AMHERST — A University of Massachusetts professor has been appointed as the state’s fifth geologist, a position that involves directing the Massachusetts Geological Survey located on the Amherst campus.

In this role, professor Brian Yellen will broaden his research focus from coastal hydrology to statewide water and land resources to meet state’s climate and conservation goals.

The Massachusetts Geological Survey is a UMass department that researches, tracks and maps the commonwealth’s water and geological resources. The program not only collects data on topics like bedrock, water contamination and coastal ecosystem health, but also distributes the information through publicly accessible means including maps and databases, spreading the survey’s findings to Massachusetts residents.

“I will be providing geologic knowledge, data, and resources to help better manage our natural resources, from the rivers of the Berkshires to the coastal bluffs of Cape Cod,” Yellen said in a statement.

As the state geologist, Yellen, who replaces former state geologist Steve Mabee, is tasked with heading a team of geologists, GIS technicians and students to collect data on Massachusetts’ land, mineral and water resources, collaborate with various agencies studying similar topics, and organize and analyze data from research and communicating findings with the public.

Yellen brings his research experience with the geological survey to his position. He landed the job based on his former research with sediment distribution across the northeastern United States and southern Gulf Coast of the United States. At the moment, Yellen is developing a tool to estimate carbon capture in salt marshes, and recently he published studies on the impact of sea level rise on salt marshes.

“My recent past work has been largely focused on coastal resources,” he said, “and moving forward, I’ll be making a deliberate effort to be working more across the state, helping smaller communities, but also developing data products that can be used statewide.”

Yellen points to his current work helping the town of Stockbridge estimate how much of the water supply can be pumped out and stored without negatively impacting the environment. The geologists in the survey might also study bacteria in western Massachusetts’s beaches, Yellen said, like those that closed down Puffer’s Pond in Amherst and Lake Wyola in Shutesbury this summer.

“They’re places where people can go and cool off without a long drive, without spending lots of money on lodging their local people’s homes,” he said. “So they’re really important to communities across Massachusetts, especially in a warming climate.”

Mapping is another critical part of the Massachusetts Geological Survey. Before he ended his 22-year term as state geologist, Mabee published a updated bedrock map of the state. There are also spatial maps and surface composition maps on the program’s website.

“Geologic mapping is really important for the building and construction,” Yellen said. “It’s very important for engineering. It’s part of the foundations that we put our buildings and our structures into.”

The geological survey, Yellen added, helps the state reach its climate goals by supplying essential research and information for climate adaptation and mitigation. He points to his previous finding that sediment buildup in dams is not as drastic as previously believed.

“The work that I do is already really aligned with direct application, and I’m excited to work on problems that help drive decisions, and especially decisions around how to manage natural resources better,” Yellen said.