Peer-reviewed publications by Texas A&M AgriLife and Texas A&M University System scientists
30 Years of simultaneous crop and land cover land use maps for Middle Rio Grande from 1994 to 2024: This study, coauthored by Rosario Sanchez, Ph.D., Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) senior research scientist, introduces the crop and land cover land use (CLCLU) dataset. This product provides 30-meter spatial resolution annual maps of CLCLU across the transnational Middle Rio Grande from 1994 to 2024.
Crop2Cloud platform: Real-time data integration for agricultural water monitoring: Coauthored by a Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientist, this study tests an irrigation platform that integrates multiple irrigation methods and data sources. They found that the platform performed well when used to irrigate corn, but a challenge arose when sensor damage and power breakouts created gaps in data.
Geological and anthropogenic controls on freshwater lens variability in barrier islands: insights from integrated geophysical and hydrogeological surveys: Freshwater lenses (FWLs) are geological formations where freshwater floats above saline water and are important freshwater resources for barrier islands. In this study, Texas A&M University researchers investigate the causes of spatial variability of FWLs on Padre Island, Texas. They found that there are many natural and anthropogenic influences on FWLs, including urban development and proximity of saltwater.
Integrated modeling of the generation, attenuation, and transport of point-source pollutants at the watershed-scale using SWAT+: This study, coauthored by a Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientist, introduces and tests a modeling framework for point-source pollutant dynamics at the watershed-scale. This framework could be useful for sustainable water management, evaluation of mitigation strategies, and more.
Integrating crop, groundwater, and economic dynamics: Insights into climate adaptation in the overexploited U.S. Ogallala Aquifer: Coauthored by R. Srinivasan, Ph.D., P.E., director of the Texas A&M AgriLife Blackland Research and Extension Center, this research combines economic analysis with crop and water modeling to assess the Crop-Water-Economy relationship under two emissions scenarios. They found that the impact of climate change varied by crop type with yield increases drove winter crop benefits and groundwater cost savings were more important to summer crop benefits.
Recent research from other Texas universities
Global co-occurrence of warm temperature extremes and terrestrial water storage deficits: This study from University of Texas at Austin researchers explores the link between temperature extremes and total water storage (TWS). They found that periods of low TWS coincide with or lag temperature extremes, and that existing TWS deficits were intensified by temperature extremes.
Enhanced submarine groundwater discharge and freshening of a subterranean estuary from rain: Led by a researcher from the University of Texas at Austin, this study investigates the impact of heavy tropical rain on subterranean estuaries (STEs). They found that heavy rainfall affected the salinity and temperature of STEs, which could affect geochemical processes, among other things.
Texas water markets: Understanding their trends, drivers, and future potential: In this study, coauthored by a University of Texas at Austin scientist, researchers examine surface water market activity across Texas, created a transaction database, and tested the statistical relationships of biophysical, economic, and social factors with water market activity. They found that temperature, groundwater levels and commodity prices for rice and cotton are predictors of water transactions.
