Oklahoma NSF EPSCoR Research: The Study Areas

Oklahoma NSF EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Award No. OIA-1301789

Oklahoma’s unpredictable weather and large precipitation gradient work together to create a vulnerable and diverse landscape that is exceptionally well-suited for the climate-based research that NSF EPSCoR scientists are performing. 

This research team, representing more than a dozen disciplines and four institutions from across the state, is working to advance understanding of how socio-ecological systems can adapt sustainably to climate variability. 

Scientists are examining complex human, climate and natural resource systems while addressing three interlinked research focus areas:  an observatory network, a forecasting system, and a decision support system.

Five study areas across the state are being addressed: 

  1. Cimarron Watershed
  2. Kiamichi Watershed
  3. North Canadian Watershed
  4. Oklahoma City Area
  5. Washita Watershed

The knowledge gained from this project will be used to empower managers to effectively adapt social and ecological systems to climate variability and to educate Oklahomans about the expected consequences of regional environmental change.

For more information about the project visit http://www.okepscor.org/research/climate-variability-research.