Tarleton State University

This Project Will Build U.s. Research and Workforce Capacity at Tarleton State University to Better Understand and Manage Woody Plant Cover Change in Texas Savanna-grassland Working Lands. Woody Encroachment Affects Forage Availability, Biodiversity, and Land Management Outcomes Across Many Texas Rangelands. the Project Will Generate New Baseline Field Data on Woody Cover, Plant Variety, and Productivity and Will Integrate Those Data With Satellite and Gis Analyses of Woody Cover Change and Key Drivers Over the Last 20 Years. Project-generated Datasets Will Be Shared Through USDA'S Ag Data Commons With Appropriate Privacy Protections.education Activities Will Strengthen U.s. Training by Integrating Project-based Learning Into Existing Courses, Supporting Undergraduate Applied Learning Experiences and Graduate Research Training, and Producing Student Research Products and Presentations. the Expected Outcomes Are Improved Baseline Information and Decision Support for Texas Working Lands Management, Strengthened Long-term Research and Education Capacity at Tarleton State University, and a Better-prepared Natural Resources Workforce to Support U.s. Agriculture and Rural Communities.international Collaboration Activities, Where Used, Will Be Limited and Will Directly Support U.s. Project Objectives by Providing Comparative Context and Methodological Insight That Improves Interpretation of Texas Results and Expands the Evidence Base for U.s.-relevant Savanna Rangeland Management. the Project Does Not Propose Regulatory Advocacy and Will Be Implemented Consistent With Applicable Law and Subject to the Availability of Appropriations.