Shadia Alzurqani Investigates the Impact of Drought on Vegetation Cover in Arkansas
Shadia Alzurqani worked with Dr. Hamdi Zurqani on mapping and analyzing the drought effects and trends on land cover in Arkansas. She joined Dr. Zurqani’s project in 2022 as a graduate research assistant at the University of Arkansas at Monticello.
Alzurqani’s research investigated the impact of drought on vegetation cover in Arkansas. Utilizing geographic information systems (GIS) and the Google Earth Engine (GEE), she analyzed the fluctuations in drought levels across the state over the years.
Arkansas farmers and ranchers have faced challenges in recent years due to insufficient rainfall and prolonged periods of excessive heat, which affects crop yield and livestock health.
“When I did my research, I noticed that over the years Arkansas has suffered from drought which has affected the economy very hard,” said Alzurqani.
The technology provided by this research project enables the assessment of drought conditions during various periods of time. This will aid in developing adaptive agricultural practices to mitigate the impact of droughts on farmers and ranchers.
“With the knowledge I’m getting from this project, I hope to apply it to methodologies to develop this research to address similar challenges in other regions,” Alzurqani said.
She aims to contribute to policy discussions and future innovations relating to drought resilience and climate adaptation.
The research project findings were presented and published at the International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium in July 2023. Additionally, she was invited to present at the Eastern South Dakota Water Conference in October 2023, which included a full sponsorship for the research team.
To view Alzurqani’s research findings, click the link below:
Visit the project website to explore the data provided in this research.
The U.S. Geological Survey 104(b) program funded this research through the Arkansas Water Resources Center.
Article written by Leah Greene
Image courtesy of University of Arkansas at Monticello
