Research in this area addresses local, regional, national and international concerns about natural and anthropogenic sources of chemicals.  These include mercury, nutrients, arsenic, trifluoroacetic acids and organophosphate pesticides.  Research outcomes contribute greater understanding of global and local scale geochemical cycling to improve understanding of relative influences of different types of sources. 

The natural resources of Nevada, including forests and rangelands, are the focal point of faculty research about maintaining living, productive landscapes.  Research focuses on interactions between humans and the physical and biological environment, grazing and riparian ecosystem function, forest processes, fire ecology and nutrient cycling.

The arid environment of Nevada poses challenges that anticipate important water resources issues on a global scale.  Faculty concentrate on many aspects of water resources that relate to environmental quality and human health.  This includes water conservation and use, riparian area function, groundwater recharge, water supply protection, hydrologic processes, wetland function, watershed management, groundwater quality, human exposure to contaminants, reservoir and nonpoint source management, and international water resources development.

Faculty involved with research in this area contribute well-respected insights about large mammal behavior, habitat use by birds of prey, waterfowl, and shore birds.  This research elucidates important interactions between genetics, environmental characteristics and conservation and management strategies.