You are here:
AN INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO VALUING WATER FROM BRUSH CONTROL
Citation:
Lemberg**, B, J. W. Mjelde, R. Connor, R. C. Griffin, W. D. Rosenthal, AND J. W. Stuth. AN INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO VALUING WATER FROM BRUSH CONTROL. Warwick, J.J. (ed.), JOURNAL OF AMERICAN WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION. American Water Resources Association, Middleburg, VA, 38(2):409-422, (2002).
Description:
An analytical methodology utilizing models from three disciplines is developed to assess the viability of brush control for wate yield in the Frio River Basin, TX. Ecological, hydrologic, and economic models are used to portray changes in forage production and water supply resulting from brush control, and to value supplemental water produced through brush control. Site-specific biophysical characteristics are used to simulate water yields from brush control across the watershed. Economic benefits from increased animal production for ranchers undertaking brush control are assessed. Benefits to Corpus Christi residential water consumers from ranchers' brush control activities are evaluated using the change in consumer surplus resulting from supplemental water produced through brush control. Results indicate an increase in water yield with brush control on 35% of the land area in the basin. However, the cost of brush controlis more than the increase in returns it fosters on most range sites. Consumer surplus change for Corpus Christi residents over 25 years is zero under bseline conditions, implying subsidies for brush control in the Frio basin are not worthwhile at this time.