Articles tagged with Wetlands
A new modeling study predicts that coastal marsh migration will release more carbon into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change. As marshes move inland due to sea level rise, they convert land from a net carbon sink to a net carbon source, releasing stored carbon into the air.
Great Salt Lake wetland plants can accumulate hazardous metal pollution, which can be passed up the food chain to herbivorous insects. This study found high concentrations of lead, mercury, and other metals in plant tissues, threatening terrestrial ecosystems.
A new study reveals that tidal flats in the southeastern US are under pressure from urbanization, leading to erosion and loss of these critical ecosystem guardians. The research highlights the need for sustainable management plans to mitigate the impacts of urban expansion on coastal environments.
A 10-year citizen science study found that UK bumblebees need varied habitats to thrive. The study identified specific habitat requirements for different species, including arable areas and semi-natural land, highlighting the need for targeted conservation efforts.
A new study published in Science Advances reveals that the environmental stress of too much water wipes out the plant growth benefits of higher CO2 levels. Rising sea levels have caused the effects of increased CO2 to disappear in a 33-year field experiment, highlighting the critical need for conservation and adaptation efforts.
Researchers investigated the impact of seasonal variations in methanogenic and methanotrophic communities on CH4 emissions in wetlands. They identified a keystone species that plays a pivotal role in mediating CH4 fluxes, providing substantial evidence for understanding microbial driving mechanisms.
A new study reveals that innovative restoration practices can replicate natural landscape-building processes in wetlands, enhancing their carbon-storing potential. Successful restorations require dense plant clumps or large areas restored in one go to mimic the plants' landscape-forming properties.
Researchers found that Australian native rushes, including Phragmites australis, can significantly remove PFAS chemicals from contaminated surface water. The study used floating wetlands as a mechanism for plants to grow hydroponically and showed a 42-53% removal of legacy PFAS contaminants.
A new study by Resources for the Future and Columbia University finds that losing a hectare of wetlands can cost society an average of $1,900 in flood damages per year. In developed areas, this figure rises to over $8,000. The research highlights the importance of preserving wetlands for flood mitigation.
Researchers found a wetland plant capable of reducing PFAS in soil and water, improving filtration efficiency. The study suggests using floating reed beds to increase PFAS removal rates, highlighting the potential for phyto-extraction as a remediation strategy.
Researchers discover new species of burrowing frog, Synapturanus danta, in Amazon peatlands. The frogs' unique calls and adaptations make them an important part of their underground ecosystem, contributing to nutrient cycling and soil structure.
A new study from the University of Waterloo provides a roadmap for faster improvements in water quality by tackling nitrogen legacies. The research recommends six steps to address this critical issue, which has persisted for decades due to excess nitrogen fertilizers.
Researchers found that microbes in the soils generate methane gas, which is then processed as it moves through dead trees. The findings shed light on the sources of greenhouse gas emissions from ghost forests, a growing concern due to rising sea levels.
Southern Ontario's wetlands filter out phosphorus and sediments from water, providing $4.2 billion worth of sediment filtration services each year. This is the first economic valuation study to separate the values of major wetland types, with marshes being the most valuable for sediment filtration.
A recent study by Duke University researchers identified a critical salinity threshold of 265 parts per million sodium for understory plants in coastal wetlands. Above this level, the marsh floor undergoes significant changes, with rushes and reeds dominating over salt-tolerant plants.
A new study confirms that emissions from anthropogenic sources, including agriculture, landfill/waste, and fossil fuel industry, are the driver for the renewed rise of potent greenhouse gas since 2007. Global wetlands play a minor role with less than 20% contribution to atmospheric methane.
Despite over 200 restored wetlands in Denmark, botanical diversity remains low, with only 9.5 species per four square meters found in the studied areas. High nutrient input from agriculture continues to affect plant species dispersal and immigration, making it a significant barrier to increased biodiversity.
Research reveals that tree root systems are a significant source of methane emissions in wetland areas, including the Amazon basin. The study suggests that existing models may be underestimating methane emissions by neglecting the role of trees.
A new study using methane stable isotopes and thousands of emissions scenarios confirms that agricultural emissions are the primary driver of atmospheric methane increases. Human activities account for 60% of global methane emissions, with significant contributions from agriculture, landfills, and oil and gas industries.
A global meta-analysis supports the U.N.'s goal of restoring habitats, finding mangrove restoration performs better than unvegetated mud, sand flats or abandoned aquaculture ponds. Restored mangroves yield significant ecological benefits and economic value, making them an ecologically and economically sound choice.
Airborne pollen concentrations in Betula microphylla-dominated wetland of Ebinur Lake, Xinjiang, are influenced by meteorological factors such as temperature, precipitation, wind speed, and direction. The study found that airborne pollen composition corresponds to local vegetation and reflects long-distance transported pollen taxa.
Researchers found fish, reptiles, and mammals made up the jaguar's diet, with aquatic prey providing energy to burn or play. The high density of jaguars was attributed to abundant aquatic subsidies in the region.
Researchers used radiokrypton dating to study the origin and flow of freshwater and saltwater in the Floridan Aquifer. The study found that some samples contained 40,000-year-old saltwater from just before the last glacial maximum, highlighting the impact of rising sea levels on coastal aquifers.
A new study by ANU researchers has found human impacts such as deforestation and mining have significantly transformed Lake Kutubu's algal and geochemical compositions. The lake is now showing signs of ecosystem collapse, including plumes of chemicals and health issues for local communities.
Researchers at Binghamton University found that wood frog eggs laid later in the breeding season are less resilient to road salt pollution. The study highlights the complex effects of climate change on amphibian breeding, which may lead to population declines in vulnerable species.
A systematic review of 169 conservation projects worldwide reveals that Indigenous and local communities are crucial for successful nature conservation. The study found that equitable conservation approaches, empowering local communities, yield positive outcomes for both humans and the environment. However, complex factors such as comm...
A new study assesses the impacts of sea level rise and wetland change on storm surge flooding in the Chesapeake Bay region. The results show that even relatively weak storms in 2100 could have a greater impact than high-intensity storms today, with significant property damage and effects on people.
A study by the University of Helsinki found raccoon dogs to be a significant threat to ground-nesting bird populations in Northern Europe. The invasive species was found to destroy nests and prey on farmed mallard eggs, contributing to the decline of waterbird populations.
Research in the southern Murray-Darling Basin has found a downward spiral in water availability, driven by accelerated changes in climate. Since the 1990s, cool season rainfall and river heights have significantly decreased due to increased evaporation and changed precipitation patterns.
Researchers studied six species of amphibian at Slimbridge Wetland Centre during COVID-19 lockdowns and partial reopenings. Amphibian activity varied depending on the number of visitors, with some species more visible when there were fewer people around.
Researchers find constructed wetlands are most cost-effective way to reduce nitrate and sediment loads in large streams and rivers. Wetlands slow down water and contain vegetation that processes nutrients, removing excess nitrates from the water.
Researchers investigated aboveground biomass and its spatial distribution pattern of herbaceous marsh vegetation in China, revealing regional variations in biomass density and total biomass. The study provides a scientific basis for carbon sequestration evaluation and adaptive management of marsh wetlands in China.
A new study found that mangrove forests in Florida suffered unparalleled dieback after Hurricane Irma due to human-made obstacles and changes in natural topography. The research team identified potential explanations, including restricted water flow between areas, which can lead to extreme conditions and degradation of wetland vegetation.
Researchers analyzed sediment cores revealing that pre-Columbian societies used controlled fires and water management techniques from at least 3,500 years ago. This predates changes caused by cattle and new technologies in the region.
A new study warns that major reductions in wetlands will disproportionately affect Afrotropical migratory waterbirds. The research highlights the urgent need for a holistic conservation strategy to address climate change impacts.
A new USGS study reveals lower reproductive rates and higher movement patterns among piping plovers in the Northern Great Plains, suggesting a higher extinction risk than previously assumed. Habitat quality appears to be key, with better habitats supporting improved reproductive output.
Researchers at UMD have developed a new camera allowing for the imaging of wetland soil activity in real time, enabling the calculation of iron reduction rates. This technology opens up new research avenues in soil science, providing a better understanding of wetland soil behavior and its potential applications.
Researchers used NASA satellite images to map changes in northwestern Belize's landscape over four decades, finding significant losses of forest and wetlands. Conservation efforts in protected areas helped maintain forests, which house native flora and fauna and Maya structures.
A global study estimates that nature processes over 2 million cubic meters of human waste annually, equivalent to 41.7 million tons, in 48 cities containing about 82 million people. This natural process contributes significantly to sanitation services, worth approximately $4.4 billion per year.
A novel approach by a West Virginia University researcher aims to gauge restoration success in wetlands. By measuring shrubs at ground level, he advances the criteria for assessing long-term restoration potential, providing a better indication of success.
Scientists have discovered that ancient wetlands experienced increased methane cycling during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, an ancient global warming event. This finding suggests that rapid global warming can disrupt methane cycling in wetlands, potentially exacerbating climate change.
A massive paleo-tsunami struck near ancient Tel Dor between 9,910 to 9,290 years ago, erasing evidence of low-lying coastal villages in the area. The tsunami deposit was discovered through underwater excavation and modeling, with estimated wave heights ranging from 16 to 40 meters.
Researchers found that 84% of newly-created and recolonized beaver ponds remained occupied for more than a year. However, when a wolf kills the beaver, no pond remains active. This study suggests wolves can alter wetland creation without changing beaver abundance or behavior.
Researchers found that rice paddies with a history of being wetlands support more wetland plant species. Land consolidation and agricultural abandonment negatively impact biodiversity. The study's findings may inform conservation efforts and promote sustainable agriculture in the Asian monsoon region.
A new review highlights the severe impacts of drought on global wetland soils, leading to irreversible changes and decreased water quality. The study emphasizes the need for better understanding and protection of these critical ecosystems, which support biodiversity and carbon storage.
Conservation projects that prioritize land-dwelling species can have a significant impact on freshwater ecosystems, increasing benefits by up to 600%. The research found that targeting both terrestrial and aquatic species simultaneously can lead to substantial gains in freshwater conservation. This approach requires considering the con...
A study found that urban wood storks fared better than their natural counterparts during suboptimal conditions, exploiting urban resources to improve reproductive performance. They switched to anthropogenic food sources, including trash and amphibians, to supplement their diets.
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.
A new study reveals that dehydration increases amphibian vulnerability to climate change, with rising temperatures and dry conditions posing a dual threat. By 2080s, habitats may become too hot or dehydrating for many species, forcing them to adapt by moving between habitats more often.
A team of scientists investigated an unusual wetland soil in California, discovering its peculiar properties that misled initial classification. By analyzing color, water content, vegetation, and chemical composition, they applied a new method to accurately classify the soil as hydric, crucial for conservation.
Researchers found that fish eggs can survive gut passage in ducks, with 0.2% of eggs intact after 24 hours. This process may play a key role in the dispersal of invasive fish species, such as Prussian carp, across wide geographic areas.
A study by Curtin University found that tiger snakes living in Perth's urban wetlands are accumulating toxic heavy metals in their livers, suggesting habitat contamination. The snakes' bioaccumulation of heavy metals through eating frogs indicates the wetlands' pollution levels are a concern for local biodiversity.
A new study suggests that northern pintails are caught in an ecological trap, favoring cropland over scarce alternative nesting habitat, leading to nest failures and population decline. Climate change and drainage practices also contribute to their vulnerability.
A Duke University study reveals that low-severity fires shield peatland soils from decay, preserving carbon and slowing down its release into the atmosphere. This 'crème brulee effect' enhances long-term carbon retention, with implications for managing peatlands and addressing climate change.
Researchers have quantified over a century of changes in Cook County, finding 80% wetland loss and species extinctions. The study aims to inform restoring aquatic ecosystems' health.
A new study using DNA metabarcoding reveals the dynamics of metacommunities in a threatened boreal wetland, detecting a broader range of biodiversity per sample compared to traditional methods. The study found that patterns of community assembly were nearly random, suggesting a strong role of randomness in the metacommunity.
Researchers found that whooping crane conservation efforts may inadvertently put the species at risk due to large flock formation. The birds gather in proportionally larger groups as they lose their habitat, increasing the potential impact of disease outbreaks or extreme weather events on a substantial portion of the population.
Researchers at Utah State University developed a computer model to help manage wetland, floodplain and aquatic habitats. The Watershed Area of Suitable Habitat systems model, known as WASH, identifies optimal water allocation strategies to improve habitat quality and area.
A new study estimates the monetary value of wetlands' property-protecting services, with one square kilometer valued at $1.8 million annually. Coastal counties with more wetlands experience less property damage from hurricanes and tropical storms.
US counties with more wetlands experienced significantly less property damage from hurricanes and tropical storms over a recent 20-year period. Coastal wetlands serve as natural levees, reducing property damage by up to $430 million in Florida since 1996.