Jelena Vukomanovic is a 2011 Ariel Appleton Fellow

Jelena Vukomanovic, Ph. D. candidate in Arid Lands Resource Sciences at the University of Arizona, is working as an Ariel Appleton Fellow for her second year. She returned this year to continue her work on The Research Ranch Foundation sponsored Ecosystem Services Case Study Project.   The project is an outgrowth of The Research Ranch Foundation’s 2006 Conference, Ecosystem Services in Southwest Grasslands: Bridging the Divide between Producers and Consumers. Feedback from the conference indicated the importance of making ecosystem services data available to landowners, and policy makers, in addition to researchers. Thus, the first phase of this project has focused on preparing Geographic Information Systems maps to visualize potential hazards or threats to ecosystem services within the Sonoita Valley of southern Arizona. These are:  fire, water, exurban development and invasive species. During her 2010 Fellowship year, Ms. Vukomanovic completed an analysis and review of data to be compiled into such hazard maps.  In 2011 Ms. Sandra Doumas, a Geographic Information Systems specialist at the University of Arizona, joined the project for the actual preparation of the maps.  Their efforts, nearing completion, mark a unique compilation of data in one area—offering valuable decision-making tools to those concerned about the state of our southwestern grasslands.

Sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank and The Research Ranch Foundation Ariel Appleton Fellows Program.