Articles tagged with Watersheds
Research reveals high levels of contamination to water and sediment in Frenchman's Bay due to road salt applied in winter. The study found that 3,600 tonnes of road salt end up in the bay every winter, poisoning it for the rest of the year.
Researchers from four universities and the U.S. Forest Service found that glaciers along the Gulf of Alaska are a significant source of organic carbon, with up to 4,000-year-old material being flushed out with glacier melt. This ancient carbon is enriching stream and near-shore marine ecosystems.
A study in Alaska's Gulf of Alaska has found that glacial watersheds export biologically active organic matter to marine ecosystems, supporting higher organisms. As glaciers recede, this valuable food source will decrease, potentially impacting marine productivity.
The K-State Environmental Leadership Program develops an interdisciplinary course curriculum addressing water quality issues and civic engagement in watershed restoration. The program aims to build capacity in addressing environmental issues through a $114,000 grant from the US Department of Agriculture.
The USDA's $320 million initiative aims to support programs in 12 states, enabling farmers to implement conservation practices that reduce nutrient runoff and improve wildlife habitat. The program underscores the agency's commitment to sustainable land stewardship and cleaner water.
Research found that DOC losses from tile drains were not affected by crop management practices, but drainage hydrology and manure application played a role. The study highlighted the importance of understanding DOC contributions to surface waters in agricultural watersheds.
Research using museum specimens found support for alternative hypotheses on the evolution of locally distributed endemism, suggesting multiple processes develop local endemism. This knowledge can help identify priorities in conservation planning.
A new study reveals that airborne laser elevation (lidar) surveys provide a 10-fold improvement in topographical feature measurement precision. This technology adds greater clarity to mapping streams and rivers, allowing for better habitat analysis and restoration. The results have significant implications for various fields such as fo...
Researchers found that high crop biodiversity leads to less dissolved nitrogen in surrounding watersheds, suggesting a buffer effect from grasslands and woodlands. This could indicate a reversible impact if policy changes prioritize farming practices like crop rotation, smaller fields, and native perennial grasses.
Researchers found that diverse croplands lead to lower dissolved nitrogen levels in surrounding watersheds, reducing aquatic pollution. The study suggests that policy changes can mitigate the negative impacts of agriculture on water quality through crop rotation and buffer zone implementation.
A study by the University of Tennessee investigates the temporal patterns and statistical persistence of total coliform bacteria in a stream. The research found that short-term persistence is dominated by runoff events, while longer-term persistence is likely related to baseflow, or groundwater supply.
Small streams play a crucial role in removing human-generated nitrogen, reducing eutrophication and 'dead zones' in downstream lakes and coastal waters. The study found that the effectiveness of streams in removing nitrate is greatest when not overloaded by nitrogen sources.
A recent Smithsonian study reveals that widely used sediment prediction tools are failing to accurately forecast sediment delivery to the Chesapeake Bay. The researchers suggest a shift in focus towards understanding what happens near streams and during high-level stream events.
A study investigated intensive forestry's effects on water quality in eastern Texas. Fertilization resulted in small increases of nitrogen and phosphorus in watersheds, but these losses were a fraction of what was applied. Streamside buffers and natural regeneration helped minimize impacts.
The study combines field studies and remote-sensing data to assess the ecological functioning of wetlands in a landscape. The researchers developed statistical models that can predict denitrification potential from easily measurable properties of the soil, helping guide management priorities in a watershed.
Researchers used a combination of methods to pinpoint contamination sources in the Plum Creek watershed, identifying cattle and wildlife as dominant sources of fecal bacteria. The study highlights the importance of using multiple tools to track fecal contamination and inform pollution-control strategies.
A UVM study found ski resort development increases water volume, chloride, and sediment levels in watersheds. Researchers analyzed data from two side-by-side watersheds on Mount Mansfield, showing greater hydrologic effects from resort development than traditional resource extraction.
A comprehensive theory explains Madagascar's high levels of plant and animal endemism, relating it to watershed configurations and recent climatic shifts. The research provides a clear framework for testing evolutionary relationships and understanding the island's unique biodiversity.
Scientists at the Woods Hole Research Center have developed high-resolution maps of the built environment for the Chesapeake Bay watershed, capturing impervious surface cover and its implications for biogeochemical and hydrological processes. The new maps are being used to assess water quality and inform restoration efforts in the region.
A new model predicts that implementing effective governance and conservation policies could preserve up to 73% of the Amazon forest by 2050. The study highlights the urgent need to redirect economic forces towards sustainable development and conservation.
Recent surveys estimate survival rates of over 54% for released fingerlings, a significant improvement from previous years. The recovery effort uses a captive broodstock program to restore coho populations in the Russian River watershed.
A new protocol uses path analysis to track the impact of land use on streams, identifying key entities and processes that influence aquatic health. By analyzing 10 watersheds, researchers have developed a valuable approach to understanding the 'land-cover cascade' and its effects on stream ecosystems.
Invasive plant species infest US public land, costing Americans $34.7 billion annually. Researchers will discuss control strategies using online data and Exotic Plant Management Teams.
A new study models phosphorus loading into Lake Mendota, finding that the buildup of phosphorus in soils is likely to be the source of serious chronic environmental problems for hundreds of years. The research suggests that restoring water quality is unlikely unless soil erosion is greatly reduced and new technologies are developed.
Restoration efforts in the Chesapeake Bay should cross traditional boundaries and include upland and coastal areas. The approach emphasizes adaptive management and incorporates ecological resilience to withstand perturbation without a fundamental change.
A research team led by University of Maine scientists has documented that treating a watershed with additional acids accelerates the loss of critical nutrients calcium and magnesium. The experimentally induced nutrient depletion highlights the impact of acid rain on Maine's forests.
The BioScience special section examines the ecology and sustainability of tropical island streams, which face numerous threats including human alteration and natural fluctuations. The articles highlight conservation strategies to mitigate the effects of dams, deforestation, and invasive species on these ecosystems.
The Tufts team is developing digital modeling tools to help local communities map out their watersheds, identify trouble spots and take cost-effective steps to manage nutrient entry. The computer models will also be used by the EPA and state governments to improve upon their current systems for managing watershed nutrients.
A telephone survey of 1,988 Chesapeake Bay watershed residents found concern about pollution and importance of restoration, yet a lack of individual stewardship activity. To encourage action, agencies must inform citizens about their role in pollution and how their actions can improve water quality.
The US government has signed a bill to curb the introduction of unwanted aquatic organisms in ballast water. A template for national wetland restoration efforts is also being promoted, following Oregon's success in saving native salmon runs. Ozone treatment and biocide methods are being explored as cost-effective solutions.
A group of scientists, lawyers, conservationists, economists, and policymakers came together at Stanford to discuss novel ways to market ecosystem services. The workshop aimed to protect the ecosystem by putting an economic value on its less tangible services, such as water purification and flood control.
The new land cover maps will provide more precise assessments of land use types, including residential development, wetlands, forests, and crop lands. The maps will help improve estimates of polluted water runoff into the Chesapeake Bay by identifying pasture land and different crops.
Scientists from various disciplines gather to develop recommendations for restoring Pacific rivers for salmon habitats. The workshop aims to select candidate watersheds and measurements for evaluating restoration success, bringing together expertise in watershed restoration.
A new watershed model, GISWA, can help predict the effects of forest practices on watersheds and wildlife habitat. The model simulates hydrologic conditions at thousands of locations within a single watershed to provide a detailed representation of water movement.
Researchers found that soil erosion has been steadily decreasing since the 1930s, with erosion now at a mere 6% of its peak during the Dust Bowl era. The study's findings suggest that conservation efforts are working and watersheds are more intricate than previously thought.
Residents of the Otter Lake watershed formed a cooperative effort to reduce atrazine levels in their water supply, leading to a successful plan that reduced costs and improved environmental outcomes. The study highlights the importance of community culture and solidarity in responding to environmental crises.
A 20-acre Pennsylvania watershed was extensively measured in the 1970s, providing valuable data for calibration of runoff models. The study revealed differences in water behavior between south- and north-facing slopes, with implications for understanding small-scale hydrology.
Dr. Ray Herrmann, a USGS scientist, has been named an AAAS Fellow for his distinguished efforts in advancing science through his watershed research. He is being recognized for his leadership in communicating the importance of watershed investigations to various stakeholders.
Researchers are collecting data from the lowest few thousand feet of the atmosphere, known as the boundary layer, to better understand its interactions with the surface. The Cooperative Atmosphere-Surface Exchange Study (CASES) aims to improve weather forecasting by measuring heating and evaporation rates at the surface.