Peer-reviewed publications by Texas Water Resources Institute and Texas A&M AgriLife scientists
Tillage legacy, grasses and soil texture shape soil organic carbon recovery in semi-arid woodland: This study, coauthored by TWRI’s Samantha Colunga, investigates the effects of intensive tillage on soil and the soil organic carbon recovery of soil after degradation. The researchers found that degradation caused by tillage can lower carbon stocks, and full recovery can take several decades. They observed that recovery is affected by soil texture, historical land use, nitrogen dynamics, and vegetation composition.
Cash Crops or Cover Crops? The Reasons and Barriers for Adopting Cover Crops in the Southern Great Plains of Texas and Oklahoma: Coauthored by TWRI’s Allen Berthold, Ph.D., this study examines the reasons and barriers to cover crop implementation. The scientists found that adopters and non-adopters had very different environmental and economic barrier perceptions to cover crop adoption.
Age, Asymptotic Size, and Growth Constants of East Texas Freshwater Unionid Mussels: This study, coauthored by TWRI’s Anna L. Eismont, gathered data on the age and growth of eight mussel species across four Texas rivers. They found that growth constants were highly variable, and that age and growth varied among species. This data can help anticipate how species will respond to environmental change.
Evaluating the potential of no-tillage in enhancing resilience of agricultural watersheds to extreme climatic conditions: Texas A&M AgriLife researchers assessed the effectiveness of no tillage at improving resilience of agricultural watersheds to extreme climatic conditions compared to conventional tillage. They found that no tillage reduced future annual soil evaporation, surface runoff, and soil erosion.
Recent research from other Texas universities
Ecophysiological benefits of industrial organic wastes on alfalfa yield and stress mitigation in saline soils: Coauthored by a University of Texas Rio Grande valley researcher, this study evaluated the benefits of using industrial organic wastes on alfalfa under salinity and drought stress. One notable finding is that coffee grounds promoted microbial activity and nutrient cycling.
Evaluation of hydrocarbon and co-contaminants in groundwater and associated public health risks using electrical resistivity and hydrochemical data: This study, coauthored by a Texas Christian University researcher, investigated the distribution of hydrocarbon contaminants and co-contaminants in groundwater near a refinery and possible associated health risks. The researchers found that the groundwater had been contaminated, and did not meet World Health Organization standards, altering the chemistry of the water and posing an environmental and public health risk.
Spatiotemporal prediction of drought-driven phenology-based cotton yield impacts in Texas dryland systems: Texas Tech University researchers present a framework that integrates remote sensing, machine learning, and phenological analysis to map dryland cotton and predict yield and loss during drought from 2000 to 2024. The researchers say this framework is an innovative approach that can improve water research management and help guide producer decisions.
