Research in environmental physics is focused on determining how environmental factors affect biological and physical processes in both agricultural and natural ecosystems. Research responsibilities include investigations in the following areas: (1) gas exchange between the land surface and the atmospheric surface-layer (e.g., the micrometeorological study of canopy photosynthesis and evapotranspiration); (2) heat, water, and gas transport in the soil; (3) environmental aspects of soil-plant-water relations and irrigation management; (4) global climate change; and (5) environmental quality. A long-term objective of this research is to discover the underlying principles that govern the movement of energy and mass in the soil-plant-atmosphere system. Basic research will allow the development of theories and mechanistic models to help manage water supplies and water quality, and predict how global climate change and atmospheric carbon dioxide may influence agricultural productivity. Emerging research areas include the study of concentrated livestock operations and their potential impact on soil, water, and air quality.

Environmental Physics Group:

Jay M. Ham - Associate Professor
Fred W. Caldwell - Research Technologist
Jeannie K. Stucker - Office Assistant III
Emily Benson - Assistant Scientist
Jamey Duesterhaus - Assistant Scientist
Kristen Baum - Graduate Research Assistant

General Contact Information:

Environmental Physics
Kansas State University
Department of Agronomy
1011 Throckmorton Plant Sciences Center
Manhattan, KS 66506
Phone: 785-532-5731
Fax: 785-532-6094

 

Please send questions or comments to Dr. Jay Ham.
This page was last edited on: 12/31/03

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