Organization
Clarkson University
Tom Langen
Profile
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Biography
Aim: To use science and education to improve conservation and management of nature in human-dominated landscapes.
Methods: Fieldwork (experiments, observational studies) on species, habitat assessments, computer modeling using Geographical Information Systems (GIS), meta-analysis.
Applications: Adaptive Management of natural resources, conservation of threatened species and habitats, infrastructure design, curricular development.
Broader impacts: Environmental quality, conservation of threatened species, improved infrastructure design and management, conservation education and capacity building.
Dr. Langen conducts research on the environmental impact of roads, on the effectiveness of public-private partnerships for wetland restoration, and on habitat management and conservation of birds and other animals. His road-related research has included the impacts of winter road management on roadside vegetation and lakes in the Adirondack Park, predictive modeling of hotspots of road mortality of amphibians and reptiles, design and functioning of wildlife barriers and passageways for turtles, and the impact of highways on habitat connectivity in Costa Rican National Parks. He leads professional development workshops in Latin America and North America on the environmental impact of roads and other infrastructure. Dr. Langen’s wetland research focuses on the environmental, economic, and social benefits and costs of wetland restoration to private landowners. His research on habitat management in birds focuses on cooperative projects between land-owners and conservationists for threatened species such as the golden-winged warbler or spruce grouse. Dr. Langen’s teaching interests include how to best apply problem-based learning and inquiry approaches to improve teaching in ecology and conservation biology, using publically-available ‘big data’ including citizen science data for undergraduate teaching and research, and how to design undergraduate summer research internship programs to best achieve program objectives.