Centers and Institutes
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Research centers and institutes supporting scholarly and creative activities across the university.
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Browsing Centers and Institutes by Author "Abbott, Michael"
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Item Geography and Water: Technical and Educational Assistance to Groundwater Conversation Districts in TexasAbbott, MichaelSince the 1950s, Groundwater Conservation Districts (GCDs) have been Texas' only legal method of regulation and management of groundwater resources in the state. Over the years, the Texas Legislature has given GCDs additional legal powers to better regulate groundwater, but seldom has provided the funding necessary to most effectively use these additional powers. Many of the 98 groundwater districts in Texas are small operations with limited funding and few staff members, and rarely do they employ individuals with a background in aquifer science. Consequently, GCDs, which are the key to proper sustainable development and use of groundwater resources, generally lack the training and basic tools to most effectively manage these resources. The purpose of this project is to provide education and technical assistance to the staff and board members of the GCDs in Texas. In collaboration with the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts, the River Systems Institute developed training materials/workshops and provided training to staff and board member of groundwater districts (See Appendix I). The River Systems Institute also provided technical assistance to several groundwater districts, in the conduct of research studies and the development of databases, regarding their groundwater resources.Item Large-Scale Composting System as a Means of Controlling Water Hyacinth, Eichhornia crasspipes(2008-02) Abbott, Michael; Cade, TinaThe water hyacinth, Eichhornia crasspipes, is a native of the Amazon River, but has become a significant aquatic weed problem in the United States. It is found in all major river systems in the U.S. The problems caused by water hyacinth include obstructing waterways, impeding drainage, destroying wildlife resources, and lowering the dissolved oxygen in waterways resulting in reduced oxygen available to animals and plants. Although herbicides have been used to kill water hyacinth, harvesting either mechanically or by hand is preferred for environmentally sensitive areas. A major problem with harvesting as a method to remove the plant from waterways is to then dispose of the plant such that seeds are rendered non-viable. The intent of this study is to determine if large scale composting is an effective means of disposing of water hyacinth by rendering the seeds and other propagules non-viable while producing a quality compost product for the horticulture industry.Item Technical and Educational Assistance to Groundwater Conversation Districts in Texas(2010-05) Abbott, MichaelThe purpose of this project is to provide education and technical assistance to the staff and board members of the GCDs in Texas. In collaboration with the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts, the River Systems Institute developed training materials/workshops and provided training to staff and board member of groundwater districts (See Appendix I). The River Systems Institute also provided technical assistance to several groundwater districts, in the conduct of research studies and the development of databases, regarding their groundwater resources.