Dr. Christopher Neill studies natural and restored ecosystems around the globe, always with a local focus. He is interested in how changes in land use affect ecosystem function, particularly water and nutrient cycling, and in our ability to restore impaired systems.

In the Amazon, Dr. Neill uses a range of experimental techniques to investigate how deforestation and intensifying agriculture alter the flow of water and materials from the land into—and then within—streams and rivers. In Massachusetts, he studies how the choices we make along our coasts and in our own backyards affect biodiversity. He also works with local conservation organizations to design and assess improved methods of ecosystem protection and restoration.