By Christine Dulion, The Cool Down The warning doesn’t just apply to one state. Photo Credit: iStock New research by the University of Western Australia shows that California’s wild salmon population is at risk because of climate-driven environmental shifts, and scientists warn the impact could be permanent if extreme drought conditions continue. The study, led …
Coral restoration projects failing: One-third ineffective and unlikely to scale, study finds
Phys.Org As coral bleaching and deaths become more widespread globally, experts are re-evaluating the benefits of restoration missions to reverse damage and protect some of the world’s most species-rich ecosystems. When sea temperatures climb above average for sustained periods, corals can become bleached, meaning that they expel their symbiotic algae. If bleaching …
Consecutive El Niños are happening more often and the result is more devastating, research suggests
By Zhengyao Lu, Phys. Org El Niño, a climate troublemaker, has long been one of the largest drivers of variability in the global climate. Every few years, the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean seesaws between warm (El Niño) and cold (La Niña) phases. This reshuffles rainfall patterns, unleashing floods, droughts and …
Scientists issue dire warning after disturbing discovery made at the bottom of the ocean: ‘Not a single inch of it is clean’
By Leo Collis, The Cool Down The researchers sent a manned submarine into deep waters. Photo Credit: Getty Images Littering is a pet peeve of many, and unfortunately, nowhere seems to be safe from this disgusting habit. Scientists have even found trash at the very bottom of the Mediterranean Sea. What’s …
Bloom or bust? Superbloom spectacle eludes California after dry winter
By Katherine Gammon, The Guardian Riot of native wildflowers that enthralled visitors in the past several years have failed to sprout due to too little rain. Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve this year and in 2023. Composite: California Dept of Parks and Recreation/Getty Images It’s one of the best known rites …
Biodiversity loss in all species and every ecosystem linked to humans – report
By Phoebe Weston, The Guardian Sweeping synthesis of 2,000 global studies leaves no doubt about scale of problem and role of humans, say experts. An impala in Nairobi national park. Researchers found the number of species at human-impacted sites was almost 20% lower than at sites unaffected by humans. Photograph: Baz …
Shifts in subtropical North Atlantic Ocean expected over the next decade
Phys.Org Hydrographic Survey Deep Western Atlantic At 26.5N. Credit: NOAA AOML and University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science A new study analyzed nearly four decades of deep ocean observations to reveal significant cooling and freshening of deep water in the Subtropical North Atlantic. The results …
Scientists identify ‘tipping point’ that caused clumps of toxic Florida seaweed
By Richard Luscombe, The Guardian Giant blobs along 5,000-mile-wide sargassum belt has killed animals, harmed human health and discouraged tourism. A giant sargassum bloom in the Caribbean Sea. Photograph: Jean-Philippe Maréchal/University of South Florida/USF College of Marine Science Scientists in Florida believe they have identified a “tipping point” in atmospheric conditions …
Which tree species fix the most carbon?
By Phys.Org Forests provide many ecosystem services, including microclimate regulation, biodiversity preservation, air and water purification, and soil protection. Together with the oceans, they are one of the two most important carbon sinks, due to their capacity to store carbon in the soil and in tree biomass. As such, promoting …
After the fury, hurricanes can leave a lasting mark on deep ocean
By David Chandler, Phys.Org The impact of hurricanes when they travel over land, or when they affect ships or oil-drilling platforms, are quite well understood. But these huge cyclones also stir up the ocean itself, with consequences that are relatively unknown and hard to study. But a unique, subsurface experimental …