Although conservation biology is a relatively new sub-discipline of biology, USF faculty have been pioneers in this area for nearly two decades. Located in west-central, coastal Florida, USF is in an ideal setting to address conservation issues in a diversity of habitats ranging from the near-shore ecosystems to the xeric uplands of the Lake Wales Ridge. Conservation research focuses on rare and endangered species and habitats, Tampa Bay, and restoration of damaged ecosystems. Graduate students have the opportunity to investigate plants and animals from the molecular to the ecological level to capitalize on existing faculty expertise.
Tampa Bay, which is the second largest estuary on the East Coast, the Gulf of Mexico, the Florida Keys and