Human Ecology and Coupled Human-Environment Interactions (HECHE)

The HECHE program focuses on understanding modern and historical human behavior as related to environmental conditions and changing climates in northern regions.  The group utilizes agent based modeling to predict social responses to changing water supplies and they are synthesizing observations from vast network of Natives who are reporting environmental change in the Bering Sea region of Alaska and Russia.  The group also specializes in archaeological studies of previous societies and their habitats including the analysis of animal bones as recorders of foraging and environmental conditions. The rich cultural history of Alaska and the wealth of Native communities and issues provide a robust environment to address the human dimensions of arctic and boreal systems. .