Sediment & Erosion

Aquatic Ecology
The interdisciplinary scientific study of the distribution and abundance of organisms and their interactions with their aquatic environment (external abiotic and biotic factors). Ecology is a subdiscipline of Biology, which is the study of life. The most prevalent research topics in Aquatic Ecology here at AWAE include: Bark Beetle research, invasive species, restoration ecology, fire ecology, riparian environments and more.

Atmospheric Sciences

Atmospheric science is the study of the atmosphere - the blanket of air covering the Earth. Atmospheric scientists study the atmosphere's physical characteristics, motions, processes, and the way in which these factors affect the rest of our environment.

Biogeochemistry
Biogeochemistry is the scientific study of the processes and reactions (chemical, physical, geological, biological) which control the composition of the natural environment. It also looks at the cycles of matter and energy that transfer the Earth’s chemical components in time and space.

Climate Change

Climate Change refers to the gradual shift in earth's overall temperature and weather patterns through time. Alarming trends toward a rapidly warming climate have AWAE scientists researching the destructive effects of climate change on the Aquatic Environment. Such research involves stream temperature, wildland fires, thermal habitats, air quality and ozone to name a few.

Engineering
Engineering applies technical, scientific, and mathematical knowledge in using natural laws and physical resources to design and create materials, structures, machines, devices, systems, and processes in order to accomplish a desired objective. Engineers within AWAE work with soil and water research, aquatic probability and prediction modelling, erosion control materials and other mitigation techniques, fire behavior models, etc.

Fire & Fuels
Wildland fires in the arid west create a cause for concern for many inhabitants and an area of interest for researchers. With AWAE, fundamental and applied research relates to atmospheric effects of fire on aquatic environments, and ecological adaptations to fire as well as the development of associated knowledge tools and applications for both scientists and managers in wildfire management.

Fisheries
RMRS Fisheries research looks at watershed processes and aquatic ecology to guide management of aquatic ecosystems and water/soil resources. Scientists develop knowledge of the biophysical conditions and processes that influence water quality and quantity, aquatic habitat quality, and the distribution, diversity, and persistence of fish and other aquatic species.

Geomorphology
Geomorphology is the science that deals with relief features of the earth or of another celestial body and looks towards describing and classifying such topographic characteristics. This interdisciplinary subject works within AWAE with such subjects as soil, climate change, road erosion, hydrology, engineering and more.

Hydrology
Hydrology is the scientific discipline concerned with the waters of the Earth, with their occurrence, distribution, and circulation by means of the hydrologic cycle and relations with living things. It also deals with the chemical and physical properties of water in all its phases. This field focuses greatly on snow hydrology, stream-riparian environments, soils, erosion, climate change, wildfire, geomorphology, etc.

Plant Physiology
Plant physiology is the study of internal plant activities including phytochemistry, environmental interactions, plant morphology, molecular and cell biology, and cellular interactions. Such AWAE research studies eco-physiology, fire effects, nutrition, plant regeneration and recovery, etc.

Soils, Sediment & Erosion
The study of soil as a natural resource on the surface of the earth including soil formation, classification and mapping; physical, chemical, biological, and fertility properties of soils; and these properties in relation to the use and management of soils. AWAE scientists study soil erosion: mitigation techniques, prediction and processes; fire and fuel effects, soil carbon decomposition rates and climate change, and more.

Spatial Analysis

Spatial Analysis involves the processing of multiple geographic themes to help understand new relationships among features on the landscape. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) are the primary disciplines that support Spatial Analysis. At AWAE, GIS and RS are used in numerous applications such as modeling sediment yield from roads, estimating soil erosion rates, predicting stream temperatures, and mapping aquatic habitat.

Water & Watershed Processes
A riparian area is the interface between land and a stream. Soil conservation occurs in these biodiversified aquatic ecosystems. They can flourish in grassland, woodland, wetland, or even non-vegetative zones. AWAE stream riparian research looks at water availability and quality, aquatic ecosystems; species distribution, diversity and persistence, aquatic resources in society, management and livestock grazing, fire effects, climate change and natural disturbances, dams/water diversions and more.