Toward Sustainable & Usable Water Resources
Water resources sustain ecosystems and peoples across our region. Yet drought, flood and seasonal changes in precipitation stress water availability and quality, while warming temperatures increase evapotranspiration and population growth heightens the demand and competition for already-limited water. Stressed vegetation can increase risks for insect infestation, wildfire, soil degradation, and plant mortality, causing long-term shifts in wildlife habitat and increased potential for the advance of invasive species.
Our Team
Established in October 2018, the Sustainable and Usable Water Resources team has 17 members:
Sean Wineland (co-lead), University of Oklahoma
Newakis Weber, Chickasaw Nation
Pablo Ortiz, University of California Davis
Xiangming Xiao, University of Oklahoma
Sarita KC, East Central University
Ali Mirchi, Oklahoma State University
Thomas Neeson (co-lead), University of Oklahoma
Sophie Plassin, University of Oklahoma
Sam Sandoval, University of California Davis
Wayne Kellogg, Chickasaw Nation
Jeri Fleming, University of Oklahoma
Caitriana Steele, SW Climate Hub
Adrienne Wootten, University of Oklahoma
Kevin Wagner, Oklahoma State University
Rosalynn Vasquez, Texas Tech University
Tye Baker, Choctaw Nation
Hakan Basagaoglu, Edwards Aquifer
Our Projects
Goals for 2020:
- Review/Synthesis Paper about environmental flows and climate change.
- Summary: Environmental flows are important for sustaining river ecosystems globally, but socio-political barriers and the impacts of climate change complicate the implementation and feasibility of policies or programs. There are many factors that either facilitate or inhibit policies or programs regarding environmental flows. Here, we will review the context and challenges of environmental flows in the South-Central United States using three case studies: Rio Grande/Rio Bravo River Basin, Red River Basin, and the Edwards Aquifer.
How we plan to accomplish our goals:
- Monthly virtual calls to coordinate
- Writing sessions