A four-year study of the blue crabs in the ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve in South Carolina during the 2008-11 drought found that crabs decreased in the low flow Combahee River due to increased parasites (Hematodinium sp.) but increased in the high flow Edisto River due to decreased predation by freshwater predators (alligators).
Since drought can have both positive and negative effects on blue crabs, there is considerable interest in understanding how future variation in river discharge will impact commercial blue crab landings.
Launched in 2012, the Coastal Carolinas Drought Early Warning System (DEWS) is a collaborative federal, state, and local interagency effort to improve early warning capacity and resilience to drought with an emphasis on the unique coastal ecosystems of North and South Carolina. Drought in coastal areas can contribute to changing water quality conditions, particularly increased salinity levels and fluctuations, and changes in the availability and timing of freshwater to support animals, plants, and habitats.
Overview of soil moisture monitoring in Oklahoma, primarily through Oklahoma Mesonet.
How US Drought Monitor authors use soil moisture monitoring data.
Climate Change and Environmental Justice Communities; USDA Environmental Strategic Goals for Communities at Risk.
Overview of the North American Soil Moisture Database.
Soil taxonomy; how soil moisture is inventoried in Soil Survey; interpretations of data; research; how the data is used.
Soil moisture monitoring in the Missouri River Basin and how it can be used to develop better understanding of basin responses; the kinds of information the USACE is looking for.
Mission, issues and goals of USDA Climate Hubs.
How soil moisture monitoring can give insight into human health issues.