hth华体会体育app官网Yao Wang, assistant professor of landscape architecture, has recently received numerous grants for her research on changing coastal environments in Louisiana and the Southern United States.

NSF: Flood Risk in Louisiana

In August 2024, Wang was co-principal investigator on a team of researchers awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the project titled,"ReDDDoT Phase 2: Climate-Informed Flood Risk Mitigation Sandbox."

"This project aims to address the growing flood risks faced by Louisiana communities, collaborating with public, private, and academic partners, as well as decision-makers from five Louisiana parishes," Wang said."We are developing an interactive flood mitigation software platform—a flood risk mitigation sandbox tool—designed to empower stakeholders to explore, simulate, and evaluate floodplain ordinances while assessing future flood risk impacts."

As climate change intensifies flood risks, this platform will offer data-driven solutions to help communities plan and implement resilient strategies.By incorporating comprehensive datasets, advanced statistical methods, and extensive stakeholder input, the project will deliver scientifically robust and socially responsible flood mitigation tools, with a special focus on supporting low-capacity communities, the researchers said.

The project team also includes: principal investigator  Carol Friedland, LaHouse Director and Associate Professor at LSU AgCenter!Adam Reeder, Md Adilur Rahim, and Rubayet Bin Mostafiz.

Louisiana Sea Grant: Adapting Coastal Louisiana

In June 2024, Wang was funded byLouisiana Sea Grantfor "Evaluating the Integration of Nature-Based Solutions in Coastal Louisiana Parishes for Climate Resilience and Equity."

"The objective of this study is to assess the integration of nature-based solutions (NBS) policies and actions at the local level in Louisiana's coastal zone, with an emphasis on their potential to strengthen climate resilience.The specific aims are: (1) Identify the presence of NBS policies and actions incorporated into parish plans.(2) Investigate differences in the prioritization of NBS policies and actions across parishes.(3) Assess the degree to which NBS policies and actions tackle issues of systemic racism and inequality."

This research aligns with the goals of Louisiana Sea Grant (LSG)'s Resilient Communities and Economies (RCE) focus area, which aims to support coastal communities in adapting to changing conditions and safeguarding their well-being.By exploring the integration of NBS in Louisiana's coastal zone, this study contributes to the development of effective strategies for climate change adaptation and community sustainability, in line with the objectives of LSG's strategic plan.

"Thanks to the Louisiana Sea Grant, Dr.Matthew Bethel, Associate Director for Research," Wang said.

Rural Georgia: Past Louisiana to the U.S.South

In September 2024, Wang's work "Resilience-Based Adaptation in Rural Georgia: A Comparative Analysis of Nature-Based Solutions for Flood Risk Management in Coastal and Inland Counties," with Dr.Qiong Wang, was presented at the University of Georgia Rural Engagement Workshop for Academic Faculty.

"This research focuses on climate-induced flooding in rural Georgia, where 406,440 properties face severe flooding risks within three decades," Wang said.

"Despite mitigation savings, rural areas lack resources and precise geospatial data, hampering effective flood resilience strategies.Current research often overlooks rural green infrastructure, emphasizing the need for rural-specific solutions.The study will use GIS and hydrological modeling to assess flood risks and the benefits of nature-based solutions in Wayne and Brooks counties.By mapping flood-prone areas and evaluating interventions, this project aims to guide policymakers and planners in enhancing climate resilience through well-informed, data-driven decisions.Through collaboration between academic and outreach faculty, UGA can further accelerate this research and directly support rural communities in Georgia, reinforcing its commitment to serving the state's citizens."

Wang is a faculty member at thehth登录Her research encompasses climate resilience (both mitigation and adaptation), environmental planning and policy, community engagement, and sustainability.Her research interests lie "in advancing inclusive engagement strategies within climate change adaptation planning, advocating for power-sharing in the decision-making process to foster equitable procedures and outcomes."