<p>Forecasts favor above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation for the Rio Grande/Bravo Basin through January.</p>
<p>A new study, co-authored by UA primatologist Stacey Tecot, paints a grim picture for the future of greater bamboo lemurs in Madagascar. Human disturbance of tropical rainforests in Madagascar including wildfires, burning and timber exploitation, have led to reduced rainfall and a longer dry season, further pushing the already critically endangered Greater Bamboo Lemur to the brink of extinction.</p>
<p>The UA College of Agriculture and Life Sciences partnered with the Water Resources Research Center and Arizona Public Media to take a deep dive into the water issues facing the Southwest and garnered this year's Rocky Mountain Emmy for Best Topical Documentary. WRRC director Sharon Megdal and her staff provided the film's producer with scientifically accurate information and a list of more than 60 water experts to interview, which included several UA researchers.</p>
<p>September precipitation was much-below average to below average across central and southeastern Arizona, while temperatures were below average to much-above average throughout the state. The three-month outlook for October through December calls for increased chances of below-average precipitation for most of Arizona and New Mexico, and increased chances of above-normal temperatures for the entire southwestern United States</p>
The goals of the Sustainable Bioeconomy for Arid Regions Center will be to address the nation's needs for biofuels and bioproducts, strengthen Arizona's bioeconomy, and provide training for the next generation of scientists and engineers. Kimberly Ogden, director of the UA Institute for Energy Solutions, will head the Sustainable Bioeconomy for Arid Regions Center. Peter Waller and Dennis Ray, researchers from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, will also be involved with the center.
