Media Category: Sites

An oasis in the desert. LTER researchers view the Tres Rios Wetland during the 2022 Science Council Meeting in Phoenix.

Another view of the Tres Rios Constructed Wetland. Though its main function is to remediate the nutrient pollution after wastewater is treated, the park provides a variety of ecosystem services to Phonecians, including vibrant birding, a beautiful landscape, and the oh-so needed cooling effect from the water.

The Phoenix landscape is a patchwork of natural, semi-natural, and urban areas. Here, a mid-city agricultural plot sits between residential zones.

In Phoenix, the city’s ecology is driven by human activity. Take the Tres Rios constructed wetland, pictured here, for example. Constructed primarily for effluent remediation, the wetland is a stunning oasis in the desert, home to vibrant plant life and a huge diversity of bird species.

Dr. Kelli Larson (left) explains the Phoenix Area Social Survey to visiting LTER scientists at the 2022 Science Council Meeting in Phoenix. Central Arizona-Phoenix (CAP) LTER Lead PI Dr. Dan Childers (center) holds her poster, and CAP LTER Information Manager Dr. Stevan Earl (right) looks on.