Monika P. Calef

 

Physical Address:

Department of Geography and Planning

Arts & Sciences 208

University at Albany, SUNY

Phone: 518-591-8563

Email: mcalef@albany.edu

Mailing Address:

Department of Geography and Planning

Arts & Sciences 218

University at Albany, SUNY

1400 Washington Ave

Albany, NY 12222

 

Joint Appointment with the Department of Informatics

Adjunct Appointment with the Department of Biological Sciences
(Biodiversity, Conservation & Policy and Ecology, Evolution & Behavior)

 

Research Interests

I am interested in modeling and analyzing landscape dynamics using statistics and GIS (Geographic Information Systems). For the past several years, my focus was on boreal forest dynamics in Alaska at the landscape scale that change as a function of disturbance by fire, natural succession, and climate change impacts. This led to research interests in interactions between people and fire in Alaska and regional resilience in the face of a changing climate especially in terms of human fire ignition and suppression. New research interests include the combined environmental impacts of land use change and climate change in New York State.

 

Teaching - Classes

Environmental Studies

AGOG 506

Spring 2009

This class provides an in-depth look at the major environmental issues humanity is facing at this time such as environmental degradation, human population explosion, energy crisis, global climate change, and food production. The course builds on introductory undergrad courses such as gog 101 and others. Students will learn more about the underlying scientific facts, challenges, conflicts, and solutions.

Advanced GIS

AGOG 597/PLN 557

Spring 2009

 

Course in advanced Geographic Information Systems (ArcGIS) with a focus on using raster data for environmental analysis and modeling. The course will build on the introductory GIS course (GOG 496/596/PLN 456/556) and consist of a mixture of lectures and practical exercises; the grade is based on exercises and assignments.

Biogeography

AGOG 507

Fall 2009

The study of the distribution of organisms, both in the past and present, the patterns of geographic variation in nature (diversity and species distribution), adaptation to new environments, speciation, and migration.

Ecological Modeling

AGOG 518/ABIO 518 / INF 508
last taught Fall 08

Models are tools to approach complex issues we could not understand simply by observation. This class provides an introduction to various theoretical and mathematical approaches for modeling ecological and environmental data. The class is accompanied by computer-based modeling exercises with existing models. Basic computer and math knowledge is required.

Introduction to the Physical Environment

Last taught AGOG 101 – Fall 07

The goal of studying physical geography is to develop a thorough knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of our Earth. Physical geography focuses on the location, distribution, and spatial interactions of natural phenomena on Earth and includes topics from biogeography, geology, and atmospheric sciences.

Geographic Information Systems

AGOG 496/596

APLN 456/556

Last taught Fall 07

The class consists of lectures on all the major topics with focus on vector data such as projections and transformations, data types and conversions, data entry and display, and map making. This is followed by practical exercises with ArcGIS 9.2. Students are also expected to complete several independent projects. The grade is entirely based on practical exercises and assignments.

 

 

Publications

CurriculumVitae

 

 

Department of Geography and Planning

1400 Washington Ave., University at Albany, Albany, NY 12222 Phone: (518) 442-4770