Research Projects
OUR RESEARCH
Cross-ecosystem 3D vegetation structure and function across landscapes and macrosystems
The goal of this research program is to characterize spatial and cross-ecosystem patterns of structural diversity – the 3D physical arrangement of vegetation – as an understudied but potentially critical dimension of ecological diversity and understand how it enhances ecosystem function. To do so, our main project is investigating relationships between vegetation volume and structural arrangement with ecosystem function across terrestrial biomes at NEON sites with UAVs and NEON AOP lidar. This project is funded by NSF Award #2212859. We are also using ground penetrating RADAR to characterize the belowground structural diversity of ecosystems in drylands (Jornada Experimental Range, New Mexico).
Through another collaborative project funded by NSF Award #2106103 between Purdue University, Indiana University, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Smithsonian, and the US Forest Service we are seeking to understand patterns of co-occurence in plant and mycorrhizal fungal diversity across space and time.
Remote sensing of vegetation structure for ecosystem monitoring and management
This research program seeks to develop new tools that use the remote sensing of vegetation structure to monitor the health of dryland and forest ecosystems and improve land management practices. Many of our projects in this area involve a student led project paired with a federal agency collaboration to support their management efforts to restore or protect US public lands from environmental degradation. We have several ongoing projects that involve studying the structural attributes and protecting the rich biodiversity of the Chihuahuan Desert and rangelands of the southwest USA, including using UAVs and wildlife cameras to monitor post-wildfire forest restoration at Lincoln National Forest (NM) and exploring the ecosystem services that biological soil crusts (biocrusts) provide in collaboration with the USDA, NMSU, and UNLV.
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
Dryland ecosystems where we work.
