Kansas is a leading state in agricultural production, however, during recent droughts, farmers experienced decreased yields that negatively impacted the state and national economies. The exponential decay of soil moisture content is a major consequence of drought, stymieing plant growth...

In recent years, wildfires in New Mexico’s Gila National Forest have become increasingly common and more severe. Wildfires can have powerful impacts on hydrology and soil stability, including erosion, flooding, and debris-flows that threaten lives and infrastructure downstream. Vegetation restoration...

Air quality is considered one of Shenandoah National Park's most fundamental resources. The park's ecological health and visitor attendance is dependent on maintaining high air quality standards. This project utilized the NASA's Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD), aerosol extinction profile, and Tropospheric Ozone Residual (TOR) datasets...

Increasing yearly monsoonal precipitation severity in Navajo National Monument (NAVA) is exacerbating erosion and arroyo cutting, affecting culturally significant archaeological sites in the area. In order to better understand and mitigate erosional processes, land managers at the park would benefit from comprehensive rainfall data and...

The Roseau cane mealy bug (Nipponaclerda biwakoensis) is an invasive scale insect discovered in the United States during the 2016-2017 die-offs of Roseau cane (Phragmites australis) in the Mississippi River Delta, Plaquemines Parish, LA. Roseau cane stabilize sediment, protect against wave-action and storm surge, and...

Bighorn sheep are a charismatic desert species that have enormous ecological and cultural significance to the Mojave Desert region in California. After overcoming large population losses in the late 1900s, further habitat degradation and fragmentation has continued to affect the livelihood of remaining bighorn sheep...

Wildfires in Texas have the potential to impact not only the areas of origin but also the entire state. Smoke plumes from wildfires travel across the state with trajectories that are greatly influenced by meteorological conditions. The plumes transport pollutants, which include those present in...

Flash drought conditions emerge in a matter of weeks following persistent weather anomalies, such as high temperatures or large vapor pressure deficits, that drive increased evaporative demand. Vegetation response rapidly depletes soil moisture, threatening surface water supplies, triggering significant crop...