Theses/dissertations from 2017 2017.

The Disappearing Wetland Act: Climate Change, Development, and Protection , Jessica P. Doughty

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

The Centrality of Ecological Design: Achieving Sustainability in an Era of Free-Market Capitalist Framework , Eddy Andrade

A Vicious CERCLA, Or The Twilight of the Superfund , Donald Borenstein

Saving the World’s Remaining Tigers: Panthera’s Work and the Role of Non-Profits in Wildlife Conservation , John Byrne

New York City’s Water Challenges: History, Politics, and Design , Jessica Crowley

Giving Back to the Community: Addressing the Environmental Literacy Gap Through Socially and Environmentally Responsible Business Practices , David Garcia

Wasting Plates: Addressing Food Waste in the United States , Sarah Geuss

Too Pig to Fail: Considering Regulatory Solutions to the Environmental Damages Caused by Industrial Hog Farms in North Carolina , Samir Hafez

Sandy and the City: The Need for Coastal Policy Reform , Jonathan Hilburg

Drilling for Arctic Oil: Is it Worth the Risk? , Emily Kain

The Pedestrianization of New York City: An Environmental History and Critique of Urban Motorization and A Look at New York City’s New Era of Planning , Anna Kobara

Hurricane Sandy: Using Environmental History, Economics, Politics and Urban Planning to Prepare For the Next One , Julia Maguire

Our Failing Food System: Productivity Versus Sustainability , Alyson Murphy

Exploring the Drivers of CSR and Creating a Sustainable Corporate Institution: Environmental Education, Politics, and Business Practices , Eric Osuna

Composting Food Waste: A Method That Can Improve Soil Quality and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions , Gentiana Quni

Assessment of Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Conservation Awareness in the Tarangire-Manyara Ecosystem , Karianne Rivera

The Sustainable Future of the Metropolis: Greening New York City Building By Building , Lizbeth Sanchez

Trash Talk: Solid Waste Disposal in New York City , Alexander Williams

Hurricane Sandy: A Chance to Identify Vulnerabilities, Learn from the Past, and Increase Future Resiliency , Julianne Yee

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

Going Green at New York-Presbyterian: Hospitals As Sustainable Businesses , Samantha Allegro

A Stronger Role For the United States President in Environmental Policy , Elizabeth Anderson

Simulating Climate Risk Into Markets and Policies: A New Approach to Financial Analysis and Policy Formation , Miguel Bantigue

Environmental Education Reform: Using Experiential Learning to Influence Environmental Policy-Making By Fostering a Sense of Environmental Citizenship and Eco-Literacy , Nicol Belletiere

Internship Report: Earthjustice & the Fracking Battle in New York's Marcellus Shale , John Byrne

Coal: How We Achieved Our Dependency and Its True Cost , Kelly Caggiano

Recycling Furniture: The Ecological, Economic and Social Benefits , Michele Calabrese

Internship Report UNEP: The Effects of Climate Change in Arctic Zones , Diana Cartaya-Acosta

Environmental Racism in South Africa: A Sustainable Green Solution , Danielle Darmofal

The Bronx, Beavers and Birthrights: The Case For Urban Wildlife , Richard Day

The Economics of Biodiversity , Paige Doyle

Environmental Communications: Case Study of New York City's Double Crested Cormorant , Marisa Galdi

Not a Walk In the Park: Environmental Justice in New York City , Lindsey Grier

The Economic and Environmental Justice Implications of Hydraulic Fracturing in 21st Century North America , Katie Medved

The Bottling Craze: Exposing the Environmental Effects of Bottled Vs. Tap Water , Michele Paccagnini

How the United States Will Find a Sustainable Future Through Increased Nuclear Productivity , Ian Pruitt

Group For the East End: The Role of Childhood Environmental Education in Improving Learning Behaviors and the Health of Humans and the Environment , Brian Riley

The Role of Modern Zoos in Wildlife Conservation: From the WCS to the Wild , John Scott

Global Climate Change Vs. Global Warming: What Is the Difference "Global Climate Change" and "Global Warming"? , Nadia Seeteram

Lost in Translation: Environmental Communication Issues in Media and Politics , Carolyn Wegemann

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

The Ins and Outs of Corporate Greenwashing , Jennifer Bender

A River Runs Through It: Community Access to the Bronx River in Tremont and Hunts Point , Matthew Bodnar

The Future is Green; Urban Agriculture in the Bronx , Patty Gouris

All in Our Backyard: Exploring how Environmental Discrimination Affects Health and Social Conditions in the South Bronx , Mireille Martineau

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

The Bronx River Alliance: A Model Community Action Organization And an Internship in Development , John Hinck

Enrique Reef: Degradation and Protective Measures , Dana Mitchell

The Human Population Growth and its Ecological Consequences on Kenya and Tanzania , Lauren Noll

Environmental Consciousness: Human Motivation for Thinking Ecologically , Rob Pigue

Economics of Carbon Regulation: An Exploration to the Nuance of Carbon Regulation , Timothy J. Schwartz

New York Botanical Garden Internship: From Photography to Policy , Christine Willeford

Theses/Dissertations from 2009 2009

Environmental Health and Climate Change: The Case of Lyme Disease , Matthew Abad

Recycling Tendencies of Fordham University's Population , Jeremy Aiss, Vincent Ammirato, Anamarie Beluch, and Christopher Torres

The Business of Sustainability , Andrea Brady

Waste Mismanagement: Fighting Environmental Injustice in Mott Haven and Hunts Point , Elizabeth Friedrich

Environmental Internship & The Fordham Eco-Roof Proposal , Anthony Giovannone

The Putnam Railroad Corridor Restoration Project: A Comprehensive Plan for Paired Ecological Restoration and Greenway Construction , Patrick J. Hopkins Jr.

Land Use Policy and Development on Long Island , Richard Murdocco

From the Bronx into the Wild! My Adventurous Experience at the Bronx Zoo , Lauren Noll

For the Birds! , Robert Patterson

Managing Infestation of the Invasive Viburnum Leaf Beetle (Pyrrhalta viburni) at the New York Botanical Garden , Gregory Russo

Environmental History of Japan , Amy Seagroves

Theses/Dissertations from 2008 2008

A Healthy Environment is a Healthy Body , Matthew Abad

Stormwater Runoff, Combined Sewer Overflow, and Environmental Justice in the Bronx , Natalie Collao

Solving a Crisis: Water Quality & Storm Water Infrastructure in New York City , Kelsey Ripper

The New Social Movement: Environmental Justice in the Bronx , Kelsey Ripper

Environmental Justice and Street Science: A Fusion of Community Knowledge and Environmental Health Justice to Address the Asthma Epidemic in Urban Communities , Natalie Robiou

Urban Wildlife and Leopold’s Land Ethic: “The squirrels on a college campus convey the same lesson as the redwoods. . . .” , Natalie Robiou

Unpasteurized Milk and Soft Cheese Outbreaks: An Overview of Consumer Safety , Taygan Yilmaz

Theses/Dissertations from 2007 2007

The Environmental Justice Movement in the United States , Harrison Delfin

Natural River Restoration in Urban Ecology: The Bronx River , Samuel P. Loor

Theses/Dissertations from 2006 2006

The H5N1 Avian Influenza Virus: Globalization, Climate Change, and Other Anthropogenic Factors in New Emergent Diseases , Quan Luong

The Environmental Effects of War , Philip Swintek

Theses/Dissertations from 2005 2005

Identification of Genetically Modified Organisms in Foodstuffs , Anamarie Beluch

The Moral Dilemma of Genetically Modified Foods (GMOs) , Anamarie Beluch

Theses/Dissertations from 2003 2003

The History of Community Gardens in New York City: The Role of Urban Agriculture and Green Roofs in Addressing Environmental Racism , Rosamarie Ridge

Theses/Dissertations from 2002 2002

Bronx River Restoration: Report and Assessment , Teresa Crimmens

Environmental Audit of the Rose Hill Campus , Nicole Marshall, Maria Nissi, Brian Flaherty, Carl Van Ostrand, and Ian McClelland

Theses/Dissertations from 2001 2001

Bronx River Restoration: Report and Assessment , Nicole Marshall

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• Functional genomic and metabolomics characterisation of bioleaching fungi from mine tailings  Nkuna, Rosina ( 2023-12 ) Bioleaching is a biological and an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional leaching methods for extracting metals from ores or wastes. However, its reliance on microorganism, which are sensitive to bioleaching ...
• The ecological assessment of the influence of anthropogenic activities on Palala River, Limpopo, South Africa  Sibiya, Sifundile ( 2023-08 ) Water quality integrity deterioration is a severe global issue due to urbanisation, population growth, pollution and other anthropogenic activities threatening freshwater integrity. Anthropogenic activities alter freshwater ...
• The impact of licensing on selected hazardous waste disposal facilities in South Africa  Dlamini, Zinhle Teresa (Mbili) ( 2023-02 ) This research evaluates the impact of waste licensing conditions on the operations of three selected hazardous waste disposal facilities, particularly in terms of compliance with conditions of the issued waste management ...
• Factors affecting sustainable water use in South Africa : a case of Cape Town  Musariri, Yeukai ( 2023-01-31 ) Cape Town's water shortages continue unabated, with most residents resorting to unsafe water sources. The continuation of the water shortages has reached crisis level, which signals challenges in the provision of clean, ...
• Sustainability of indigenous methods of solid waste management in Sikhunyani Village, Limpopo Province, South Africa  Rabonda, Lethabo Caroline ( 2023-02-24 ) Most rural areas do not have access to basic amenities such as municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal services and use various indigenous methods of solid waste management and disposal. Most communities in developing countries ...
• Inclusion of local community farmers in the last-mile supply chain processes of luxury wildlife tourism destinations  Van den Berg, Hugo ( 2022-12-01 ) The fresh produce supply chains' content, nature, and characteristics for luxury tourism wildlife destinations in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa are unknown. There is no synthesised document that compares the current ...
• A case study for wetland restoration towards socio-ecological appreciation of natural resources in Kwazulu-Natal (South Africa)  Acker, Cherise ( 2022-11 ) Social cognitive theory suggests that in order to bring about change in society an environment conducive to change is imperative. This theory was investigated within a socio-ecological framework using a comparative study ...
• Assessing the abundance of Cryptosporidium and Giardia spp. in borehole water close to eMbalenhle wastewater treatment plant and associated human health impacts  Makhombothi, Busisiwe Fezile ( 2023-03 ) Groundwater quality is often an overlooked aspect and due to this oversight, groundwater remains vulnerable to contamination by such sources as wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Even though most WWTPs in South Africa ...
• An assessment of the occurrence and removal options of microplastics in wastewater treatment processes at the City Ekurhuleni and Midvaal in South Africa  Mphaga, Tendani ( 2023-03-03 ) The main aim of the study was to investigate the occurrence and removal of microplastics in wastewater treatment processes in Ekurhuleni and Midvaal in South Africa. The amount of microplastics and chemical composition ...
• Feeding and spatial ecology of brown hyaena (hyaena brunnea) in the presence of a vulture restaurant on Mogale’s Gate Biodiversity Centre, Gauteng province, South Africa  Kruger, Caroline Vera ( 2022-01-21 ) Initial studies of brown hyaena occurred mainly in relatively large and arid systems, such as in the Namib Desert, the Kalahari region of southern Africa and savanna regions of Botswana and northern South Africa. In recent ...
• An investigation into the environmental sustainability of the South African ornamental horticultural industry  Goodwin, Cary Leigh ( 2023-01 ) The ornamental horticultural industry makes use of natural resources to grow plants and produce allied products to sell to consumers, landscapers, retail garden centres, hardware stores, supermarkets, and government, but ...
• Assessing factors that influence household fuelstacking behaviour within rural households in the Gonani village, Limpopo Province, South Africa  Sithole, Nkhensani Tiyani Precious ( 2023-02 ) Energy is crucial to human survival since it sustains all kinds of life. Traditional/dirty/solid energy sources have given way to modern/clean energy sources in the evolution of energy sources. Some experts have noted that ...
• Effect of real exchange rates on fruit exports in South Africa : a Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) approach  Maphalle, Mohakanegi Isaac ( 2022-08 ) A country’s exports occupy an important position in determining the state of national accounts. Thus, stable performance of the export sector is important for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth. In order to increase ...
• Evaluation of the effects of temperature intensity and duration on the sorption properties of mine tailings contaminated soils and the implication on fire-affected soils  Sebola, Khathutshelo Constance ( 2022-02 ) Soil heavy metal contamination that is caused by anthropogenic activities such as mining is a global concern and so it is necessary for a sustainable remediation strategy to be employed for the contaminated soil to be ...
• Impala (Aepyceros melampus) habitat utilisation and activity patterns in Sourish Mixed Bushveld  Mongale, Boitumelo Florina ( 2023-01 ) The habitat utilisation and daily activity patterns of Impala at Loskop Dam Nature (LDNR) Reserve were studied to provide an insight into the management of this species. We used the Braun-Blanquet and TWINSPAN methods ...
• Ecology and habitat utilization of leopard tortoise (stigmochelys pardalis) in Southern Kruger National Park  Khosa, Raymond ( 2021-10 ) This study investigated seasonal changes in habitat selection and movement patterns for Stigmochelys pardalis in the southern Kruger National Park. The aim of the study was to collect information on the ecology of S. ...
• Evaluating the role of informal waste sector in municipal solid waste management in Vhembe District Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa  Mathivha, Funanani Khangala Sampson ( 2023-03 ) To date, solid waste managers are still dwarfed by the growing challenge of delivering municipal solid waste management service to the public. This is because of the growing rate of waste generation resulting from ...
• Middle-class school choice: a case study of selected private Catholic schools, Johannesburg  Machard, Deborah Catherine ( 2022-08 ) Tracking the size and shape of the black middle class post the advent of democracy in 1994 is essential to determine if South Africa is becoming a more racially equal society. In this regard, exploring access to quality ...
• Creating a "smart" solid waste recycling system : the case of high rise residential apartment block  Vlastos, Argiris ( 2020-04 ) South Africa has experienced rapid urbanisation, population growth, and economic growth since 1994 and as a result, solid waste is being produced on an ever-larger scale, despite significant environmental, social and ...
• Determining the efficacy of syringa (Melia azedarach L.) extracts and garlic (Allium sativum L.) extracts in the control of tobacco spider mites (Tetranychus evansi) in tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum) under field conditions in Chiredzi District, in Zimbabwe  Show, Nyamhunga ( 2023-03 ) The production of tomatoes is hampered by a variety of pests and diseases despite the importance of tomatoes as a vegetable in everyday life and their economic significance in Zimbabwe. Tobacco spider mites (Tetranychus ...

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Virtual reality environment for teens may offer an accessible, affordable way to reduce stress

Social media. The climate crisis. Political polarization. The tumult of a pandemic and online learning. Teens today are dealing with unprecedented stressors, and over the past decade their mental health has been in sustained decline. Levels of anxiety and depression rose after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Compounding the problem is a shortage of mental health providers -- for every 100,000 children in the U.S., there are only 14 child and adolescent psychiatrists.

In response to this crisis, University of Washington researchers studied whether virtual reality might help reduce stress for teens and boost mental health. Working with adolescents, the team designed a snowy virtual world with six activities -- such as stacking rocks and painting -- based on practices shown to improve mental health.

In a 3-week study of 44 Seattle teens, researchers found that teens used the technology an average of twice a week without being prompted and reported lower stress levels and improved mood while using it, though their levels of anxiety and depression didn't decline overall.

The researchers published their findings April 22 in the journal JMIR XR and Spatial Computing . The system is not publicly available.

"We know what works to help support teens, but a lot of these techniques are inaccessible because they're locked into counseling, which can be expensive, or the counselors just aren't available," said lead author Elin Björling, a UW senior research scientist in the human centered design and engineering department. "So we tried to take some of these evidence-based practices, but put them in a much more engaging environment, like VR, so the teens might want to do them on their own."

The world of Relaxation Environment for Stress in Teens, or RESeT, came from conversations the researchers had with groups of teens over two years at Seattle Public Library sites. From these discussions, the team built RESeT as an open winter world with a forest that users could explore by swinging their arms (a behavior known to boost mood) to move their avatar. A signpost with six arrows on it sent users to different activities, each based on methods shown to improve mental health, such as dialectical behavior therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction.

In one exercise, "Riverboat," users put negative words in paper boats and send them down a river. Another, "Rabbit Hole," has players stand by a stump; the longer they're still, the more rabbits appear.

"In the co-design process, we learned some teens were really afraid of squirrels, which I wouldn't have thought of," Björling said. "So we removed all the squirrels. I still have a Post-It in my office that says 'delete squirrels.' But all ages and genders loved rabbits, so we designed Rabbit Hole, where the reward for being calm and paying attention is a lot of rabbits surrounding you."

To test the potential effects of RESeT on teens' mental health, the team enrolled 44 teens between ages 14 and 18 in the study. Each teen was given a Meta Quest 2 headset and asked to use RESeT three to five times a week. Because the researchers were trying to see if teens would use RESeT regularly on their own, they did not give prompts or incentives to use the headsets after the start of the study. Teens were asked to complete surveys gauging their stress and mood before and after each session.

On average, the teens used RESeT twice a week for 11.5 minutes at a time. Overall, they reported feeling significantly less stressed while using RESeT, and also reported smaller improvements in mood. They said they liked using the headset in general. However, the study found no significant effects on anxiety and depression.

"Reduced stress and improved mood are our key findings and exactly what we hoped for," said co-author Jennifer Sonney, an associate professor in the UW School of Nursing who works with children and families. "We didn't have a big enough participant group or a design to study long-term health impacts, but we have promising signals that teens liked using RESeT and could administer it themselves, so we absolutely want to move the project forward."

The researchers aim to conduct a larger, longer-term study with a control group to see if a VR system could impart lasting effects on mood and stress. They're also interested in incorporating artificial intelligence to personalize the VR experience and in exploring offering VR headsets in schools or libraries to improve community access.

Additional co-authors were Himanshu Zade, a UW lecturer and researcher at Microsoft; Sofia Rodriguez, a senior manager at Electronic Arts who completed this research as a UW master's student in human centered design and engineering; Michael D. Pullmann, a research professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the UW School of Medicine; and Soo Hyun Moon, a senior product designer at Statsig who completed this research as a UW master's student in human centered design and engineering. This research was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health through the UW ALACRITY Center, which supports UW research on mental health.

• Mental Health
• Child Psychology
• Virtual Reality
• Video Games
• Computers and Internet
• Virtual reality
• Yoga (alternative medicine)
• Psychopharmacology
• Synesthesia
• Intellectual giftedness

Story Source:

Materials provided by University of Washington . Original written by Stefan Milne. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference :

• Björling EA, Sonney J, Zade H, Rodriguez S, Pullmann MD, Moon SH. Using Virtual Reality to Reduce Stress in Adolescents: Mixed Methods Usability Study . JMIR XR Spatial Comput , 2024 DOI: 10.2196/49171

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Simulation makes the grade for teacher screening

by Murdoch University

New research has found that simulations are an effective on-entry screening tool for teaching candidates, exposing university students to authentic classroom dynamics, increasing their confidence, and providing a safe learning environment. The study is published in the Journal of Education for Teaching .

Australian universities are now required to implement non-academic on-entry evaluations for all teacher education candidates.

To meet this requirement, universities have introduced a variety of assessment methods, including interviews, written applications, psychometric tests, and most recently, simulation .

Murdoch University was the first university in Australia to implement teaching simulations and augmented learning environments into the general course structure, using Mursion technology (SimLab).

Murdoch University Dean and Head of the School of Education, Associate Professor Peter Whipp said his recent research sought to understand how useful these simulation tools could be in the initial screening of teaching students.

"The implications of our findings are significant for policy and practice," Professor Whipp said.

"Our research showed that simulation can reliably evaluate students' teaching dispositions, as well as provide insights into their motivations, planning, communication skills and how we can best support them.

"Students themselves also said they perceived simulation as an effective means to evaluate their on-entry performance, reporting that the experience was valuable and that it helped with their confidence, so they felt more prepared for the real classroom.

"The on-entry evaluations are important, so that we can help our students be the best they can be as a teacher in our education system once they graduate.

"The simulation process is efficient and effective. We are pleased to be a leader in this space and encourage other higher education institutes to embrace the technology."

The next steps in this research program include exploring the predictive nature of data captured at course entry and how this translates over time and experience.

The study results also emphasized the need to continue to expand the evidence base around this process.

Provided by Murdoch University

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