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A New Tool for Monitoring Vegetation Water Use and Efficiency to Support Sustainable Agroecosystem Management

Oklahoma and Texas are facing significant future water shortages that threaten farming and ranching communities. Though conservation-based management practices are being implemented across the states, there are inadequate tools for monitoring vegetation water use efficiency in real time. Researchers supported by this South Central CASC project will develop a web-based tool using high-resolution satellite data to evaluate plant water use and efficiency as environmental changes occur, allowing farmers, ranchers, and government agencies to make informed decisions about sustainable water management.

Oklahoma and Texas will likely face significant water shortages in the future, which could greatly impact their farming and ranching communities. Both states are actively promoting conservation-based land management practices, such as precision agriculture, cover crops, crop switching, and sustainable watershed management. However, the tools currently used to assess the effectiveness of these practices lack the precision needed to determine how efficiently water is being used. Because these existing tools produce inaccurate estimates of water use, it is difficult for farmers and ranchers to make important decisions about water allocation.

This project team will develop a new web-based tool capable of accurately measuring plant water consumption, productivity, and water use efficiency in real time. To do this, the tool will use high-resolution satellite data and advanced computer models to monitor changes in vegetation water use and water use efficiency as the changes occur. The project has the potential to facilitate partnerships with agricultural experts and government agencies to assess the tool's effectiveness and real-world applicability.

A user-friendly website will provide detailed data to help stakeholders make informed decisions about sustainable water management, particularly as climate change worsens water scarcity. Ultimately, this project seeks to use advanced technology to manage water wisely, ensuring our ability to adapt to the challenges of water scarcity in the face of climate change.

Source : usgs.gov

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