Welcome to the Southwest Biological Science Center
Terrestrial Systems: Ecology, Biology, and Restoration
High-Flow Experiments on the Colorado River
SBSC Tribal Partnerships
Southwest Biological Science Center
Welcome to the Southwest Biological Science Center! We conduct quality, objective research on the terrestrial and aquatic systems of the Colorado Plateau, Colorado River and its tributaries, drylands across the larger Southwest US, and beyond.
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- We're Hiring Biological Science Technicians! Click Here For More Information
- The SBSC Fact Sheet
- SBSC Tribal Partnerships
- Learn More About High-Flow Experiments on the Colorado River
- Restoration Assessment & Monitoring Program for the Southwest (RAMPS)
- Information About GCMRC Publications & Archived Documents
- The Southwest Repeat Photography Collection
News
Biological Science Technician jobs open at the SBSC
Biological Science Technician jobs open at the SBSC
In a recently published study, FORT scientists and collaborators synthesize data from 26,729 post-burn vegetation plots to determine the effects of fire and climate on non-native plant invasion
In a recently published study, FORT scientists and collaborators synthesize data from 26,729 post-burn vegetation plots to determine the effects of fire and climate on non-native plant invasion
Historic photographs and records show profound transformation of a dryland river over the last 100 years
Historic photographs and records show profound transformation of a dryland river over the last 100 years
Publications
Multiple stressors mediate the effects of warming on leaf decomposition in a large regulated river
Predicting how increasing temperatures interact with other global change drivers to influence the structure and dynamics of Earth's ecosystems is a primary challenge in ecology. Our study made use of multiple simultaneous “natural experiments” to examine how rapid warming, declining nutrients, invasive consumers, and riparian invasive species management interact to influence leaf decomposition in
Annotated bibliography of scientific research relevant to oil and gas reclamation best management practices in the western United States, published from 1969 through 2020
Integrating recent scientific knowledge into management decisions supports effective natural resource management and can lead to better resource outcomes. However, finding and accessing scientific knowledge can be time consuming and costly. To assist in this process, the U.S. Geological Survey has created a series of annotated bibliographies on topics of management concern for lands in the western
Rising water temperature in rivers: Ecological impacts and future resilience
Rising water temperatures in rivers due to climate change are already having observable impacts on river ecosystems. Warming water has both direct and indirect impacts on aquatic life, and further aggravates pervasive issues such as eutrophication, pollution, and the spread of disease. Animals can survive higher temperatures through physiological and/or genetic acclimation, behavioral and phenolog
Science
Colorado Plateau Extreme Drought in Grassland Experiment (EDGE)
In drylands, short-term extreme droughts can have profound ecosystem effects, depending on the timing (seasonality) of drought and the sensitivities of the dominant plants and plant functional types. Past work suggests that cool season drought may disproportionately impact regionally important grass and shrub species. In this study, we are examining the impacts of extreme seasonal drought on...
Chronic Drought Impacts on Colorado Plateau ecosystems (Rain-Out Experiment)
In drylands, chronic reductions in water availability (press-drought) through reduced precipitation and increased temperatures may have profound ecosystem effects, depending on the sensitivities of the dominant plants and plant functional types. In this study, we are examining the impacts of moderate, but long-term chronic drought using a network of 40 drought shelters on the Colorado Plateau...
Informing Renewable Energy Development Siting Decisions with Vertebrate Biodiversity Measures
Renewable energy development is expanding in southwestern deserts, including in Arizona. Energy developers look to resource management agencies to provide siting guidance on public lands where there might be conflicts with wildlife. Often, agency guidance considers species of conservation concern and economic importance, but information on comprehensive vertebrate biodiversity has been hard to...