Arid and semiarid rangelands are suitable for responsible biosolids application. Topical application is critical to avoid soil and vegetation disturbance. Surface-applied biosolids have long-lasting effects in these ecosystems. We conducted a 10-year research program investigating effects of biosolids applied at rates from 0 to 90 dry Mg ha−1on soil water infiltration; runoff and leachate water quality; soil erosion; forage production and quality; seedling establishment; plant physiological responses; nitrogen dynamics; biosolids decomposition; and grazing animal behavior and management. Biosolids increased soil water infiltration and reduced erosion. Effects on soil water quality were observed only at the highest application rates. Biosolids increased soil nitrate-nitrogen. Biosolids increased forage production and improved forage quality. Biosolids increased leaf area of grasses; photosynthetic rates were not necessarily increased by biosolids. Biosolids effects on plant establishment are expected only under moderately favorable conditions. Over an 82-mo exposure period, total organic carbon, nitrogen, and total and available phosphorus decreased and inorganic matter increased. Grazing animals spent more time grazing, ruminating, and resting in biosolids-treated areas; positive effects on average daily gain were observed during periods of higher rainfall. Our results suggest that annual biosolids application rates of up to 18 Mg ha−1are appropriate for desert rangelands.

Florida. His professional portfolio includes institutional effectiveness/assessment, grant evaluation, analytics related to student success, and system design. His passion is analyzing institutional data related to student academic factors, psycho-social factors collected using surveys, and demographics to uncover factors impacting student success that could be used in strategic decision making. Some of the current projects have an objective of finding differences among the FTIC and Transfer student population at UCF with respect to student success and engagement metrics, factors impacting retention, graduation and time to graduation. Mr. Nair holds a Bachelor's degree in Engineering (1997) and couple of graduate degrees-Masters in Industrial Engineering (2001) and Business Administration (2012) from the University of Central Florida. Currently he is working on getting his Doctorate in Education-Measurement, Methodology, and Analysis track.