Water Management, Policy, & Science

Humans are now one of, if not the most important, agent for processes at the surface of the Earth. We conduct comprehensive collaborative research to inform ecosystem management practices that affect hydrologic systems. Some of our research themes include an exploration of the role of upland forest management on hydrologic processes, the implications of dam and reservoir management on associated resources, and the stewardship of springs ecosystems.

Graduates of our programs work in the private, governmental, and non-governmental sectors doing land and resource science, management and planning. We focus on modern arid and semi-arid climate systems in Western North America, but include research and teaching from all modern and ancient climate systems.

Current projects

• Springs Ecohydrology
• Development of a guidebook for environmental flow needs assessment under a changing climate.
• Mobile field application for citizen science springs monitoring of 4FRI treatments
• Developing a geodatabase and geocollaborative tools to support springs and springs-dependent species management in the Southern Rockies LCC
• Linking forest landscape management and climate change to the conservation of riparian habitat in Grand Canyon
• Fast and slow recharge to deep karst aquifers

Who we are

In the news

NAU News: Vital Springs Need Protection and Study

The Academic Minute: Abe Springer – Springs and Sustainability

KNAU, Arizona Public Radio: Flagstaff Research Conducts Largest-ever Study of Arid Landscape Springs

NAU News: Citizen Science Initiative to Monitor Area Springs

AZ Daily Sun: Groundwater in Flagstaff; a Precious Resource

For students