FARMINGTON — A university faculty research group has recently received a National Science Foundation grant of more than $66,000 to explore the impact of environmental and land-use changes on ecosystems and the economy of the Rangeley Lakes region.

This spring and summer, University of Maine at Farmington faculty and students will gather and analyze baseline data to help understand the impact of climate change, invasive species, land use and community dynamics on lake habitats, forest ecology and the area’s nature-based tourism economy.

Working in partnership with the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust, an interdisciplinary team will provide the Rangeley community with research-based findings for use in policy and decision making with the goal of protecting and sustaining the region’s resources, economy and quality of life for years to come.

Building on last year’s planning grant, this year’s award will help support UMF faculty from the fields of biology, chemistry, computer science, early childhood education, economics, geography and geology as they work closely with classroom students, summer interns and community stakeholders.

“Ecological and economic challenges and opportunities are around every corner,” Wendy Harper, UMF associate professor of economics and team leader for the UMF initiative, said. “This grant gives us the chance to take a close look at how environmental and economic issues go hand-in-hand and how preserving our natural surroundings can strengthen our economy now and for the future.”

The Rangeley Lakes study is part of the Maine’s Sustainability Solutions Initiative — an NSF supported partnership shared by the University of Maine, University of Southern Maine and other state institutions of higher education. Its goal is to transform the state’s capacity to address scientific challenges in ways that directly benefit Maine and other regions and increase economic activity and technological innovation while sustaining Maine’s “quality of place.”