Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
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.
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.
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.
Laura couples methods and models across scientific disciplines to allow for a synthesis of results that simulate and communicate risk, impacts of land-use, drought and flooding. She has conducted international research for decades, with focus on transboundary watersheds of the US-Mexico border and Tribal lands, where environmental and economic stressors disproportionately affect human health and well-being. Most recently her research is being used to help establish best management practices in arid lands; characterize trade-offs for land use decision support; and the establishment of a monitoring and tracking strategy for mitigation of flood risk. She has published over 80 peer-reviewed journal articles on a wide-range of topics including cross-border science, regional planning, hydroclimatic impacts, restoration design, ecosystem services, hydrologic modeling, and watershed management.
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR:
STUDENT MENTOR:
Flooding in the binational cities at Ambos Nogales on the Arizona-Sonora portion of the US-Mexico border has caused damage, ruined livelihoods and taken lives for hundreds of years.
Flooding in the binational cities at Ambos Nogales on the Arizona-Sonora portion of the US-Mexico border has caused damage, ruined livelihoods and taken lives for hundreds of years.
Creating a binational sponge city in the desert: Flooding in the binational cities at Ambos Nogales on the Arizona-Sonora portion of the US-Mexico border has caused damage, ruined livelihoods and taken lives for hundreds of years.
Creating a binational sponge city in the desert: Flooding in the binational cities at Ambos Nogales on the Arizona-Sonora portion of the US-Mexico border has caused damage, ruined livelihoods and taken lives for hundreds of years.
It is only in recent years that the restoration profession has begun to recognize the trilogy that links hydrology, geomorphology and ecology. Understanding the fundamental nature of this trilogy is essential to the effective restoration of all streams and wetlands. All three factors must be respected if any project is to be successfully planned, impleme
It is only in recent years that the restoration profession has begun to recognize the trilogy that links hydrology, geomorphology and ecology. Understanding the fundamental nature of this trilogy is essential to the effective restoration of all streams and wetlands. All three factors must be respected if any project is to be successfully planned, impleme
On April 16^th^, 2024, the USGS hosted notable restoration practitioners from the Sky Island Restoration Collaborative (SIRC) at the National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration, in Albuquerque, NM, in a session about low-cost, low-tech, nature-based solutions, that can help people mitigate and adapt to climate changes.
On April 16^th^, 2024, the USGS hosted notable restoration practitioners from the Sky Island Restoration Collaborative (SIRC) at the National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration, in Albuquerque, NM, in a session about low-cost, low-tech, nature-based solutions, that can help people mitigate and adapt to climate changes.
We have experienced the placement of rocks on hillsides in eroded areas. The rock dams capture silt and water. A great many dams placed close together in all drainages capture so much water that the hills become sponges.
We have experienced the placement of rocks on hillsides in eroded areas. The rock dams capture silt and water. A great many dams placed close together in all drainages capture so much water that the hills become sponges.
Rancho Cacachilas is a land restoration and ecotourism project in the Sierra Cacachilas mountain range, 30km east of the city of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Rancho Cacachilas is a land restoration and ecotourism project in the Sierra Cacachilas mountain range, 30km east of the city of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Lucinda Cole and I retired to the Pitchfork Ranch in southwest New Mexico two decades ago. We’ve overseen 17 government grants to install grade-control structures in 31 side-drainages and the ranches’ 9-mile reach of the 48-mile-long Burro Ciénaga riparian watercourse, 1.5-miles perennial ciénaga.
Lucinda Cole and I retired to the Pitchfork Ranch in southwest New Mexico two decades ago. We’ve overseen 17 government grants to install grade-control structures in 31 side-drainages and the ranches’ 9-mile reach of the 48-mile-long Burro Ciénaga riparian watercourse, 1.5-miles perennial ciénaga.
We live in the Anthropocene. The entire surface of the earth has been impacted by human activity and our land management decisions. In this context, most of the grasslands in arid and semiarid regions are experiencing severe and continuing degradation.
We live in the Anthropocene. The entire surface of the earth has been impacted by human activity and our land management decisions. In this context, most of the grasslands in arid and semiarid regions are experiencing severe and continuing degradation.
The use of simple erosion control structures, one-rock-dams, rock sills, trincheras, etc have gained great popularity in recent years. Ease of construction, relative cost and effectiveness are driving increased and widespread use.
The use of simple erosion control structures, one-rock-dams, rock sills, trincheras, etc have gained great popularity in recent years. Ease of construction, relative cost and effectiveness are driving increased and widespread use.
This project is located in the Juniper Tank Pasture on the Ash Creek Livestock Association.
This project is located in the Juniper Tank Pasture on the Ash Creek Livestock Association.
After around 150 years of Powell’s watershed map, we are getting there….. Think like watershed with interdependence and connectivity of the uplands-middle lands and lowlands and act like a river being the connector of these interactions from the top to the bottom and vice versa.
After around 150 years of Powell’s watershed map, we are getting there….. Think like watershed with interdependence and connectivity of the uplands-middle lands and lowlands and act like a river being the connector of these interactions from the top to the bottom and vice versa.
Informative video portraying natural infrastructure in dryland streams (NIDS) in a watershed and descriptions of their documented climate-smart practices, graphic illustrated by Heartwood Visuals; animated by Hans J. Huth (Supplementary video 1; Norman et al. 2022).
Informative video portraying natural infrastructure in dryland streams (NIDS) in a watershed and descriptions of their documented climate-smart practices, graphic illustrated by Heartwood Visuals; animated by Hans J. Huth (Supplementary video 1; Norman et al. 2022).
Photographs of Natural Infrastructure in Dryland Streams (NIDS), including a. leaky weir, b. sandbag dams, c. wood log jams, and d. gabions
Photographs of Natural Infrastructure in Dryland Streams (NIDS), including a. leaky weir, b. sandbag dams, c. wood log jams, and d. gabions
An illustration of a mountain with water flowing from the top down to a river with smaller rivers flowing off the sides. Multiple items appear along the various rivers including leaky weirs, one rock dams, log dams, gabions, check dams, trincheras, and earthen berms. Informational bubbles appear alongside these various item in the illustration.
An illustration of a mountain with water flowing from the top down to a river with smaller rivers flowing off the sides. Multiple items appear along the various rivers including leaky weirs, one rock dams, log dams, gabions, check dams, trincheras, and earthen berms. Informational bubbles appear alongside these various item in the illustration.
The installation of thousands of rock detention structures in the Turkey Pen Watershed, of the Chiricahua Mountains in SE Arizona, provided a 30-year case study to consider low-tech and low-cost Natural Infrastructure in dryland watersheds.
The installation of thousands of rock detention structures in the Turkey Pen Watershed, of the Chiricahua Mountains in SE Arizona, provided a 30-year case study to consider low-tech and low-cost Natural Infrastructure in dryland watersheds.
The opening screen for a video about the Re-greening a dryland watershed. T.e study took place in Arizona.
The opening screen for a video about the Re-greening a dryland watershed. T.e study took place in Arizona.
This is a map of the Sky Islands of Madrean Archipelago. It is located in Arizona and New Mexico in the United States and in Sonora and Chihuahua in Mexico.
This is a map of the Sky Islands of Madrean Archipelago. It is located in Arizona and New Mexico in the United States and in Sonora and Chihuahua in Mexico.
Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey's Aridland Water Harvesting Study are partnering with restoration practitioners and land and water resource managers to build resilience in the United States-Mexico border. Respresentatives from various backgrounds are joining together across administrative boundaries of the Madrean Archipelago Ecoregion of North America.
Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey's Aridland Water Harvesting Study are partnering with restoration practitioners and land and water resource managers to build resilience in the United States-Mexico border. Respresentatives from various backgrounds are joining together across administrative boundaries of the Madrean Archipelago Ecoregion of North America.
Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey's Aridland Water Harvesting Study are partnering with restoration practitioners and land and water resource managers to build resilience in the United States-Mexico border. Respresentatives from various backgrounds are joining together across administrative boundaries of the Madrean Archipelago Ecoregion of North America.
Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey's Aridland Water Harvesting Study are partnering with restoration practitioners and land and water resource managers to build resilience in the United States-Mexico border. Respresentatives from various backgrounds are joining together across administrative boundaries of the Madrean Archipelago Ecoregion of North America.
Picture of the Rosemont hills showing grasses and shrubs with clouds in the background.
Picture of the Rosemont hills showing grasses and shrubs with clouds in the background.
Rock gabion installed in arroyo in La Paz, Baja California Sur. (Laura Norman, USGS)
Rock gabion installed in arroyo in La Paz, Baja California Sur. (Laura Norman, USGS)
Flooding in the binational cities at Ambos Nogales on the Arizona-Sonora portion of the US-Mexico border has caused damage, ruined livelihoods and taken lives for hundreds of years.
Flooding in the binational cities at Ambos Nogales on the Arizona-Sonora portion of the US-Mexico border has caused damage, ruined livelihoods and taken lives for hundreds of years.
Creating a binational sponge city in the desert: Flooding in the binational cities at Ambos Nogales on the Arizona-Sonora portion of the US-Mexico border has caused damage, ruined livelihoods and taken lives for hundreds of years.
Creating a binational sponge city in the desert: Flooding in the binational cities at Ambos Nogales on the Arizona-Sonora portion of the US-Mexico border has caused damage, ruined livelihoods and taken lives for hundreds of years.
It is only in recent years that the restoration profession has begun to recognize the trilogy that links hydrology, geomorphology and ecology. Understanding the fundamental nature of this trilogy is essential to the effective restoration of all streams and wetlands. All three factors must be respected if any project is to be successfully planned, impleme
It is only in recent years that the restoration profession has begun to recognize the trilogy that links hydrology, geomorphology and ecology. Understanding the fundamental nature of this trilogy is essential to the effective restoration of all streams and wetlands. All three factors must be respected if any project is to be successfully planned, impleme
On April 16^th^, 2024, the USGS hosted notable restoration practitioners from the Sky Island Restoration Collaborative (SIRC) at the National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration, in Albuquerque, NM, in a session about low-cost, low-tech, nature-based solutions, that can help people mitigate and adapt to climate changes.
On April 16^th^, 2024, the USGS hosted notable restoration practitioners from the Sky Island Restoration Collaborative (SIRC) at the National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration, in Albuquerque, NM, in a session about low-cost, low-tech, nature-based solutions, that can help people mitigate and adapt to climate changes.
We have experienced the placement of rocks on hillsides in eroded areas. The rock dams capture silt and water. A great many dams placed close together in all drainages capture so much water that the hills become sponges.
We have experienced the placement of rocks on hillsides in eroded areas. The rock dams capture silt and water. A great many dams placed close together in all drainages capture so much water that the hills become sponges.
Rancho Cacachilas is a land restoration and ecotourism project in the Sierra Cacachilas mountain range, 30km east of the city of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Rancho Cacachilas is a land restoration and ecotourism project in the Sierra Cacachilas mountain range, 30km east of the city of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Lucinda Cole and I retired to the Pitchfork Ranch in southwest New Mexico two decades ago. We’ve overseen 17 government grants to install grade-control structures in 31 side-drainages and the ranches’ 9-mile reach of the 48-mile-long Burro Ciénaga riparian watercourse, 1.5-miles perennial ciénaga.
Lucinda Cole and I retired to the Pitchfork Ranch in southwest New Mexico two decades ago. We’ve overseen 17 government grants to install grade-control structures in 31 side-drainages and the ranches’ 9-mile reach of the 48-mile-long Burro Ciénaga riparian watercourse, 1.5-miles perennial ciénaga.
We live in the Anthropocene. The entire surface of the earth has been impacted by human activity and our land management decisions. In this context, most of the grasslands in arid and semiarid regions are experiencing severe and continuing degradation.
We live in the Anthropocene. The entire surface of the earth has been impacted by human activity and our land management decisions. In this context, most of the grasslands in arid and semiarid regions are experiencing severe and continuing degradation.
The use of simple erosion control structures, one-rock-dams, rock sills, trincheras, etc have gained great popularity in recent years. Ease of construction, relative cost and effectiveness are driving increased and widespread use.
The use of simple erosion control structures, one-rock-dams, rock sills, trincheras, etc have gained great popularity in recent years. Ease of construction, relative cost and effectiveness are driving increased and widespread use.
This project is located in the Juniper Tank Pasture on the Ash Creek Livestock Association.
This project is located in the Juniper Tank Pasture on the Ash Creek Livestock Association.
After around 150 years of Powell’s watershed map, we are getting there….. Think like watershed with interdependence and connectivity of the uplands-middle lands and lowlands and act like a river being the connector of these interactions from the top to the bottom and vice versa.
After around 150 years of Powell’s watershed map, we are getting there….. Think like watershed with interdependence and connectivity of the uplands-middle lands and lowlands and act like a river being the connector of these interactions from the top to the bottom and vice versa.
Informative video portraying natural infrastructure in dryland streams (NIDS) in a watershed and descriptions of their documented climate-smart practices, graphic illustrated by Heartwood Visuals; animated by Hans J. Huth (Supplementary video 1; Norman et al. 2022).
Informative video portraying natural infrastructure in dryland streams (NIDS) in a watershed and descriptions of their documented climate-smart practices, graphic illustrated by Heartwood Visuals; animated by Hans J. Huth (Supplementary video 1; Norman et al. 2022).
Photographs of Natural Infrastructure in Dryland Streams (NIDS), including a. leaky weir, b. sandbag dams, c. wood log jams, and d. gabions
Photographs of Natural Infrastructure in Dryland Streams (NIDS), including a. leaky weir, b. sandbag dams, c. wood log jams, and d. gabions
An illustration of a mountain with water flowing from the top down to a river with smaller rivers flowing off the sides. Multiple items appear along the various rivers including leaky weirs, one rock dams, log dams, gabions, check dams, trincheras, and earthen berms. Informational bubbles appear alongside these various item in the illustration.
An illustration of a mountain with water flowing from the top down to a river with smaller rivers flowing off the sides. Multiple items appear along the various rivers including leaky weirs, one rock dams, log dams, gabions, check dams, trincheras, and earthen berms. Informational bubbles appear alongside these various item in the illustration.
The installation of thousands of rock detention structures in the Turkey Pen Watershed, of the Chiricahua Mountains in SE Arizona, provided a 30-year case study to consider low-tech and low-cost Natural Infrastructure in dryland watersheds.
The installation of thousands of rock detention structures in the Turkey Pen Watershed, of the Chiricahua Mountains in SE Arizona, provided a 30-year case study to consider low-tech and low-cost Natural Infrastructure in dryland watersheds.
The opening screen for a video about the Re-greening a dryland watershed. T.e study took place in Arizona.
The opening screen for a video about the Re-greening a dryland watershed. T.e study took place in Arizona.
This is a map of the Sky Islands of Madrean Archipelago. It is located in Arizona and New Mexico in the United States and in Sonora and Chihuahua in Mexico.
This is a map of the Sky Islands of Madrean Archipelago. It is located in Arizona and New Mexico in the United States and in Sonora and Chihuahua in Mexico.
Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey's Aridland Water Harvesting Study are partnering with restoration practitioners and land and water resource managers to build resilience in the United States-Mexico border. Respresentatives from various backgrounds are joining together across administrative boundaries of the Madrean Archipelago Ecoregion of North America.
Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey's Aridland Water Harvesting Study are partnering with restoration practitioners and land and water resource managers to build resilience in the United States-Mexico border. Respresentatives from various backgrounds are joining together across administrative boundaries of the Madrean Archipelago Ecoregion of North America.
Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey's Aridland Water Harvesting Study are partnering with restoration practitioners and land and water resource managers to build resilience in the United States-Mexico border. Respresentatives from various backgrounds are joining together across administrative boundaries of the Madrean Archipelago Ecoregion of North America.
Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey's Aridland Water Harvesting Study are partnering with restoration practitioners and land and water resource managers to build resilience in the United States-Mexico border. Respresentatives from various backgrounds are joining together across administrative boundaries of the Madrean Archipelago Ecoregion of North America.
Picture of the Rosemont hills showing grasses and shrubs with clouds in the background.
Picture of the Rosemont hills showing grasses and shrubs with clouds in the background.
Rock gabion installed in arroyo in La Paz, Baja California Sur. (Laura Norman, USGS)
Rock gabion installed in arroyo in La Paz, Baja California Sur. (Laura Norman, USGS)
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government