Researchers tracked 22 striped bass in response to severe storms in the Hudson River Estuary and New York Harbor. The study found that fish rapidly left the area, moving south along the coast, and some adopted new migration behaviors. This change may impact fish populations and breeding habits.
A new study suggests that improvements in air quality over the Potomac watershed led to recent progress on water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. Researchers found a nearly universal improvement in water quality, with decreasing nitrate concentrations and reversing nitrogen saturation in the basin.
A new study suggests that estuaries like the Chesapeake Bay could be a significant source of atmospheric methane, potentially more so than previously thought. Methane release is linked to eutrophication and anoxia in these bodies of water.
A recent study found that underwater grass beds at Susquehanna Flats can protect and maintain their own health despite harsh conditions. The beds exhibit a natural ability to reduce damage from extreme events through biophysical feedback processes.
Researchers used stable isotope and genetic analysis to determine the summering grounds of bats killed by wind turbines in the Appalachian region. The study found that intensive wind-energy development may affect bat species differently, with some populations better able to absorb turbine-related deaths.
A study by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science found that emissions controls on coal-fired power plants reduced mercury levels in the air by up to 75% over a 10-year period. This reduction was strongly correlated with power plant emissions from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
A new study finds that Chesapeake Bay surface water temperature is increasing rapidly, with trends detected in over 92% of the Bay. The study suggests that warming waters signal spawning time for fish and exacerbate eutrophication and algal blooms.
Researchers aim to restore streams to their natural state with minimal cost and time investment. They will examine various restoration methods and sites to determine which techniques work best to achieve ecological benefits.
A recent study documents a significant increase in harmful algal blooms in the Chesapeake Bay over the past 20 years, fueled by excessive nitrogen runoff. The findings highlight the need for continued efforts to reduce nutrient pollution and restore a healthy ecosystem in the Bay.
A group of scientists, economists, and agriculture experts is working together to develop sustainable farming practices that minimize environmental pollution. The goal is to increase food production while ensuring farmers can make a living and the environment remains healthy.
Alyson Santoro's research focuses on understanding archaea, essential components of nutrient cycles in the ocean. She aims to uncover how these microorganisms affect the earth's climate by studying areas with low oxygen zones. Her work has the potential to make substantial contributions to marine microbiology.
Bacteria living in marine sponges capture phosphorus from the water and convert it into polyphosphate, a form of phosphorus usable by the reef community. This discovery sheds new light on nutrient cycling in coral reefs.
A study recommends ongoing assessment of offshore wind farm impacts on marine species, particularly sound emissions and behavioral responses. The researchers suggest targeted data collection to inform regulatory decisions, minimizing negative environmental impacts.
Researchers have developed a new tool to predict how organisms may respond to climate change, focusing on plant and tree species. By combining genetic analyses with computer modeling techniques, scientists identified how well balsam poplar trees are adapted to handle climate change, providing valuable insights into biodiversity.
A new study reveals that modest reductions in nutrient pollution led to long-term improvements in water clarity, allowing underwater grasses to thrive. The plants' rapid growth was fueled by positive feedback loops, where they improved their own growing conditions and resisted disturbances.
Scientists discovered a female-specific hormone in blue crab eyestalks that regulates development of reproductive structures for mating and childcare. This hormone is required for maternal care and triggers development of special receptacles to store sperm, as well as hair-like structures to hold fertilized eggs.
A study published in The Journal of Mammalogy found that female prairie dogs who mate with two or more males rear more offspring than those that mate with only one male. The research, led by John Hoogland, suggests that the benefits of polyandry outweigh the costs for most species of prairie dogs.
A new study assesses the impact of offshore wind farm construction on marine mammals, providing a framework to mitigate potential harm. The research focuses on harbor seals and could inform climate change targets while protecting endangered species.
Researchers developed a high-resolution map of streams in the Potomac River watershed, revealing previously hidden streams and improving understanding of urbanization's impact on aquatic ecosystems. The study's findings have significant implications for sustainable development and land use decisions.
Researchers at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science have successfully developed a completely vegetarian diet that supports fast-growing marine carnivores like cobia and gilthead sea bream. This breakthrough could significantly ease aquaculture's reliance on wild-caught fish, making the industry more sustainable.
Researchers analyze fossil records to understand how past climate changes affected species interactions, potentially revealing patterns for predicting future changes. This study's findings suggest that similar processes drive natural systems' responses to climate change.
A new study suggests that oyster populations can recover faster with reduced fishing pressure and improved habitats. The research model indicates that halting or reducing fishing could lead to a healthier population restored within 50-500 years.
Researchers are using fossilized tree pollen and mammal fossils to understand how plants and animals responded to past climate changes. They aim to develop better models to predict forest responses to future climate changes.
A study by behavioral ecologist John Hoogland found that prairie dogs are more likely to disperse in the absence of nearby close kin. This unique pattern is attributed to the benefits of cooperation with close kin, including shared resources and defense against predators.
A distributed biological observatory in the North American Arctic will monitor the biological response to sea ice retreat and environmental changes in the Bering and Chukchi Seas. The project aims to track how Arctic creatures respond to climate change and understand its effects on higher organisms.
Researchers will analyze DNA of hundreds of balsam poplar trees to identify genes responsible for adaptation traits, combining with satellite maps and modeling techniques to predict regions at risk. This knowledge will help prioritize conservation efforts and understand the health of forests under changing climates.
A new study aims to develop fishing management guidelines for Atlantic menhaden, a crucial food source for larger fish and marine mammals. The research will help ensure the species' survival and maintain ecosystem balance.
A new study found that feeding probiotics to baby zebrafish accelerated their development and increased their chances of survival into adulthood. The researchers discovered that the probiotics helped promote growth, including bone and vertebrae development, by reducing stress on the fish's gastrointestinal tract.
Scientists have identified a new signaling system in bacteria that enables them to produce an appendage, swim away, and inhibit biofilm formation. This discovery could lead to understanding how to break up harmful bacterial biofilms on teeth or medical devices.
The Maryland-Delaware Climate Change Education, Assessment, and Research (MADE CLEAR) partnership aims to deliver effective climate change education as a national model. The initiative connects scientists, educators, and policymakers to promote critical thinking and scientific objectivity in the classroom.
Jan Vicente, a graduate student at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, has been awarded a NOAA Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship to investigate how ocean acidification affects sponge skeletons. The research will focus on two common Florida Keys sponges and their bacterial communities.
Scientists will analyze satellite pictures, airplane data, and tree core samples to determine how trees respond to longer growing seasons. This study aims to understand whether faster-growing trees are taking more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, a positive factor in combating global warming.
A new project, WhaleWatch, uses satellite data and migration models to identify high-risk areas for whale entanglement and ship strikes. The study aims to provide key information on whale migration patterns and inform management policies.
A new study confirms that oil from the Macondo well made it into the ocean's food chain through zooplankton, with residues detected up to a month after the spill was capped. The oil's unique fingerprint was found in some zooplankton in the Northern Gulf of Mexico ecosystem.
A recent study found that urban heat islands cause trees to turn green earlier in the spring and stay green later into autumn in Mid-Atlantic suburbs. This results in an extended growing season, affecting forests and potentially increasing carbon dioxide uptake.
A new study has identified high-use areas in the Pacific Ocean as potential danger zones for critically endangered leatherback turtles. The research found that leatherbacks can be tracked across entire ocean basins, increasing the risk of being caught in fishing gear and undermining conservation efforts.
Scientists identified a viral infection that causes high mortality among soft-shell crabs, which can result in significant financial losses for Chesapeake Bay watermen. By developing a genome-based technique to detect the virus, researchers aim to help improve the soft shell harvest and bring more profitable products to market.
A new analysis of fossilized grass-pollen grains from ancient European lake and sea bottoms has found that C4 grasses existed 14 million years ago, prior to the previously believed Oligocene epoch. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of these highly productive plants.
The Central Appalachians Stable Isotope Facility (CASIF) was established to study environmental changes using stable isotopes. Researchers now have access to a state-of-the-art instrument for analyzing materials such as water, pollen, and soils.
The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science's Chesapeake Biological Laboratory is rebuilding its historic research pier after receiving a $1.7 million National Science Foundation grant. The pier, which has played a crucial role in climate change and fisheries management research since 1936, sustained major damage from r...
Researchers developed the FishSmart program to improve fisheries management, involving stakeholders in the decision-making process. The program resulted in more conservative harvest measures for king mackerel in the Southeast United States, protecting both commercial and recreational interests.
Research reveals that increased acidity in Chesapeake Bay is reducing rates of juvenile oyster shell formation, highlighting the need for better monitoring and measurement protocols. Acidity levels vary across different regions of the Bay, with some areas becoming more acidic and others more alkaline.
A team of UMCES scientists will study the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on plankton and fish communities in the northern Gulf. They aim to shed light on the environmental consequences by comparing data from previous research cruises.
A new study suggests that reducing nitrogen pollution in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta could help restore the endangered California delta smelt population. The research found that high levels of nitrogen from wastewater treatment plants are affecting the food web and altering the ecology of the system.
A new study published by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science found that 20 major US streams and rivers have experienced statistically significant long-term warming, with increases averaging 0.02-0.14°F per year. This trend is most pronounced in urbanized areas, posing a threat to aquatic biodiversity and ecosyst...
Increased frequency and intensity of oxygen-deprived 'dead zones' along the world's coasts contribute to climate change by emitting nitrous oxide into the atmosphere, exacerbating global warming. The production of nitrous oxide in these waters can lead to ozone holes and increased UV radiation exposure.
A group of renowned environmental scientists is urging the US EPA and Army Corps of Engineers to suspend new mountaintop mining permits, citing extensive scientific evidence of permanent environmental harm and increased human health risks. The authors argue that mitigation practices are ineffective in reversing damage and recommend a 2...
A three-year study of six large Arctic river ecosystems reveals predictable temporal patterns among bacterial communities, suggesting they could be used to monitor climate change. The findings show that these communities shift synchronously over time, correlating with seasonal shifts in hydrology and biogeochemistry.
A three-year research study is examining how freshwater marsh ecosystems react to global environmental change. The study will focus on the formation of marshes and their sensitivity to changes in water levels, biodiversity, and sediment deposition, with results aimed at preventing unintended destruction and restoring degraded marshes.
Researchers Dr. Margaret Palmer and Dr. Solange Filoso caution that market-based environmental restoration programs lack scientific certainty to ensure ecosystem health improvements.