Our group investigates the role of water in the dynamics of ecosystems (ecohydrology) and societies (social hydrology). We focus in particular on ecohydrological feedbacks and their impact on the stability and resilience of dryland ecosystems. We study how dryland plant communities are changing, investigate the major drivers and effects of such changes, and the role played by nonlinearities, feedbacks, and environmental randomness in the underlying dynamics. Our research in “social hydrology” investigates water needs for agriculture and energy production. We try to answer simple questions such as: “Is there enough water to feed everyone?”; “where is that water available?”; “what are the environmental impacts of human appropriation of water resources?”. These research questions reflect recent concerns that water limitations may constrain global food security. We focus on the nexus existing among water, food, and energy and investigate patterns of globalization and inequality in the distribution of natural resources that are crucial to meet food and energy needs.
