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USDA Perspectives on Monitoring and Assessing Drought Impacts and Fire Risk – May 23, 2023

Event Date
May 23, 2023
Event Time
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Timezone
EDT

The National Coordinated Soil Moisture Monitoring Network is hosting a quarterly online seminar series to regularly share innovative soil moisture research activities. This seminar focused on monitoring and assessing drought impacts and fire risk in forested environments. 

In addition to Congressional mandates to the USDA to incorporate soil moisture information into the production of the U.S. Drought Monitor, lawmakers have prioritized the need to make Western states more resilient to drought and fires. Additional knowledge of soil moisture conditions under forest canopies will significantly improve the ability to assess these risks, and activities are currently underway to make in-situ soil moisture data accessible to users in all fields. This seminar detailed current activities and future plans championed within the USDA for improving soil moisture monitoring, with an emphasis on forested areas.

 

Timestamp
0:00

Welcome and Introduction

Speaker: Marina Skumanich, NOAA's National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS); National Coordinated Soil Moisture Monitoring Network (NCSMMN)

  • The National Coordinated Soil Moisture Monitoring Network is a multi-agency effort to build a system for coordinated high-quality nationwide soil moisture information.
  • Today's seminar will focus on USDA perspectives on monitoring and assessing drought impacts and fire risk.

 

Timestamp
3:33

Overview of USDA Engagement on Soil Moisture

Speaker: Mark Brusberg, Chief Meteorologist, USDA Office of the Chief Economist

  • History of USDA’s interest and leadership in soil moisture, including history for determining drought relief, key events and studies that shaped the current system, and current authorizing requirements.
  • Description of drought effects on forest types and USDA priority issues related to forests.

 

Timestamp
17:35

Current and Future Activities Related to Forest Soil Moisture Monitoring

Speaker: Stephanie Connolly, Soil Scientist Field Liaison, USDA Forest Service

 

Timestamp
38:39

Summary and Recommendations

Speaker: Mark Brusberg, Chief Meteorologist, USDA Office of the Chief Economist

 

Timestamp
44:22

Questions & Answers