Articles tagged with Wetlands
A long-term study found that five consecutive years of drought effectively ended copperhead snakes' reproductive output. Snakes produced significantly fewer offspring during and after the drought, with no pregnant females recorded in the year following the drought's end.
Researchers discovered large-scale polycultural agricultural systems for growing crops like avocado and maize in Maya wetlands. The findings suggest these fields were adaptations to major shifts in Maya civilization as food demand increased during the Late Classic period.
Historical regime shifts in coastal wetlands of northeastern Florida indicate mangrove expansion is linked to reduced extreme cold events. Climate model projections suggest increasing temperatures and suitability for mangroves through the end of the 21st century.
The ancient Maya created massive agricultural features in wetlands to respond to population and environmental pressures. This study reveals that the Maya had earlier, more intensive and more wide-ranging anthropogenic impacts on globally important tropical forests than previously known.
A new method for detecting manatee calls could help restore populations of the endangered Antillean manatee. By analyzing underwater recordings, scientists can estimate manatee numbers and understand their habitat use in turbid waters.
A newly discovered bacterium, A6, can break down per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by transferring electrons from ammonium or hydrogen gas, rendering them harmless. The degradation process could potentially biodegrade PFAS in contaminated soil and groundwater under appropriate environmental conditions.
A recent study published in Diversity and Distributions found that beaver-built ponds have a higher biodiversity than other wetlands in the same region, with 50% more species. This research suggests that reintroducing beavers to their native habitat could benefit wider biodiversity and help solve the freshwater biodiversity crisis.
A new study finds that Mississippi River diversions lead to more land loss rather than gain due to increased nutrient availability and flooding. The research suggests that the $5 billion planned future diversions may do more harm than good through unintended consequences.
A new study reveals that approximately 85% of historical tidal wetlands in California, Oregon, and Washington have been lost. The research highlights the importance of restoring these habitats, which are critical nurseries for juvenile salmon and steelhead.
A recent study found that termite activity in wetlands improves soil structure and nutrient content. Termites help turn dead trees into valuable organic matter, increasing crucial soil carbon content.
A recent study reveals that non-native wetland plants have a broader ecological footprint, taking over regions and negatively affecting bird and insect populations. Dominant non-natives outcompete native species, reducing species richness and abundance more than dominant natives do.
Researchers found that hydrology plays a greater role in methane emissions than plant species, highlighting the importance of wetland design. Constructed wetlands can be managed to reduce methane emissions by creating favorable conditions for oxygen delivery and soil saturation.
Researchers reconstructed past moisture conditions and vegetation histories to understand how Arctic wetlands have responded to warming temperatures over the last century. The study found that under certain conditions, Arctic wetlands may transition into peatlands, creating new natural carbon storage systems.
Researchers have documented the oldest known living trees in eastern North America and the longest-lived wetland species in the world. The ancient bald cypress trees are estimated to be around 2,624 years old and were discovered in a forested wetland preserve along the Black River in North Carolina.
A new Yale study uncovers key relationship between storm events, ecology, and topography in moderating greenhouse gas release from rivers and streams. Concentrations of three greenhouse gases increase during rainstorms in wetland streams but decrease or remain constant in forested streams.
Researchers at UC used LIDAR technology to discover ancient farm fields in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, indicating surplus crop production. The discovery supports the idea of a complex market economy among the ancient Maya civilization.
A new study finds that shoreline erosion can transform freshwater wetlands from carbon-storage pools to carbon sources, with a large mismatch between accumulation and erosion rates. The researchers developed a model to assess the impact of freshwater coastal erosion on global carbon budgets.
A recent study found that climate change is reducing waterbird habitats across the Great Basin, resulting in fewer birds in the region. The research, published in Scientific Reports, examined temperature and precipitation data from over a century and compared it with 50 years of bird surveys.
Coastal wetlands worldwide store more carbon than forests and can double their capacity when faced with rising seas. The study found that carbon concentrations in top soil layers increased by 2-4 times, while deeper layers saw a 5-9 times increase.
Researchers discovered that growing littoral zone species like arrow arum, blue-eyed grass, golden club, and lemon bacopa using standard containers, substrates, and controlled-release fertilizer can provide high-quality plants with good growth. These methods can benefit large-scale plant production and bolster ecosystem improvements.
Scientists discovered over 1,000 buried wetland sites worldwide, revealing a record of wetland presence and peat burial. These findings suggest that peat burial can slow down the transfer of carbon from the atmosphere to land, potentially offsetting climate warming.
A Dartmouth College study reveals a complex relationship between climate change, wetland loss, and mercury pollution in marine food webs. Higher levels of mercury are associated with higher organic carbon in coastal waters, leading to increased methylmercury levels in estuarine fish.
A new study from Ohio State University finds that artificial light at night is detrimental to ecosystems, affecting species composition and food chain length. The research explores the impact of existing artificial light on streams and wetlands, revealing changes in energy flow and nutrient cycles.
Filling canals with spoil banks is a successful restoration technique that has been rarely applied in Louisiana. This method is dramatically cost-effective, with estimated costs of $335 million compared to the economic value gained from extracting oil and gas for the last century.
A team of scientists conducted over 2,000 surveys of chirping frog calls to define the Atlantic Coast leopard frog's range and characteristics. The study resulted in the first field-verified range map for the species, living primarily in coastal plains from Connecticut to northern North Carolina.
Researchers found that the Peace-Athabasca Delta has been drying since the 1970s, significantly reducing muskrat habitat and leading to a decline in the species. The study used satellite imagery to track changes in water levels and revealed a 32% loss of suitable muskrat habitat over 46 years.
A recent study by Michigan State University found that floods significantly transport large amounts of organic carbon through ecosystems, contrary to the traditional view of the carbon cycle as vertical. The research analyzed over 1,000 watersheds across the US and found that wetlands play a crucial role in storing and releasing carbon.
A recent study published in Springer's journal Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology found that freshwater turtle hatchlings use the sun as their primary navigational cue. When released into a circular field arena with simulated daylight six hours earlier than usual, the turtles shifted their course by approximately 90 degrees.
Untreated sewage from New York City's CSO input turns local carbon sinks into greenhouse gas producers, with methane production enhanced over 100 times and carbon dioxide by twice the rate of control group samples. The study suggests that NYC's environmental impact extends to nearby undeveloped aquatic ecosystems.
A new study suggests that global coastal wetlands can migrate further inland to secure their future and avoid catastrophic losses. The research finds that with enough space, coastal wetlands could gain up to 60% in elevation, mitigating the impact of sea level rise on global warming and coastal flooding.
A new study reveals that Amazonian wetlands are home to an astonishing 3,615 tree species, exceeding expectations by three times. This comprehensive list of tree species was compiled from forest inventories and botanical collections, providing valuable insights into the region's biodiversity.
The Ecological Society of America (ESA) donated $17,500 to the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana to offset environmental costs from its 2018 Annual Meeting. The donation will help the organization further its commitment to coastal restoration and wetland preservation in the Gulf Coast region.
Research by Hokkaido University found that abandoned farmlands, particularly those without surrounding forests, benefit wetland and grassland birds. The study also revealed that landscape structure affects bird communities differently.
The Mekong Delta is experiencing environmental changes that threaten the livelihoods of its 15 million people, with rising sea levels and droughts affecting agricultural productivity. The delta's unique ecosystem is being disrupted by dam-building upstream and climate change, leading to saltwater intrusions and reduced sedimentation.
A new study found that combining nanomaterials with nutrient runoff from fertilized cropland can intensify harmful algal blooms in wetlands. The nanoparticles accelerated the growth of algae, reducing dissolved oxygen levels and creating toxic conditions for aquatic organisms.
A new model by Florida State University researcher Jaap Nienhuis can help stakeholders figure out what factors to consider when rebuilding land in fragile wetlands. The model takes into account various factors such as water and sediment discharge, root strength, and soil consolidation.
A new study reveals that tidal wetlands and estuaries bury the majority of carbon in coastal waters, with 80% of it being stored. This finding helps establish how coastal waters influence atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and climate.
A Princeton University researcher has discovered a bacterium that can break down toxic metal pollutants in the absence of oxygen. This microbe, Acidimicrobiaceae bacterium A6, can perform chemical conversion in anaerobic conditions, potentially providing an efficient alternative to costly oxygen-dependent methods.
The IPBES report warns that land degradation is pushing the planet towards a sixth mass species extinction, with negative impacts on at least 3.2 billion people. Avoiding further agricultural expansion into native habitats can be achieved through yield increases and reductions in food loss and waste.
A new study finds that over 99% of Chicagoland wetlands are home to non-native plant species, with reed canary grass dominating many sites. The research highlights the importance of considering ecosystem function and functional values in restoration efforts in urban areas.
Under projected rates of sea level rise, Pacific coast tidal wetlands face devastating loss, with high- and mid-marsh habitats projected to be lost by the end of the century. Only low marsh habitats are likely to survive, even in California and Oregon.
A 5000-year study of Amboseli National Park in Kenya reveals rapid environmental changes caused by human activities, including the arrival of Massai people and the ivory trade. The findings highlight the need to manage national park boundaries more strictly to keep pace with climate change.
A University of Minnesota study found that multiple wetlands within a watershed can significantly reduce nitrate pollution in rivers and streams. The research highlights the importance of targeted wetland restoration as a strategy for improving water quality in agricultural regions.
A recent study published in Nature Geoscience reveals that wetland complexes can significantly reduce nitrate levels in rivers and streams. Retaining or restoring wetlands in intensively managed agricultural watersheds can improve local water quality while reducing nitrate exports to the Gulf of Mexico dead zone.
A new study by University of Cambridge researchers found that low national governance is the strongest predictor of declining species numbers. Protected areas do maintain biodiversity when situated in stable countries with strong legal and social structures.
Researchers found that flamingo feces facilitate microbial 'filtering' of organic matter in saline wetlands, promoting denitrification and reducing nitrogen loads. Flamingos also stimulate bacterial activity, triggering cascading effects on prokaryotic abundance and viruses.
Researchers at Ohio State University found a new methane-producing microbe that survives in oxygen-rich environments, contrary to previous assumptions. The discovery suggests the amount of methane released into the atmosphere may be more than initially thought.
Ancient South Americans discovered how to manipulate wild rice, leading to the growth of bigger rice crops with larger grains. The research, led by Professor Jose Iriarte, sheds light on the importance of wetlands and tropical forests in providing food for early human settlers.
A new analysis suggests the Trump Administration's proposal to rescind the 2015 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule inappropriately excludes wetlands-related values. The analysis found that benefits to rescind the rule were greater than costs, but only quantified benefits from wetlands-related values were considered.
A recent study reveals that peatland bird populations have decreased by a third in Finland and Sweden over the past three decades. The Finnish ruff is among the most threatened species, with its population falling to just 3% of its original size. In contrast, the crane species has tripled its population during this time period.
Changes to wetlands alter animal populations, with reduced survival and reproduction in human-altered habitats. The study highlights the complex role of wetlands in human-altered ecosystems, which can provide important habitat but also pose risks to animals.
Researchers have uncovered a wealth of information about ancient wetlands on North Stradbroke Island, which offer never-before-seen insights into climate change since the last ice age. The discovery provides a unique window into past climate and environments, shedding light on how plants and animals survived in a dry climate.
A new study suggests that the last ice age transition to a warmer climate did not include massive methane flux from marine sediments or tundra. Instead, rising levels of atmospheric methane were likely from tropical wetlands, according to researchers at Oregon State University.
A new sonar-based method estimates Antillean Manatees in the San San Pond Sak wetland, finding a lower population than previously thought. The study suggests modifications to protect manatees from illegal fishing nets and human activities.
Researchers from University of Waterloo found that small wetlands have a significant role in preventing excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus from reaching waterbodies. The study suggests that protection efforts should focus on preserving smaller wetlands, which are more effective at filtering environmental contaminants.
The presence of surface and buried crude oil affects redox in wetland soils under flooded and drained conditions. Researchers found that oil slowed oxygen transport into the root zone, increasing stress on plants.
A new study suggests that monitoring wetland extent can better predict the release of methane from thawing permafrost. Researchers found that decomposition of new organic matter is the main source of methane released, not previously frozen carbon. This knowledge can help improve predictions and understanding of climate change impacts.
Researchers at Tulane University have developed a subsidence map of coastal Louisiana, revealing the region is sinking at an alarming rate of over 9 millimeters or just over a third of an inch each year. The map provides critical information for policy decisions on coastal restoration and planning of large sediment diversions.
A 30-year study of Murray-Darling Basin wetlands reveals a 72% decline in waterbird numbers due to dam construction and water diversion. Reduced water flow has significant implications for river management worldwide.
A study found that China's wild geese are confined to degraded natural wetlands, unable to take advantage of neighboring farmland or rice paddies. Human activities such as hunting and agriculture have reduced the quality and extent of their habitats.