Adriana Martinez | SIU

Environmental Resources and Policy - SIUE Cooperative Faculty

Dr. Adriana E. Martinez's research focuses on the influence of human activities along river systems. She most recently studied the interactions between invasive riparian vegetation and stream channels. Vegetation influences river systems, through the interruption and channeling of flow, and is influenced by rivers, through the timing and regularity of inundation and nutrient fluxes. The resurgence of this science, biogeomorphology, is helping researchers better understand river systems and ultimately, helping us more efficiently and effectively restore rivers that have been significantly altered by human practices.

My research focuses on the influence of human activities along river systems. My current work examines the influence of the U.S.-Mexico Border Fence on flooding and the fluvial geomorphology of the Rio Grande River. I am also currently involved in projects regarding archaeological sites in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and environmental justice in the St. Louis Metro East.

Research Interests

• Influence of human activities along river systems 
• Interactions between invasive riparian vegetation and stream channels
• Vegetation influences river systems, through the interruption and channeling of flow, and is influenced by rivers, through the timing and regularity of inundation and nutrient fluxes

Courses

• Introduction to Physical Geography (GEOG 210)
• Introduction to GIS (GEOG 418)
• Applied Methods in Environmental Science (ENSC 210)
• Environmental Science Graduate Seminar (ENSC 505/506)
• Modeling of the Natural Environment (ENSC 573)
• Environmental Sciences Graduate Research Design (ENSC)
• Introduction to Geology and Physical Geography (ESCI 111)
• Geomorphology (GEOG 315)
• Principles of Environmental Science online (ENSC 220)

Research

• A Privately Funded Border Wall Was Already at Risk of Collapsing if Not Fixed. Hurricane Hanna Made It Worse (ProPublica).
• Privately Built Border Wall In Texas Faces Erosion Worsened By Hurricane Hanna (TxPR).
• He Built a Privately Funded Border Wall. It’s Already at Risk of Falling Down if Not Fixed (ProPublica).
• Long-term maintenance for Trump’s border wall could cost billions, but government isn’t saying (Washington Post).
• Trump’s Border Wall Could Cause Flooding in Texas (Scientific American).
• NSF Funds SIUE GEOPATHS Program to Build Education and Career Pathways (SIUE).
• $1M NSF Grant to SIUE Supports Launch of Youth Science Network (SIUE).
• Watershed Nature Center drone flight with GEOPATHS students