Addressing Environmental Justice Issues and Assessing Economic Impacts of Drought on Agriculture for Underserved Communities
Research Team Members
Objective:
Develop an EJ index that depicts the vulnerability of local populations in underserved communities to drought, and identify related environmental justice communities at risk of water use and shortage.
Abstract:
Drought prediction products could be critical in minimizing climate change impacts by
optimizing smart agricultural management practices and improving Environmental Justice (EJ)
tools to efficiently identify and address increasing environmental hazards (droughts, and
wildfire) impacting underserved communities. The project builds on ongoing CIROH project that
utilizes hydrologic model forecast to develop useful products and a decision support system to
enhance agricultural applications for rural and limited resources farmers. Project goal is to
utilize United States Geological Survey (USGS) Integrated Water Prediction (IWP) drought
duration metrics based the variable threshold approach to; (1) develop a granular EJ Index that
depicts vulnerability to drought, flood, water use, and helps address critical water related
adverse issues impacting farmers in underserved communities; (2) assess the economic impacts
of droughts on small-scaled disadvantaged farmers’ productivity and on their adoption of
irrigation systems and other agricultural management practices; and (3) educate small scale
farmers and underserved communities on the use of USGS drought prediction and EJ products
for increased agricultural productivity, profitability and environmental management. Project
products and results will allow for better assessment of the economic and socioeconomic
impacts of drought and related issues within underserved communities, and to help
stakeholders make informed decisions related to EJ to make underserved communities more
resilient and improve agricultural productivity. The project’s tools and decision support systems
will enhance the outreach and extension capabilities for underserved communities and farmers,
within the Alabama Black Belt Regions.