Jornada Research Summary

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Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) 

Part of a network effort to develop innovative approaches to sustain agricultural productivity while reducing environmental impacts

• Raramuri Criollo cattle and sensor networks as new tools for livestock production in arid and variable environments                                                          

• Research to improve grassland restoration in the Southwest

• Big data approaches to solve a wide range of regional agricultural problems, including disease outbreaks

Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER)

Part of network efforts to understand and forecast long-term environmental change at large spatial scales

• Over 100 years of data and publications on climate, vegetation, and biodiversity change

• One of 28 LTER sites supporting researchers and students across the globe

• One of 81 National Ecological Observatory Network sites

Ecological Site Description program (ESD)

Collaboration with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to provide science-based information for conserving and managing different kinds of land

• New database to improve quality,accessibility, and utility of ESD information nationwide

Land assessment, inventory,and monitoring systems

Methods and databases for the public, agencies, and international programs

• Rangeland methods adopted by Natural Resources Conservation Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

• Development of National Wind Erosion Network to assess effects of land use on air quality

• Mobile delivery of site-specific management options via Land Potential Knowledge System (LandPKS)

Southwest Climate Hub

One of 10 national hubs that develop and deliver science-based, region-specific information to enable climate-informed decision making

• Synthesis, tools, and analyses to support agricultural decisions    

• Direct engagement with resource managers and tribal communities in AZ, CA, NM, NV, UT, HI, and US Pacific Islands

Science Education

Investment in the next generation of scientists and science-literate citizens

• Collaboration with Asombro Institute for Science Education on >17,000 K-12 student contacts per year

  Research and employment opportunities for NMSU students

jornada.nmsu.edu

Contact: Dr. Brandon Bestelmeyer, Research Leader. Brandon.Bestelmeyer@ars.usda.gov