CALEM
Center for Arid Lands Environmental Management
Click on image to download a copy
of the CALEM Fact Sheet
Introduction to CALEM
The Center for Arid Lands Environmental Management (CALEM) was founded in 1999 as part of a reorganization of the Desert Research Institute’s (DRI) approach to interdisciplinary research. CALEM promotes and develops interdisciplinary or integrated science to understand all aspects of arid lands environments and to provide decision makers and land managers with relevant policy-neutral information on which to base their decisions.
Goals of the Center are to develop:
- interdisciplinary research programs and projects that address key issues of environmental concern in arid lands;
- a greater awareness of arid lands issues and problems; and
- stronger collaborations and strategic partnerships between institutions and stakeholders in arid lands.
CALEM focus areas
The Divisions of DRI (DEES, DAS, DHS) conduct many areas of research that are relevant to the CALEM mission and goals. The role of CALEM is to enhance the ability of DRI to conduct interdisciplinary research relevant to sustainable use and development of drylands. CALEM has identified the following interdisciplinary research focal areas that represent aspects of pressing environmental concern in arid regions:
- Effects of global climate change on drylands
- Human interactions with the dryland environment
- Biodiversity and stewardship in drylands
Within each focus area, there are numerous research topics that can be pursued, many of which intersect the three focus areas. For example, changes in dust generation and dispersal may be a product of some combination of climate change, human activities, and environmental stewardship. Further, dust generation may impact climate conditions and promote environmental change. Likewise, desertification is an issue that involves climate variability and change, environmental stewardship, and impacts human activities and social systems.
Contact
Dr. Nick Lancaster (faculty web page)
775.673.7304
Nick.Lancaster@dri.edu