UNBELIEVABLE: Usgs - Caught on Camera

Forest Recovery After Pig Removal: Long-term Hawaiian data tracks native gains; invasive guava also surges

Recent research highlights the detrimental effects of feral pigs on Hawaiian forest ecosystems, particularly in relation to vegetation changes. Even after the removal of pigs, studies revealed a notable increase in invasive plant species. Furthermore, the recovery of native plants varied across different forests, indicating a persistent struggle without further…

The Times of India · Oct 2

Right Hand Fork Experiment: USGS field test finds native trout rebound; model points to strong long-term recovery

In a significant ecological restoration project, researchers dedicated four years to successfully eliminate invasive brown trout from Right Hand Fork. Monitoring the fish population for a decade before removing the non-native species allowed them to introduce cutthroat trout eggs and young fish afterward. Remarkably, within six years, the native trout…

The Times of India · Oct 1

How Some Homes Survived: Researchers trace role of embers and design; findings from Creek Fire

Wildfires pose an imminent threat to residential areas, exemplified by the Creek Fire's assault near Los Angeles. Homeowners like Wood Grigsby took measures to safeguard their properties, including managing vegetation and controlling small blazes. Studies indicate that specific structural features and creating defensible space can significantly lower fire risk. Nonetheless,…

The Times of India · Sep 30

New Jersey built a massive seawall to protect a highway and beach houses from erosion

In New Jersey, the construction of a seawall has safeguarded properties but has inadvertently resulted in the disappearance of the sandy shoreline. The energy from waves is redirected downwards, which has stripped away sand and left no beach visible even during low tide. This hard engineering tactic disrupts the natural…

The Times of India · Sep 10

The US built nearly 2,000 km of Mississippi River levees; helping erase 4,900 sq km of coastal land

The construction of levees along the Mississippi River has led to significant coastal land erosion in Louisiana by obstructing critical river sediment from reaching coastal estuaries. In an effort to combat this issue, environmental agencies are now reintroducing river mud into the affected bayous. This initiative is focused on rejuvenating…

The Times of India · Sep 10

In 2011, Colorado linked 90% of Lower Gunnison River selenium pollution to farming. 11 years later, farm work cut selenium by 50%, helping the river meet standards today

For years, selenium from irrigated farmland posed a challenge for Colorado’s Lower Gunnison River. Irrigation can mobilize naturally occurring selenium from shale-rich soils and carry it into waterways. Efforts to improve irrigation and reduce selenium runoff began changing that picture. By 2019, the river’s selenium load at Whitewater had fallen…

The Economic Times · Sep 7

In Florida’s Everglades, Burmese pythons are helping scientists track pollution

In Florida's Everglades, Burmese pythons are unexpectedly aiding scientists in pollution research. By accumulating harmful substances like PFAS and mercury, these invasive snakes provide a unique opportunity for study. Researchers can examine the tissues of pythons, allowing for insights into environmental health without endangering native wildlife, making these snakes an…

The Economic Times · Sep 7

In 2020, Ohio removed a dam from the once-polluted Cuyahoga River; it reopened 39 km of habitat, and scientists later detected 15 additional fish taxa

The removal of the Brecksville Diversion Dam has enhanced river habitats, allowing migrating fish to thrive. Researchers documented the arrival of fifteen new fish species within the lower Cuyahoga River. While native species have successfully reestablished their presence, the advent of nonnative species also marked a significant change in the…

The Times of India · Sep 3

In 2017, USGS injected 13.5 liters of red dye into Ohio’s Sandusky River during a grass carp spawning event; downstream stations measured dye movement

Researchers innovatively utilized red dye to trace the journey of grass carp eggs as they drift along the Sandusky River. By injecting the dye into the water, scientists could accurately assess flow patterns and egg displacement, identifying crucial spawning areas upstream of a dam. This groundbreaking methodology not only enhances…

The Times of India · Sep 3

MapQuest alone refused Trump's demand to rename Lake Ontario, but I still can't leave Google Maps and Apple Maps behind for this one reason

Topping download lists, MapQuest is the new mapping darling, but it's missing one key feature that will keep it from being my go-to navigation solution.

TechRadar · Sep 2