The UNM Department of Civil Engineering, in conjunction with The Research Experience for Undergraduates Program and the National Science Foundation, is providing students with the opportunity to explore numerous research possibilities along the Middle Rio Grande.
Ten undergraduate students, including three from UNM, are participating in the nine-week program, conducting research in and along the Bosque, which could play a significant role in its restoration. Research is centered on the historical and cultural value of water, and the growing concern of water in the West.
Julia Coonrod, an assistant professor of civil engineering and co-principal investigator for the program, said undergraduate involvement is vital to the program's success.
"Our main goal is to get undergraduates involved in research to help retain them and encourage their continuance to graduate school here at UNM," Coonrod said. "By exposing students to the research process, we hope to instill a sort of passion for the things that we do."
Each student will work as part of a research team that also includes faculty involved in the program. Each team will research specific issues such as restoration by removal of non-native species, soil moisture, evaporation and water quality.
John Stormont, UNM associate professor of civil engineering, said that by studying a wide variety of issues, the department can better understand the Middle Rio Grande water issues and in turn, help revitalize the Bosque.
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"One of our projects involves the monitoring of bank erosion where we have removed a number of Russian Olive trees, which are not native to New Mexico," Stormont said. "Bank erosion is a major concern and information from this study will help to determine if the removal of non-native species within the Bosque should include those trees along the river bank."
Stormont said that other project teams are conducting research related to water evaporation through the soil. While the surrounding trees deplete the water supply, little is known about how much water is being evaporated through the soil itself, he said. Depending on how close the water table is to the surface, a significant amount of water may be lost through the soil.
The research teams form a collaborative environment in which each student can work independently and contribute their skills and knowledge.
Michelle Romisher, a UNM senior and civil engineering major who is participating in the program, says that a combination of independence and interdependence is a winning one.
"It has been a fun project," Romisher said. "The professors have all been very supportive, but they stand back and let you do your thing. They allow the student to do the research and in turn, we use our own problem-solving skills."
Stormont says that not only will the program help recruit graduate students, but will also assist in the understanding of restoration activites in the Bosque and provide undergraduate students with an opportunity to participate in the research process.
"This program is unique in that it combines all aspects of research including field work, lab work and analytical work," Stormont said. "This variety keeps the students' interest and exposes them to the different elements of the research process."
