Articles tagged with Wetlands
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.
Researchers found that earthworms create the surales landscapes by depositing casts and building towers of dry habitat, which eventually form mounds. The study suggests that these worms engineer the ecosystem, creating habitats used by plants and other earthworms.
Researchers discovered that surales, large mounds in tropical wetlands, are largely composed of earthworm casts. These mounds vary in size and form due to the repeated actions of individual earthworms, which deposit casts that eventually become mounds.
Researchers at Griffith University used paperbark tree leaves to reconstruct past rainfall activity in tropical and subtropical regions. The study, published in Global Change Biology, offers a new proxy for inferring changes in climate.
Researchers warn that copper contamination and climate change may hasten the extinction of two amphibian species due to increased copper toxicity and reproductive failure. The study found that even low levels of copper can be lethal to amphibians, highlighting the need for industries to reduce copper use.
Research finds that botulism in waterbirds is spread by an invasive species of freshwater snail carrying Clostridium botulinum, which thrives in polluted wetlands. Global warming is expected to exacerbate outbreaks due to increased temperatures and drought.
Researchers have developed a new method to track the hydrology of Eastern Washington's wetlands, providing insights into their behavior seasonally. The technique uses satellite images to identify structural elements of wetlands and delineate them from other parts of the landscape.
A recent study published in Ecological Engineering suggests that restoring wetlands in the Midwest can reduce peak river flows during floods by up to 17.5 percent. This approach could provide a natural and ecological option for flood management, serving as an additional tool for mitigating the impact of climate change.
A modified version of the Floristic Quality Assessment Index (FQI) tool accurately assesses wetland quality without requiring a list of all plants. The rapid model was found effective in predicting wetland quality in 87 tested areas, with a free online calculator available for public use.
New research suggests that increasing UK agricultural yields and restoring natural habitats like forests and wetlands can largely offset the country's greenhouse gas emissions. By 2050, this approach could meet government targets of an 80% reduction in emissions for the farming industry.
The study reveals that microbes in shallow layers of seasonal wetlands use digestible plant material for energy, releasing arsenic into underlying groundwater. However, under normal conditions, these microbes do not pose a significant threat to groundwater arsenic concentrations.
Researchers found that beaver dams create dead wood hotspots, increasing quantities of standing and deciduous dead wood. This restoration benefits a large number of species, including those dependent on these resources.
A new USGS study reveals that piping plovers are likely losing their breeding habitat in the Great Plains due to wetland drainage and climate change. The research found that consolidation drainage results in fewer and fuller wetlands with less shoreline nesting space for the species.
Climate change is causing significant habitat loss for Pacific Northwest amphibians, including the Cascades frog, which may become extinct by 2080. The study forecasts that more than half of intermediate wetlands will convert to fast-drying ephemeral wetlands, threatening these unique species.
Researchers found that ancient Maya activity contributed to environmental decline and continues to influence today's conditions. They identified six stratigraphic markers indicating large-scale change in climate, vegetation, hydrology, and lithosphere.
Scientists created adjustable weirs to simulate flooding levels, allowing for realistic study of coastal wetland impacts. The low-cost approach provides a more accurate representation of natural conditions than traditional mesocosm studies.
A new study by biologists from Case Western Reserve University suggests exposure to road salt increases the size of wood frogs, but also shortens their lives. Wood frog tadpoles exposed to road salt grew larger and turned into larger frogs at metamorphosis than those raised without being subjected to the contaminant.
A UK land cover map has shown a decline in semi-natural habitats and agricultural land between 2006 and 2012. Coniferous forest clear-cutting dominated the changes, with over 100,000 hectares lost.
A new research from the University of Georgia identifies an unexpected process regulating methane emissions from freshwater environments. High rates of anaerobic methane oxidation substantially reduce atmospheric emissions of methane from freshwater wetlands.
Researchers found that wetlands created between tile-drained agricultural fields and rivers can remove 62% of nitrates from water. The slow flow of water through the wetland allows microbes to eliminate nitrate, reducing its emission as a greenhouse gas. Building a wetland is an effective long-term solution for reducing nitrate runoff.
A new species of diving beetle, Capelatus prykei, has been identified in the Noordhoek Wetlands near Cape Town. The beetle is highly distinctive and has no direct relatives, with its closest connections found around the Mediterranean and New Guinea. Its unique genetic makeup suggests it is critically endangered due to isolation.
Human intervention in arctic and boreal wetlands results in significant increase of CO2 emissions, leading to overall warming effect despite decrease in methane emission. Conversion of temperate wetlands into agricultural land causes higher climate impact due to increased radiative forcing.
A new study from the University of Waterloo reveals that smaller, isolated wetlands are being lost at a higher rate than larger ones, with significant consequences for aquatic species and water quality. The research emphasizes the importance of considering ecosystem services provided by different wetland types in restoration efforts.
Geographically isolated wetlands provide significant benefits to water quality, including sediment retention and nutrient transformation. The loss of these wetlands would likely cause serious harm to North American waters.
A new study finds that climate change may tip the scales in favor of invasive wetland plants, which can outcompete native species due to their natural phenotypic plasticity. As environmental changes occur, invasive species will gain an advantage over native species, potentially reducing biodiversity and ecosystem function.
A team of Chinese scientists has developed a new global wetland suitability map to help protect these vital ecosystems. The map, which matches individual wetland sites with local water table depth, shows that the total area of global wetlands is approximately 3.316×107km2.
China's vast seawall, covering over half its coastline, faces criticism for ecological costs and lack of protection. The wetland ecosystems support millions of migratory birds and produce 28 million tons of fishery products, underappreciated services that threaten with unsustainable development
Researchers found that restored wetlands act as net sinks of atmospheric carbon dioxide, but are large sources of methane emissions. The study's results suggest that restoring drained agricultural land-use types can help reverse subsidence and capture carbon, making it a promising approach to mitigate climate change.
A Rutgers researcher and team of scientists have proven the existence of a new frog species living in wetlands from Connecticut to North Carolina. Named Rana kauffeldi, it was initially dismissed by naturalist Carl Kauffeld's claim in 1937.
Researchers at VIMS will develop tools to identify vulnerable headwater wetlands and provide climate-adaptation strategies for conservation. The project uses historical tidal-marsh observations to build a comprehensive picture of resilience.
A Duke University team found that nanoparticles called single-walled carbon nanotubes accumulate rapidly in wetland sediments, potentially harming aquatic food chains. The accumulation of these nanoparticles in sediment poses concerns for both sediment-dwelling organisms and animals that eat them.
A new NOAA analysis shows that between 1996 and 2011, 64,975 square miles of coastal regions experienced changes in land cover, with a decline in wetlands and forest cover. Development was a major contributing factor in these losses, with the Southeast region losing 510 square miles of wetlands.
Researchers monitored mallards' migration patterns using satellite tracking technology, revealing the crucial role of public and private wetland areas. The study underscores the need for protected wetlands to maintain healthy migratory bird populations.
A new study by University of Guelph researcher Prof. Merritt Turetsky and her team found that wetlands are a significant source of methane emissions, which could contribute to global warming. The study analyzed almost 20,000 field data measurements from across arctic, temperate, and tropical regions and suggests that northern wetlands ...
Researchers found that the river's supply of sand, a key ingredient for rebuilding marshlands, will remain constant for at least 300 years. The study suggests that despite reduced sediment loads, the abundance of sand in the lower Mississippi River channel will continue to replenish wetlands.
Researchers find reversible microbial redox cycling in humic substances, which store electrons and prevent methane release. Climate change disruption could lead to vicious cycle of worsening greenhouse effect.
In a recent study, scientists document the importance of irrigated agricultural crops to the Long-billed Curlew, a species of continental conservation concern. The study highlights the need for allocating water reliably to wetlands and flooded agricultural lands to support the species' survival.
A new study finds that several iconic Adirondack birds are in trouble, with declines driven by the size of their wetland habitats, connectivity, and proximity to human infrastructure. The analysis suggests that these species face challenges in this environment, particularly due to climate change and habitat alteration.
Researchers successfully reintroduced the critically endangered marsh sandwort plant to multiple locations, guided by experimental findings and habitat variations. The discovery of a native indicator plant, water parsley, helped identify suitable habitats for the species.
Researchers discovered that peat soils can act like gigantic batteries, using humic substances to accept electrons under anoxic conditions. When oxygen enters, these substances release electrons to oxygen, thereby regenerating their capacity to accept electrons and suppressing methane formation.
The use of lead-free steel shot in Spanish wetlands has significantly reduced waterfowl poisoning, with a 50% decrease in lead accumulation detected. Researchers attribute this to the change in material from lead to steel shot.
Scientists have discovered a previously unknown form of uranium that can become mobile under certain conditions, remobilizing from natural wetlands into surrounding water. Researchers found that a specific combination of organic matter, iron, and sulfide presence enables the mobility of uranium.
A review paper highlights how human structures like dams and seawalls are hindering coastal wetlands' natural defense mechanisms. Wetlands can build up their soils to outpace sea level rise through various responses, but human activities are disrupting these processes.