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Forest defoliator outbreaks alter nutrient cycling in northern waters

Forest defoliator outbreaks alter nutrient cycling in northern waters

Abstract

Insect defoliators alter biogeochemical cycles from land into receiving waters by consuming terrestrial biomass and releasing biolabile frass. Here, we related insect outbreaks to water chemistry across 12 boreal lake catchments over 32-years. We report, on average, 27% lower dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and 112% higher dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations in lake waters when defoliators covered entire catchments and reduced leaf area. DOC reductions reached 32% when deciduous … [more…]

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Great Lakes Scientist says, “If We Lose The EPA, We Lose Lake Erie”

Great Lakes Scientist says, “If We Lose The EPA, We Lose Lake Erie”

At the 8th Binational Meeting of the Lake Erie Millennium Network, 125 scientists gathered at the University of Windsor in Ontario to hear experts weigh-in on the health of the southernmost, warmest and shallowest of the Great Lakes.

They presented research on everything from climate change, water quality, phosphorous, agricultural run-off, cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), hypoxia (deficiency in oxygen), cladophora (green algae) to ice, invasive species, sediment concentrations, and much, much … [more…]

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Water: How farmers meet the challenge of too little, too much

Water: How farmers meet the challenge of too little, too much

Leslie Dyment, at Crow Hill Farm in Cameron.

Farmers have been concerned about water issues for as long as human beings have been growing crops. From the irrigation ditches of the ancient near east, to the flooding of ancient Egypt, the lack of water, or too much of it, has shaped the rhythms of farming life.

As a result, farmers throughout history have developed various strategies related to water.

Some … [more…]

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Mayors, Anishinabek Nation Call for Stricter Rules in Great Lakes Withdrawals

Map: the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence waterway

Canadian and United States mayors from the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative and Anishinabek Nation leadership have joined together to call for stricter rules for any new water withdrawals from the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence.

They are asking the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Water Resources Council (Compact Council) and Regional Body to reconsider and defer the adoption of proposed changes to the procedures for reviewing requests … [more…]

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Indigenous Services Provides Update on Water Advisories

photo: glass of drinking water. Indigenous Services Provides Update on Water Advisories

[Canada] The federal government has shared the latest results in its efforts to end all long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on Indigenous reserve by March 2021.

For the month of August 2018, the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, provided the following update as part of the department’s monthly report on long-term drinking water advisories:

  • A long-term drinking water advisory was added in Wabaseemoong Independent Nations, Ontario
… [more…]