The Riparian Systems and Landscape Research (RiSLaR) is headed by Alex Fremier at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. The general focus of the laboratory is to scale-up ecological patterns using a mechanistic understanding of process. There are four main themes of research:
- Riparian systems: How do riparian and fluvial systems function at multiple scales? What are the dominant processes (both physical and biotic) driving the patterns we observe, and what are the feedbacks?
- Analytical tools: What analytic tools are needed to improve our understanding of landscape connectivity, climate change and landscape dynamics?
- Lancscape ecology of agricultural systems: Can we effectively measure 'ecological-ness' of a working landscape using landscape metrics? What are the most efficient GIS tools and remotely-sensed data available? How can we configure agricultural landscapes to reduce pest transmission?
- Landscape genetics: How does environmental heterogeniety impact the genetic structure of populations? What are the patterns and when do non-equilibrium processes override the landscape signal?