Articles tagged with Watersheds
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Decades of fire suppression have eliminated valuable wildlife habitat, but allowing lightning fires to burn has restored a resilient ecosystem with increased plant and pollinator biodiversity. This approach also limits the severity of wildfires and increases water availability during droughts.
A recent review from Oregon State University suggests that agricultural pollution is the cause of 48% of water-quality impairment in US surface waters. The study recommends greater buffer zones around bodies of water and more consistent enforcement of water protection regulations to reduce pollution.
Researchers find constructed wetlands are most cost-effective way to reduce nitrate and sediment loads in large streams and rivers. Wetlands slow down water and contain vegetation that processes nutrients, removing excess nitrates from the water.
The University of Texas at Arlington's CAPPA exhibit highlights the connection between urban growth and water systems in North Texas. UTA students will benefit from learning about ecologically sensitive urban planning models to create more inclusive built environments.
A new study found that over a third of Australian watersheds had not recovered from the Millennium Drought seven years later. The findings suggest that hydrological droughts can persist indefinitely, highlighting challenges to sustainable water use under climate change.
Rising freshwater salt pollution poses a significant threat to ecosystem health and human water security, with predicted increases over 50% in US streams by 2100. Researchers have identified opportunities to reduce salt pollution through watershed management, industrial regulation, and household product adoption.
Assistant Professor Xin Zhang received a $500,000 NSF CAREER Award to investigate how to align stakeholder interests with nitrogen reduction goals. The research aims to improve decision-making and develop innovative solutions for sustainable nitrogen management.
A UBCO researcher suggests a systematic approach to forest-water research to better understand the impact of human activities on natural filtration systems. The study highlights the need to consider multiple variables and their interactions when assessing the effects of deforestation, urbanization, and other disturbances on forest-wate...
Researchers have developed a new testing method to identify and quantify previously undetectable per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) compounds in watersheds on Cape Cod. The study found large quantities of PFAS, including those from fire-retardant foams, exceeding state maximum contaminant levels.
A study analyzing 100-year-old salmon scales found a 70% decline in wild sockeye salmon populations and diversity in the Skeena River. This decline has weakened the adaptive potential for salmon to survive climate change.
The study found genetic similarities between rainbow trout in the northern Deschutes watershed and the southern Klamath watershed, linking two now disconnected watersheds. The researchers also discovered unexpected high levels of genetic diversity in coho salmon, particularly in smaller coastal rivers.
A recent study highlights the complex relationship between climate change and forest management in driving wildfires. Climate change is found to be the primary driver of increasing fires in some ecosystems, while fire suppression dominates in others. The research reveals that local responses to these factors can vary greatly within ind...
Researchers found a 15% reduction in total nitrogen losses, 14% reduction in total phosphorus losses, and 39% reduction in sediment losses through crop reallocation simulations. This approach could be a potential path to restoring the Chesapeake Bay.
A study from University of Illinois agricultural economists found that Illinois residents value efforts to reduce watershed pollution and are willing to pay for environmental improvements. Respondents were surveyed on their willingness to pay for various water quality improvements, with a 50% reduction in algal blooms estimated to be w...
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a modeling framework to estimate soil erosion in the Drummer Creek watershed. The study found that even partial changes in tilling practices can have significant results, with vulnerable areas seeing a near-70% reduction in soil loss and sediment yield.
Researchers found that a small percentage of locations and events contribute to the majority of annual pollution loads entering the bay. The study suggests targeting 'hot moments' -- not just 'hot spots' -- across impaired watersheds to achieve water-quality-restoration goals.
Researchers found higher abundance and diversity of antibiotic resistance genes downstream of wastewater treatment plants, linked to human contamination. The study provides insights into the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in waterways after natural disasters.
Researchers developed an antibiotic resistance surveillance approach by applying DNA sequencing techniques to detect the spread of disease in watersheds impacted by large-scale storms. Baseline levels of antibiotic resistance genes in Puerto Rican watersheds prior to Hurricane Maria are unknown, but the study identified single gene tar...
Researchers used seismic waves to study chemical reactions deep below ground, revealing changes in porosity and saturation of rocks. The findings have implications for understanding water quality and protecting valuable groundwater resources.
A US study reveals that only 21 of 159 endangered species are adequately protected by existing areas, highlighting the need to increase conservation efforts. Private landowners can play a vital role in achieving conservation goals through conservation easements.
The regional coupled C-N-H2O cycle involves regional transport and transformation processes, biogeochemical C-N-H2O processes, and interactions between elements at the terrestrial-atmosphere and terrestrial-freshwater interfaces. Climate change impacts the cycle by driving nutrient cycling, primary productivity, and abiotic processes.
Researchers analyzed 23 years of data on native tallgrass prairie and crop-livestock systems in Oklahoma, finding that cropping systems increased nitrogen and phosphorus levels. The study highlights the importance of long-term research in understanding land management impacts on water quality.
Researchers at UNH found that forest fires in the Arctic can significantly impact stream chemistry, altering nutrient levels and potentially harming humans who depend on these waterways. The study showed that aftereffects of a burn can last up to five decades, with decreased carbon and increased nitrogen affecting local streams.
A new study found that urbanization of coastal areas in New England leads to smaller size and poorer health in migratory alewife populations. The researchers examined nine coastal ponds and sampled alewife born in 2008, finding that those from more developed watersheds were nearly half as long and up to 10 times lighter.
Researchers at Rice University found that Buffalo Bayou's natural form is better at absorbing floodwater and preventing it from spilling over into heavily populated areas. The study shows that urban development in the Brays watershed increased the 100-year flood plain, making it more prone to flooding.
The University of Guam and CNMI officials exchanged expertise and challenges in watershed management, identifying gaps in resources and encouraging collaboration. The NSF INCLUDES program funded the workshops, which aimed to promote sustainable living and conserve unique biodiversity in the Marianas.
A new study found that fire impacts water levels for up to 40 years after a wildfire, with increased flooding and elevated stream flow in subsequent summers. Salvage logging and re-seeding forest areas can help reduce these effects and restore normal water levels.
A new study by the Ausable River Association and Adirondack Watershed Institute reveals that road salt runoff into Mirror Lake prevents natural water turnover, posing a risk to its ecology. The researchers found that high levels of surface-water chloride have created anoxic conditions, limiting habitat availability for native lake trout.
A new study suggests that cannabis cultivation and residential development can cause significant streamflow depletion, with impacts felt most in late summer. Researchers found that groundwater pumping for cannabis irrigation has a larger impact on streamflow than traditional agriculture, posing a risk to local ecosystems.
Researchers found that urbanization decreases 'flashiness' -- rise and fall rates of water flow in streams -- in arid urban watersheds. This is the opposite pattern observed in wetter regions like the East. The study suggests lessons for better stormwater management everywhere.
Researchers used site-specific watershed data to determine the most cost-effective agricultural best management practices for a watershed. By applying customized BMPs tailored for the specific watershed, farmers could reduce sediment and nutrient loss by 26% less money.
The current US reduction strategy for the Detroit River doesn't address Lake Huron, a major source of phosphorus. The new study suggests that reducing phosphorus loads from the remainder of the watershed by 72% is unrealistic without adjustments to the strategy.
Historical phosphorus sources contribute to persistent nutrient pollution in rivers, masking efforts to improve surface water quality. The study highlights the need for long-term accounting of total historical phosphorus storage and reductions in contemporary surpluses.
A new study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory used supercomputers to analyze the effects of wildfires on hydrological changes in a California watershed. The research found that post-wildfire conditions resulted in greater winter snowpack and subsequent summer runoff, as well as increased groundwater storage.
A study from the University of California, Davis, identifies the specific strains of Toxoplasma gondii killing southern sea otters as connected to a bobcat and domestic cats from nearby watersheds. The researchers found that infectious agents can spread from cat feces on land to the sea, harming marine wildlife.
Despite increasing public and private resources for aquatic ecosystems, decades of watershed restoration projects have had mostly perceived impacts with relatively undocumented or missing data. Researchers suggest setting stricter monitoring standards and partnering with conservation groups to improve water quality measurement.
A workshop at the University of Texas at Arlington aims to develop a holistic approach to urban watershed management in North Texas. The event will bring together experts from various disciplines to discuss the environmental impacts of infrastructure, climate change, and economic growth on the Trinity River Watershed.
Pumping groundwater for irrigation has decreased streamflow and plant water availability in the US. Groundwater declines have led to a more than 50% decline in some streams, with evapotranspiration also declining in response.
Nick Fang is analyzing regional drainage and proposing recommendations to prevent future flooding in nine southeast Texas counties. His research has the potential to change not only an area but the entire state, saving property and improving flood warning systems.
Scientists used a powerful microbial detection device to show that suggestions of sewage in Kauai's watershed were mostly false positives. The PhyloChip technology detected isolated incidences of pig and cow fecal contamination, but the popular beach area downstream was clean.
Researchers have discovered that specific areas within the Nushagak River watershed are critical for salmon production and growth, with favorable locations changing year to year due to climate conditions. The study highlights the importance of protecting or restoring the entire basin scale to maintain ecosystem function.
A UMass Lowell expert is studying how much mercury accumulates in forests to reduce the pollutant worldwide. The research team measures forest soils and watersheds to understand mercury cycles.
Researchers have found that invasive round gobies in French Creek are consuming native freshwater mussels, posing a significant threat to their survival. The study's findings highlight the potential ecological disaster if gobies continue to spread in the watershed.
A new residential wood ash program aims to replenish Muskoka's declining calcium levels, essential for forest growth and life. The program could also improve crayfish stock, water quality, and maple syrup production.
A Duke University study analyzed hundreds of US estuaries to identify factors driving marsh loss, finding that scale and macro-scale coastal characteristics play a crucial role in determining wetland resilience. The research provides valuable insights for preservation and restoration efforts.
A recent study by University of Wyoming researchers analyzed the feasibility of eco-friendly land management practices to improve Panama Canal water flow and reduce erosion. The research, published in PNAS, suggests that offering contracts to private farmers could increase dry-season water flow, but market supply and scalability are li...
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 new study by Oregon State University economists found that watershed groups in the US have a positive impact on local water quality. The researchers analyzed data from 2,150 watersheds and found that increased group activity was associated with improved water quality.
A study finds that phosphorus accumulation in watersheds can reach a catastrophic threshold, accelerating runoff and harming aquatic ecosystems. The researchers estimate that some watersheds could reach this point in less than a decade due to high fertilizer use rates.
Researchers genotyped 2,000 brook trout in Pennsylvania's Loyalsock Creek watershed and found that over 93% were of genetically wild origin. The study suggests that hatchery-raised brook trout have low fitness and survival rates due to high mortality, making it difficult for them to introduce their genes into the wild population.
Researchers found that simulated conservation dairy-farming systems in Pennsylvania's Spring Creek watershed reduced nutrient and sediment losses, improving water quality. By growing all their own feed and forage, using no-till planting and manure injection, these farms achieved significant pollution reductions.
The University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) has partnered with the Chesapeake Conservancy to develop a more accurate map of the region's waterways using novel techniques. This project aims to prioritize restoration efforts and enhance enforcement of environmental laws in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
A study found similar trends in streamflow in natural and human-modified watersheds, indicating climate-induced changes. Streamflow decreased in the southern US and increased in northeastern states and Canadian prairies.
ARS researchers found 34 E. coli isolates with resistance to antimicrobial drugs in the Upper Oconee Watershed. The presence of pathogenic strains like ST131 poses a risk of antimicrobial resistance in surface waters, but scientists assure it's not a threat to public health due to proper disinfection methods.
Researchers found that high hippopotamus densities increased eutrophication and biodiversity loss in river pools during the dry season. However, no changes were observed in water chemistry or biodiversity during the wet season, highlighting human influence on watershed ecology.
A Dartmouth-led research study found that New Hampshire's streams will warm due to climate change, impacting species dependent on cold water. The study suggests that watersheds with colder temperatures and less sensitivity to air temperature changes should be prioritized for conservation.
A new system called MAPHEX can remove almost all phosphorus from stored livestock manure, addressing a major environmental issue in the US. The technology could have a huge impact on water quality problems if made more affordable to operate.
Researchers report that wildfires can cause a variable but predictable impact on the substances released from soils and flow into drinking water sources, leading to contamination. The study found that as wildfire severity increases, the amount of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) released by soil decreases, while sediments increase.
A recent study by Syracuse University researchers examines the impact of de-icing salts on the Tioughnioga River watershed. The team found that surface-water chloride concentrations are expected to decrease in 20-30 years due to changes in climate and snowfall patterns.
A global assessment of small hydropower dams highlights their potential for growth, but lacks scientific studies on their environmental impact. Researchers estimate that nearly 83,000 small dams are operating or under construction in 150 countries, with the number potentially tripling if all capacity were developed.