Dr. Mauritz is interested in ecosystem function and how ecosystems respond to climate change and other pressures. Ecosystems, like humans and other animals, breathe (release CO2) and need nutrients to function. Unlike humans, ecosystems can also take up carbon via photosynthesis. Dr. Mauritz uses different gas flux and isotope methods to understand how carbon and nutrients move through ecosystems. She also tries to understand how changes in temperature, rainfall, and plant species composition affect carbon dynamics and what that means for the future. Teaching and mentoring are important to Dr. Mauritz and at each stage of her career, her philosophy has been to try to share some of what she know with others.