Drought can have long-term impacts on soils and agricultural production. USGS researchers are finding new ways to monitor and adapt soils to help managers adapt to drough and future climate change.
Soil Moisture-Based Drought Monitoring for the South Central Region
Soil moisture is a critical variable for understanding the impact of drought on ecological, hydrological, and agricultural systems. However, key research gaps currently prevent existing soil moisture measurements from being used to assess and mitigate drought impacts such as wildfire outbreaks, lost agricultural production, and degraded wildlife habitat. We are building the necessary scientific foundation for soil moisture-based drought monitoring in the South Central region and beyond. We will produce effective soil moisture-based drought indices that decision-makers can use retrospectively or in real-time with data from existing monitoring networks to assess drought severity in the South Central region or across the US.
Climate change impacts on water resources in the Pacific Northwest are predicted to have transformational effects on agriculture. Research is ongoing in the Northwest to understand agriculture practices that might allow farmers to prepare for these climate change impacts. One potential technique is the use of biochars (charcoal made from decomposition of organic matter at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen), which can be used as a soil amendment that can increase soil moisture retention, improve agricultural yields, and hold carbon in soil for long periods of time.
Drought can have long-term impacts on soils and agricultural production. USGS researchers are finding new ways to monitor and adapt soils to help managers adapt to drough and future climate change.
Soil Moisture-Based Drought Monitoring for the South Central Region
Soil moisture is a critical variable for understanding the impact of drought on ecological, hydrological, and agricultural systems. However, key research gaps currently prevent existing soil moisture measurements from being used to assess and mitigate drought impacts such as wildfire outbreaks, lost agricultural production, and degraded wildlife habitat. We are building the necessary scientific foundation for soil moisture-based drought monitoring in the South Central region and beyond. We will produce effective soil moisture-based drought indices that decision-makers can use retrospectively or in real-time with data from existing monitoring networks to assess drought severity in the South Central region or across the US.
Climate change impacts on water resources in the Pacific Northwest are predicted to have transformational effects on agriculture. Research is ongoing in the Northwest to understand agriculture practices that might allow farmers to prepare for these climate change impacts. One potential technique is the use of biochars (charcoal made from decomposition of organic matter at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen), which can be used as a soil amendment that can increase soil moisture retention, improve agricultural yields, and hold carbon in soil for long periods of time.