There is ample evidence that plants exert significant “controls” over the manner and magnitude by which water and other soil-borne resources cycle through the biosphere. A particularly relevant example is how deeply rooted plant taxa can exploit deep water resources for long periods of time and often also “redistribution” water hydraulically (= HR) that in turn links root function to water and nutrient cycles. In this talk Todd will highlight research from his own research group as well as others that shows how HR information is being used in a diversity of ways to demonstrate how root and rhizosphere processes impact ecosystem functions and even our climate system.