Lisa Marie Latson Benton
In a broad sense, my research interests are focused on the sustainable management of water resources for both ecosystems and human societies. My current studies at the University of Arizona are centered on understanding how vegetation, water and climate interact within ecosystems and how plant phenologies (timings of lifecycle events) are coupled to heat, water and carbon exchanges in these systems. My interests are also strongly based in environmental education, ecological restoration, climate change science, and holistic management.
For my thesis research, I am investigating the blooming phenology of the creosotebush (Larrea tridentata) and how it interacts with the water budget and climate where it grows. My objective is to understand the soil moisture levels and temperature regimes that are conducive to bloom production. For my core research, I am employing a relatively new methodology to monitor phenology involving repeat photography and digital analysis of images taken from my field sites at the Santa Rita Experimental Range (SRER) and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. I will also utilize information from the eddy covariance flux tower operated by my advisor, Shirley Kurc, to better understand the atmosphere-ecosystem dynamics occurring in the creosotebush ecosystem at the SRER.
The second component of my research involves collaboration with four science teachers at a local high school. Roughly one hundred students are collecting data on creosotebush phenology in south Tucson. This project 1) creates an important link between institution-based research and community involvement and education, 2) allows the students to act as citizen scientists and obtain important observation skills, and 3) provides excellent data for my phenology research study.
My career objective is to be involved in dynamic collaboration with a diverse group of environmental professionals to address issues involving watershed and ecosystem restoration, water resource planning, vegetation management and planning, river basin management, educational community outreach, and public water conservation initiatives.
