Articles tagged with Wetlands
Researchers at Ohio State University developed a satellite radar technique to measure water levels in vegetated wetlands. The study found rising and dropping water levels in selected sites over a decade, including changes caused by seasonal rainfall.
A decline in methane emissions from human activities in the 1990s led to slower growth of atmospheric methane levels. However, recent increases in emissions from human sources are offset by reduced wetland emissions, which could mask further rises in methane if drying trends are not reversed.
The study reveals that the introduction of tributyltin as a biocide in boat paint led to a sudden loss of aquatic vegetation from most Norfolk Broads lakes. The ecosystem remains shattered despite efforts to restore it.
Hurricane Katrina and Rita caused significant flooding, wind damage, and loss of wetlands in the Gulf Coast region. Experts discuss ways to mitigate future hurricane damage through ecological knowledge and restoration plans.
The project aims to evaluate the effect of the Yuma Desalting Plant (YDP) on the Cienega de Santa Clara's water quality and ecosystem. Researchers will collect baseline information and monitor water samples monthly for a year from 17 locations within the cienega.
A new study by Tulane University and Utrecht University suggests that compaction of the shallowest and most recent delta sediments is the main cause of subsidence in coastal Louisiana. The research challenges the notion that tectonic subsidence bears much of the blame for Louisiana's coastal geologic problems.
Researchers found that over 40% of the marshes have been reflooded and native species are recovering, with growth in giant reeds and rare bird sightings reported. However, challenges remain, including water supply issues and potential environmental threats from oil exploration.
Researchers suggest that effective delta and wetland management is crucial for reducing vulnerability to hurricanes. By combining wetland restoration and flood-protection efforts, levees can be used more effectively to protect high-value infrastructure, allowing humans to continue living in precarious coastal communities.
The Times-Picayune won a special award for its consistently excellent coverage of scientific research on the vulnerability of New Orleans to hurricanes and other environmental impacts. Michelle Nijhuis, writing for High Country News, won the Walter Sullivan Award for her three-part series on global warming in the West.
Research suggests that changes in wetland systematics and natural gas emissions during the glacial period may be responsible for elevated methane levels. The study analyzed ice core samples from Greenland, finding no evidence of clathrates releasing methane into the atmosphere.
The Paraguay River Basin, home to the Pantanal wetlands, faces critical threats from agriculture, cattle grazing, and coal mining. Deforestation has already destroyed almost 45% of the original vegetation, with some areas losing over 90%. Conservation efforts are needed to protect the region's biodiversity and ecosystems.
Researchers document a significant shift from wetlands to woodland and forest in the Kenai Peninsula Lowlands due to climate change. The transformation threatens biodiversity, habitat loss for migratory birds, and increased wildfire risks.
Researchers discuss challenges and potential solutions for restoring Iraq's depleted wetlands, including hydrology, soil quality, and species preservation. Iraqi ecologists present first comprehensive data set on the marshes' current state.
Researchers found that volcanic aerosol particles and sulfuric acid reduce methane production in wetlands, leading to a cooling effect. This mechanism may have played a role in past climate changes, with potential impacts on modern Earth's atmosphere.
Researchers monitoring two PennDOT-installed data loggers measure high salt levels in runoff wetland, reaching half the salinity of seawater. The effects on species and soil quality are still unknown but may include decreased midge populations and increased algae growth.
A recent study found that only 10% of river restoration projects have assessment or monitoring, highlighting the need for better coordination and data collection. The study's authors called for standards for success and improved practices to restore rivers, which are crucial for environmental management.
The world's largest freshwater wetland is under unprecedented pressure from economic development, alterations of its water courses, and conversion to other land uses. Climate change poses a significant threat to the Pantanal's ecosystem, biodiversity, and species composition.
A man-made wetland in Ohio State University's Olentangy River Wetland Research Park reduced phosphorus levels by 59% and nitrates by 40%. The wetland, created using a simple design, acted as an effective sink for nutrients, reducing pollution in the Great Miami River and local lake.
Researchers discovered that 11 of 17 measurable chemicals in surface water were reduced after passing through the system, according to Ron Turco, soil microbiologist. The study showed that constructed wetlands can act as a holding area for recycled water, providing a sustainable solution for irrigation and flood prevention.
The study found that only 10% of the original marshes survived as fully functioning wetlands after extensive drainage and irrigation, but also identified areas with high restoration potential.
Scientists are restoring the marshes of Eden in southern Iraq, which were devastated under Saddam Hussein's rule. The project aims to rebuild wetland ecosystems and reacquaint local experts after two decades of isolation.
Scientists are investigating ways to stop rapid deterioration and restore marsh land in Louisiana's southern coastal wetlands, which are losing a football field-sized area every 35 minutes. The consequences of losing the wetlands will be far-reaching, affecting oil and gas prices, causing them to rise everywhere.
Excavations at Los Ajos, a 4,800-4,200 year old mound complex in Uruguay, revealed sophisticated levels of planning and cooperation. The site's farmers adopted early cultivars, including maize and squash, and exhibited an independent architectural tradition.
A NASA study found that conversion of wetlands to agricultural lands can lead to more severe freezes in south Florida. The researchers analyzed data from the Landsat 5 satellite and weather records to simulate three freeze events, concluding that land-use changes can enhance damage inflicted upon agriculture.
Sea levels have been rising worldwide for at least 10,000 years. Rising ocean temperatures and glacial runoff could lead to a 90-centimeter increase by 2100, overwhelming coastal structures like barrier islands and tidal wetlands. Local geography and geology also play a role in estimating effects of rising seas.
Acid rain suppresses methane emissions from wetlands, but only for a short time. The effect of acid rain on methane emissions is more than enough to compensate for the expected increase due to climate change.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology found that aquatic plant duckweed sequesters persistent organic compounds in its tissue, removing contaminants from natural waters and engineered wetlands. The study's implications include updates to water monitoring regulations and wastewater treatment practices.
Wetland restoration projects must consider the inevitable creation of mosquito habitats, which can increase exposure to diseases like West Nile virus. Elizabeth Willott suggests explicitly addressing mosquito control in proposals to strengthen project outcomes.
Professor Bill Mitsch of Ohio State University has won the prestigious Stockholm Water Prize for his work on preserving and studying wetlands. The award recognizes his decades-long research on ecosystem behavior and his efforts to address water crises, including the annual hypoxia problem in the Gulf of Mexico.
Research reveals a significant rise in frog deformities over the past three decades, with a notable correlation to trematode parasites. Historically documented cases suggest an ongoing issue, while recent findings indicate increased occurrences and severity across more than 50 hotspots in North America.
The study found that despite huge habitat losses, up to 90% of original crustacean diversity may still survive in the few remaining seasonal wetlands in Illinois. The researchers sampled 33 crustacean species from 13 ponds and estimated there could have been as many as 85 species originally.
Researchers discover that bacteria in coastal wetlands respond to phosphorus, not nitrogen, and that controlling phosphorus is key to maintaining water quality. This finding highlights the importance of considering both nutrients when managing coastal ecosystems.
Researchers studied surf water quality at Huntington Beach, Calif., and found that flawed sampling methods may be responsible for beach closings. The study highlights the complexity of controlling coastal water quality and raises questions about existing monitoring programs.
Researchers will investigate how wetland landscape, circulation features, and restoration strategies affect fecal pollution levels. The study aims to resolve the controversy over whether coastal wetlands generate or filter out fecal pollution, with potential implications for beach water quality and habitat preservation.
A team of scholars discovered that early Maya centers were abandoned due to a drastic change in local environments, transforming swamp-like bajos into seasonal swamps. The study found evidence of human-induced environmental change and climatic shift, leading the Maya to adapt and thrive in the altered environment.
Researchers found that increasing UVB levels in wetlands are associated with an increased frequency of frog malformations. The study suggests that UV radiation may be a significant contributor to the decline of amphibian populations, particularly in areas where ozone depletion and climate change reduce natural UV protection.
Researchers found that certain wetlands were successful in cleaning up acid mine drainage due to factors such as low water acidity and minimal destruction of native plants. However, clogging of limestone drains was a common issue, highlighting the need for regular maintenance and larger constructed wetlands.
Researchers at Cornell University are growing methanogens and other microbes in a laboratory using conditions similar to acidic wetlands. The goal is to understand how these microorganisms function and potentially apply this knowledge to bioengineering, such as bioremediation of contaminated sites or controlled methane production.
After severe droughts, wading bird populations surge due to changes in fish populations and nutrient cycles, according to University of Florida researchers. This phenomenon, known as 'pulsed productivity,' occurs worldwide among diverse wading bird species.
A $46,000 grant will aid in identifying and addressing environmental issues facing ten National Park units. Mary-Jane James-Pirri will conduct field assessments and compile literature to create a comprehensive document on wetland health and management.
Researchers found that newly restored wetlands often struggle with invasive weeds, which can outcompete native species for resources. The cost of wetland restoration is also a significant barrier, with some projects costing up to $200,000 per hectare.
The Suquamish and Port Gamble S'Klallam tribes are working together with geologists to manage water quality through a long-term approach. They have established staff gauges and monitoring wells, as well as implemented wetland protection programs and watershed studies to protect their water resources for at least seven generations.
A recent report by the National Research Council found that efforts to restore wetlands have made some headway, with a decline in annual wetland loss rates over the past 15 years. However, poor implementation of mitigation projects and lack of long-term monitoring continue to hinder progress.
The wetland's condition has deteriorated due to mass tourism, with garbage and solid waste contaminating the site. Researchers propose taking immediate action to save it and recommend its inclusion in a Heritage Corridor to protect natural spaces.
A recent study by Ohio State University researchers found that two experimental wetlands, one with more diverse plant species and the other more productive, both contribute equally to reducing nitrates and water pollution. The study aims to answer whether mitigated wetlands can effectively control environmental threats like hypoxia in ...
A study by Ohio State University's William Mitsch explores the performance of two experimental wetlands, one of which is 20% more productive but less diverse in plant species. Both wetlands contribute equally to reducing nitrates, but their long-term fate remains uncertain.
A recent USGS study found that a subalpine wetland in Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park was a net source of carbon to the atmosphere during a two-year period, despite being a net carbon sink for thousands of years. The study suggests that climate change may be affecting the carbon balance of these wetlands.
The USGS report provides a detailed overview of the nation's wetland resources, including their types, distribution, and conservation efforts. The 103 million acres of remaining wetlands in the United States support critical habitat for waterfowl and reduce flood severity while improving water quality.
The Penn State Cooperative Wetlands Center aims to develop specific guidelines for evaluating and restoring wetlands in Pennsylvania. The project has identified 51 reference wetlands and categorized them into types, such as riparian depressions and forested wetlands.
A new index developed by Jamie Coleman and David Styer uses bird counts to evaluate the condition of wetland habitats. The model identifies thriving wetlands with high water-loving bird populations and declining wetlands with fewer birds adapted to drier environments.