Faculty
Mark Potosnak
Assistant Visiting Professor, Geography and Environment
PhD, Columbia University, 2002
Areas of interest:The complex interactions between the terrestrial biosphere and the atmosphere. Specifically, predicting future isoprene emissions from ecosystems.
Phone: 617-353-2841
Fax: 617-353-8399
E-mail: potosnak@bu.edu
Website: http://people.bu.edu/potosnak
Office: STO 441
Department of Geography and Environment
675 Commonwealth Ave., 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02215
Current Research
Utilizing field research to observe the complex interactions between the terrestrial biosphere and the atmosphere. Specifically, predicting future isoprene emissions from ecosystems. Field research has been done in tropical ecosystems, particularly in Brazil and Costa Rica, and tundra ecosystems. These ecosystems are understudied and more susceptible to climate change. Unlike the deciduous forests of temperature ecosystems, there have been few studies on the seasonal controls of isoprene emissions for evergreen and drought deciduous tropical ecosystems. Preliminary research suggests a strong seasonality of emissions that cannot be explained by changes in ambient temperature and light. Preliminary research in tundra ecosystems has revealed surprisingly high isoprene emission rates and the potential for rapid increases induced by climate change. Finally, a recent project focused on land use change in a rapidly expanding urban area of the arid southwestern United States.
Courses Taught
- GE 101 Natural Environments: The Atmosphere
- GE 310 Climate and Environment
- GE 510 Physical Principles of the Environment
