Dr. Samira Daroub

Professor, Soil and Water Sciences

Environmental issues dealing with soil and water quality; develop and implement Best Management Practices to reduce phosphorus leaching in soils and transport into surface waters in the Everglades in south Florida; sustainability of organic soils and agriculture in the Everglades Agricultural Area; computer simulation of crop growth and development; build individual and institutional capacity among Middle Eastern universities in water resources though distance education.

Program Areas

Research

Implementation and Verification of BMPs To Reduce Everglades Agricultural Area Farm P Loads:Floating Aquatic Vegetation Impact on Farm P Load: The goal of this research is improved management of floating aquatic vegetation (FAV) in Everglades Agricultural Area farm canals. The hypothesis of the research is that FAV-free canals will be found to produce more cohesive, less reactive sediments due to increased light penetration resulting from the change in farm canal aquatic plant community.
Synoptic sediment collection and analysis investigation of the primary canals in two of the Eastern sub basins. The objective of this research is to characterize the sediments in the Eastern EAA Sub-Basins at two major canals: the West Palm Beach and the Hillsborough Canals during the wet and dry season.
Water and Livelihood Initiative (WLI) in Middle East. The goal of the WLI is to improve the livelihoods of rural households and communities in areas where water scarcity, land degradation, water quality deterioration, food security and health problems are prevalent in the seven participating countries (Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Iraq and Yemen), focusing initially on specific benchmark sites. This project is directed by ICARDA (International Center for Research in the Dry Areas) and funded by USAID (US Agency for International Development). There are 7 participating US universities (U of Florida, U of California, Davis, U of California, Riverside, Texas A&M, Utah State U, and U of Illinois). In addition, there are several Middle Eastern Universities participating.
Best Management Practices Research & Reports

Teaching

Detailed schedule of online classes at the Soil and Water Sciences Department (Link to): http://soils.ifas.ufl.edu/sws-online/all-distance-education-courses/

SWS 3022 - Introduction to Soils and the Environment (Every Spring)
SWS 3022L - Introduction to Soils in the Environment Lab (odd Spring)
SWS 4116 - Environmental Nutrient Management (Even Fall)
SWS 5050 - Soils for Environmental Professionals (Every Spring)
SWS 5115 - Environmental Nutrient Management (Even Fall)
SWS 5406 - Soil and Water Chemistry (Odd Fall)

Graduate Students

	Claire Friedrichsen, PhD Student Claire is examining decision-making processes in soil management. She looks at how stakeholders perceive soil management as part of the food system and their perception of how soil health relates to their own food security. Claire’s current research is looking at communities in India and Haiti who are participating in community development programs.
	Andres Rodriguez, PhD Student Andres' research interests are in the nutrient management and soil conservation areas. He is currently studying soil subsidence and soil carbon in the Everglades Agricultural Area. His objective is to provide information that can be used by farmers in order to achieve a sustainable use of the organic soils of the EAA.
	Jonathan Diller, MS Student
	Rachelle Berger, MS Student