Brittlebush | A Desert Survivor

March 23, 2021

Brittlebush–a widespread and very drought-resistant woody shrub with bright yellow flowers–is one of the most conspicuous desert plants when in bloom from late winter to mid-spring. During really dry, hot years with little soil moisture, their green leaves can appear...

Is the Current Drought Our Only Water Supply Problem?

February 22, 2021

This article ran in the Winter 2019 Sonoran Quarterly issue Paul HirtSenior Sustainability Scholer, Arizona State University If you were in Arizona this past summer, you may have experienced what some now call our “nonsoon” season—no monsoon....

Plant A Tree, Save the Earth

February 16, 2021

Plants Can Save the World With the climate in slow but steady shift, and temperatures in Phoenix breaking records year after year, many are wondering how residents can adapt to broad scale and adverse changes in our world. While some attempt to prevent, others...

The distinctive form and function of giant cactus

January 13, 2021

Giant cactus are among the most charismatic and iconic plant life forms on the planet, but many giant cactus species are threatened by the effects of climate change. The Dryland Plant Ecophysiology Lab and colleagues study the distinctive physiological features of...

Tree ecophysiology in dryland riparian ecosystems