Tag: fish
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The Many Benefits of Wetlands Conservation
Photo © KEN ARCHER By J. Dale James, Ph.D., and Ellen R. Herbert, Ph.D. Wetlands are among the most valuable ecosystems on Earth, rivaling tropical rainforests in their biological productivity. Historically, wetland systems sustained civilizations by providing people with food and freshwater and protecting communities from flooding and storm surges. Prior to European settlement of…
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Why river floodplains are key to preserving nature and biodiversity in western USA
Gravel bed rivers and their floodplains are vital to local ecosystems and their ability to adapt to climate change. sandybrownjensen/flickr, CC BY-SA Although they may not commonly be viewed as hotspots for biodiversity, gravel-bed river floodplains are by far the most important feature for nature across the landscapes of western North America. This is because…
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“Wild, Wonderful” West Virginia’s Decapitated Mountains and Deformed Fish
Photo credit: Mandel Ngan Getty Images A scientist documents the poisoning of the state’s waters by the coal industry I spot a mountain peak covered in dense forest, then another and another. But then, where I expect to see yet another forested mountaintop, I see instead a stunted plateau—a mountain whose once distinct peak has…
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Every drop counts
Aquaponics is the practice of fish farming combined with the cultivation of plants in water without soil. Some integrated agri-aquaculture farms using aquaponics technology can reduce water consumption by 90% compared to purely traditional agricultural farms. Photo: © FAO/Khaled Desouki How aquaponics and integrated agri-aquaculture farms are making smart use of water Aquaponics has become…
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California’s water wars heat up at Sacramento hearing over river flows
At the Capitol on Monday, farmers protest a proposal by water officials to increase flows for the lower San Joaquin River. Photo: Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press Central Valley farmers and their elected leaders converged on Sacramento on Tuesday to accuse the state of engineering a water grab that puts the fate of fish above…
