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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

With capabilities in atmospheric sciences, soils, forest engineering, biogeochemistry, hydrology, plant physiology, aquatic ecology and limnology,

 conservation biology and fisheries, Water and Watersheds  scientists focus on two key research problems:

• Core watershed research quantifies the dynamics of hydrologic, geomorphic and biogeochemical processes in forests and rangelands at multiple scales and defines the biological processes and patterns that affect the distribution, resilience, and persistence of native aquatic, riparian and terrestrial species.
• Integrated, interdisciplinary research explores the effects of climate variability and climate change on forest, grassland and aquatic ecosystems.

Water and Watersheds  has research labs and field unit locations located throughout the interior west. Science teams contributing to the programs' research are based in Flagstaff, AZ; Fort Collins, CO; Missoula, MT; Moscow, ID; and at Water and Watersheds  headquarters, located in Boise, ID.

Three experimental forests exist across the geographic range of Water and Watersheds . These valuable scientific resources incorporate a broad range of climate conditions, forest and range types, research emphasis, and history. Forest Service, university, and other scientists conduct basic and applied studies on research themes including forest, stream, and rangeland ecology; hydrology; wildlife; biological diversity; and effects of forest and range management. Long-term data on climate, vegetation change, streamflow, and other site factors document environmental change and support research programs.