Development of a Framework of Data Interpolation, Scaling, and Homogenization (DISH) for Mapping Natural Resources and Socioeconomic Data in Texas

Spanning across a wide range of climatic regimes, Texas relies on water extracted from rivers and aquifers within its own borders. Climate change and population growth are adding unprecedented stress on Texas waters and other types of natural resources. Quantifying the nexus between natural resources, energy generation, and food production is critically important for sustainable regional planning. Currently, natural resources related datasets for Texas are scattered across disparate data sources and in heterogeneous spatial and temporal resolutions and formats. Frictions related to extraction, processing, and interpretation of data hinder timely decision making activities using this valuable natural resource information.  The main objectives of this Data Imputation, Scaling, and Homogenization (DISH) project were thus two fold: First, to develop and expand toolsets for automating data processing pipelines. Second, to demonstrate the developed toolsets through a number of meaningful use cases related to both natural resources and socioeconomics by using an integrated Web platform.