Articles tagged with Wetlands
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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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
A Duke University-led study using satellite images shows the Sacramento Valley in California has lost nearly all its wetlands, which are crucial for millions of migratory shorebirds. The habitat loss is threatening the survival of these birds, highlighting the need for conservation efforts.
A new Tulane University study reveals that Louisiana's westernmost wetlands are vulnerable to sea-level rise, with over 60% of sites on track to drown. The research uses an unconventional method to measure sea-level change and provides a significant step forward in assessing the situation.
Researchers found that invasive Phragmites australis has no significant impact on plant diversity, shoreline stabilization, and carbon storage in protected wetlands. The study suggests maintaining protected reserves can help defend against negative impacts of invasive species.
A study by Utrecht University reveals that wintering mallards play a crucial role in dispersing plant seeds between isolated wetlands. The daily movement patterns of these birds are highly predictable from the landscape they inhabit, and their foraging behavior helps maintain connections between otherwise disconnected plant populations.
The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan has achieved positive results, with more water flowing through the system than before. However, the plan's failure to account for climate change poses a significant challenge, and future updates are needed to incorporate rising sea levels and changing rainfall patterns.
A new study published in Nature Communications reveals that wetlands store a significant amount of carbon, with freshwater inland wetlands holding nearly 10 times more carbon than tidal saltwater sites. The research highlights the importance of protecting wetlands from human activity to prevent climate change.
Recent research suggests that coastal wetland ecosystems such as mangrove forests, tidal marshes, and seagrass meadows are effective climate buffers, storing carbon for hundreds to thousands of years. Coastal wetlands capture and store more than 200 metric tons of carbon per year globally, with 50-90% stored in soils.
Researchers engineered four floating treatment wetland designs using different materials and plants, finding they can affect water quality in similar ways to natural wetlands. The study suggests these systems could help treat wastewater by enhancing nitrogen removal and managing algal blooms.
A recently restored floodplain along a Mississippi tributary removed almost as much nitrogen as a natural floodplain, significantly reducing chemical pollutants in the river. The study's findings suggest that reconnecting rivers to their floodplains can help improve water quality and reduce the 'dead zone' in the Gulf of Mexico.
Archaeological remains in wetlands are threatened by rapid organic decay caused by acidic conditions. Researchers urge reevaluation of site preservation strategies and recommend urgent excavations to retrieve valuable artifacts.
A study using geolocation technology tracked the 10,000-kilometer migration of Great Reed Warblers from Turkey to sub-Saharan Africa, revealing key regions of importance for the species. The research highlights the lack of protection many of these regions receive, posing a threat to bird populations.
A 'risky-and-reliable' plant use strategy balancing wetland plants and seasonal grasses may have enabled the adoption of a sedentary lifestyle, driving Neolithization in Jordan. Fossilized phytoliths found at a 19,000-year-old site suggest an alternative to expected Neolithization pathways.
Researchers at Utah State University have developed a new tool to help wetland managers create healthier, more productive wetlands. The computer model suggests altering water levels in individual diked wetland units and focusing on invasive plant control at a specific time of year.
A team of scientists released key recommendations to build and sustain land in coastal Louisiana using Mississippi River sediment diversions. The plan aims to mimic natural processes that originally built the land, taking advantage of winter flood peaks and spring sand, while minimizing socio-economic effects.
The study found a 60% decline in breeding white-naped crane populations in the Ulz River basin, with only 17 pairs remaining. The species is classified as 'vulnerable' due to habitat loss and fire threats. Conservation efforts are crucial to address declining numbers and protect this critical ecosystem.
Researchers predict that the Hudson River's wetlands will increase in area due to upland migration of existing marshes. This is despite concerns about infrastructure and population near the river, as the wetlands provide habitat for fish and wildlife and buffer against storms.
A new study by University of Miami researchers uses satellite data to quantify the impact of man-made canals and levees on Louisiana's coastal wetlands. The study found that these structures limit tidal inundation in 45% of the state's coastline, threatening the ecosystems' ability to adapt to sea-level rise.
Researchers found that Lake Michigan painted and snapping turtles carry all eight metals, with concentrations correlating with soil assessments in the wetlands. The turtles' long lifespan and position in the food chain make them useful indicators of wetland pollution, potentially posing a health risk to humans who consume them.