Laura M Norman
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 fate & transport of non-point source pollutants and identify their sources, consider potential growth scenarios, and document impacts.
Biography
Dr. Norman 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. Her research often crosses administrative boundaries adding the complexity of International, cultural, and political divisions in the analyses. Most recently focused on the binational Madrean Archipelago (Sky Island) Ecoregion study area, a hotspot of biodiversity and predicted climate change along the US-Mexico border, this 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.
WATCH RECENT RECORDED WEBINARS:
** A Jaguar’s Field of Dreams—If you build it, they will come (& other lessons from the U.S. - Mexico border). USGS Evening Public Lecture Series, Menlo Park, CA, US. March 25, 2021.
** Ecohydrology of Rock Detention Structures: Aridland Water Harvesting Structures. Presentation for the Cienega Watershed Partnership, Virtual. May 5, 2021.
** International Watersheds Coping with Climate Hazards; Twin-City Solutions at Ambos Nogales and San Diego–Tijuana. Brown Bag Webinar - World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center, Tucson, AZ. June 17, 2021
PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION:
University of Arizona
Watershed Resources, Minor in Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis
PhD 2005
Pima Community College
Programming in Visual Basic
Cert. 2001
University of Arizona
Watershed Management, Advanced Resource Technology Option
M.S. 2000
Oregon State University
Forestry, Minor in Cultural Anthropology
B.S. 1994
APPOINTMENTS:
- January 1999 – December 2004: Research Assistant/ GIS Lab Instructor, University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz.
- August 1998 – present: Research Physical Scientist, U.S. Geological Survey, Tucson, Ariz.
Principal Investigator:
- Aridland Water Harvesting Study, 2013-present, http://geography.wr.usgs.gov/science/aridlands/index.html
- Santa Cruz Watershed Ecosystem Portfolio Model (SCWEPM), 2010-2013, http://geography.wr.usgs.gov/science/ecoSevicesSCWatershed.html
- Western Region- Border Environmental Health Initiative (BEHI) 10/08 - 2012, http://borderhealth.cr.usgs.gov/IMS.html
- Predicting Environmental Consequences of Urban Development on the US-Mexico Border, 11/04 – 09/10, http://geography.wr.usgs.gov/science/us_mexicoBorder.html
- Geospatial Analysis of the Lower Colorado River, 6/04-09/07, http://geography.wr.usgs.gov/science/lowerColorado.html
- Colonias Monitoring Project, 09/02- 09/05, http://geography.wr.usgs.gov/science/colonias2.html
Student Mentor:
- Academic Affiliate, Adjunct status (Designated Campus Colleague), School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona (1997-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 (MS and PhD)
Science and Products
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...
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.
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.
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.
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...
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...
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), ...
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;...
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...
Norman, Laura M.; Pulliam, H. Ronald; Girard, Michele; Buckley, Steven M.; Misztal, Louise W.; Seibert, David; Campbell, Carianne; Callegary, James B.; Tosline, Deborah J.; Wilson, Natalie R.; Hodges, David; Conn, Jeff; Austin-Clark, A. Valer 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...
Middleton, Barry R.; Norman, Laura M. 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...
Callegary, James B.; Norman, Laura M.; Eastoe, Christopher J.; Sankey, Joel B.; Youberg, Ann 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...
Tosline, Deborah; Norman, Laura M.; Greimann, Blair P.; Cederberg, Jay; Huang, Victor; Ruddell, Benjamin L. 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...
Norman, Laura M. 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...
Lysaght, Oliver; Sherrouse, Benson C.; Semmens, Darius J.; Bagstad, Kenneth J.; Pritzlaff, Richard; Petrakis, Roy; Norman, Laura M.; Lysaght, Oliver; Sherrouse, Benson C.; Semmens, Darius J.; Bagstad, Kenneth J.; Pritzlaff, Richard 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...
Villarreal, Miguel L.; Haire, Sandra L.; Juan Carlos Bravo; Norman, Laura M.
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...
Paretti, Nicholas V.; Kephart, Christopher M.; Porter, Thomas J.; Hermosillo, Edyth; Cederberg, Jay R.; Mayo, Justine P.; Gungle, Bruce W.; Coes, Alissa L.; Tucci, Rachel S.; Norman, Laura M. 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...
Norman, Laura; Villarreal, Miguel; Niraula, Rewati; Haberstich, Mark; Wilson, Natalie 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...
Norman, Laura M.; Callegary, James B.; Lacher, Laurel; Wilson, Natalie R.; Fandel, Chloé; Forbes, Brandon T.; Swetnam, Tyson Remote sensing analysis of vegetation at the San Carlos Apache Reservation, Arizona and surrounding area
Mapping of vegetation types is of great importance to the San Carlos Apache Tribe and their management of forestry and fire fuels. Various remote sensing techniques were applied to classify multitemporal Landsat 8 satellite data, vegetation index, and digital elevation model data. A multitiered unsupervised classification generated over 900...
Norman, Laura M.; Middleton, Barry R.; Wilson, Natalie R. Urban growth and landscape connectivity threats assessment at Saguaro National Park, Arizona, USA
Urban and exurban expansion results in habitat and biodiversity loss globally. We hypothesize that a coupled-model approach could connect urban planning for future cities with landscape ecology to consider wildland habitat connectivity. Our work combines urban growth simulations with models of wildlife corridors to examine how species will be...
Perkl, Ryan; Norman, Laura M.; Mitchell, David; Feller, Mark R.; Smith, Garrett; Wilson, Natalie R.
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 Pueblo (HSP) in Phoenix, Arizona.
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 more than 900 species of wild pollinators and boosting livelihoods.
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 benefits of hydrologic modeling to assess if stormwater management practices would impact stormflows, sedimentation, and groundwater recharge.
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 (UA) to facilitate a software demonstration and training workshop for an Emergency Flood Warning System being created for the city of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico.