The main objective of this research group is to characterize key aspects of vegetation that govern water, energy, and carbon cycling in water-limited ecosystems (and vice versa). Understanding these cycles is critical to the sustainability of our native ecosystems as we anticipate gradual and abrupt climatic and anthropogenic change. This understanding is fundamental as changes in our native ecosystems will undoubtedly have effects on the health of our watersheds and rivers. We use state of the art field, lab, and modeling techniques to achieve this objective. Additionally, this group utilizes the extensive opportunities for collaboration, extension, and outreach that differentiate both the University of Arizona and the School of Natural Resources and Environment as great research institutions.