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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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Freshwater ecosystems at risk due to glyphosate use

Freshwater ecosystems at risk due to glyphosate use

Photo: One of the few species that was found to be resistant to severe glyphosate contamination was Scapholeberis mucronata, a freshwater zooplankter commonly found in Québec and elsewhere in North America. Credit: Marie-Pier Hébert

A series of recent research papers from a McGill-led team has found that the herbicide glyphosate—commonly sold under the label Roundup—can alter the structure of natural freshwater bacterial and zooplankton communities. Notably, the researchers found that … [more…]

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Most arctic ice at North Pole has vanished, warns polar explorer

photo: explorer Robert SwanMost of the ice around the North Pole has vanished, warns leading polar explorer

Robert Swan on an expedition (2041 Foundation)

Robert Swan, the first person to walk to both the North and South poles, tells i about the dramatic changes he has seen to the polar icescape in the past three decades

Thirty years ago the explorer Robert Swan walked 700 kilometres (435 miles) across Arctic sea ice in a 56-day springtime trek to the North Pole. Today, that ice is mostly water, … [more…]

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Over 3 Million Gallons of Lifesaving Water to Be Delivered to Wildlife in Arizona

Over 3 Million Gallons of Lifesaving Water to Be Delivered to Wildlife in Arizona

Photo Credit: Wikimedia/katsrcool

The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) will soon deliver nearly 3 million gallons of life-saving water to some of the state’s most vulnerable residents — herds of elk, bighorn sheep, bison, and other animals — as already severe drought conditions intensify.

The department plans to carry the unprecedented amount of water this year to 3,000 water catchment sites, or man-made watering holes that can hold between … [more…]

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Drought Spreads to 93 Percent of West — That’s Never Happened

Drought Spreads to 93 Percent of West—That’s Never Happened

Photo: In an aerial view, the San Gabriel River and the exposed lakebed of the San Gabriel Reservoir are seen on June 29, 2021 in the San Gabriel Mountains near Azusa, California. Credit: Mario Tama Getty Images

The western United States is experiencing its worst drought this century, threatening to kill crops, spark wildfires and harm public health as hot and dry conditions are expected to continue this month.

More … [more…]