Forest and Water Challenges in the Western U.S.

Funding Years: 2025-2027

The “Forest and Water Challenges in the Western U.S.” GCRT aims to investigate how changes in forest landscapes of the Rocky Mountains impact water resources across the Colorado River Basin under climate change. Through coupled land-atmosphere modeling and analysis of ground and remote sensing data, this project is expected to uncover the cascading effects of forest changes induced by large disturbances (e.g., wildfire, insect outbreak, and drought) on snowpack, runoff, and water availability. The team’s findings will inform adaptive strategies to enhance water sustainability, forest management, and community resilience across the western United States.

Principal Investigators:

  • Anping Chen, Research Scientist, Biology
  • Haonan Chen, Assistant Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering
  • Lixin Lu, Research Scientist, Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere
  • Danica Lombardozzi, Assistant Professor, Ecosystem Science & Sustainability
  • Troy Ocheltree, Associate Professor, Forest & Rangeland Stewardship
  • Sarah Hart, Assistant Professor, Forest & Rangeland Stewardship
  • Ryan Bailey, Associate Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering