معرفی
Rheyna Laney is an Interim Chair of the Department of Geography, Environment, and Planning (GEP), a Professor, and the Global Studies Coordinator at Sonoma State University. She holds a PhD in Geography from Clark University (1999), an MA from Clark University (1995), and a BA in Environmental Science from UC Berkeley (1986). Her research focuses on agricultural-environment interactions, land-use dynamics in Africa and California, and remote sensing applications.
Her work in Madagascar explores how farmers balance subsistence needs with environmental conservation in protected areas, while her California-based research examines rice growers' engagement with habitat conservation programs. She employs remote sensing to analyze land-cover changes and assess conservation outcomes. Laney’s publications span topics like PES schemes, agricultural intensification, and agroecological systems.
Her research trends emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to environmental challenges, blending economic, cultural, and technical analyses. Key themes include sustainable farming practices, biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes, and the socio-economic drivers of land-use decisions. Her grants and collaborations involve environmental agencies like California Fish and Wildlife and federal conservation programs.
Laney’s academic contributions are further reflected in technical reports analyzing gravel mining impacts, habitat preferences of endangered species, and long-term conservation project evaluations. She actively participates in academic conferences, presenting on topics ranging from agri-environmental policy to remote sensing methodologies.
