Articles tagged with Water Conservation
Researchers warn that extreme events like the 'Day Zero' drought could become common by the end of the century due to climate change. The study used high-resolution simulations to conclude that human-caused climate change made the drought five to six times more likely, and such events could impact regions with similar climates.
The article highlights the urgent need to protect freshwater biodiversity, with international research team IGB issuing 14 recommendations for political follow-up agreements. The recommendations focus on recognizing inland waters as a separate ecological 'third realm' and improving monitoring and management of freshwater ecosystems.
A study suggests that conserving aquatic environments in the Amazon can be more efficient than protecting terrestrial species, with benefits reaching 84% of protection for aquatic species. The approach focuses on rivers and lakes, rather than land-based conservation units.
A recent study published in Environmental Research Letters suggests that targeted efforts to increase water efficiency can save enough water annually to fill Lake Mead. The research found that some regions and industries have the greatest potential for water savings, with improved water productivity in corn, cotton, and alfalfa contrib...
A new US study reveals that improving water productivity in certain regions and industries can help conserve water. By setting realistic benchmarks, the research found that areas with high water stress have the most potential for water savings, with around half of those gains coming from agriculture and manufacturing sectors.
Researchers at East Carolina University identify a highly diverse microbial community on a 1960s shipwreck, with iron-oxidizing bacteria contributing to biocorrosion. The study's findings highlight the need for tailored conservation efforts to address unique environmental factors and materials.
A new federal rule leaves millions of miles of unconnected US streams and acres of wetlands unprotected, potentially undermining decades of taxpayer investment in improving water quality. The move risks higher floods, loss of biodiversity, and threats to drinking water and recreational fishing.
California cities can rely on six key strategies to provide for growing populations: conserving water through behavioral changes, reusing non-potable water for irrigation, recycling water for drinking, capturing stormwater runoff, and desalinating seawater. These measures can help reduce costs while increasing the state's water supply.
A new study reveals that climate change is causing a significant loss of water from peatlands, which can accelerate global warming by releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere. This can lead to more intense fires and worsen the boreal landscape.
A study published in Ethology has captured koalas drinking behaviour in the wild for the first time, showing they access water by licking smooth tree trunks. The research highlights the importance of retaining trees for the conservation of the species.
A new study warns of amphibian conservation shortfalls due to climate change, highlighting the need for intelligent manipulation and management of water resources. Researchers found that extending temporary pool availability, restoring natural drying patterns, and releasing environmental flows can improve breeding outcomes.
A new study reveals that China's water use has been decelerating since the 1970s, thanks to the adoption of water-conserving technologies. The study found that irrigation and industrial water recycling drove this reduction, offsetting the increase in water use driven by economic growth.
A study from the University of California, Davis found that whole orchard recycling can sequester 5 tons of carbon per hectare, increase water-use efficiency by 20 percent and boost crop yields by 19 percent. This practice also builds soil nutrients and water retention, mitigating climate change.
A new study found that China's water use has decelerated since the 1980s due to the adoption of efficient irrigation techniques and industrial water recycling technologies. However, uncertainties remain due to land institution transitions, urbanization, and potential increased water use in intensive farming and industrial sectors.
A study found that reef manta rays in New Caledonia are diving much deeper than previously recorded, with maximum depths exceeding 672 meters, and most dives occurring at night.
Researchers estimated significant water conservation and financial savings by switching from running water to an alcohol-based scrub for pre-surgery hand washing. The study suggests this change could lead to substantial reductions in water usage and associated costs.
To create more corridors for wildlife movement, researchers apply a new mapping system to areas next to streams in Okanogan County. The system uses weighted scales to rate naturalness and legal authority, helping organizations prioritize conservation projects and reveal potential areas of coordination.
A new study found that river flow is reduced by an average of 25% within five years and 40% by 25 years after planting trees, with some rivers disappearing completely in a decade. The type of land where trees are planted determines the impact on local water availability.
Researchers found that using a leaching fraction test can justify the amount of irrigation applied and provide a way to monitor irrigation efficiency. The study also showed that small daily adjustments to evapotranspiration-based scheduling programs are not beneficial for saving water compared to adjustments made every 1 to 3 weeks.
The study ranked Asian Water Towers as the most important and most threatened globally, with the Indus water tower being the most relied-upon and vulnerable. Climate change and geopolitical factors pose significant risks to these systems, threatening the water supply for 1.9 billion people.
Researchers are exploring various water management techniques to optimize crop yields and reduce water usage in water-scarce areas. Advanced irrigation technologies, such as mobile drip and precision application, show promise in reducing applied water by up to 20%.
A research project at the University of Córdoba and the University of Zaragoza analyzed legislative changes in water management in Spain, California, and the Murray Darling Basin in Australia. The study shows that despite similarities in agriculture and water scarcity, these regions have distinct approaches to managing their watersheds.
A study published in Nature Sustainability found that most conservation initiatives follow a slow-fast-slow model, where initial adoption is slow but grows quickly as more adopters connect with potential adopters. This understanding can help policymakers design and promote effective conservation programs.
Researchers at Imperial College London identified key factors for successful conservation initiatives, including facilitating contact between adopters and potential adopters. Most initiatives followed a slow-fast-slow model, where initial adoption is slow but grows quickly as more early adopters connect with potential adopters.
A research team led by the University of Tsukuba created the most complete recording of a human swimming underwater like an eel or lamprey. The study found that jets produced by coalescing vortices help explain the efficiency of this swimming method, which might be applied to novel propulsion systems.
The UMD CONSERVE Center develops safe, alternative irrigation strategies to sustain food production in a changing climate. Non-traditional water sources like reclaimed water, brackish water, and return flows hold promise, but require additional treatments to reduce microbial and chemical contaminants.
A smart sink was tested at Stanford University to see if it could help people use less water while still being comfortable. The results showed that participants used up to 26% less water when washing dishes with the automated faucet.
A predictive model combining plant physiology, soil conditions, and weather forecasts helps make informed decisions about irrigation, conserving up to 40% of water used. The research also aims to identify the best method for each crop and determine the costs and benefits of switching to an automated system.
A new study highlights the importance of introducing conservation measures upstream from where droughts are likely to cause shortages. The research found that effective policies can conserve water but have limited ability to mitigate shortages, as timing and location mismatch
Scientists discover that rapid warming in the Gulf of Maine's depths is changing food availability and increasing risk to North Atlantic right whales. The study reveals that climate-driven changes are rippling throughout the ecosystem, making conservation efforts challenging.
A study by IIASA suggests prioritizing water for the environment can be achieved by shifting crop production to water-abundant regions and tripling international food trade. This approach could help maintain both food security and environmental flow requirements by 2050.
The study identifies four major problems with the United Nation's Aichi Target 11, including perverse outcomes and ineffective conservation efforts. The authors argue that outcome-based targets for protected areas are needed to achieve biodiversity goals.
Ecologists at the University of Arizona identified a tradeoff between water use and reproduction that allows winter desert plants to survive. The study found that plants conserving water and growing slowly, or spending water by tracking rainfall, are best balanced along this tradeoff.
Researchers found that emphasizing peer group norms and social identities can encourage people to conserve water. In studies across Norfolk, 'ingroup norms appeal' messages increased water savings by 7-14 litres per shower and boosted sign-ups for a free retrofitting service.
The ECOSTRESS mission aims to provide critical data for irrigation, enabling farmers to optimize water usage and reduce drought vulnerability. By measuring surface temperature, scientists can calculate evapotranspiration and identify which plants are using water most efficiently.
Scientists at the University of Southampton have developed maps of chemicals found in jellyfish, which can verify seafood origin and detect food fraud. The maps will aid conservation efforts and provide a tool for policy makers to manage UK waters.
A recent study published in Ursus highlights the significance of water holes not only as drinking water sources but also as sites for Andean bears to communicate with each other. The locations of rubbed trees and shrubs near water holes were concentrated on trails, indicating potential conflicts between humans and bears.
The study developed three water sector development scenarios to compare costs and impacts of achieving SDG6 goals and meeting climate targets. The analysis shows that combining clean water and climate policies can increase implementation costs, but these increases are relatively small compared to the cost for implementing each policy o...
A new peanut variety has been discovered to conserve water during droughts, allowing it to maintain a high yield as the soil dries out. By reducing transpiration earlier in the drought cycle, the plant saves water for later use, resulting in increased productivity.
A four-year scientific study by a University of Arizona-led binational team has provided a road map for restoration in the Colorado River Delta. The report documents the effects of environmental flows on native plants and groundwater, revealing increased bird diversity and recharge of groundwater.
The UTA College of Architecture is working to advance water research with a focus on sustainability through its new UNESCO chair and a $1 million STARs grant. The college aims to explore ways to equitably manage the region's water resources, building on existing research efforts.
Researchers at North Carolina State University found that drones can be used to count and make species-level identifications of marine megafauna, particularly in shallow marine environments. The technology offers a valuable platform for scientists and conservationists to study populations and inform conservation efforts.
The Bureau of Reclamation has released a report identifying innovative approaches to improve drought resiliency in the Washita Basin. The study used tree ring data to develop a new reservoir operations model, predicting that paleo droughts could have far greater impacts on reservoir yield than observed droughts.
A new study reveals that dams and reservoirs can have unintended consequences, including exacerbating droughts and water shortages. The research team found that increasing storage capacity can lead to a vicious cycle of higher demand and decreased sustainability.
A team of researchers suggests harnessing geothermal energy to power desalination plants, reducing the need for traditional methods and minimizing carbon emissions. The proposed system could provide a sustainable source of drinking water while also generating electricity.
Rice plants engineered to have fewer stomata are more tolerant of drought and resilient to future climate change, conserving water and surviving longer under drought and high temperatures. This discovery has significant implications for food security as much of the global rice crop relies on rain-fed agricultural systems.
Researchers found that producing and deploying shade balls to prevent evaporation in reservoirs may actually consume more water than they conserve. The study estimates that for every drop of water saved by the balls, over one drop would be used elsewhere due to production requirements.
A new process using sand and plant materials from the Moringa oleifera tree could provide cheap and effective water filtration, eliminating bacteria and reducing turbidity. The key to its effectiveness lies in controlling the concentration of seed proteins, which can be reused after cleaning.
A new study by Vanderbilt University researchers reveals that urban water conservation policies are closely tied to a city's political leaning, with left-leaning cities adopting stronger water-saving measures. This finding suggests that water conservation may be more politicized than previously thought, and could have important implica...
A recent study by Melinda Knuth of Texas A&M University explores the importance of efficient water usage in landscaping and horticulture. The research suggests that relying on recycled water can help conserve this diminishing resource, ultimately benefiting both human life and plant growth.
A Dartmouth-led research study found that New Hampshire's streams will warm due to climate change, impacting species dependent on cold water. The study suggests that watersheds with colder temperatures and less sensitivity to air temperature changes should be prioritized for conservation.
A two-year scientific study by the University of Exeter and Cefas is tracking Atlantic bluefin tuna movements in UK waters to aid conservation efforts. The study aims to improve knowledge on the species' migration patterns, habitat use, and interactions with fisheries.
A recent study at Lake Abert found that low water levels and high salinity affect the availability of brine shrimp, a key food source for waterbirds. The lake's surface area has decreased by nearly 200 football fields since 1986, resulting in a 82% decline in bird sightings during periods of low water and high salinity.
Researchers have improved crop water-use-efficiency by 25% without compromising yield, using a single gene. The team increased photosynthetic protein PsbS levels to conserve water, allowing plants to grow faster and yield more during dry spells.
A new study demonstrates how conservation techniques championed by Maine lobstermen help mitigate the impacts of warming oceans. The research found that conservation efforts prepared the Gulf of Maine population for temperature changes, leading to a 515% increase in lobster abundance.
Water-saving measures in California have led to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and electricity consumption. The study found that the decrease in water usage translated into a substantial electricity saving, equivalent to 1,830 gigawatt hours.
A PSU researcher has discovered that small inland ponds account for a significant portion of carbon dioxide and methane emissions from inland waters. Her study, published in Nature Geoscience, revealed that these small ponds, despite being only 9% of the total surface area, contribute 15% of CO2 emissions and 41% of methane emissions.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a method to tailor water releases from dams to promote the success of native fish species while controlling invasive non-native species. This approach, known as designer flows, can benefit both humans and freshwater ecosystems in arid regions where water is scarce.
Research at the AGU Fall Meeting found that mistletoe lacks adaptation to conserve water during hot weather, leading to increased evaporation and potential tree death. Trees with high mistletoe levels become less healthy and can die when dry spells persist.
The publication of the buffalo genome provides essential reference point for studies on molecular genetics, helping breeders enhance desirable characteristics and researchers preserve diversity. A molecular tool, Buffalo SNP chip, has been developed to apply modern molecular breeding systems to water buffalo.