SY003-0001
Societal Benefits of the USDA-ARS Experimental Watershed Network

Monday, 7 December 2020
Poster
David C Goodrich1, Philip Heilman2, Martha B. Anderson3, Claire Baffaut4, James Bonta5, David D Bosch6, Ray Bryant7, Michael H Cosh8, Dinku Endale9, Scott Havens10, Andrew R Hedrick10, Peter J A Kleinman11, Eddy J Langendoen12, Greg McCarty13, Thomas Moorman14, Danny G Marks10, Frederick B. Pierson10, James Rigby15, Harry Schomberg16, Patrick j Starks17, Jean L. Steiner18, Timothy C Strickland19 and Tamie L Veith20, (1)Agricultural Research Service Tucson, Tucson, AZ, United States, (2)USDA-ARS Southwest Watershed Research Center, Tucson, United States, (3)USDA ARS, Hydrology and Remote Sensing Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, United States, (4)Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit, Columbia, MO, United States, (5)USDA-ARS (Retired), Oxford, MS, United States, (6)USDA, ARS, Tifton, GA, United States, (7)USDA-ARS Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit, University Park, PA, United States, (8)U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, United States, (9)USDA ARS, Southeast Watershed Research Laboratory, Tifton, GA, United States, (10)USDA-ARS, Northwest Watershed Research Center, Boise, ID, United States, (11)Agricultural Research Service University Park, University Park, PA, United States, (12)USDA ARS, Pendleton, OR, United States, (13)USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD, United States, (14)USDA-ARS, National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment, Ames, IA, United States, (15)USDA Agricultural Research Service Oxford, Oxford, MS, United States, (16)USDA ARS, Sustainable Agricultural Systems Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, United States, (17)USDA-ARS, El Reno, OK, United States, (18)USDA ARS, Manhattan, United States, (19)USDA-ARS, Southeast Watershed Research Unit, Tifton, GA, United States, (20)USDA-ARS, Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit, University Park, PA, United States
Abstract:
The USDA – Agricultural Research Service’s Experimental Watershed Network currently operates approximately 100 intensively monitored watersheds, many of which are nested, ranging from field scale to over 500 km2. Some were established as early as 1935 and most have been operating for over 50 years. Observations and the knowledge base developed at these watersheds has advanced our understanding of catchment processes on numerous fronts. In addition, a wide range of interdisciplinary, intensive experimental campaigns have been anchored within ARS Experimental Watersheds. These long-term living laboratories provide a critical knowledge base informed by historical context and local knowledge, with detailed watershed characterization, and a strong foundation of observational infrastructure. They have been critical in developing and demonstrating the benefits of conservation practices and programs for conserving natural resources. Most of the ARS Experimental Watersheds are now part of the USDA Long-Term Agro-ecosystem Research (LTAR) network that currently has 18 locations including three led by not-for-profit organizations or land grant universities. This presentation will focus observations and science that arose from the ARS Watershed Network that lead to a number of direct benefits to society. It will also address how this knowledge will scale to the LTAR network which encompasses a wider diversity of hydroclimatic and agricultural systems and provides a research platform to: 1) Investigate sustainable intensification of agriculture production; 2) Maintain and enhance ecosystem service; and, 3) Improve rural prosperity.
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