Research Projects
OUR RESEARCH
Structural diversity across the NEON terrestrial
macrosystem
We are investigating relationships between vegetation volume and structural arrangement with ecosystem function across terrestrial biomes at the NEON sites with UAVs. This project is funded by NSF Award #2212859.
Root structural diversity in drylands
We are using ground penetrating RADAR to characterize and develop metrics that describe the below ground structural diversity of ecosystems in drylands. Ongoing work to understanding root structural diversity and its relationship to soil processes are ongoing at Jornada Experimental Range, New Mexico.
Wildlife habitat restoration monitoring post forest fire
We are using UAVs to monitor forest restoration post-wildlife at the Lincoln National Forest in collaboration with the US Forest Service. These forest represent important wildlife habitat but wildfires are changing the plant composition and size across the landscape.
Plant and mycorrhizal fungal diversity across the USA
This collaborative project between Purdue University, Indiana University, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Smithsonian, and the US Forest Service seeks to understand patterns of co-occurence in plant and mycorrhizal fungal diversity across space and time. This project is funded by the NSF Award #2106103.
Structural diversity and ecosystem function of dryland plant communities
We are studying the structural attributes of the rich biodiversity of plant communities found in the northern Chihuahuan Desert and other rangelands of the southwest USA. Sites including those found along the borderland region of Texas and New Mexico.
Biocrust communities and their ecosystem services
In collaboration with scientists at USDA, NMSU, and UNLV, we are exploring the communities and the services that biological crusts (biocrusts) provide in the hot deserts of the USA.
PUBLICATIONS
To see our publications, please visit our google scholar page.
Contact Us
Interested in collaborating? Then contact Dr. Elizabeth La Rue at ealarue@utep.edu