The Wetland Ecosystem Ecology Lab (WEEL)

Research Opportunities

We have a variety of field and lab-based research experiences available for interested students who would like to learn more about urban wetland ecosystem ecology, urban ecology, sustainability science, biogeochemistry, greenhouse gas emissions, urban ecohydrology, and ecosystems theory. Please see the opportunities below for more details on the projects and experiences available to interested students. If you would like to get involved, or find out more about any of these listings, please contact the WEEL Lab Manager, Chris Sanchez (casanch9@asu.edu).You can also learn more about our lab by visiting our website http://weel.asu.edu. Understanding plant, water and nutrient dynamics in the Tres Rios Constructed Treatment Wetland Lead: Chris Sanchez, Lab Manager Overview: The Tres Rios Wetlands are a constructed wastewater treatment wetland built and operated by the City of Phoenix. Operating a treatment wetland in a hot, dry climate presents unique environmental conditions that can potentially alter the delivery of ecosystem services, namely nutrient removal, that are expected of these systems. As such, we study the interactions between emergent vegetation, above and below ground primary production, atmospheric water loss and water quality through a variety of field-based survey and sampling techniques. For more information, please see the following short documentary on the Tres Rios project - https://vimeo.com/147837180. Skills: Participants in this project will learn how to perform a variety of basic ecology field techniques, such as identifying and measuring common wetland plants, extracting soil and root cores, and measuring water quality using both field and lab-based methods. General Research Assistance Lead: Chris Sanchez, Lab Manager Overview: The Wetland Ecosystem Ecology Lab has a variety of on-going research activities that support our more specific projects and general lab functioning. These may vary from data entry, to sample processing, to cleaning or maintaining lab materials and equipment. Skills: Participants in general research assistance will gain insight into the day-to-day functioning of a research laboratory, including skills such as sample processing techniques, familiarity with lab equipment, and data entry and analysis.