Source: PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY submitted to NRP
IMPACT OF ANTHROPOGENIC AND NATURAL CHANGES ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
EVANS-ALLEN
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1004053
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 8, 2014
Project End Date
Sep 7, 2019
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY
P.O. Box 519, MS 2001
PRAIRIE VIEW,TX 77446
Performing Department
Research Centers
Non Technical Summary
Changes in global population and economic environment triggered land use change that can be linked to changes in climate, biodiversity, and water quantity and quality. Water allocation and conservation are emerging issues that are exacerbated by intensive agricultural use and rapid urban development and compounded by questionable estimates of sustainable yields of water from the various aquifers, presents a major educational need. The main goal of this project is to develop an integrated research approach at the watershed continuum by combining multi-scale field experiments with a strong numerical modeling and GIS and remotely sensed technology to enhance our understanding of watershed hydrological processes as a result of variation of different controlling parameters, i.e., land use (reforest/deforestation, brush management, agricultural use, urbanization), extreme weather conditions (drought, flooding) and climate change. Specific objectives of this research plan are: (a) Evaluate existing and previous land use activities and resources at different watersheds, (b) Design field experiments to help understand different hydrological cycle components, (c) Integrate Remote Sensing and GIS tools for sustainable watershed management and watershed modeling, (d) Evaluate the potential of different watershed scale models, and (e) Develop a set of management tools to enable researchers, watershed managers, regulator and other stake holders to predict various short- and long-term land management scenarios and impact of extreme weather conditions. The proposed work involves several phases; literature review, selection of potential watersheds research sites, field experiments, preparation of spatial database using remote sensing and GIS, numerical modeling, analysis of alternative watershed management scenarios etc. Findings of this research program will be helpful for many national and state programs in Texas. The end users of the land-user management tools are watershed managers, state, local and federal agencies. The findings of this project will be disseminated to general public through field days, public meetings and extension fact-sheets and scientific community through peer reviewed publications.
Animal Health Component
60%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
40%
Applied
60%
Developmental
0%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1040110206120%
1110210205020%
1120320205020%
1310320205020%
1320430207020%
Knowledge Area
112 - Watershed Protection and Management; 111 - Conservation and Efficient Use of Water; 104 - Protect Soil from Harmful Effects of Natural Elements; 132 - Weather and Climate; 131 - Alternative Uses of Land;

Subject Of Investigation
0320 - Watersheds; 0110 - Soil; 0430 - Climate; 0210 - Water resources;

Field Of Science
2070 - Meteorology and climatology; 2050 - Hydrology; 2061 - Pedology;
Goals / Objectives
The main goal of this proposed research plan is to develop an integrated research approach at the watershed continuum by combining multi-scale field experiments with a strong numerical modeling and GIS and remotely sensed technology to enhance our understanding of watershed hydrological processes as a result of variation of different controlling parameters, i.e., land use (reforest/deforestation, brush management, agricultural use, urbanization), extreme weather conditions (drought, flooding) and climate change. Specific objectives of this research plan are:Evaluate existing and previous land use activities and resources at different watersheds.Design and conduct lab and field experiments to help understand different hydrological cycle components.Integrate remote sensing and GIS tools for sustainable watershed management and watershed modeling.Evaluate the potential of different watershed scale models and identify the most promising numerical models that will be further tested.Develop a set of management tools to enable researchers, watershed managers, regulator and other stake holders to predict various short- and long-term land management scenarios and impact of extreme weather conditions
Project Methods
The proposed work involves several phases and each phase has several tasks as follows:Phase I: Literature Review: This phase will review previous research on watershed hydrology, watershed management and modeling efforts in variable sizes watersheds setup.Phase II: Potential Watersheds Research Sites: Review the quality of the existing watershed data (soil survey data, digital elevation data, land use, land cover), streamflow, rainfall and other weather data to select candidate watersheds for the present work.Phase III: Field Experiment : The intend of this phase is to collect additional data of selected watershed to complement available data through state and federal agencies, i.e. NOAA-NCDC, NRCS and USGS. We will also develop soil moisture sensor testbed at CAHS, Prairie View A&M University for the comparison of in-situ, satellite and modeled soil moisture data. This study helps validating proposed satellite (i.e. SMAP) based soil moisture data, predicting hydrologic extremes (drought, flood) and implementing in the precise irrigation system.Phase IV: Spatial Database Using Remote Sensing and GIS: Different spatial data are necessary for the calibration, validation and application of numerical model. In this phase we collect spatial data from different agencies and process according to requirement of model using GIS and Remote sensing tools.Phase V: Numerical Modeling: In this phase, we will test different potential models and select appropriate model. The selected model will be calibrated, validated and apply to compute impact of climate change in surface water and groundwater and to study impact of land use change in water quantity and quality.Phase VI: Alternative watershed management scenarios: Several potential scenarios will be simulated based on practical land use alternatives appropriate to the watershed. This will forecast future development patterns to different stakeholders. With this modeling exercise we will assess how various growth patterns are likely to influence different hydrological components of the watershed.

Progress 09/08/14 to 09/07/19

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences for this project were farmers, ranchers, scientists, and professional water resources managers. In addition, university faculty, researchers, support staff, and graduate/undergraduate students were also benefited from this project. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two undergraduate and five graduate students were trained in different research, lab, and field experimental studies. They enhanced their skills in monitoring and measuring water quality parameters using water quality sensors, installing soil moisture sensors and collecting data, collecting soil CO2 flux, soil water sampling and analyzing, developing web applications, using Irrigation Management System software to determine site-specific irrigation water requirements for different crops. They enhanced their skills to monitor and measure water quality parameters using water quality sensors. The students were able to present oral and poster presentations in different Symposiums in the topics related to soil, water, and environment. High school juniors and seniors participants of USDA AG Discovery Camp and undergraduate students of REEU program were educated on different aspects of natural resources and environmental sciences. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?NRES team members demonstrated preliminary results of collard greens, small scale precision farming: FarmBot, different measurement techniques using a drone, GPR, and soil basics - texture, color, density, structure, and impact on pasture management during 2019 Ag Day On The Hill. Results were also demonstrated to the participants of the USDA AG Discovery Camp, Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU) program, and K-12 students visit from different schools. More than 346 farmers, ranchers, extension specialists, and other stakeholders were trained in Dominican Republic to increase the resilience of vulnerable populations to the impacts of changing climate and weather patterns through a crosscutting approach. Some of the research findings were published in peer-reviewed journal articles, book, book chapters, and conference proceedings. Some of the preliminary findings of the project are disseminated to the general public and scientific community through presentations at a number of conferences. Presentations and posters were presented at PVAMU Research Seminar Series, ARD Research Symposium, ASA, CSSA, and SSSA International Annual Meeting, AGU Fall Meeting, Irrigation Show & Education Conference, Research Week Creative Activities Display, 14th Annual Research Symposium, 15th Annual Pathways Research Symposium, and other workshops/ symposiums. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?NA

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective I: Evaluate existing and previous land use activities and resources at different watersheds Climate data from different weather networks of Texas and gridded climate data were processed to use in hydrologic models, irrigation water allocation, irrigation scheduling, and groundwater visualization tools. The effects of change in imperviousness on flooding at five major watersheds (Brazos, Colorado, Trinity, San Antonio, and San Jacinto) in Texas were assessed. The effect of changes in urban land-use on hydrologic processes was evaluated in Texas. Four major land covers (Cotton, Corn, Wheat, and Sorghum) were identified and used to study climate change impact in Brazos Headwaters Basin and Northern High Plains of Texas. Objective II: Design field experiments to help understand different hydrological cycle components We continued monitoring evapotranspiration, rainfall, net radiation, air temperature, relative humidity, greenhouse gas (CO2), and soil moisture at Eddy covariance (EC) flux tower at PVAMU demonstration farm. We also added Methane (CH4) analyzer to the existing instrumentation. The field experiment was also carried out to evaluate the performance of micro-irrigated collard greens under three different organic amendment types and rates. The collected samples in the field experiment were analyzed in the lab. Based on data collected from field and lab experiments, we analyzed the effects of organic amendments, application rates and rainfall on soil CO2 exchange, root distribution of collard greens, spatial variability of soil pH values, soil moisture and nutrient dynamics in the root zone of collard greens. We also evaluated the effects of rainfall and soil and air temperatures on root zone soil moisture in a Humid Climate. We also conducted environmental monitoring of the wetland pond by measuring water and soil pH and its spatial variability. Soil water and nutrients in different existing field experiments by Plant Systems of CARC and Agriculture and Natural Resources of Cooperative Extension Program. Objective III: Integrate Remote Sensing and GIS tools for sustainable watershed management and watershed modeling The Multi Sensor Precipitation Estimation (MPE) radar rainfall product was processed and used in watershed modeling to evaluate flash floods and the effect of land-use change in Texas Hill Country. The MPE and Multi-Radar Multi-Sensors (MRMS) rainfall products were also processed to simulate effects of extreme events on semi urbanized watershed as Cypress Creek flood in Harris County. We also conducted a study to understand the hydrological extremes and relationship between terrestrial water storage and surface soil moisture using satellite products across Texas under a changing climate. Objective IV: Evaluate the potential of different watershed scale models The numerous hydrologic watershed scale models, such as Gridded Surface Subsurface Hydrologic Assessment (GSSHA), HL-RDH, IManSys, and others, were explored and applied to various watersheds in the state of Texas. The GSSHA model was used as a physically based distributed model to evaluate the change effect in detail and the dynamic of urbanization on hydrologic processes of a watershed in Texas. IManSys model was used to analyze the potential impact of climate change on irrigation requirements of four major crops (cotton, corn, sorghum, and winter wheat) in the Brazos Headwaters Basin and Northern High Plains of Texas. The same model was used to study optimum turf grass irrigation requirements and corresponding water-energy-CO2 nexus across Harris County, Texas. Objective V: Develop a set of management tools to enable researchers, watershed managers, regulator and other stakeholders to predict various short- and long-term land management scenarios and impact of extreme weather conditions We investigated the impact of droughts, floods, and hurricane Harvey on groundwater storage in Texas. We developed different web applications and android app: (i) IrrigWise: An irrigation scheduling tool using near real-time weather data, (ii) IWET: An Irrigation Water Estimator for Texas using historical climate data, (iii) WeatherandSoil: An Android app for site-specific soil and forecasted weather data. The recent publications support this objective: (i) Optimum turf grass irrigation requirements and corresponding water-energy-CO2 nexus across Harris County, Texas, (ii) Evaluation of phytotoxicity of three commercial organic amendments to collard greens using the seed germination bioassay, (iii) Spatial variability of Manganese Oxide (MnOx) in two soilscapes: upland-lowland, and riparian buffer-wetland boundary-wetland, (iv) Assessing potential climate change impacts on irrigation requirements of major crops in the Brazos Headwaters Basin, Texas, (v) Potential impact of climate change on irrigation water requirements for some major crops in the Northern High Plains of Texas, (vi) Soil moisture and nutrient dynamics in root zone of collard greens produced in different organic amendments and rates, (vii) Deep learning for soil moisture estimation from thermal images, and (viii) Spatial and temporal distributions of evapotranspiration in the Three Georges Reservoir region of China.

Publications

  • Type: Books Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Fares, and A., Singh. 2019. Heavy Metal Contamination of Water Resources: Challenges and Solutions. Springer-Nature. ISBN 978-3-030-21257-5.
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Awal, R., and Fares, A.: 2019. Potential Impact of Climate Change on Irrigation Water Requirements for Some Major Crops in the Northern High Plains of Texas. In: O. Wendroth, R.J. Lascano, L. Ma, editors, Bridging Among Disciplines by Synthesizing Soil and Plant Processes, Adv. Agric. Syst. Model. 8. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI. doi:10.2134/advagricsystmodel8.2017.0014
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Awal, R., Fares, A., and Habibi, H.: Optimum Turf Grass Irrigation Requirements and Corresponding Water-Energy-CO2 Nexus across Harris County, Texas, Sustainability 2019, 11(5), 1440; (https://doi.org/10.3390/su11051440).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Kebrom, T.H., Woldesenbet, S., Bayabil, H.K., Garcia, M., Gao, M., Ampim, P., Awal, R., Fares, A.: Evaluation of phytotoxicity of three commercial organic amendments to collard greens using the seed germination bioassay, Environmental Science & Pollution Research, 2019, Vol. 26(6) 54545462 (https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3928-4).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Onweni, B.A., Griffin, R.W., Thomas, R.J.F., Timms, E.K., Polk, J.D., and James, A.A. : Spatial Variability of Manganese Oxide (MnOx) in Two Soilscapes: Upland-Lowland, and Riparian Buffer-Wetland Boundary-Wetland. PURSUE Journal, 2019, Vol. 2(1).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Awal, R., Fares, A., and Bayabil, H.: Assessing Potential Climate Change Impacts on Irrigation Requirements of Major Crops in the Brazos Headwaters Basin, Texas, Water 2018, 10(11), 1610.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Ma, Z., Ray, R. L., He, Y. (2018). Spatial and temporal distributions of evapotranspiration in the Three Georges Reservoir region of China. Journal of Mountain Science. 15 (12): 2676-2692. DOI: 10.1007/s11629-018-5180-2
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Awal, R., El Hassan, A., Fares, A., Woldesenbet, S., Ray, R., Bayabil, B., Ampim, P., Risch, E., Griffin, R., and Habibi, H.: Soil Moisture and Nutrient Dynamics in Root Zone of Collard Greens Produced in Different Organic Amendments and Rates, 2018 Irrigation Show & Education Conference, Dec. 3-7, 2018, Long Beach, CA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Sobayo, R., Wu, H.H., Ray, R.L., and Qian, L. (2018). Deep learning for soil moisture estimation from thermal images. IEEE, Data Intelligence and Security. DOI: 10.1109/ICDIS.2018.00041
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Omari, S.A., Awal, R., Fares, A., Habibi, H. and Bhattarai, S.: Improving Irrigation Scheduling Tool: IrrigWise, 14th Annual Research Symposium, April 11, 2019, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Awal, R., A. Fares, and H. Habibi: An Overview of Irrigation Scheduling Tool: IrrigWise, ARD Research Symposium 2019, March 30 - April 3, 2019, Jacksonville, FL.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: H. Habibi, R. Awal, A. Fares, and Q. Liu: WeatherAndSoil: An Android App for Location Specific Soil and Forecasted Weather Data, ARD Research Symposium 2019, March 30 - April 3, 2019, Jacksonville, FL.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Bradley, K., D. Bailey, M. Moussavi, H. Bayabil, A. El-Hassan, R. Awal, D. Myers, A. Fares and J. Barouei: Microbiota Profiling of Soils Amended with Various Organic Materials, ARD Research Symposium 2019, March 30 - April 3, 2019, Jacksonville, FL.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Williams, E., M. Moussavi, H. Bayabil, A. El-Hassan, R. Awal, D. Myers, A. Fares and J. Barouei: Microbiota Profiling of Cover Crop Soils, Cooperative Agricultural Research Center, ARD Research Symposium 2019, March 30 - April 3, 2019, Jacksonville, FL.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Awal, R., Habibi, H., and Fares, A.: IrrigWise: An Irrigation Scheduling Tool to Increase Irrigation Water Use Efficiency in Texas, Research Week Creative Activities Display, April 10, 2019, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Habibi, H., Awal, R., and Fares, A.: WeatherAndSoil: A Site Specific Soil Parameters and Weather Forecast Android App, Research Week Creative Activities Display, April 10, 2019, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Jackson, Awal, R., R., El Hassan, A., and Habibi, H.: Conducting soil-specific calibration of soil moisture sensors and integrating more accurate soil moisture sensor in FarmBot, Summer Research Symposium, August 1, 2019, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Duong, J., R. Awal, A. Fares, H. Habibi, and H. Oshiemele: Developing an Automatic Irrigation System based on Soil Moisture, ARD Research Symposium 2019, March 30 - April 3, 2019, Jacksonville, FL.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Bradley, K.; Williams, E.A.; Bailey, D.; Moussavi, M.; Bayabil, H.; El-Hassan, A.; Awal, R.; Fares, A.; Myers, D.; Barouei, J.: Organic Amendments Influence the Rhizosphere and Phyllo-sphere Microbiota Profiles of Collard Greens Grown in Southeast Texas, International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) Annual Meeting, July 21-24, Louisville, Kentucky.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Badmus, O., Fares, A. Awal, R., Risch, E., Ray, R., and El Hassan, A.: Changes in Soil Hydraulic Conductivity Response to Manure Amendment Applied to a Leafy Greens, 14th Annual Research Symposium, April 11, 2019, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Eisa Z., R. Awal, A. Fares, H. Habibi, and A. El Hassan: Analysis of Effects of Soil Types on Irrigation Water Requirements of Some Major Crops, ARD Research Symposium 2019, March 30 - April 3, 2019, Jacksonville, FL.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Ayanbanjo, O., and Ray, R.L. Assessing the effects of change in imperviousness on flooding at five major watersheds of Texas. Association of 1890 Research Directors (ARD) Research Symposium, March 30-April 3, 2019, Jacksonville, FL.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Olamofe, J., Ray, R.L., Risch, E., Awal, R., Elhassan A., Ampim, P., and Fares, A. Effects of Organic Amendments and climate on Soil CO2 exchange. Association of 1890 Research Directors (ARD) Research Symposium, March 30-April 3, 2019, Jacksonville, FL.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Olutimehin, T., Ray, R.L., Griffin, R., Risch, E., Awal, R., Elhassan A., Ampim, P., and Fares, A. Effects of Organic Amendment Types and Rates on Root Distribution of Collard Greens in a Humid Climate. Association of 1890 Research Directors (ARD) Research Symposium, March 30-April 3, 2019, Jacksonville, FL.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Johnson, J., Risch, R., and Ray, R.L. Impact of Droughts, Floods and Hurricane Harvey on Groundwater Storage in Texas. Association of 1890 Research Directors (ARD) Research Symposium, March 30-April 3, 2019, Jacksonville, FL.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Olamofe, J., Olutimehin, T., Ray, R.L., Griffin, R., Risch, E., Awal, R., Elhassan, A., Ampim, P., and Fares, A. Effects of organic amendments on soil carbon and collard greens production. World Food Day. Tuesday, October 16, 2018, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Hull-Littlejohn, T., Ray, R.L., and Risch, E. Assessing the Effects of Rainfall and Temperature on Root Zone Soil Moisture in a Humid Climate. Association of 1890 Research Directors (ARD) Research Symposium, March 30-April 3, 2019, Jacksonville, FL.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Ray, R.L., and Fares, A. An integrated approach using satellite soil moisture and terrestrial water storage products in studying hydrological extremes across Texas under a changing climate. Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, Washington, DC, December 10-14, 2018.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Olamofe, J., Ray, R.L., Griffin, R., Risch, E., Awal, R., Elhassan, A., Ampim, P., and Fares, A. Soil CO2 emissions from an experimental research farm: Effects of organic amendments, rain and temperature, TAMUS 15th Annual Pathways Student Research Symposium, West Texas A&M University, November 1-2, 2018, Canyon, Texas.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: El Hassan, A., A. Fares, R. Awal, E. Risch, and R.L. Ray: Application of Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor Precipitation Data in Flash flood Prediction, ARD Research Symposium 2019, March 30 - April 3, 2019, Jacksonville, FL.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Polk, J., R.W. Griffin. 2018. Spatial Variability of Soil pH Values in an Organic Amendment Experiment on the Prairie View A&M University Farm, Southeast Texas. TAMUS 15th Annual Pathways Student Research Symposium, West Texas A&M University, November 1-2, 2018, Canyon, Texas.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Timms, E. K., R.W. Griffin. 2018. Spatial Variability of Soil Physical and Chemical Characteristics in the Kenney Soil of Southeast Texas. TAMUS 15th Annual Pathways Student Research Symposium, West Texas A&M University, November 1-2, 2018, Canyon, Texas.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Faith B.; A. El Hassan; A. Fares; R. Awal; E. Risch, and R.L. Ray: Changes in Soil Hydraulic Conductivity in Response to Organic Amendments Applied to a Collard Greens, ARD Research Symposium 2019, March 30 - April 3, 2019, Jacksonville, FL.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Griffin, R.W. 2019. Summary of Soil Health Activities at PVAMU Association of 1890 Research Directors (ARD) Research Symposium, March 30-April 3, 2019, Jacksonville, FL.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Polk, J., R.W. Griffin. 2019. Spatial Variability of Soil pH Values in an Organic Amendment Experiment on the Prairie View A&M University Farm, Southeast Texas. Juvenile Justice and Psychology Research Symposium, April 11, 2019, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Timms, E. K., R.W. Griffin. 2019. Spatial Variability of Soil Physical and Chemical Characteristics in the Kenney Soil of Southeast Texas. Juvenile Justice and Psychology Research Symposium, April 11, 2019, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: DeBose, X., R.W. Griffin. 2019. Spatial Variability of Soil Color, Texture, and pH Values from the Wall of Soil: Archived Soils Collection at Prairie View A&M University. Juvenile Justice and Psychology Research Symposium, April 11, 2019, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: DeBose, X., R.W. Griffin. 2018. Spatial Variability of Soil Color, Texture, and pH Values from the Wall of Soil: Archived Soils Collection at Prairie View A&M University. TAMUS 15th Annual Pathways Student Research Symposium, West Texas A&M University, November 1-2, 2018, Canyon, Texas.


Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences for this project were farmers, ranchers, scientists, and professional water resources managers. In addition, university faculty, researchers, support staffs, and graduate/undergraduate students were also benefited from this project. We intended to reach these target groups through a series of programs organized by the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences as well as scientific publications, presentations and outreach activities. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Several undergraduate and graduate students were trained in research, lab and field experimental studies which include data collection and methods to measure soil moisture content using different soil moisture sensors, soil CO2 flux, soil water sampling and analyzing, developing web applications, using Irrigation Management System software to determine site-specific irrigation water requirements for different crops. The students were able to present oral and poster presentations in different Symposiums in the topics related to soil, water, and environment. High school juniors and seniors participants of USDA AG Discovery Camp and the Research Extension Apprentice Program (REAP) were educated on different aspects of natural resources and environmental sciences. The future research plan will continue to train and provide professional development opportunities to other undergraduate, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers through laboratory and field experiments, collection and analysis of natural resources data, and hydrologic modeling. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?NRES organized "Leafy Greens Workshop: From Farm to Table." A team of more than 30 students, research scientists, extension personnel, and faculty members from the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences conducted theLeafy Greens Workshop: From Farm to Tableon Thursday, February 15, 2018. This was an opportunity to showcase the land-grant program in action through the research activities of students working with mentor scientists, outreach programs designed by extension personnel, and faculty teaching skills in the area of crop production, food safety, nutrition, and culinary arts. The workshop covered relevant topics beginning with how to grow leafy greens using organic amendments and the soil-plant-water relationship to nurture growth. In addition, expert speakers addressed the environmental impact of organic amendments such as nutrient uptake and leaching, soil carbon dioxide emission, water uptake, and drainage. Lastly, the workshop closed with a discussion about food safety, market opportunities, the nutritional value and health benefits, and preparation and tasting of recipes made with leafy greens. More than 80 people participated in the workshop. A program evaluation completed at the workshop revealed that 81% of participants increased their level of understanding in "crop germination" and "postharvest quality of collard greens", 73% of participants indicated that they would definitely increase leafy green vegetable consumption, 60% of participants responded that they would definitely use conservation practices, 67% of participants were mostly to completely satisfied with the workshop. More than 119 farmers, agricultural extension specialists and research scientists were trained in Gujarat, India to understand and use the best irrigation management practice for irrigation of saline soil and the relationship between water salinity and crop production. NRES team members demonstrated the performance of legume and grain cover crops under Southern Texas Conditions during 2018 Agricultural Field Day organized by CAHS. NRES team is conducting the field experiment on the performance of four cover crops (Winter Rye, Winter Wheat, Crimson Clover, Hairy Vetch), four combinations (Winter Rye-Crimson Clover, Winter Rye-Hairy Vetch, Winter Wheat-Crimson Clover, Winter Wheat-Hairy Vetch), and a Control treatment (no cover crop) under Southeast Texas Conditions since 2017. Some of the research findings were published in peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and conference proceedings. Some of the preliminary findings of the project are disseminated to the general public and scientific community through presentations at a number of conferences. Presentations and posters were presented at Industry Day, ASA, CSSA, and SSSA International Annual Meeting, AGU Fall Meeting, Summer Student Research Symposium, Land Grant Research Symposium, 15th Annual Pathways Research Symposium, 13th Annual Research Symposium, and other workshops/ symposiums. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue lab and field experiments to collect additional data. We will analyze collected data and publish peer-reviewed papers and extension bulletins. We will continue in using hydrological models, GIS and RS to complete some of our ongoing research to recommend best management practices. We will continue developing different applications related to natural resources and environmental sciences.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective I: Evaluate existing and previous land use activities and resources at different watersheds Land-use and land cover change between 1992 and 2011 evaluated using national land cover database (NLCD). Four major land covers (Cotton, Corn, Sorghum) were identified to use in climate change impact study in Texas. The change of urban land-use class was evaluated to study its effect on hydrologic processes in Texas. Climate data from different weather networks of Texas and gridded climate data were processed to use in hydrologic models, irrigation water allocation, irrigation scheduling, groundwater visualization tools. Objective II: Design field experiments to help understand different hydrological cycle components We are monitoring evapotranspiration, rainfall, net radiation, air temperature, relative humidity, greenhouse gas (CO2) and soil moisture from eddy covariance (EC) flux tower at PVAMU demonstration farm. We acquired automated Soil CO2 Flux System with sixteen chambers. We also, acquired Methane (CH4) analyzer to install at the existing EC flux tower. The field experiments were also carried out to (i) evaluate the performance of four different cover crops (Winter Rye, Winter Wheat, Crimson Clover, Hairy Vetch), four combinations, and a control treatment, and (ii) evaluate the performance of micro-irrigated collard greens under three different organic amendment types and rates. Soil water and nutrients in different existing field experiments by Plant Systems of CARC and Agriculture and Natural Resources of Cooperative Extension Program. Objective III: Integrate Remote Sensing and GIS tools for sustainable watershed management and watershed modeling The various remote sensing products such as Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP), Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS), Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR-E and AMSR-2), Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) were evaluated and analyzed over the state of Texas to understand the hydrologic cycle and use the information in water resources management. , SMAP gross primary productivity (GPP), net ecosystem exchange (NEE), soil organic carbon (SOC), soil heterotrophic respiration (Rh) data were used to quantify the spatial and temporal distributions of CO2 fluxes across Texas and evaluated using PVAMU's EC flux tower NEE in situ measurements. Precipitation Estimation (MPE) radar rainfall product was processed and used in watershed modeling to evaluate flash floods and the of change in the Hill Country. Multi Precipitation Estimation (MPE) and Multi-Radar Multi-Sensors (MRMS) rainfall products were also processed to use modeling of Cypress Creek flood caused by Hurricane Harvey 2017. Objective IV: Evaluate the potential of different watershed scale models The numerous hydrologic watershed scale models such as DSSAT,RHESSys, VIC, CLM, SWAT, were explored and applied to various watersheds in the state of Texas, and other locations Objective V: Develop a set of management tools to enable researchers, watershed managers, regulator and other stake holders to predict various short- and long-term land management scenarios and impact of extreme weather conditions The recent four publications (1-4) and four ongoing publications (5-8) support this objective: (1) Effects of drought on crop production and cropping areas in Texas; (2) Potential impact of climate change on irrigation water requirements for some major crops in the Northern High Plains of Texas; (3) Estimating land surface variables and sensitivity analysis for CLM and VIC simulations using remote sensing products; (4) Emerging stress and relative resiliency of Giant Sequoia groves experiencing multi-year dry periods in a warming climate; (5) Water footprint of citrus production in the Arab World; (6) High resolution physically based distributed modeling of land-use change effect on hydrologic response during flooding events in a semi-urbanized watershed; (7) Assessing Spatiotemporal Distributions of Evapotranspiration in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region of China using Remote Sensing Data; and (8) Quantifying the Impacts of Land-Use and Climate on Carbon fluxes using Satellite data across Texas, U.S.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Ray, R.L., Fares, A., and Risch, E. (2018). Effects of drought on cop production and cropping areas in Texas. Agricultural Environmental Letters, 3(1), DOI:10.2134/ael2017.11.0037.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Umair, M., Kim, D., Ray, R.L., and Choi, M. (2018). Land surface parameterization for CLM and VIC using remote sensing products. Science of the Total Environment. 633:470-483.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Ray, R.L., Jacobs, J.M., and Douglas, E.M. (2018). Modeling regional landslide susceptibility using dynamic soil moisture profile. Journal of Mountain Science, 15(8):1807-1824.
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: 1. Awal, R. and Fares, A.: Potential Impact of Climate Change on Irrigation Water Requirements for Some Major Crops in the Northern High Plains of Texas, In Wendroth, O.: Advances in Agricultural Systems Modeling, Volume 8 (Bridging Among Disciplines by Synthesizing Soil and Plant Processes), 2018.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Sobayo, R., Wu, H.H., Ray, R.L., and Qian, L. (2018). Deep learning for soil moisture estimation from thermal images. IEEE, Data Intelligence and Security. DOI: 10.1109/ICDIS.2018.00041
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Duong, J., Awal, R., Fares, A. and Habibi, H.: Developing a Web Soil Survey Data Extraction Tool and an Automatic - Irrigation System based on Soil Moisture, Summer Student Research Symposium, August 6, 2018, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Eisa, Z., Awal, R., Fares, A. and Habibi, H.: Effects of Soil Type on Irrigation Water Requirements of Different Crops at Prairie View, Texas, Summer Student Research Symposium, August 6, 2018, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Liu, Q., Awal, R., Fares, A. and Habibi, H.: Developing Android Application for Location Specific Soil and Forecasted Weather Data, Summer Student Research Symposium, August 6, 2018, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Zhang, R., Awal, R., Fares, A. and Habibi, H.: Upgrading Irrigation Water Estimator for Texas (IWET) for Multiple Users, Summer Student Research Symposium, August 6, 2018, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Bhattarai, S., Awal, R., Fares, A. and Habibi, H.: Incorporating Weather Data from Different Weather Networks in the Irrigation Scheduling Tool: IrrigWise, Summer Student Research Symposium, August 6, 2018, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Badmus, O., Elhassan, A., Ray, R., Risch, E., Awal R. and Fares, A.: Soil Water Infiltration, Summer Student Research Symposium, August 6, 2018, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Gentry, T.; Jantrania, A.; Gerlich, R.; Fares, A.; Awal, R.; Moore, J.; Munster, C.; and 2018 REEU Students: Experiential Onsite Wastewater Treatment & Reuse REEU Program at Texas A&M University, 18th Annual Meeting of the American Ecological Engineering Society, June 12-14, 2018, Houston, Texas.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Sharma, R., Awal, R., Fares, A. and Fan, K.: Developing Irrigation Scheduling Tool IrrigWise to Increase Water Use Efficiency in Texas, Land Grant Research Symposium, April 18, 2018, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Lee, D., Awal, R., and Fares, A.: Analyzing Irrigation Water Needs for Turf Grass across Harris County, Land Grant Research Symposium, April 18, 2018, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Badmus, O., Risch, E., Ray, R., Awal, R., Bayabil, H., Elhassan, A., Ampim, P., Fares, A.: Effects of organic amendments for Collard Greens farming on soil CO2 emissions, Land Grant Research Symposium, April 18, 2018, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Awal, R.: Irrigation Scheduling Tool for Agricultural Crops and Urban Landscape in Texas Using a Mobile Web App, Industry Day 2018, April 12, 2018, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Ampim, P., and Ray, R.L. Efficient crop production-The modern and smart way. Annual Industry Day meeting, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX, April 12, 2018.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Adekanmbi, A., Ray, R.L., Risch, E., and Fares, A. A web application for visualizing and predicting groundwater storage in Texas. 13th Annual Research Symposium, Prairie View, A&M University, April 5, 2018.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Badmus, F., Risch, E., Ray, R.L., Awal, R., Bayabil, H., Elhassan, A., Ampim, P., and Fares, A. Effects of organic amendments for Collard Greens farming on soil CO2 emissions. 13th Annual Research Symposium, Prairie View, A&M University, April 5, 2018.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Olamofe, J., Ray, R.L., Risch, E., and Fares, A. Impact of land-use and climate changes on groundwater storage in Texas. 13th Annual Research Symposium, Prairie View, A&M University, April 5, 2018.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Abiose, O., Ray, R.L., Risch, E., and Fares, A. The impact of rainfall and temperature on soil moisture dynamics. 13th Annual Research Symposium, Prairie View, A&M University, April 5, 2018.


Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences for this project were farmers, ranchers, scientists, and professional water resources managers. In addition, university faculty, researchers, support staffs, and graduate/undergraduate students were also benefited from this project. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Eight students actively participated in applied research activities and gained practical skills on monitoring and measuring soil CO2 flux, the fate of nutrients uptake and leaching, irrigation water uptake and drainage, developing irrigation scheduling tools, and estimating irrigation water requirements of different crops. The research team increased knowledge of researchers, students and other stakeholders on performance of cover crops grown in southeast Texas, spatial and temporal variations of CO2 in different cover crops, potential impact of climate change on irrigation requirements of different crops, and effective water resources management through hands-on activities and laboratory and modeling experience. The research team also increased knowledge to understand the impact of land-use change and climate variability on groundwater storage, streamflow, and other hydrological processes; performance of Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor Precipitation; Hurricane Harvey and potential mitigation measures to reduce flooding; and delineating wetland boundaries using Manganese Oxide (MnOx) levels. In addition, the research team has participated in the Research Extension Apprentice Program (REAP), Youth Leadership Laboratory (YLL), Jr. Youth Leadership Lab, Ag Discovery, Research Experiences for High School Students, Research Experiences for Undergraduate Students, College of Agriculture Summer Jump Start Program to educate K-12 students from different schools, undergraduate students and other stakeholders in the state. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Peer-reviewed articles, research presentations in different workshops/conferences and applied research outreach materials are some of the venues through which research findings were disseminated to different stakeholders within Texas and across the nation and globally. Research team published peer reviewed journal papers and presented research findings at American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, 14th Annual Pathways Research Symposium, ASA, CSSA & SSSA International Annual Meeting, Summer Student Research Symposium, Association of 1890 Research Directors (ARD) Research Symposium, Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS), and 51st Annual Meeting of the South-Central Section, Geological Society of America. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue lab and field experiments, collect and analyze data, and publish papers and extension bulletins. We will continue in using hydrological models, GIS tools and remote sensing data to complete some of our ongoing research to recommend best management practices.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The research team conducted field and lab experiments on effective water resources management practices through soil moisture and groundwater monitoring and evaluation, soil samples collection from different soilscapes and analysis, hydrological modeling from field scale to watershed scale, and analysis of groundwater levels, precipitations and other climate variables at different climate zones. The major accomplishments were presentations in different workshops and conferences and peer-reviewed publication of results in journals. The research team evaluated the performance of different cover crops treatments (legumes, grain, and legume-grain mixtures) grown in southeast Texas. Some of these treatments had positive impacts by reducing weed pressure and improving soil health. Team members are developing irrigation scheduling and water management tools. They have also been evaluating different empirical methods for estimating daily reference evapotranspiration for use across Texas. These members also assessed irrigation water requirements for citrus across some of the major citrus producing areas in the world including Texas, Florida, and California under current and future climate scenarios. Work has been done to: i) evaluate the performance of the Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor System over the Lower Colorado River, ii) evaluate and inter-comparison of satellite soil moisture products using in situ observations over Texas, iii) evaluate the effect of land-use change on hydrologic response of a semi-urbanized watershed using physically based distributed model, and iv) develop a quantitative measurement methodology to determine the concentration of Manganese Oxide (MnOx) on two soils cape positions (Upland-Lowland, and Riparian Buffer-Wetland Boundary-Wetland). Additional members of the team evaluated the effects of drought on crop production. Results showed that drought had a greater impact on winter wheat and corn, and lesser impact on cotton and sorghum production across Texas. Results also indicated that drought impact on crop production may be reduced by replacing water-demanding crops such as corn with drought-tolerant crops such as sorghum and expanding irrigation hectarage during drought periods.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Su, Y., Bales, R.C., Ma, Q., Nydick, K., Ray, R.L., Li, W., and Guo, W. (2017). Emerging stress and relative resiliency of Giant Sequoia groves experiencing multi-year dry periods in a warming climate. Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences. DOI: 10.1002/2017JG004005.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Loy, S., Tahtouh, J., Munster, C., Wagner, K., Fares, A., Ale, S., Vierling, R, Jaber, F., Jantrania, A. (2017). State of the Art of Water for Food within the Nexus Framework. Current Sustainable/Renewable Energy Reports, DOI 10.1007/s40518-017-0082-4.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Lal, R., Mohtar, R., Assi, A.T., Ray, R.L., Bayabil, H., and Jahn, M. (2017). Soil as a basic nexus tool: Soils at the center of the Food-Energy-Water Nexus. Current Sustainable/Renewable Energy Reports, DOI 10.1007/s40518-017-0082-4.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Ray, R.L., Fares, A., He, Y. and Marouane, T.: Evaluation and Inter-Comparison of Satellite Soil Moisture Products Using In Situ Observations over Texas, U.S., Water 2017, 9(6), 372.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Hatim O. Sharif , Muhammad Al-Zahrani and Almoutaz El Hassan: Physically, Fully-Distributed Hydrologic Simulations Driven by GPM Satellite Rainfall over an Urbanizing Arid Catchment in Saudi Arabia, Water, 2017.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Kim, D., Ray, R.L. and Choi, M.: Simulations of energy balance components at snow-dominated montane watershed by land surface models, Environ Earth Sci, 2017, 76:337
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Fares, A., Bayabil, H., Zekri, M., Mattos-Jr, D. and Awal, R.: Potential Climate Change Impacts on Citrus Water Requirement across Major Producing Areas in the World, Journal of Water and Climate Change. 2017, Vol. 8(4) 576-592.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Fares, A., Bensley, A., Bayabil1, H., Awal, R., Fares, S., Valenzuela, H., and Abbas, F.: Carbon dioxide emission in relation with irrigation and organic amendments from a sweet corn field, Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B, Vol. 52(6), 387394, 2017.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Ray, R.L., Fares, A., Awal, R., and Risch, E.: Exploring the interactions between land use, climate change and carbon cycle using satellite measurements. Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, New Orleans, LA, December 11-15, 2017.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: El Hassan, A. Fares, E. Risch, R. Awal, R. L. Ray.: Hydrology and hydraulics of Cypress Creek watershed, Texas during Hurricane Harvey and Impact of Potential Mitigation Measures. Texas. American Geophysical Union Fall 2017 Meeting, New Orleans, LA, December 11-15, 2017.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Bayabil H.K., Sharif, H.O., Fares, A., Awal, R. and Risch, E.: Performance of the Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor System over the Lower Colorado River, Texas, AGU Fall Meeting, December 11-15, 2017, New Orleans, LA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Cherif, Y., Awal, R., and Ali F.: Evaluation and Calibration of Empirical Methods for Daily Reference Evapotranspiration Estimation in Northwest Texas, The Scientific Research Symposium, November 13, 2017, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Sharma, R., Awal, R., Fares, A. and Fan, K.: Developing New Irrigation Scheduling Tool in Texas: IrrigWise, 14th Annual Pathways Research Symposium, November 2-3, 2017, Stephenville, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Sharma, R., Awal, R. and Fares, A.: Developing Automation Scripts for Downloading Climate Data and Estimating Reference Evapotranspiration from U.S. Climate Reference Network, Summer Student Research Symposium, August 18, 2017, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Awal, R., Fares, A., Ray, R., Bayabil, H., and Risch, E.: Spatial interpolation of daily reference evapotranspiration in Northwest Texas, ASA, CSSA & SSSA International Annual Meeting, October 22-55, 2017, Tampa, FL.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Cherif, Y., Awal, R., and Fares, A.: Evaluation and Calibration of Empirical Methods to Estimate Reference Evapotranspiration in Northwest Texas, ASA, CSSA & SSSA International Annual Meeting, October 22-55, 2017, Tampa, FL.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Fan, K., Awal, R. and Fares, A.: Developing Irrigation Scheduling Tool: IrrigWise, Summer Student Research Symposium, August 18, 2017, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Cherif, Y., Awal, R. and Fares, A.: Evaluation of Empirical Methods to Estimate Reference Evapotranspiration in Northwest Texas, Summer Student Research Symposium, August 18, 2017, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Awal, R., Fares, A. and Janapana, R.S.R.: Development of Near Real-time Site Specific Irrigation Scheduling Tool for Agricultural Crops and Urban Landscape in Texas, ARD Research Symposium 2017, April 1 - 4, 2017 Atlanta, GA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Awal, R., Fares, A. and Bayabil, H.K.: Smart Agriculture  An overview, ARD Research Symposium 2017, April 1 - 4, 2017 Atlanta, GA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Ray, R. L., A. Fares, R. Awal, and E. Risch (2016): Monitoring Terrestrial Carbon Cycle in Texas Using Satellite Products, ARD Research Symposium 2017, April 1 - 4, 2017 Atlanta, GA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Bayabil, H.K., A.Fares, R. Awal, A. Hassan: Streamflow Prediction under Potential Climate Change Scenarios in the Lower Colorado River Basin, ARD Research Symposium 2017, April 1 - 4, 2017 Atlanta, GA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Fares, A., Bayabil, H.K., Awal, R.: Water, Energy, and CO2 Footprints of Citrus Production in Texas, Florida, and California under a Changing Climate, ARD Research Symposium 2017, April 1 - 4, 2017 Atlanta, GA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Claybon, C. Awal, R., Fares, A. and Risch, E.: Evaluation of Empirical Methods to Estimate Reference Evapotranspiration from PRISM Dataset in the West Texas, ARD Research Symposium 2017, April 1 - 4, 2017 Atlanta, GA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Olaleye, O.P., Awal, R., Fares, A. and Fan, K.: Development of a Web Based Tool: Irrigation Water Estimator for Texas (IWET), ARD Research Symposium 2017, April 1 - 4, 2017 Atlanta, GA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Kablan, K. Y. A., Bayabil, H., Awal, R., and Fares, A.: 21st Century Climate Outlook of the Northwestern Texas, ARD Research Symposium 2017, April 1 - 4, 2017 Atlanta, GA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: El Hassan, A., E. Risch , R. Awal, R. L. Ray, H.K. Bayabil and A. Fares: Lumped and Physically Based Model Performances in Simulating The Runoff Response from Urbanized Watershed due to Landuse Change in The Hill Country, Texas, ARD Research Symposium 2017, April 1 - 4, 2017 Atlanta, GA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Ray, R.L., Fares, A., Awal, R., and Risch, E. Monitoring terrestrial carbon cycle in Texas using satellite products. Association of 1890 Research Directors (ARD) Research Symposium, April 1-4, 2017, Atlanta, GA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Adekanmbi, A., Ray, R.L., Fares, A., and Risch, E. Effect of land-use change and drought on groundwater storage in Texas. Association of 1890 Research Directors (ARD) Research Symposium, April 1-4, 2017, Atlanta, GA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Jones, K., Taylor, A., Ray, R.L., Risch, E., and Fares, A. Effect of rainfall and temperature on root zone soil moisture profile. Association of 1890 Research Directors (ARD) Research Symposium, April 1-4, 2017, Atlanta, GA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Badmus, O., Olawale, O., Ray, R.L., Risch, E., and Fares, A. Impact of hurricane Harvey's storm surge on groundwater resources. TAMUS 14th Annual Pathways Student Research Symposium, November 2-3, 2017
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Hayes, J., Ray, R.L., and Fares, A. Effects of frequent droughts and floods on groundwater storage in Texas. Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) in Pittsburgh, PA, March 30  April 1, 2017.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Awal, R., Fares, A., Janapana, R.S.R.: Development of a new irrigation scheduling tool for agricultural crops and urban landscape in Texas, 51st Annual Meeting of the South-Central Section, Geological Society of America, 1314 March 2017, San Antonio, TX..
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Ray, R.L., Fares, A., Awal, R., Risch, E.: Assessing the effects of change in impervious areas on flooding in Texas, 51st Annual Meeting of the South-Central Section, Geological Society of America, 1314 March 2017, San Antonio, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Cherif, Y., Awal, R., and Fares, A.: Evaluation and Calibration of Empirical Methods for Daily Reference Evapotranspiration Estimation in Northwest Texas, 14th Annual Pathways Research Symposium, November 2-3, 2017, Stephenville, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Adekanmbi, A., Olawale, O., Ray, R.L., Risch, E., and Fares, A. A web-based tool to monitor and visualize groundwater storage in Texas. TAMUS 14th Annual Pathways Student Research Symposium, November 2-3, 2017.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: El Hassan, A., Awal, R., Bayabil, H., Ray, R., Risch, E., Fares, A.: Modeling the effect of landuse change on hydrologic response of a semi urbanized watershed using physically based distributed model, 51st Annual Meeting of the South-Central Section, Geological Society of America, 1314 March 2017, San Antonio, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Fares, A., Awal, R., Bayabil, H. and El Hassan, A.: Developing soil calibration equation for Senteks new Drill & Drop" capacitance probe, ASA, CSSA & SSSA International Annual Meeting, October 22-55, 2017, Tampa, FL.


Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences for this project were farmers, ranchers, scientists, and professional water resources managers. In addition, university faculty, researchers, support staffs, and graduate/undergraduate students were also benefited from this project. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Nine undergraduate and graduate students in conducting quality and problem-solving research. The students were able to present oral and poster presentations in different Symposiums. In addition, the research team has participated in Research Extension Apprentice Program (REAP), AgDiscovery, elementary and middle school day, academic demonstration programs at PVAMU to educate K-12 students from different schools and other stakeholders in the state. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Research scientists and students presented their research findings at local, national, and international workshops and conferences. The research team also disseminated research findings through publications such as a , book chapters, journal articles. The research team increased knowledge of researchers, students and other stakeholders on effective water resources management through hands-on activities and laboratory and modeling experience. The research team also increased knowledge and awareness on soil health, soil quality, and nutrients monitoring and evaluation, irrigation water requirement estimation for different crops grown in Texas. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue laboratory and field experiments, collect and analyze data, and publish papers and extension bulletins. We will continue in using hydrological models, GIS and remote sensing to complete some of our ongoing research to recommend best management practices.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Conducted laboratory and field experiments on effective water resources management practices through soil moisture and groundwater monitoring and evaluation, and hydrological modeling from field scale to watershed scale. A well-equipped testbed was developed to monitor carbon dioxide and hydrometeorology at the University Farm. The major accomplishments were presentation and publication of results in journals and different workshops and conferences. In addition, these activities are either completed or in progress: (a) assessing irrigation water requirements for major crops in northern High Plains of Texas and citrus water requirements across some of the major citrus producing areas in the world under current and future climate scenarios; (b) analyzing potential future climate and climate extremes in the Brazos Headwaters Basin, Texas; (c) developing a web-based tool to calculate agricultural crops and urban landscape irrigation water requirement; (d) evaluating land use effects on net ecosystem CO2 exchange using satellite measurements; (e) study the effect of torrential rain and drought on groundwater storage in Texas; (f) evaluating performance of different satellite soil moisture products over the state of Texas; (g) monitoring soil moisture using the electromagnetic induction sensor, EM-38; and study microbial decomposition of organic matter in lowland and upland systems.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Fares, A., Bayabil, H., Zekri, M., Mattos-Jr, D. and Awal, R.: Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Citrus Water Requirements Across Some of the Major Citrus Producing Areas in the World, International Citrus Congress, FOZ do Iguacu, Brazil, September 18-23, 2016.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Awal, R. and Fares, A.: Development of a Web Based Tool to Estimate Irrigation Water Requirement for Agricultural Crops and Urban Landscape in Texas, 2016 Joint ASNEngr/CAN-USA Annual Conference, September 17 - 18, 2016, Humble, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Awal, R., A. Fares, R. Ray, A. B. Johnson, E. Risch: Potential Impact of Climate Change on Irrigation Water Requirements for Major Crops in Northern High Plains of Texas, 2016 AWRA Summer Specialty Conference GIS and Water Resources IX, Hilton Sacramento Arden West, Sacramento, CA, July 11-13, 2016.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Ray, R., A. Fares, Y. He, R. Awal, A. Johnson: Evaluation and Inter?comparison of Remotely Sensed Soil Moisture from Three Different Satellites, 2016 AWRA Summer Specialty Conference GIS and Water Resources IX, Hilton Sacramento Arden West, Sacramento, CA, July 11-13, 2016.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Cherif, Y., Awal, R., and Fares, A.: Potential Change in Irrigation Water Requirements for Corn and Cotton in Waller County, Texas, 2016 PVAMU Undergraduate Research Symposium, March 2, 2016, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Fajardo, F., Woldesenbet, S., Ampim, P., Clarke, D., Ray, R., Awal, R. and Fares, A.: Response of goat lagoon manure sludge microbes to IBT2 treatment in-situ and in the laboratory at Prairie View A&M University, 2016 PVAMU Undergraduate Research Symposium, March 2, 2016, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Awal, R., Bayabil, H. and Fares, A.: Analysis of Potential Future Climate and Climate Extremes in the Brazos Headwaters Basin, Texas, Water 2016, 8(12), 603; doi:10.3390/w8120603.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Fares, A., Awal, R., Bayabil, H.: Soil Water Content Sensor Response to Organic Matter Content under Laboratory Conditions, Sensors 2016, 16(8), 1239; doi:10.3390/s16081239.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Ghebreyesus, D.T., Temimi, M., Fares, A. and Bayabil, H.K.: A Multi-Satellite Approach for Water Storage Monitoring in an Arid Watershed, Geosciences 2016, 6(3), 33; doi:10.3390/geosciences6030033
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Ray, R.: Moisture Stress Indicators in Giant Sequoia Groves in the Southern Sierra Nevada of California, USA, Vadose Zone Journal, 2016, doi:10.2136/vzj2016.03.0018.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Kim, D., Ray, R.L., Kang, S., and Choi, M. Estimation of land surface energy flux using CLM and VIC model. Journal of Wetlands 2016, 18(2): 166-172
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Ray, R.L., Beighley, R.E. and Yoon, Y.: Integrating Runoff Generation and Flow Routing in Susquehanna River Basin to Characterize Key Hydrologic Processes Contributing to Maximum Annual Flood Events, Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, 2016
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Fares, A., Awal, R., Fares, S., Johnson, A.B. and Valenzuela, H.: Irrigation Water Requirements for Seed Corn and Coffee under Potential Climate Change Scenarios, Journal of Water and Climate Change, Vol. 7(1), pp.39-51, 2016 (doi:10.2166/wcc.2015.025).
  • Type: Books Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Fares, A. (Editor) (2016): Emerging Issues in Groundwater Resources, Springer, ISBN 978-3-319-32008-3.
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Awal, R. and Fares, A. (2016): Hydraulic Fracturing and Its Potential Impact on Shallow Groundwater. In: Fares A. (eds) Emerging Issues in Groundwater Resources. Advances in Water Security. Springer, Cham.
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Safeeq, M. and Fares, A. (2016): Groundwater and Surface Water Interactions in Relation to Natural and Anthropogenic Environmental Changes. In: Fares A. (eds) Emerging Issues in Groundwater Resources. Advances in Water Security. Springer, Cham.
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Ghebreyesus, D.T., Temimi, M., Fares, A. and Bayabil, H.K. (2016): Remote Sensing Applications for Monitoring Water Resources in the UAE Using Lake Zakher as a Water Storage Gauge. In: Fares A. (eds) Emerging Issues in Groundwater Resources. Advances in Water Security. Springer, Cham
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Ray, R.L., and Dogan A. (2016): Contemporary Methods for Quantifying Submarine Groundwater Discharge to Coastal Areas, In: Fares A. (eds) Emerging Issues in Groundwater Resources. Advances in Water Security. Springer, Cham.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Ray, R., Fares, A., He, Y., Awal, R., Johnson, A.B, Risch, E.: Assessment of Soil Moisture, Evapotranspiration and CO2 Levels Under Different Landcovers and Environments, ASA, CSSA, and SSSA International Annual Meeting, November 6-9, 2016, Phoenix, AZ.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Awal, R., Fares, A., R. Ray, A. B. Johnson, E. Risch: Potential Impact of Climate Change on Crop Yield of Major Crops in Northern High Plains of Texas, ASA, CSSA, and SSSA International Annual Meeting, November 6-9, 2016, Phoenix, AZ.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Olaleye, O.P., Awal, R. and Fares, A. and Fan, K. Development of a Web Based Tool: Irrigation Water Estimator for Texas (IWET), 13th Annual Pathways Student Research Symposium, November 3-4, 2016, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Janapana, R.S.R., Awal, R. and Fares, A.: Near Real-time Site Specific Irrigation Scheduling Tool for Agricultural Crops and Urban Landscape in Texas, 13th Annual Pathways Student Research Symposium, November 3-4, 2016, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Cherif, Y., Awal, R., Fares, A. and Naikwade, D.: Irrigation Water Requirements for Major Crops in Northern High Plains of Texas under Current and Future Climate Scenarios, 13th Annual Pathways Student Research Symposium, November 3-4, 2016, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Davis, E., Awal, R., Risch, E. and Fares, A.: Analysis of Relationship between Weather Factors and Crop Yield, 13th Annual Pathways Student Research Symposium, November 3-4, 2016, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Ali, S., Bayabil, H.K., Fares, A. and Awal, R.: Current and Future Water, Energy and CO2 Footprints of Citrus Production in Brownsville, Texas, 13th Annual Pathways Student Research Symposium, November 3-4, 2016, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Yannick, K., Bayabil, H.K., Awal, R. and Fares: Projection of Climate Extremes in the Brazos Headwaters Basin, Texas, Texas, 13th Annual Pathways Student Research Symposium, November 3-4, 2016, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: James, A., Fares, A., Bayabil, H.K., Awal, R. and Cherif, Y.: Evaluation of the Electromagnetic Induction Sensor, EM38-MK2, in Monitoring Soil Moisture, 13th Annual Pathways Student Research Symposium, November 3-4, 2016, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Fajardo, F., Clarke, D., Ampim, P., Woldesenbet, S., Ray, R., Awal, R., and Fares, F.: Response of Goat Lagoon Manure Sludge Microbes to IBT2 Treatment In-situ and in the Laboratory at Prairie View A&M University, 13th Annual Pathways Student Research Symposium, November 3-4, 2016, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Abayomi, A., Ray, R.L., Fares, A and Risch, A. Effect of recent torrential rain and drought on groundwater storage in Texas. TAMUS 13th Annual Pathways Student Research Symposium, November 3-4, 2016.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Jones, K., Ray, R.L., Risch, E., and Fares, A. The influence of rain on water and energy balance components at the land surface. TAMUS 13th Annual Pathways Student Research Symposium, November 3-4, 2016.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Upadhya, A., Ray, R.L., and Fares, A. Evaluating land-use effects on net ecosystem CO2 exchange using satellite measurements. TAMUS 13th Annual Pathways Student Research Symposium, November 3-4, 2016.


Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences for this project were farmers, ranchers, scientists, and professional water resources managers. In addition, university faculty, researchers, support staffs, and graduate/undergraduate students were also benefited from this project. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Several undergraduate and graduate students were trained in lab and field experimental studies as well as using hydrologic models/Irrigation Management System model. The students were able to present oral and poster presentations in different Research Symposiums. High school's juniors and seniors participants of Youth Lab 2015 from different schools of Texas were educated on different aspects of natural resources and environmental sciences. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Presented research outputs in the different workshops and conferences by students and researchers and published peer reviewed journal paper and proceedings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue lab and field experiments, collect and analyze data, and publish papers and extension bulletins. We will also continue using hydrological models, GIS tool and remote sensing data to complete some of our ongoing research projects to recommend best management practices to our clienteles.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Conducted field and lab experiments and modeling of different research issues. The major accomplishments were presentation and publication of results in journal and different workshops and conferences. In addition, these activities are either completed or in progress: (a) Predicting potential future climate change impacts on water resources and irrigation water requirements of different crops across the state of Texas, (b) Estimating reference crop evapotranspiration under limited climate data, (c) Estimating irrigation water requirements for different crops in Prairie View, (d) Soil moisture and nutrient monitoring for optimizing water and nutrient management, (e) Estimating irrigation water needs for turf grass in Harris County, (f) Analysis of impact of drought on groundwater storage in the state of Texas, (g) Predicting potential hydrological processes, and soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics at two distinct watersheds under different weather and land management practices.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Fares, A., Safeeq, M., Awal, R., Fares, S. and Dogan, A.: Temperature, and Probe-to-Probe Variability Effects on the Performance of Capacitance Soil Moisture Sensors in an Oxisol, Vadose Zone Journal, 2015 (doi: 10.2136/vzj2015.07.0098).
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Aguero, R., Estwick N. M., & Gutierrez, R. (2014). Automation for Weed Control in Least Developed Countries (LDCs). In S. L. Young & F. J. Pierce (eds.), Automation: The Future of Weed Control in Cropping Systems, DOI 10.1007/987-94-007-7512-1_14, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Awal, R., Fares, A., Fares, S., Valenzuela, H. and Harris, R.: Optimum turf irrigation management minimizes irrigation water, saves energy, and reduces CO2 emission: Case of O'ahu Public Schools, Second Conference on Water Resource Sustainability Issues on Tropical Islands, December 1-3, 2015, Honolulu, HI.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Fares, A. and Awal, R.: Predicting Potential Impact of Climate Change on Irrigation Water Requirements at the Brazos Headwaters Basin of Texas, ASA, CSSA, and SSSA International Annual Meeting, November 15-18, 2015, Minneapolis, MN.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Awal, R., Fares, A., Ray, R.L. and Johnson A.B.: Estimating Reference Crop Evapotranspiration in West Texas under Limited Climate Data, ASA, CSSA, and SSSA International Annual Meeting, November 15-18, 2015, Minneapolis, MN.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Mbia, M., Awal, R., Bayabil, H., and Fares, A.: Irrigation Water Requirements for different Crops in Prairie View Texas, 12th Annual Texas A&M University System Pathways, Student Research Symposium, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, October 22-23, 2015, Corpus Christi, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Hayes, J., Ray, R.L., and Fares, A. Study the impact of drought on groundwater storage in the state of Texas. TAMUS 12th Annual Pathways Student Research Symposium from October 22-23, 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Lee, D., Awal, R. and Fares, A.: Irrigation Water Needs for Turf Grass across Harris County, 12th Annual Texas A&M University System Pathways, Student Research Symposium, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, October 22-23, 2015, Corpus Christi, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Cherif, Y., Awal, R., Fares, A. and Ampim, P.: Soil Moisture and Nutrient Monitoring for Irrigation and Nutrient Management, 12th Annual Texas A&M University System Pathways, Student Research Symposium, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, October 22-23, 2015, Corpus Christi, TX.


Progress 09/08/14 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences for this project are farmers, scientists and professional water managers. In addition, university faculty, researchers, support staffs, and graduate/undergraduate students are also benefited from this project. We intend to reach these target groups through series of programs organized by College of Agriculture and Human Sciences as well as scientific publications and presentations. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Several undergraduate and graduate students were trained in lab and field experimental studies which include data collection and methods to measure soil moisture content using different soil moisture sensors, using Irrigation Management System software to determine site specific irrigation water requirements for different crops. The students were able to present posters in different Symposiums in the topics related to soil water salinity, performance of soil moisture sensors, irrigation water requirements, groundwater etc. High school juniors and seniors participants of Youth Leadership Laboratory (YLL) and the Research Extension Apprentice Program (REAP) were educated on different aspects of natural resources and environmental sciences. The future research plan will be to train and provide professional development opportunities to other undergraduate and graduate students through laboratory and field experiments, and collection and analysis of natural resources data. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Some of the preliminary findings of the project are disseminated to general public and scientific community through presentations at number of conferences. Presentations and posters were presented at Joint Workshop on CAHMDA VI AND HEPEX-DAFOH III, ASA, CSSA, and SSSA International Annual Meeting, AGU Fall Meeting, 14th National Watershed Conference and other workshops/symposiums. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Plans to accomplish the following goals: (a) Model selection, calibration, validation and application in selected watersheds, (b) Analysis of alternative watershed management scenarios, and (c) Laboratory and field experiments, (d) Installation of Eddy Covariance System and Weather stations (in progress).

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The major accomplishments were presentation and publication of results of experimental study and research activities in different workshops and conferences (two oral and five poster presentations, and two proceedings papers). In addition, these activities are either completed or in progress: (a) Literature reviews on watershed hydrology and modeling efforts in variable sizes watersheds, (b) Collection of spatial and temporal data of weather, soil, land-use, streamflow etc., (c) Collection of remotely sensed soil moisture from earth observation satellites; AMSR-E, SMOS, and Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) from MODIS (Aqua and Terra platforms) (d) Experimental study on in-situ soil moisture sensing in response to organic matter content, bulk density, soil salinity and inter and intra-sensor variations, and (e) Selection of watersheds and hydrological models, (f) Analysis of trends of streamflow and precipitation in San Jacinto River Basin, (g) Potential hydrological responses at two distinct watersheds to rainfall and brush management (h) Analysis of potential future climate data and predicting potential impact of climate change on irrigation water requirements of selected crops (corn, cotton, sorghum and winter wheat) at the Brazos Headwaters Basin (i) Irrigation water requirement, effective rainfall, water yield, and groundwater recharge under different crops across the Brazos Watershed, (j) Soil moisture and nutrient monitoring in okra and eggplant for irrigation and nutrient management.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Awal, R. and Fares, A.: Crop Water Use Efficiency throughout the Brazos River Basin, Texas, ASA, CSSA, and SSSA International Annual Meeting, November 25, 2014, Long Beach, CA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Awal, R., Fares, A., Ray, R.L. and Johnson A.B.: Analysis of Streamflow Trends in San Jacinto River Basin, Texas, Joint Workshop on CAHMDA VI AND HEPEX-DAFOH III, September 812, 2014, Austin, TX.
  • Type: Other Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Cherif, Y., Awal, R., Fares, A. and Peter, A.: Soil Water and Nutrient Best Management Practices Through Real-Time Monitoring, 125 Years of Providing Access and Enhancing Opportunities, Providing Solutions and Enhancing Discovery, April 21, 2015, Prairie View, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Awal, R., Fares, A., Cherif, Y., Mohammad, M., Ray, R.L. and Johnson, A.B.: Potential Impact of Climate Change on Some Crops Irrigation Water Requirements at the Brazos Headwaters Basin, Texas, 14th National Watershed Conference, May 17-20, 2015, Fort Worth, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Fares, A. and Awal, R.: Analysis of Potential Future Climate Data for the Brazos Headwaters Basin, TX, 14th National Watershed Conference, May 17-20, 2015, Fort Worth, TX.
  • Type: Other Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Ray, R.L., Fares, A., Awal, R. and Johnson A.B. and: Potential Hydrological Responses, and Carbon and Nitrogen Pools of a Two Distinct Watersheds to Rainfall and Brush Management, AGU Fall Meeting, December 15-19, 2014, San Francisco, CA.
  • Type: Other Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Fares, A., Awal, R., Johnson A.B. and Ray, R.L.: Effective Rainfall, Water Yield, and Groundwater Recharge Under Different Crops Across the Brazos Watershed, TX, ASA, CSSA, and SSSA International Annual Meeting, 2014.
  • Type: Other Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Fares, A., Awal, R., Johnson A.B. and Ray, R.L.: Relationship between Water Resources and Agricultural Production across the Brazos River Basin, TX, Joint Workshop on CAHMDA VI AND HEPEX-DAFOH III, September 812, 2014, Austin, TX.
  • Type: Other Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Mohammad, M., Awal, R., Fares, A. and Peter, A.: Soil Moisture and Nutrient Monitoring for Irrigation and Nutrient Management, Lindsey Weatherspoon Agriculture Breakfast, 2014.