- Who We Are

The Rocky Mountain Ecological Observatory (ROMEO) is a consortium of research and educational institutions dedicated to discovering and collating quantitative information about the state and dynamics of natural resources in the Rocky Mountain region. Through the analysis of this information we aim to assess the potential impact of a growing human population and land use change on the retention of biodiversity and the capacity for ecosystems to provide goods and services. The combination of missions provided by the various members of the consortium ensure the development of strong observational and archival programs in systematics and biodiversity, climate dynamics, biogeochemistry, hydrology, remote sensing and process modeling and ecology. In addition to conducting fundamental observations and analyses, ROMEO scientists connect to education and outreach programs aimed at edifying the general public about the intertwined relationship between humans and natural ecosystems, and about the nature and importance of long-term ecological monitoring programs. ROMEO is part of the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), which is funded by the National Science Foundation.

- The Focus of ROMEO

ROMEO focuses on ecosystems in the Rocky Mountain west of the U.S. Our range spans from the Northern Rockies at the Canadian border with Montana in the north, to the Southern Rockies of northern New Mexico in the south, including adjacent urban and agricultural areas that influence the Rockies. In the east, we focus on the Front Range of Colorado, Wyoming and Montana, as well as the high-plains basins of Wyoming. In the west, we cover the Western Slope of the Rockies and the finger-like extension of the Wasatch Mountains in Utah. Our focus is on montane, subalpine and alpine ecology, systematics and climate, although our interests also extend into high-plains shrub and juniper ecosystems on the eastern and western flanks of the Rockies.