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Laura M Norman, Ph.D.

Dr. Laura M. Norman is a Supervisory Research Physical Scientist at the U.S. Geological Survey, where she has worked since 1998. Her research combines remotely-sensed imagery and other geospatial data in complex hydrological, hydraulic, and LULC models to predict the source, fate, and transport of non-point source pollutants, consider potential growth scenarios, and document impacts of change.

Aridland Water Harvesting Study

Running Stream

Rock detention structures have been used globally for thousands of years to improve the ecohydrology in dryland regions. This project documents their impacts in the US-Mexico border related to ecological restoration and climate resilience, with findings that provide nature-based solutions to mitigate flooding, drought, and erosion.  

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Tribal Land Vegetation Watershed Modeling

Pronghorn

The San Carlos Apache Tribe is interested to determine cultural and natural values at risk of degradation resulting from changes in climate and land use. Remote sensing analysis of vegetation over time helps describe the relationship to change and how land management can help restore the landscape to pre-reservation conditions.

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Laura couples methods and models across scientific disciplines to allow for a synthesis of results that simulate and communicate risk, impacts of land-use and climate change, and proposed interventions. She has conducted international research for decades, with focus on transboundary watersheds of the US-Mexico border and Tribal lands, where environmental and socioeconomic stressors disproportionately affect human health, well-being, and quality of life. Most recently her research is being used to help establish best management practices in arid lands; characterize trade-offs between ecological, economic, and social values for land use decision support; and the establishment of a binational monitoring and tracking strategy for mitigation of flood risk. She has published over 60 peer-reviewed journal articles on a wide-range of topics including cross-border policy, regional planning, climate resilience, environmental justice, restoration design, ecosystem services, hydrologic modeling, and watershed management. 

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: 

  • Aridland Water Harvesting Study, 2013 - present.
  • Tribal Land Vegetation and Watershed Modeling, 2018 - present.
  • Santa Cruz Watershed Ecosystem Portfolio Model (SCWEPM), 2010 - 2013. 
  • Western Region- Border Environmental Health Initiative (BEHI), 2008 - 2012. 
  • Predicting Environmental Consequences of Urban Development on the US-Mexico Border, 2004 – 2010.
  • Geospatial Analysis of the Lower Colorado River, 2004 - 2007

STUDENT MENTOR: 

  • Academic Affiliate, Adjunct status (Designated Campus Colleague),  School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona (1998-Present).
  • Lab Instructor & Teaching Assistant, GIS for Natural Resources (RNR 417/517). University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ (08/00-12/04). 
  • NASA Space Grant Mentor (2010-2011).
  • USGS Mendenhall Fellow (Post-Doc) mentor (FY12-13).
  • NSF Graduate Research Internship Program (GRIP) mentor (FY16 - present).
  • Paul D. Coverdell Fellow (M.S.) mentor (FY19 - present).
  • Graduate Advisor to students (M.S. and Ph.D.).  

 

Professional Experience

  • 2005 – present: Research Physical Scientist, USGS Western Geographic Science Center

  • 2000 - 2005: Physical Scientist, USGS Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)

  • 1998 - 2000: Research Assistant, Geospatial Analyst, USGS Minerals Program (Contracted)

  • 1999 – 2004: Research Assistant/ GIS Lab Instructor, University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz.

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D. Watershed Resources, Minor in Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis, University of Arizona, 2005

  • Cert. in Computer Programming, Visual Basic, Pima Community College, 2001

  • M.S. Watershed Management, Advanced Resource Technology Option, University of Arizona, 2000

  • B.S.  Forestry, Minor in Cultural Anthropology, Oregon State University, 1994

Affiliations and Memberships

  • Academic Affiliate, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona (1997- Present)

  • Arizona Floodplain Management Association - 2021+

  • American Water Resources Association (AWRA) - 2020 +

  • Society for Ecological Restoration - 2014 +

  • National Ground Water Association - 2009

  • National Ground Water Association - 2009

  • American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing– 2009

Honors and Awards

  • Selected as Climate Embassy Science Fellow by U.S. Department of State, to reduce vulnerability and increase local capacity, to respond to flooding and drought at Nogales, Sonora, Mexico (2021).

  • Awarded William C. Ackermann Medal for Excellence in Water Management by American Water Resources Association (AWRA) eminence in design and/or exemplary water management practices (2021).

  • Awarded USGS Excellence in Leadership Award for protecting threatened water resources of the US-Mexico Borderlands and developing and fostering collaborative relationships and partnerships (2020)

  • Nominated/serving on USGS Ecosystems Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Group and USGS Southwest Region's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team (2021).

  • Nominated Borderlands Restoration Network Senior Fellow, to help restoration economy, ecosystems, and border communities through shared learning (2019 - present).

  • Elected President, Society for Ecological Restoration, Southwest Chapter (SER-SW) to facilitate communication of land managers, researchers, and restorationists in SW USA (2014-2017).

  • Elected as Region Director, Southwest US Region of American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) (2010-2012).

  • Selected for USGS Student Career Experience Program (SCEP; 2000- 2005).

  • Research Assistantship at University of Arizona, in GIS development, design, and application of cartographic and spatial analysis for agriculture, natural resources, and rural development (1999-2000).

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 64

Hierarchical clustering for paired watershed experiments: Case study in southeastern Arizona, U.S.A.

Watershed studies are often onerous due to a lack of data available to portray baseline conditions with which to compare results of monitoring environmental effects. A paired-watershed approach is often adopted to simulate baseline conditions in an adjacent watershed that can be comparable but assumes there is a quantifiable relationship between the control and treated watersheds. Finding suitably
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Western Geographic Science Center

Developing climate resilience in aridlands using rock detention structures as green infrastructure

The potential of ecological restoration and green infrastructure has been long suggested in the literature as adaptation strategies for a changing climate, with an emphasis on revegetation and, more recently, carbon sequestration and stormwater management. Tree planting and “natural” stormwater detention structures such as bioswales, stormwater detention basins, and sediment traps are popular appr
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Water Resources, Arizona Water Science Center, Western Geographic Science Center

Editorial: Combining the science and practice of restoration ecology-Case studies of a grassroots binational restoration collaborative in the Madrean Archipelago Ecoregion (2014- 2019)

The Sky Island Restoration Collaborative (SIRC) is a growing partnership between government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private landowners in southeast Arizona, the United States, and northern Sonora, Mexico. Starting in 2014 as an experiment to cultivate restoration efforts by connecting people across vocations and nations, SIRC has evolved over 5 years into a flourishing landscape-res
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Western Geographic Science Center

Remote sensing analysis to quantify change in woodland canopy cover on the San Carlos Apache Reservation, Arizona (1935 vs. 2017)

Since the late 1800s, pinyon–juniper woodland across the western U.S. has increased in density and areal extent and encroached into former grassland areas. The San Carlos Apache Tribe wants to gain qualitative and quantitative information on the historical conditions of their tribal woodlands to use as a baseline for restoration efforts. At the San Carlos Apache Reservation, in east-central Arizon
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Western Geographic Science Center

Preliminary assessment of carbon and nitrogen sequestration potential of wildfire-derived sediments stored by erosion control structures in forest ecosystems, southwest USA

The role of pyrogenic carbon (PyC) in the global carbon cycle is still incompletely characterized. Much work has been done to characterize PyC on landforms and in soils where it originates or in “terminal” reservoirs such as marine sediments. Less is known about intermediate reservoirs such as streams and rivers, and few studies have characterized hillslope and in-stream erosion control structures
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Water Resources, Ecosystems, Arizona Water Science Center, Southwest Biological Science Center, Western Geographic Science Center

Impacts of grade control structure installations on hydrology and sediment transport as an adaptive management strategy

The goal of this research was to examine the impacts of Grade Control Structure (GCS) installations at the Heard Scout Pueblo (HSP) study site in the City of Phoenix, Arizona, USA. The study site is around a high-use trail system and is comprised of eroded and incised channels that conduct high flows and associated sediments into a residential neighborhood downstream, a noted stormwater control pr
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Western Geographic Science Center

Ecosystem services of riparian restoration: A review of rock detention structures in the Madrean Archipelago Ecoregion

In northwestern Mexico and the southwestern United States, limited water supplies and fragile landscapes jeopardize world-renowned biological diversity. Simple rock detention structures have been used to manage agricultural water for over a thousand years and are now being installed to restore ecohydrological functionality but with little scientific evidence of their success. The impacts, design,
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Western Geographic Science Center

Mapping perceived social values to support a respondent-defined restoration economy: Case study in southeastern Arizona, USA

Investment in conservation and ecological restoration depends on various socioeconomic factors and the social license for these activities. Our study demonstrates a method for targeting management of ecosystem services based on social values, identified by respondents through a collection of social survey data. We applied the Social Values for Ecosystem Services (SolVES) geographic information sys
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Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, Western Geographic Science Center

A mosaic of land tenure and ownership creates challenges and opportunities for transboundary conservation in the US-Mexico borderlands

In the Madrean Sky Islands of western North America, a mixture of public and private land ownership and tenure creates a complex situation for collaborative efforts in conservation. In this case study, we describe the current ownership and management structures in the US-Mexico borderlands where social, political, and economic conditions create extreme pressures on the environment and challenges f
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Western Geographic Science Center

Spatial and temporal distribution of bacterial indicators and microbial-source tracking within Tumacácori National Historical Park and the upper Santa Cruz River, southern Arizona and northern Mexico, 2015–2016

Tumacácori National Historical Park (TUMA) in southern Arizona protects the culturally important Mission San José de Tumacácori, while also managing a part of the ecologically diverse riparian corridor of the Santa Cruz River. The quality of the water flowing through depends solely on upstream watershed activities, and among the water-quality issues concerning TUMA is the microbiological pathogens
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Water Resources, Arizona Water Science Center, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, Western Geographic Science Center

Modelling development of riparian ranchlands using ecosystem services at the Aravaipa Watershed, SE Arizona

This paper describes how subdivision and development of rangelands within a remote and celebrated semiarid watershed near the US-Mexico border might affect multiple ecohydrological services provided, such as recharge of the aquifer, water and sediment yield, water quality, flow rates and downstream cultural and natural resources. Specifically, we apply an uncalibrated watershed model and land-chan
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Climate Research and Development Program, Land Change Science Program, Western Geographic Science Center

Modeling riparian restoration impacts on the hydrologic cycle at the Babacomari Ranch, SE Arizona, USA

This paper describes coupling field experiments with surface and groundwater modeling to investigate rangelands of SE Arizona, USA using erosion-control structures to augment shallow and deep aquifer recharge. We collected field data to describe the physical and hydrological properties before and after gabions (caged riprap) were installed in an ephemeral channel. The modular finite-difference flo
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Western Geographic Science Center
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Land Cover Point of Pines

Tribal Land Vegetation and Watershed Modeling

San Carlos Apache Reservation covers 1.8 million acres in east-central Arizona, and has diverse ecosystems and vegetation types that support a natural resource-based economy.
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Natural Hazards, Land Change Science Program, Western Geographic Science Center
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Tribal Land Vegetation and Watershed Modeling

San Carlos Apache Reservation covers 1.8 million acres in east-central Arizona, and has diverse ecosystems and vegetation types that support a natural resource-based economy.
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An image depiction how remote sensing is used to sense soil erosion

Soil Compaction and Erosion

Extensive off-highway vehicle (OHV) use on desert lands can directly and indirectly lead to human health problems and impact soil, vegetation, and wildlife habitat. Soil pulverization and loosening caused by OHVs contribute to dust hazards, and to respiratory illnesses and diseases (e.g., valley fever) in adjacent, downwind communities. Repeated soil compaction by OHVs can also degrade natural...
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Western Geographic Science Center
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Soil Compaction and Erosion

Extensive off-highway vehicle (OHV) use on desert lands can directly and indirectly lead to human health problems and impact soil, vegetation, and wildlife habitat. Soil pulverization and loosening caused by OHVs contribute to dust hazards, and to respiratory illnesses and diseases (e.g., valley fever) in adjacent, downwind communities. Repeated soil compaction by OHVs can also degrade natural...
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San Bernardino Arizona

Ciénega San Bernardino - Wetland Restoration

Desert marshes, or ciénega, are extremely biodiverse habitats imperiled by anthropogenic demands for water and changing climates. Given their widespread loss and increased recognition as important wildlife habitat, remarkably little is known about restoration techniques.
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Western Geographic Science Center
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Ciénega San Bernardino - Wetland Restoration

Desert marshes, or ciénega, are extremely biodiverse habitats imperiled by anthropogenic demands for water and changing climates. Given their widespread loss and increased recognition as important wildlife habitat, remarkably little is known about restoration techniques.
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Patagonia Arizona

Patagonia - Gully Restoration

The Deep Dirt Farm Institute (DDFI), founded and directed by Kate Tirion, comprises 34 acres with deep agricultural soils, bisected by an ephemeral stream/wildlife corridor. The farm lies within a folded topography of hills, small sheltered valleys & broad meadow. A deep gully has diverted flows and needs repair.
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Western Geographic Science Center
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Patagonia - Gully Restoration

The Deep Dirt Farm Institute (DDFI), founded and directed by Kate Tirion, comprises 34 acres with deep agricultural soils, bisected by an ephemeral stream/wildlife corridor. The farm lies within a folded topography of hills, small sheltered valleys & broad meadow. A deep gully has diverted flows and needs repair.
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Photograph of gabion dam in Nogales, Sonora

Nogales, Sonora - Flood Control

Flooding in Ambos Nogales often exceeds the capacity of the channel and adjacent land areas, endangering people and property. Goals of RDS are to diminish impacts of flooding and sedimentation on wastewater infrastructure thereby reducing the incidence of sanitary sewer overflows. We are studying the Nogales Wash to prevent future flood disasters and RDS are being installed in tributaries. We...
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Western Geographic Science Center
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Nogales, Sonora - Flood Control

Flooding in Ambos Nogales often exceeds the capacity of the channel and adjacent land areas, endangering people and property. Goals of RDS are to diminish impacts of flooding and sedimentation on wastewater infrastructure thereby reducing the incidence of sanitary sewer overflows. We are studying the Nogales Wash to prevent future flood disasters and RDS are being installed in tributaries. We...
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Stream going on rocks

Chiricahua Mountains - Reduction of Channel Gradients

Drainages in the Chiricahua Mountains are impacted by large rain events that cause gullying effects in the headwaters, overflow at road crossings, flooding of campgrounds, and overwhelming sediment loads at outlets (Chiricahua National Monument). Monsoon rains following recent fires cause severe flooding in most drainages and debris flows in many others (Youberg et al. 2013). Watershed restoration...
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Western Geographic Science Center
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Chiricahua Mountains - Reduction of Channel Gradients

Drainages in the Chiricahua Mountains are impacted by large rain events that cause gullying effects in the headwaters, overflow at road crossings, flooding of campgrounds, and overwhelming sediment loads at outlets (Chiricahua National Monument). Monsoon rains following recent fires cause severe flooding in most drainages and debris flows in many others (Youberg et al. 2013). Watershed restoration...
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Babocomari background

Babocomari - Managed Aquifer Recharge

We are working to investigate the most cost-efficient way to recharge the Sierra Vista sub-basin aquifer using rainwater harvesting in the tributaries of the San Pedro River using low-technology methods. Research is being conducted on the Babacomari Ranch, property of the Brophy family. The Walton Family Foundation (WFF) is supporting our research with partners, Borderlands Restoration (BR)...
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Western Geographic Science Center
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Babocomari - Managed Aquifer Recharge

We are working to investigate the most cost-efficient way to recharge the Sierra Vista sub-basin aquifer using rainwater harvesting in the tributaries of the San Pedro River using low-technology methods. Research is being conducted on the Babacomari Ranch, property of the Brophy family. The Walton Family Foundation (WFF) is supporting our research with partners, Borderlands Restoration (BR)...
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Photograph of gabion dam in Nogales, Sonora

Aridland Water Harvesting Study

Most of western North America has been severely grazed by cattle, causing grasslands to deteriorate and desert scrub expansion. Climate in arid and semi-arid regions is often typified by short, intense rainfall events which contribute to short-term flooding and erosion. Associated arroyo cutting occurs when ephemeral creek beds are carved into the floodplain when erratic overland flow occurs; this...
By
Land Change Science Program, Western Geographic Science Center
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Aridland Water Harvesting Study

Most of western North America has been severely grazed by cattle, causing grasslands to deteriorate and desert scrub expansion. Climate in arid and semi-arid regions is often typified by short, intense rainfall events which contribute to short-term flooding and erosion. Associated arroyo cutting occurs when ephemeral creek beds are carved into the floodplain when erratic overland flow occurs; this...
Learn More
link
Image of a fire burning behind treeline, with a stream in the foreground

Wildfire Probability Mapping Based on Regional Soil Moisture Models

Wildfires scorched 10 million acres across the United States in 2015, and for the first time on record, wildfire suppression costs topped $2 billion. Wildfire danger modeling is an important tool for understanding when and where wildfires will occur, and recent work by our team in the South Central United States has shown wildfire danger models may be improved by incorporating soil moisture inform
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Climate Adaptation Science Centers, Climate Adaptation Science Center
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Wildfire Probability Mapping Based on Regional Soil Moisture Models

Wildfires scorched 10 million acres across the United States in 2015, and for the first time on record, wildfire suppression costs topped $2 billion. Wildfire danger modeling is an important tool for understanding when and where wildfires will occur, and recent work by our team in the South Central United States has shown wildfire danger models may be improved by incorporating soil moisture inform
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Image of a fire burning behind treeline, with a stream in the foreground

Wildfire Probability Mapping Based on Regional Soil Moisture Models

Wildfires scorched 10 million acres across the United States in 2015, and for the first time on record, wildfire suppression costs topped $2 billion. Wildfire danger modeling is an important tool for understanding when and where wildfires will occur, and recent work by our team in the South Central United States has shown wildfire danger models may be improved by incorporating soil moisture inform
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers, Climate Adaptation Science Center
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Wildfire Probability Mapping Based on Regional Soil Moisture Models

Wildfires scorched 10 million acres across the United States in 2015, and for the first time on record, wildfire suppression costs topped $2 billion. Wildfire danger modeling is an important tool for understanding when and where wildfires will occur, and recent work by our team in the South Central United States has shown wildfire danger models may be improved by incorporating soil moisture inform
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Hydrologic Data Collected at Leaky Weirs, Cienega Ranch, Willcox, AZ (March 2019 - October 2020)

This dataset contains hydrological data collected at a series of leaky weirs on a working ranchland site in a semiarid ecosystem in Cochise County, Arizona, from 2018-2020. Leaky weirs are a type of structure being experimented with by land managers in aridlands to reduce peak flow events and increase recharge to the aquifer. The weirs are constructed of rock cemented into place in areas of expose
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Western Geographic Science Center

Database of Cienega Locations in Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico

Cienegas, as defined here, are wetlands in arid and semi-arid regions associated with groundwater or lotic components that ideally result in perennial waters on temporal scales of decades to centuries. Cienegas are typically no lower than 0 m, and higher than 2000 m, rarely lower but sometimes higher elevation localities occur. Cienegas are typified by significant differences in flora and fauna re
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Western Geographic Science Center

Watershed Pairing of Sub-Basins within Smith Canyon Watershed using a Hierarchical Clustering Approach

This data release contains data used in an upcoming associated publication currently in review. The overarching effects and benefits of land management decisions, such as through watershed restoration, are often not fully understood due to a lacking control within an experimental design. This can be addressed through the application of a paired watershed approach, allowing for comparison between
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Western Geographic Science Center

Short Term Vegetation Response Study at Watershed Restoration Structures in Southeastern Arizona, 2015 - 2019

This dataset contains vegetation data collected at a variety of watershed restoration sites across southeastern Arizona over 5 years. The semiarid habitats in the Madrean Archipelago Ecoregion, which extends from southern Arizona into northern Mexico, are facing many challenges from climate change to land use change which threaten the ecological and cultural values of the region. Watershed restora
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Western Geographic Science Center

Short Term Vegetation Response Study at Watershed Restoration Structures in Southeastern Arizona, 2015 - 2019

This dataset contains vegetation data collected at a variety of watershed restoration sites across southeastern Arizona over 5 years. The semiarid habitats in the Madrean Archipelago Ecoregion, which extends from southern Arizona into northern Mexico, are facing many challenges from climate change to land use change which threaten the ecological and cultural values of the region. Watershed restora
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Data Release for Analysis of Vegetation Recovery Surrounding a Restored Wetland using the Normalized Difference Infrared Index (NDII) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)

This dataset contains data used in the associated publication in the International Journal of Remote Sensing. The geodatabase contains four feature classes: AOI, MajorZone, MinorZone, and Green2007. Publication can be found at https://doi.org/10.1080/01431161.2018.1437297. Publication abstract: Watershed restoration efforts seek to rejuvenate vegetation, biological diversity, and land productivit
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Western Geographic Science Center

Data Release for Analysis of Vegetation Recovery Surrounding a Restored Wetland using the Normalized Difference Infrared Index (NDII) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)

This dataset contains data used in the associated publication in the International Journal of Remote Sensing. The geodatabase contains four feature classes: AOI, MajorZone, MinorZone, and Green2007. Publication can be found at https://doi.org/10.1080/01431161.2018.1437297. Publication abstract: Watershed restoration efforts seek to rejuvenate vegetation, biological diversity, and land productivit
By
Western Geographic Science Center
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Media Advisory: A Jaguar’s Field of Dreams – Live Online Public Lecture

The U.S. Geological Survey public lecture series is back and virtual. News reporters are invited to attend to learn how USGS scientists are helping...

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WGSC Scientists tour a restoration project

Laura Norman's Aridland Water Harvesting Study helps lead a tour of a restoration and monitoring project at the Boy Scouts of America, Heard Scout...

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USGS Scientist Researching 'Restoration Economy' in US-Mexico Borderlands

An article published in the Scientific American describes how conservationists along the poverty-stricken Arizona–Mexico are repairing habitat for...

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USGS Scientist to Discuss Restoration Impacts at Hassayampa River Stakeholder Meeting

Laura Norman was asked to provide a presentation at the Hassayampa River Study meeting. Stakeholders in the 3,700 km² watershed are interested in the...

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Training Workshop for Emergency Flood Forecasting in the US-Mexico Borderlands

Laura Norman helped scientists from the USGS, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), and the University of Arizona...

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Science and Products