Biodiversity, Conservation & Ecosystems

With an unparalleled network of environmental monitoring stations, research field sites and cyber infrastructure, UArizona pioneers fundamental and use-inspired ecosystem science to help save species and conserve the lands, forests and wildlife of the western U.S. and beyond.

Our research
Rebakah Waller in a greenhouse

PhD Candidate Rebekah Waller Shows Us How Greenhouses Can Transform the Future of Agriculture

Have you ever heard of Controlled Environment Agriculture? Read more about how PhD candidate Rebekah Waller helps to make our food systems more sustainable.

Are monarchs endangered? Scientists debate as United States mulls protection

Last month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) declared that one of North America’s best known butterflies, the monarch, might be in trouble. 

UA's 'lizard lady' wants to use online fame to put new face on science

The University of Arizona's Earyn McGee is one of Forbes' 30 Under 30 scientists to watch in 2021

Forbes 30 Under 30, Science: Earyn McGee

To tens of thousands of fans, McGee is the "lizard lady." She's a science communicator and creator of the social media game #FindThatLizard—it's hard, thanks to camouflage! As a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Arizona, she researches the impacts of climate change on lizards in the Southwestern United States.

Government scientists predicted border wall construction could harm wildlife refuge

Construction of President Trump’s border wall moved forward last year even after government scientists said it could harm a nearby wildlife refuge, according to an internal report obtained by The Hill.

'Everything depends on the corn': As crops wither, the Hopi fear for their way of life

For 2,000 years, the Hopi have been growing corn in an arid landscape, relying on the rains. Now climate change threatens their farming traditions.

#FindThatLizard: Earyn McGee Rises To Social Media Stardom At University of Arizona

Study: Tropical forests may be more resilient to rising temperatures than predicted

Step inside Biosphere 2’s tropical rainforest, which thrives beneath an enormous glass dome, and visitors are met by a wall of warm humidity and lush greenery. The sprawling complex north of Tucson in Oracle provides climate-change researchers unique opportunities to test theories in ways that would be impossible in the field.

Contamination of Medicinal Plants: Implications for Indigenous Health

A new study will trace the legacy of uranium mining on commercially available medicinal plants.