My research focuses primarily on understanding the effects of global environmental change on the functioning and structure of terrestrial ecosystems, and deciphering the underlying ecological mechanisms driving the responses. This includes the study of how rising atmospheric CO2, changes in ambient temperature, reductions in biological diversity, and large periodic disturbances (e.g. wildfire) affect plant physiological processes, plant growth and survival, plant populations and plant communities, as well as ecosystem processes and feedbacks. Although my interests in ecology are broad, I am particularly keen on understanding how belowground processes are impacted by changing ambient environmental conditions (e.g. fine root dynamics, activity of soil fauna, soil hydrology and root biology). I attempt to bridge traditional ecological disciplines and seek out collaboration with scientists from other disciplines to address these wider-ranging ecological questions. Previous work with students and colleagues in Basel, Switzerland has centered on understanding the interactions between fine root dynamics and earthworms in lowland calcareous grasslands and how these interactions feedback to affect plant community structure and ecosystem N cycling (with Hans Zaller and Gabriela Hofer). I recently completed work with Daniel Obrist (doctoral student in Hydrologic Sciences at UNR) in the Great Basin deserts of Nevada. This research focused on understanding how human-induced changes in the global environment might alter the way in which desert vegetation affects water movement into and out of soils. We were equally interested in understanding how various plant species within these ecosystems affects the temporal and spatial distribution and movement of water in the soil.