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Research
The focus of my work is on understanding hydrologic
processes on shrublands and in particular understand how and at what
scales shrubs modify the water cycle. I am investigating this question
using a variety of strategies including large plot rainfall simulation and
monitoring of small catchments. |
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Large Scale Rainfall Simulation
A large plot rainfall simulator has been constructed
that is capable of simulating a rainstorm over the tree canopy
on a size of about 3 x 12 meters. During the simulated rainstorm
we monitor surface runoff, interflow, interception and soil
water. Simulation studies have been completed at the Sonora Experiment Station in Sonora, TX and at Honey Creek State Natural Area in Spring Branch, TX. We are currently operating at Camp Bullis in San Antonio, monitoring natural and simulated rainfall over two caves to investigate interactions between brush and recharge processes.
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| Small
Catchment Work |
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Honey Creek, Texas
The Honey Creek Project is a collaborative
effort involving several State, Federal and Municipal organizations,
where the purpose is to examine how shrub control affects
streamflow and water yield. The San Antonio Water System (SAWS)
is providing support for us to examine water flow pathways
on the Honey Creek site
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Pajarito Plateau, New Mexico
On the Pajarito Plateau, we monitoring runoff
and erosion from a highly degraded piñon-juniper watershed.
Runoff and erosion data have been collected at this site since
1993. Support is being provided by the Los Alamos National
Laboratory.
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| Runoff and Recharge
Processes |
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| Runoff and recharge
on the Edwards Plateau are inextricably linked. Runoff generated
from the "contributing zone" of the plateau is largely
responsible for recharging the Edwards aquifer. Streamflow originates
in the higher portions of the Plateau and recharge the aquifer
once they cross the highly fractured and porous "recharge
zone". This process is extremely important but poorly understood.
In particular there is a need to better understand how runoff
is generated from the Plateau and its role in recharging the
aquifer. |
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Frio River, Edwards Plateau
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Recharge
through Seco Sink Hole |
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