Texas Research Exploring Climate Change Impacts on Pecan Orchards

A research team from The University of Texas at El Paso will be exploring how pecan farms in Texas and Mexico are being affected by climate change. In a study supported by a National Science Foundation Grant, researchers will examine how drought, heat waves, and soil impact the cycle of water and carbon between plants and the atmosphere in dryland agricultural ecosystems. According to a press release, the research team will monitor tree and root system growth, soil-plant water status, and canopy temperature. Their goal is to develop a detailed understanding of how soil structure and management practices can either mitigate or exacerbate the stress that plants experience during extreme weather events. Additionally, the project will explore how these stressors affect the ability of crops to sequester, or capture and store, carbon dioxide, a critical factor in addressing climate change.