Effects of Climatic Variability and Land Use on American Drylands

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Native Lands

Studies of Native land are focused on the Navajo Nation. These studies examine the geologic controls on the quality groundwater and spring water, in which arsenic contents are a concern; the effects of climate change and variability on geologic processes and deposits, including sand-dune activity; and interrelations among climate, geology, and past and current settlement patterns. Through collaboration with Dine College in Shiprock, we supported the development of a K-12 culturally-based earth-science curriculum.

The studies described here were conducted by the American Drylands project until 2005 and are maintained for archival purposes. The USGS Global Change Program currently supports these and added investigations in the Navajo Nation Studies Project, under the direction of Margaret Hiza Redsteer.

For more information, select from the following topics:

• Climate change, groundwater quality, geology, and settlement in the Tsezhin Bii' region of the Navajo Nation
• Sand dunes in Navajo lands-controls on stability and effects of ongoing drought
• Communication, outreach, and mentoring