The South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (SC CASC) recently chose eight new research projects. These projects will contribute to climate adaptation efforts in the south-central region of Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Louisiana. The initiatives will support efforts such as Tribal climate adaptation goals, addressing wetland adaptation management, controlling invasive plants, and assessing the impacts on water resources. More detailed information about the new projects, (sectioned into focus areas) is sectioned into focus areas and is available below:
Region-wide Initiative: Wetland Conservation in a Changing Climate
Scott Loss from Oklahoma State University leads our region-wide project, “Linking Research and Stakeholder Engagement to Foster Effective Wetland Conservation in a Changing Climate.” This initiative will build on previous research to survey wetland stakeholders about their climate adaptation needs, model climate change impacts on wetland waterbirds, and co-create management tools for effective wetland conservation. By engaging diverse stakeholders, we aim to develop strategies that support wetland ecosystems amidst a changing climate.
Pilot Project: Enhancing Agricultural Water Management
Nishan Bhattarai from the University of Oklahoma heads the pilot project, “A Novel Vegetation Water Use and Efficiency Monitoring Tool.” This web-based tool will provide real-time data on plant water consumption and efficiency using high-resolution satellite data and advanced computer models. Farmers and ranchers in Oklahoma and Texas will benefit from precise, accessible data to make informed water management decisions, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and fostering collaboration among agricultural experts and government agencies.
Coastal Project: Mitigating Hurricane Flood Risks
Under the guidance of Chenghao Wang from the University of Oklahoma, the coastal project, “Understanding Coastal Wetland Dynamics and Their Impacts on Hurricane Flood Risk,” aims to predict mid-century wetland distributions in response to sea-level rise, climate change, and socioeconomic factors. By collaborating with local governments, agencies, and non-profits, this project will assess hurricane-induced flood risks along the Texas Gulf Coast, providing critical insights for flood risk management.
Agroecosystems Project: Managing Invasive Plant Species
Led by Hamed Gholizadeh from Oklahoma State University, the agroecosystems project, “Optimizing Invasive Plant Management in Grasslands,” focuses on the invasive plant Lespedeza cuneata. By integrating remote sensing and climate sciences, this project will deliver actionable information for effective management of this invasive species in grassland ecosystems, helping to preserve native biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Cultural Projects: Empowering Tribal Nations and Flood-Prone Communities
Jeremy Ross from the University of Oklahoma leads one of the two cultural projects titled, “Empowering Tribal Nations to Plan for Extreme Climate Change Threats.” This initiative will collaborate with Indigenous horticulturalists and Tribal nations to create an Extreme Climate Action Plan for Culturally Important Agroecosystems (ECAPCIA). By leveraging Indigenous knowledge and values, the project aims to strengthen water resilience and preserve culturally important agroecosystems.
Kathryn Powlen from the USGS – OK/TX Water Science Center is leading the other cultural project, “Identifying Opportunities to Strengthen Climate Resilience in Flood-Prone Underserved Communities.” Focusing on Harris County, Texas, this project will develop a flood vulnerability assessment and examine distributive equity in flood mitigation efforts. By modeling flood exposure and analyzing mitigation investments, the project will prioritize vulnerable areas for future mitigation projects, ensuring equitable and effective flood risk reduction.
Rio Grande Projects: Enhancing Stream Resiliency and Snow Water Resources
Benjamin Linhoff from the USGS – NM Water Science Center leads Grande project, “Improving Headwater Stream Resiliency to Climate Change in the Rio Grande Watershed.” This project will quantify the impacts of best management practices on baseflow, water quality, and ecological function in headwater streams within the Upper Rio Grande Basin, promoting stream resiliency amidst climate change.
David Moeser from the USGS – NM Water Science Center leads the project, “Estimating Future Effects of Forest Disturbance on Snow Water Resources.” With a one-year funding extension, this project will continue developing an integrated snow model to accurately estimate the effects of future landscape and climate changes on snow water resources in the Rio Grande headwaters, providing a vital decision support tool for stakeholders.
