TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama’s Alabama Water Institute and the Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology, or CIROH, are proud to announce their key contributions to a groundbreaking $5.8 million research project funded by the National Science Foundation through its Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, or EPSCoR. This initiative, which aims to address the increasing flood risks and disproportionate impacts of climate extremes in the U.S. Gulf region, is spearheaded by Dr. Emad Habib from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and features significant involvement from UA researchers, including Dr. Steve Burian from AWI and Dr. Wanyun “Abby” Shao from the Department of Geography and the Environment.
Habib, endowed chair and professor of civil engineering at UL Lafayette, leads this significant research endeavor in collaboration with six major universities. UA’s team, comprising AWI and CIROH researchers, plays vital roles in this multi-disciplinary effort.
“Our research team at UA is excited to work collaboratively with partner communities in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi and develop integrated models of hydrology and water infrastructure systems,” said Burian. “During the project, we will generate simulation results with community partners and guide policy and practice to increase the resilience of their drinking water supply and wastewater collection systems.”
The project targets three critical regions in the U.S. Gulf: the Acadiana region in South Central Louisiana, the Mobile Bay region in Alabama and the city of Jackson along with surrounding communities in Mississippi. By uniting expertise from UA, Jackson State University, LSU, Tulane University and Tuskegee University, the initiative aims to deliver essential support and solutions to the most vulnerable communities.
“The U.S. Gulf of Mexico region is prone to climate change-induced disasters such as hurricanes and flooding. While the risk is growing under climate change, this region has seen a significant population growth in past decades, exposing a large population and concentrated infrasture to future climate change impacts. One-fifth of the coastal population displays high social vulnerabilities, further complicating matters,” said Shao. “Our project represents a pioneering effort to work closely with three particularly vulnerable communities in this region to map out adaptation pathways to prepare for future climate change. Through this bottom-up approach, these communities will build resilience. Lessons learned from this project will be applied to vulnerable communities around the world.”
Recent studies have shown that climate extremes are intensifying weather events such as heavy rains and floods, leading to severe economic instability, social trauma and health problems. These impacts are disproportionately felt by historically marginalized communities, people of color and those with lower socioeconomic status. These groups often reside in areas with inadequate water infrastructure and are typically excluded from climate adaptation plans.
Researchers from AWI and CIROH will investigate why certain communities are more susceptible to climate extremes and their impacts, examine past climate impacts, and forecast future changes. Additionally, they will analyze patterns of historical disinvestment in water and wastewater infrastructure, create adaptation plans for vulnerable communities, strengthen research facilities, and support workforce development.
The project will generate new data, predictive models, maps and planning tools to enable local officials and community leaders to make informed decisions. By incorporating community input and addressing their specific needs, the project aims to develop equitable and effective climate adaptation strategies.
“Every part of our nation has been impacted by the changing climate. We build a sustainable future for all by investing in climate resilience research and solutions across our country,” said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. “By empowering researchers from different EPSCoR jurisdictions and enabling collaborations across diverse institutions from the Mountain West to the Gulf Coast, from the Southwest to the mid-Atlantic and New England and beyond, we are driving innovation that fosters STEM opportunities, economic growth and climate-resilient communities.”
The project, one of 14 announced by NSF on July 23, spans 50 institutions across 21 jurisdictions with NSF’s $77.8 million investment aimed at building research and development capacity and strengthening STEM education opportunities.
Scheduled to commence this fall and continue for four years, the project will also provide training and professional development opportunities for graduate students and early-career researchers at UA and partner institutions.
The Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology (CIROH) is a national consortium that brings together academic, government, and private sector partners to advance water prediction and management capabilities. Hosted by The University of Alabama, CIROH focuses on cutting-edge research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and educational initiatives. CIROH is dedicated to enhancing NOAA’s water prediction services, fostering community and stakeholder engagement, and supporting sustainable water resource management. Through its comprehensive programs, CIROH aims to integrate scientific advancements into practical applications, benefiting communities and policymakers across the United States.