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Background |
Models |
Projects |
Publications |
People |
News
Faculty & Students
Available Grad Student Assistantships
Related links
 H. Carl Fitz |
Assistant Professor of Landscape Ecology: Soil and Water Science Department and the Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, IFAS, University of Florida.
Research (60% time) and Extension (40% time) expertise: Landscape and ecosystem ecology, particularly in wetland and estuarine systems; modeling integrated physical, chemical, and biological interactions of landscape dynamics; integrating natural system restoration with the human dimensions. Curriculum Vitae (200 kb pdf) email: cfitz@ufl.edu phone: +1-954-577-6363 |
May 2008: We have openings for at least one Research Assistantship for Ph.D. students interested in ecological landscape modeling at the University of Florida. Depending on student interest, potential topics range broadly, from research into various modes of physical-biological-chemical interactions (e.g., the complex system feedbacks that maintain and develop the ridge and slough patterns in the Everglades peatlands), to novel code development (e.g., a multi-grid model, with 1-km resolution hydrology interacting with 1-ha resolution vegetation/soils), to research into application methods (e.g., simple desktop applications; uncertainty in complex-system models).
Prospective Ph.D. students may consider degree tracks in Environmental Science, Hydrologic Science, or Soil Science through the Soil and Water Science Department (SWSD). Alternatively, students can seek a degree track in the Interdisciplinary Ecology Program through the School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE).
Our primary research site is in south Florida at the Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, which is a unit of the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS). The University of Florida is a Land-Grant institution with an enrollment in excess of 43,000 students on the Gainesville campus and a member of the Association of American Universities. IFAS includes 20 academic units, 5 interdisciplinary centers, and 14 research and educational centers throughout the state.
Contact Dr. H. Carl Fitz (cfitz@ufl.edu) for further information on potential graduate research topics. Interested individuals should submit an application for acceptance to the Graduate School at the University, following guidelines provided by the SWSD or SNRE web sites above. To be considered for an assistantship in ecological landscape modeling, ensure that copies of pertinent application materials are sent to Dr. Fitz, including your curriculum vitae and a letter of introduction describing the nature of your anticipated contribution to the Ecological Landscape Modeling efforts.
Soil and Water Science Department, with teaching, research and extension activities in soil and hydrologic sciences.
Ft. Lauderdale Research & Education Center, with teaching, research and extension work in the natural and urban environments of south Florida.
Wetlands Biogeochemistry Lab, a teaching, research and extension/outreach laboratory on biogeochemical cycles in wetlands and aquatic ecosystems.
Wetlands Extension, an information source to provide Floridians with a better understanding of wetlands and wetland related issues.
ELM, application web site of the Everglades Landscape Model, an (EcoLandMod) integrated ecological assessment tool designed to understand and predict the landscape response to different water management scenarios in south Florida, USA. Includes results of the review of its application, by an Independent Peer Review Panel.
PLM, Patuxent Landscape Model, a "sister" simulation model whose design parallels the Everglades Landscape Model (ELM), and is an integrated ecological economic modeling and valuation system for a Chesapeake Bay watershed.
ATLSS Across-Trophic-Level System Simulation, a set of integrated models that simulate the hierarchy of whole-system responses across animal trophic levels.
SFWMM, South Florida Water Management Model, used to evaluate managed hydrology throughout the South Florida region.
RSM, South Florida Regional Simulation Model, in-development to replace the SFWMM to simulate managed hydrology throughout the South Florida region.
TIME Tides and Inflows in the Mangroves of the Everglades, a joint research effort to investigate the interacting effects of freshwater inflows and tidal forces in and along the mangrove ecotone of south Florida.
EDEN Everglades Depth Estimation Network, an integrated network of real-time water-level monitoring, ground-elevation modeling, and water-surface modeling that provides current (1999-present), on-line water-depth information for the freshwater portion of the Greater Everglades.
Everglades Restoration Plan, home of the planning for restoring the Everglades.
SFWMD Everglades Division, describing their many research projects that help us understand, preserve and restore the fauna and flora of the Everglades/Florida Bay ecosystems.
Florida Coastal Everglades LTER, a Long Term Ecological Research project funded by the National Science Foundation, to investigate how variability in regional climate, freshwater inputs, disturbance, and perturbations affect the coastal Everglades ecosystem.
USGS South Florida Information Access (SOFIA), part of the USGS Ecosystem Program to enhance its scientific assistance to resource managers.
Croc Docs, research and education programs that evaluate effects of human activities on wildlife and their habitats.
EcoLandMod People