Articles tagged with Watersheds
A study of 2,272 streams in North America found that human-altered streams are at greater risk of severe flooding due to increased paved surfaces. Human activities also lead to water shortages and biodiversity loss in these streams.
A recent study found that rainfall significantly affects the abundance of Vibrio vulnificus in the Ala Wai Canal, with moderate rainfall leading to high concentrations of the bacterium. The researchers suggest that while exposure is still a risk, precautions such as washing off with soap and water can minimize the danger.
Research by Oregon State University scientists has found that tiny tire particles inhibit growth and cause adverse behavioral changes in organisms in freshwater and coastal estuary ecosystems. The findings suggest that even at current environmental levels of tire-related pollution, aquatic ecosystems may be experiencing negative impacts.
A study by University of Texas at Austin researchers found that narrow but deep channels across the coastal plain landscape play a significant role in moving water, particularly during floods. The channel networks covered over 12,000 square miles and were separated into distinct drainage basins.
Researchers used climate models and land use data to forecast watershed impact, finding average annual runoff may increase by 26% with conservation efforts. Runoff could rise by 67% if urban growth continues unabated, leading to increased pollutants.
Native marine macroalgae thrive in environments created by natural groundwater seeps, benefiting from enhanced nutrients despite lowered salinity levels. In contrast, tainted groundwater seeps support invasive species, threatening native algal dominance.
A new study from UMass Amherst suggests that changing land-use patterns in the greater Narragansett watershed can help mitigate the effects of climate change. The research found that expanding forest cover and investing in green infrastructure, such as rain gardens and living roofs, can reduce surface runoff and nutrient loading.
Researchers found that bacterial communities in streams adjacent to young secondary forests recover to resemble those of mature forest streams within a decade after cattle is removed from the land. This study provides hope for restoring water quality through passive reforestation, which can be crucial for human health and the environment.
A new study analyzes when a low-to-no-snow future might arrive and its implications for water management. If greenhouse gas emissions continue, low-to-no-snow winters will become regular occurrences in the western U.S. in 35 to 60 years.
The study will quantify changes in Arctic sediment production and transport due to climate change, informing First Nation community planning. As temperatures rise, increased rock weathering and sediment production are expected to alter river habitats, posing risks to local ecosystems and communities.
A researcher is collecting and genetically analyzing species found in the region's watersheds to understand their historical genetic connections. The project aims to rewrite the book on Guam's native diadromous organisms and potentially discover new species.
A team led by Indiana University Professor Travis O'Brien is embarking on a monumental project to better predict water availability in the Western US. The SAIL campaign will collect vast amounts of data to improve modeling and prediction of rainfall, snowfall, and runoff.
Researchers found socio-cultural barriers, lack of maintenance and funding, economic challenges, institutional barriers, technological and environmental barriers hinder GI adoption. Community-based approach identified the need for increased transparency and communication from government, as well as resident participation and engagement.
A study using environmental DNA found that mountaintop coal mining impacts 40% fewer species in Appalachian streams. The team detected 28 species of fish in all 93 sampled mined streams, comparable to traditional methods.
A systematic review of 169 conservation projects worldwide reveals that Indigenous and local communities are crucial for successful nature conservation. The study found that equitable conservation approaches, empowering local communities, yield positive outcomes for both humans and the environment. However, complex factors such as comm...
A new study by Portland State University assesses strategies for the Hood River watershed to adapt to climate change. The researchers found that a combination of water banking, infrastructure improvements, and reflexive feedback mechanisms can achieve overall resilience.
A new study from Oregon State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Wildlife Research Center found that beavers in the Coast Range of western Oregon exhibit relatively strong genetic differentiation, shaped by watershed boundaries and past relocations. The researchers recommend relocating beavers within watershed...
A new study reveals that dams in California do not adequately replicate natural thermal patterns, making them incapable of supporting cold-water species effectively. Key cold-water conservation candidates include streams highly influenced by groundwater and places where water easily infiltrates the soil.
A study by North Carolina State University found that surface waters in eastern North Carolina were more likely to face dual contamination from human and swine waste after Hurricane Florence. The presence of Arcobacter, a pathogen not associated with human or swine fecal markers, was also discovered.
A new study found that Baltimore County's leaky sewage infrastructure delivers tens of thousands of human doses of pharmaceuticals to the Chesapeake Bay annually, affecting aquatic life and behavior. The study estimates that nearly 1% of raw sewage flows into the environment via leaking pipes.
Researchers found substantial amounts of pharmaceutical compounds in a stream in Baltimore, despite low concentrations over the course of a year. The high loads are likely coming from leaking sewer pipes, posing a significant threat to aquatic life and ecosystems.
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 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 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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.