Articles tagged with Wetlands
The Center for Environmental Implications of NanoTechnology (CEINT) at Duke University has been awarded a $15 million grant renewal to continue studying the environmental impact of nanoparticles. The research focuses on understanding where nanoparticles accumulate, how they interact with other chemicals, and their effects on ecosystems.
Researchers found that installing a few wetlands was more cost-effective than upgrading wastewater treatment plants to remove nitrogen pollution. However, the benefits of offering multiple payments for environmental services from wetlands are unclear, and their impact on market outcomes is still debated. The study's findings suggest th...
A team of UT Arlington biologists discovered that watershed wetlands can improve stream health by binding toxic aluminum and reducing inorganic acids. This process, known as brownification, may also aid in recovering biological communities from industrial acidification.
Researchers found that two 15-year-old constructed marshes in Ohio accumulated soil carbon at an average annual rate of 2150 pounds per acre, surpassing natural wetlands and other agricultural lands. This suggests that restored and man-made wetlands should be considered for long-term carbon storage.
Utah biologist Çagan Şekercioğlu has won the prestigious Whitley Gold Award for conservation twice, including this year, for his work safeguarding bird-rich wetlands in northeast Turkey. He was awarded by Princess Anne at a ceremony in London.
A SwRI-led remote-sensing study has revealed accelerated loss of surface water in shallow lakes and ponds in Arctic Alaskan wetlands, with a recent 27-year period showing a 5.5% decrease in water-body surface area. The analysis also found changes in permafrost degradation and ice-wedge polygon morphology.
A new study by University of Missouri researcher Zhiqiang Hu has developed a cost-effective method for monitoring wetland health using microbial analysis. This approach can help identify healthy ecosystems and inform conservation efforts.
Engineers at Oregon State University developed a new interactive system to create networks of small wetlands in Midwest farmlands, capturing 29% of runoff using only 1.5% of land. The approach helps prevent massive floods and retain water in a warming climate.
A new study from Lund University in Sweden shows that roach fish migrate to surrounding streams and wetlands to escape cormorant predators, highlighting the first evidence of migration as a strategy to avoid predation. The researchers used innovative tracking methods to determine which fish were eaten by cormorants.
A study in Seychelles found that environmental education programs for children led to increased parental knowledge of wetlands and environmentally friendly behaviors. Parents of children who participated in these programs were more likely to conserve water, reduce waste, and adopt eco-friendly habits.
Researchers found that wetland trees are a major source of methane emissions, accounting for up to 80% of total emissions. This challenges current models and highlights the importance of including tree emissions in field campaigns. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding methane flux in tropical wetlands.
A University of Pennsylvania-led study quantifies sediment transported to wetlands by the 2011 Mississippi flood, which may help maintain the area's wetlands. The research found that the flood deposited more than half a year's worth of sediment in some areas, making it a key factor in maintaining wetland elevations.
A new study shows that children can influence their parents' attitudes and behaviors towards the environment through education. The research, conducted in the Seychelles, found that children participating in wildlife clubs increased their parents' knowledge of wetlands and led to more environmentally friendly practices.
Research from the University of Illinois recommends a new framework for wetland restoration that could lead to more environmentally positive outcomes. The current guidelines often favor larger, more homogeneous wetlands over smaller, unique ones, potentially harming biodiversity.
Researchers mapped large stands of invasive Phragmites along the US Great Lakes coastline using satellite technologies. The resulting dataset provides a highly accurate picture of the extent of Phragmites invasion, allowing for targeted control efforts and future range extension modeling.
Professor Catherine Seavitt Nordenson suggests using soft infrastructure to mitigate flood damage without harming outlying areas. Techniques include restoring wetlands, creating reefs and artificial islands, and seeding oyster beds to absorb water and dissipate wave energy.
Researchers found a significant increase in migratory duck species in the region's reservoirs, which are linked to rice cultivation. The study suggests that these manmade wetlands play a crucial role in supporting bird populations during winter, providing a safe haven for ducks fleeing from declining natural habitats.
A team of University of Pennsylvania geologists observed how sediment was deposited in the Mississippi Delta during the 2011 flood. They found that diverting water into the Atchafalaya River Basin built up sediment in wetland areas, whereas the Mississippi River plume had a more focused and less sediment-rich effect.
Researchers have determined that methane emissions in the Greenland ice sheet date back to Roman times, with a significant increase around 1800 due to industrialization. Today, more than half of methane emissions are man-made, primarily from agriculture and energy production.
Ken Bierly, Senior Partnerships Coordinator at the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, has been recognized for his outstanding record of informing political decision-making with ecological science. He has developed tools for watershed management, including wetland regulations and local watershed councils.
A study published in Nature Geoscience found that a significant percentage of the Mississippi River's sand load is diverted into the Bonnet Carre spillway wetlands, rather than flowing into urban areas. This discovery offers new insights into the potential for controlled diversion to mitigate land loss in coastal Louisiana.
The MU researcher's network model can analyze complex networks to identify the most damaging cyber attacks, protect critical infrastructure, and halt disease epidemics. By understanding network resilience, officials can prevent future problems and make informed decisions for conservation projects.
A new species of wirerush has been discovered in the peatlands of northern New Zealand. The species, Empodisma robustum, exhibits unique ecological adaptations that enable it to thrive in nutrient-poor environments. This discovery sheds light on the diversity and ecology of the genus Restionaceae.
A 15-year study found that artificial wetlands can take up more carbon from the atmosphere than natural ones, but may release methane. Both types of wetlands removed large amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus from river water. The study suggests long-term ecological research is useful for determining human intervention's success.
A 15-year study comparing experimental wetlands found that natural development led to higher carbon sequestration rates, but also increased methane emissions. The unplanted wetland retained more carbon, while the planted wetland was more diverse in plant communities.
A new study suggests that temperate freshwater wetlands are more valuable as carbon sinks than currently thought, with an average carbon storage rate of almost twice that of flow-through wetlands. The stagnant wetland stored 317 grams of carbon per square meter per year, exceeding previous measurements in other types of wetlands.
A new analysis of 124 wetland studies reveals that restored wetlands rarely reach the quality of their natural counterparts. After 50-100 years, they are still 23% less in terms of carbon resources and have a 26% lower variety of native plants.
Researchers will use satellite data to survey the vast Congo River Basin, answering questions about water sources and greenhouse gas emissions. The project aims to provide a new method for studying inaccessible areas of the planet.
UC research reveals that duck nest boxes, meant to aid cavity-nesting ducks, can trap and kill turtles. Improperly maintained boxes can have devastating effects on wetland turtle populations.
A radical overhaul of farming is proposed as a 'game-changer' for global food security. The new approach aims to enhance production and protect ecosystems by adopting agroecosystem practices that maintain clean water, air, and biodiversity.
Dr. Ray Semlitsch has been awarded the 2011 Fitch Award for Excellence in Herpetology for his groundbreaking research on amphibian ecology and wetland conservation. His studies have shown that tolerance to contaminants varies among species, and he established the importance of aquatic environments for semi-aquatic amphibians.
Researchers developed a predictive model to identify areas at high risk of wetland habitat loss in the southern United States. The study highlights the importance of conservation efforts in these regions, where urbanization and development have led to significant wetland losses.
Susannah Tringe, DOE JGI scientist, awarded grant to study microbial communities in restored wetlands and their impact on long-term carbon sequestration from a genomic perspective. Her research aims to understand the role of belowground microbial communities in carbon storage and recycling.
Research reveals northern peatlands do not fully account for the initial 10,000-year-old methane increase, with tropical wetlands instead being a likely driver. Northern peatlands still play a crucial carbon-capture role but also emit significant amounts of methane.
The Estero de Domingo Rubio wetland is polluted with heavy metals and pesticides, affecting its water quality and ecosystem. The study highlights the need for greater control over agrochemicals and industrial waste to prevent contamination.
Global coastal wetlands are likely to disappear near the end of the 21st century, with limited sediment supplies and tidal ranges making them vulnerable. Wetlands with higher sediment availability may survive under slow sea-level rise projections.
Researchers found cocaine, ecstasy, and six other drugs in the canals of L'Albufera Natural Park. High levels were detected in north and areas with high population density, warning of potential consequences for humans and environment.
Researchers have developed new maps of the Chesapeake Bay's forested wetlands, increasing accuracy by 30% compared to existing maps. The combined data from LiDAR and SAR sensors reveals previously unknown connections between wetlands, drainage ditches, and ponds.
After 15 years, man-made and natural wetlands were found to be similarly effective in retaining phosphorus and nitrates, and both acted as significant carbon sinks. The naturally colonizing wetland produced more plant biomass and emitted more methane, while the planted wetland hosted a higher diversity of plant species.
Researchers studied the bacterial community structure in four environments of the Tablas de Daimiel National Park, revealing similarities and differences between them. The study found 265 new phylum groups, including those related to Proteobacteria, which are abundant in the superficial sediment sample.
Researchers find that natural methane sources from wetlands in high northern latitudes caused a significant increase in atmospheric methane concentration 40,000 years ago. This contradicts the clathrate gun hypothesis and suggests that human activities are not responsible for current climate change.
Michigan State University scientists have developed a pioneering landscape limnology approach that integrates freshwater lakes, streams, and wetlands. This framework uses GIS data and models to provide science-based tools for managing and protecting these bodies of water.
Scientists are investigating new clean-up methods to limit environmental damage, including applying dispersants underwater and boosting naturally-occurring bacteria that can break down oil. The effectiveness of these approaches remains to be seen as massive amounts of oil remain in the ocean.
Recent AGU research finds prolonged low solar activity will not offset global warming, with a potential temperature decrease of only 0.3 degrees Celsius in 2100. Heat waves have also increased in the Mediterranean region since 1960, with significant increases in number, length, and intensity.
A University of Montreal student is tracking the decline of frog species in Quebec, finding a slight decrease in frogs near Phragmites australis growth, but intact northern leopard frog populations. Experimental research aims to understand pH levels, oxygen, and temperature effects on amphibians in controlled water basins.
Climate change projections indicate major reductions in wetland volume, shortening of water retention time, and changes in vegetation dynamics in the prairie pothole region. This will negatively impact millions of waterfowl depending on the region for their life cycles.
Researchers employed a novel combination of geological and model reconstructions to address spatial variations in sea-level history along the east coast of England. Sediment compaction explained the variations in sea-level observations, revealing striking correlations to the thickness of overlying sediment.
A study published in HortScience found that ornamental canna plants are effective in removing nitrogen and phosphorus from stormwater runoff. Harvesting the above-ground biomass of canna can effectively remove these pollutants from the treatment system.
Phosphorus is a crucial element in agriculture, but its excessive use leads to massive eutrophication problems in water bodies worldwide. Dr. Curtis Richardson will discuss phosphorus biogeochemistry and its role in wetland functioning, highlighting the need for realistic management techniques.
A 11,600-year-old methane spike in ancient Greenland ice suggests wetlands as the primary source, offering relief from oceanic clathrate concerns. Methane emissions from human activities remain a significant concern, with potential to release large amounts of greenhouse gas.
Researchers found that a surge in atmospheric methane gas 11,600 years ago was more chemically consistent with an expansion of wetlands rather than a large-scale melting of frozen methane deposits. This discovery suggests that wetland regions may have played a significant role in regulating global warming during past events.
Scientists have found that rising CO2 levels can stimulate plant productivity and increase marsh surface elevation, potentially increasing the capacity of coastal wetlands to tolerate relative rises in sea level. However, this effect may be short-lived as increased CO2 levels continue to accelerate global warming and sea-level rise.
Recent research advancements reveal new techniques for studying leaf development, while also exploring the potential benefits of aquaculture when practiced sustainably. Large wetlands provide vital ecosystem services, including carbon cycling and freshwater supply, making them crucial for conservation planning.
A new study led by Duke University researchers found that restored wetlands have decreased soil bacterial diversity, but this decrease represents a return to biological health. The composition of these populations can reflect the status of wetland functioning and serve as an indicator of restoration success.
After eight years of near-zero growth, global methane concentrations have resumed their increase, potentially offsetting the slowing growth rate of carbon dioxide. Methane is a key greenhouse gas, accounting for nearly 20% of global warming since the industrial revolution.
The Three Gorges Dam's reservoir will create a new ecosystem with unprecedented fluctuating water levels. Experts propose using terraced ponds, wetlands, and fish net systems to make the most of this situation.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered that tropical wetlands can store up to 80% more carbon than temperate wetlands, with the former sequestering around 300 tons of carbon per year. This finding has significant implications for climate change mitigation and highlights the importance of preserving these ecosystems.
Research found that commercially available aquatic garden plants can be used in a production/remediation system to treat wastewater. The study concluded that these plants have the potential to generate revenue for producers and are an aesthetically viable alternative to traditional wetland plants.
A recent white paper by leading coastal scientists suggests that wetlands restoration projects may not provide long-term storm protection for the Louisiana Coast. The researchers argue that there is limited scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of such initiatives in reducing storm impacts.
Experts warn that critical food shortages and high fossil fuel prices are major threats to preserving wetlands worldwide. The United Nations University calls for policy makers to resist pressure to convert wetlands, citing the importance of these ecosystems for safe water supplies, biodiversity, and climate change mitigation.