Research suggests that rainfall and snowfall in distant mountains can significantly impact river levels years later, highlighting the importance of water table recharge. This phenomenon has significant implications for development in semi-arid regions, emphasizing the need for long-term planning to ensure sustainability.
Researchers found that partial defoliation stimulates micro-organisms to release more nitrogen in the soil. This increase in nitrogen availability allows certain trees to grow larger leaves and recover from initial damage.
A research team led by University of Maine scientists has documented that treating a watershed with additional acids accelerates the loss of critical nutrients calcium and magnesium. The experimentally induced nutrient depletion highlights the impact of acid rain on Maine's forests.
New studies reveal a significant decline in UK species diversity, with insects, plants, and birds showing declines of up to 70% over 20 years. The findings support the 'Sixth Extinction' hypothesis and highlight the need for environmental policies to mitigate the effects of human activity.
A NASA-funded study analyzed urban growth among 30 mid-sized cities using Landsat satellite data, revealing three common spatial patterns of land development. The research provides current global assessments of urbanization, including growth in Africa, and highlights the need for updated maps to inform climate modeling and social scien...
Fourteen individuals elected to Soil Science Society of America Fellowship for professional achievements and meritorious service in the field. The award honors outstanding contributions to agronomy and soil sciences.
A recent study published in Nature announces a major advance in the study of Amazon Basin's hydrology and geochemistry dynamics. The research partnership has yielded precise measurements of water, sediment, and geochemical inputs contributed by the Amazon's main tributaries.
A new study by OHSU scientists explores the impact of hydrologic alteration on salmon populations, revealing a 52% reduction in shallow water habitat due to diking. The research also shows that flow-cycle alteration would have reduced spring-freshet shallow water habitat by 29%.
Researchers chart seismic effects on water levels to better understand the impact of earthquakes on hydrology. The study found that wells and aquifers respond differently to earthquakes than surface water, with effects recorded at greater distances.
The System Assessment Capability (SAC) is an integrated system of computer models and databases that predicts the movement and fate of contaminants through the vadose zone, groundwater, and Columbia River. SAC assesses the impact of contaminants on human health, animals, and the environment, providing a comprehensive understanding of c...
NASA's Aqua satellite and a P-3 Orion aircraft are conducting a joint research effort to gather data on snowfall and rainfall in Wakasa Bay, Japan. The study aims to improve the accuracy of global hydrologic cycle data and better understand precipitation patterns in the north Pacific.
Hydrologist Robert Lenhard has refined current constitutive theory to predict residual NAPL distribution in subsurface, resolving a critical contamination modeling problem. His new model predicts pulse-like contamination generation during heavy rainstorms and flooding, influencing environmental remediation choices.
Researchers used DNA sequences to identify hybridization and introgression in Phlox species, tracing the Eurasian source of invasive Tamarix species. The study found that a novel hybrid plant genotype is contributing to the invasion's spread, affecting biodiversity and hydrology in fragile environments.
Deforestation rates in Brazilian Amazonia averaged seven football fields per minute, with highway proximity being a significant predictor. Current policy initiatives to expand infrastructure networks will likely increase deforestation activity, particularly in south-easterly areas.
Satellite observations show northern regions experiencing a 'greening' trend over the past two decades, with spring advancing by about a week and summer maximum leaf cover increasing. The LPJ model confirms this trend, attributing it to warming caused by climate change, while also highlighting other factors such as increased carbon dio...
Researchers found that groundwater in aquifers is generally older than expected based on flow velocity, due to mixing between aquitards and aquifers. This discovery has significant implications for estimating water supply yields and predicting contaminant migration rates.
The Suquamish and Port Gamble S'Klallam tribes are working together with geologists to manage water quality through a long-term approach. They have established staff gauges and monitoring wells, as well as implemented wetland protection programs and watershed studies to protect their water resources for at least seven generations.
The American Geophysical Union is hosting its Fall Meeting, featuring a range of scientific sessions and press conferences. Press registrants include over 60 journalists from major publications, covering topics such as climate change, natural hazards, and space exploration.
A new Amazon rainforest field research facility will conduct extensive ecological studies to understand the region's impact on global change. Scientists from around the world will study logging effects, carbon exchanges, and ecosystem cycles.
The American Geophysical Union has made the Spring Meeting abstracts and session information available online. Reporters can search for papers of interest using parameters such as scientist name, institution, geographic location, and topic. Press conferences are also being organized to cover significant scientific news.
The 96th Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers features presentations on various topics, including urban heat islands, research with blind pedestrians, and analysis of divorce trends. The meeting highlights innovative technologies to aid visually impaired individuals and explores population growth patterns in small ...
Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory have discovered that microorganisms can break down urea and promote the formation of calcite, trapping radioactive strontium-90. This process could be used to contain contaminant until it decays away, potentially providing a cheaper and safer alternative to surface extraction.
A new research project aims to study the relationship between hydrology, plant, animal, and human communities in the Cosumnes watershed. The project will inform river and floodplain restoration programs throughout the Central Valley.
The conference in Italy will discuss global change's effects on protected areas, including coastal erosions, water resources, and ski resorts. The event will also examine the impact of climate change on biodiversity and explore options for human intervention.
A new study by Penn State researchers improves the regional climate assessment of the Mid-Atlantic Region. The research involved gathering input from over 95 stakeholders representing industry, environmental groups, government, and research organizations. Key findings highlight the importance of human health in addressing global change...
Climate models project a 23-30% decline in mountain snowpack by 2025, and up to 61% by 2095. This could drastically alter hydrology and water resource management in the region.
The study adds 1998 data to a two-decade global temperature trend, showing significant warming in the troposphere and cooling in the lower stratosphere. The results contradict past claims that the lower tropospheric data show no warming trend.
The CloudSat spacecraft will produce detailed three-dimensional images of vertical cloud structures, missing from current weather forecasting models. Colorado State technology also contributes to a second NASA mission studying aerosols and thin clouds, enhancing climate change understanding.
Researchers have found that decreasing pan evaporation does not necessarily mean less evaporation in surrounding landscapes. By considering regional land-surface moisture, environmental engineers explain how evaporation figures can drop due to saturated terrain, resolving the paradox.
Researchers found a direct correlation between high nitrate levels and nitrogen-rich bedrock in California's Sierra Nevada mountain range. Nitrogen-rich rocks released into the environment can cause massive algae blooms and affect human health.
The third Convection and Moisture Experiment (CAMEX-3) campaign observed rare lightning fields and purple sprites in the eye of Hurricane Georges. The team studied the hurricane's unique characteristics, including large cloud turrets and variable wind speeds.
Researchers are studying the upper levels of hurricanes to understand their mechanics, a shift from traditional middle-altitude observations. This is part of ongoing research to save lives by providing more accurate data on storm intensity and energy exchange.
The image clearly demonstrates the principle behind UHIPP, showing how natural and manmade surfaces affect city temperatures. Urban forests are crucial in keeping cities cool, according to Dr. Jeff Luvall, and streamside vegetation has a cooling effect as streams flow from mountains.
A 20-acre Pennsylvania watershed was extensively measured in the 1970s, providing valuable data for calibration of runoff models. The study revealed differences in water behavior between south- and north-facing slopes, with implications for understanding small-scale hydrology.
The USGS is developing simulation models to evaluate the effects of proposed remedial actions on stream chemistry in abandoned mine lands. These models are applied to St. Kevin Gulch, a small stream near Leadville, Colorado, providing estimates of water quality that reflect the impact of proposed actions.
Urban Heat Island Pilot Project measures city cooling with urban forests. Cities like Sacramento & Salt Lake City use trees to reduce surface heating, improving air quality & mitigating heat stress. The study helps develop planning strategies for cities worldwide.
A space-based network of sensors is showing value in spotting and tracking storms that are likely to spawn tornadoes. Storms that sent tornadoes through Georgia and Florida were observed from orbit by special sensors a few hours before and after they struck, providing critical data for improving tornado warnings.
NASA's Global Hydrology and Climate Center provides real-time geostationary satellite data, enabling users to view weather formations, temperature, winds, and precipitation in various regions. The center offers an interactive viewer with low-resolution animations and on-demand image sequences.
The increasing demand for food is projected to lead to the conversion of natural ecosystems into intensive agricultural systems, resulting in substantial environmental degradation. The study highlights the need for strategies like GIS-based management to mitigate land use changes and preserve vegetation and soil health.
A new coupled hydrologic model system simulates storm events and river basin response by linking atmospheric and hydrological models. The model was tested on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River basin, showing improved results with historic meteorological data compared to atmospheric predictions.
December 1997 was the coldest month on record in the Earth's lower stratosphere, indicating a cooling trend over the past 15 years. This is consistent with ozone depletion in the lower stratosphere.
Boston University is participating in the National Computational Science Alliance to build a network of advanced computers for complex problem-solving in fields like cosmology and nanomaterials. The university will establish a regional center, MARINER, offering training and access on high-performance computing resources.
The USGS is providing crucial information for restoring the South Florida ecosystem through multidisciplinary research activities. The latest data on pre-development environmental conditions, contaminant transport, and physical conditions in Florida Bay are being shared to inform land and water resource managers.
Recent satellite and in-situ measurements reveal no definitive warming trend in the tropical free troposphere over the past two decades. The low humidity in this region allows more infrared radiation to escape from the Earth, cooling the atmosphere. Current computer models inaccurately handle humidity processes in this region.
A new RFF issues brief highlights the potential impacts of climate change on water supplies, including increased precipitation, evapotranspiration, and extreme weather events. The report emphasizes the need for more efficient water management and use to mitigate these effects.
Researchers are studying the impact of Atlanta's growth on its air quality and temperatures over two decades. Trees have been found to reduce temperatures, with a difference of up to 31 degrees between paved areas and tree-lined spaces. The study aims to provide insights for cities reshaping themselves for comfort and lower heating bills.
The study enhances lightning detection capabilities with total lightning measurements, providing more accurate forecasts of severe storms and storm morphology. This technology has the potential to improve space launch weather support and reduce delays or scrubs due to adverse weather conditions.
Research from NASA and the Global Hydrology and Climate Center suggests that the temperature structure of the atmosphere is more complex than previously thought. The study found a slight downward trend in the lower troposphere since 1979, while surface measurements show a warming trend.
Researchers investigated urbanized watersheds in four US regions over 50 years, comparing stream flow data with population growth. They found that higher population densities led to increased stream flow despite lower precipitation levels.
NASA and University of Alabama scientists report the coldest September on record, with a cooling trend in the stratosphere. The data contradicts rising surface temperatures, fueling discussions about global warming.
Experts argue that global change research should focus on predicting rainfall patterns rather than temperature changes. Changes in rainfall can have significant effects on human activities and structures, such as road design and agriculture. By prioritizing rainfall prediction, researchers can help mitigate severe floods and droughts.