I have been trying to determination what my research focus and topic
of my dissertation will be.  I lucked out with my Master's and ended
up with a funding project that determined my topic but I did not enjoy
that research. I am interested in Geostatistics, wetlands, and
phosphorus sediment mapping.  On the flip side, I also work with GIS
and environmental planning. My difficulty arises in what kind of
studies I could do that is appropriate for a dissertation.  My
question is what would be the best course of study and a possible
topic that would be interesting for myself and of value to others? I
also have a computer and technical background.

Thanks.

Just for giggles I would look at China. I bet you could come up with
something interesting to do in China.

May you succeed