From soil and plant processes

to resilient and sustainable ecosystems

Research on adaptive grazing, agrivoltaics, biofertilizers, biochar, woody encroachment, and bioenergy crops in the Gomez-Casanovas Lab

We integrate laboratory, field, and modeling approaches to advance mechanistic understanding of biogeochemical cycles across carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, energy, and water.

Adaptive Multi-Paddock Grazing

Grasslands cover 70% of global agricultural land and are vital for ecosystem services. Human activities have shifted many grasslands from a cooling effect to a warming effect, creating an urgent need for sustainable management.

This project evaluates Adaptive Multi-Paddock (AMP) grazing, a rotational approach inspired by ancient herds, to affect forage production, gas regulation, and water use efficiency.

Active · FFAR · $3.1M · 2023–2027

Eddy covariance tower measuring greenhouse gas, water and carbon fluxes in an adaptive grazed pasture

Microbiological Fertilizers

Microalgae-based soil amendments can reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers. This project quantifies the environmental and agronomic benefits of microalgae-based fertilizer applications across cropland systems in Texas in collaboration with industry partners. Our goal is to evaluate the response of CO₂ and water fluxes to these amendments to better understand their impacts in semi-arid cropping systems under different management practices.

Active · TX A&M · $1.9M · 2023–2027

Microalgae biofertilizer application on a cotton field in Texas

Woody encroachment

Woody encroachment is a growing socio-ecological challenge requiring innovative, long-term management solutions. Through an integrative approach, we evaluate how soil carbon dynamics respond to existing and emerging strategies — leading to informed, optimized land management.

Active · TX A&M · $1.5M · 2023–2026

Biogeochemical modeling using the DayCent model

Bioenergy crops

The Southern US could produce over 10 billion gallons of advanced biofuels annually — nearly a third of the national target. This project evaluates the environmental sustainability of sugarcane and energy cane by measuring carbon accumulation, nutrient retention, and water use efficiency.

Active · DOE · $134M · 2022–2027

Eddy covariance tower measuring carbon and water fluxes in a sugarcane field

Agrivoltaics - Solar Grazing

Large-scale solar arrays compete with agricultural land — agrivoltaics combines solar panels with crops and grazing to reduce that tension. This projects evaluates how solar grazing affect ecosystem C dynamics and microenvironment as well as productivity of grazinglands.

Active · USDA, Luminant & Texas A&M · $12M+ · 2023–2026

Sheep grazing on a solar farm, studied for effects on soil organic carbon and soil health

Urban agrivoltaics

In this project, we are designing agrivoltaic layouts that support crop production and grazing in urban environments.

Active · Harris County · $134,855 · 2025–2026

Photo courtesy of METCO Engineering