Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit (University Park Pennsylvania)
The Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit (PSWMRU) conducts research to support environmentally and economically sustainable farming in the northeastern U.S. by improving agro ecosystem management. The major research efforts are:
- Developing fundamental information for establishing, maintaining, and managing diverse forage and grazing lands, recognizing ecosystem services beyond the traditional forage, food, and fiber production to include emerging services such as carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas mitigation, and bioenergy production.
- Developing fundamental information linking agricultural management with water quality and developing management practices and strategies that balance production and agro ecological services.
- Using experimental measurements, model development, and whole farm simulation to evaluate system interactions and improve farm management effects on air, soil, and water quality.
Additional information on project of the PSWMRU can be obtained via their website (http://www.ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid=2269).
