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Carbon Burial Rate in Remote Lakes Doubles in the Last 100 Years, Say Researchers

The rate of carbon burial in remote lakes has doubled over the last 100 years, suggesting even isolated ecosystems are feeling the effects of our changing climate.

28 Nov 2015

Study Reveals Evolutionary Responses of Phytoplankton to Warming Climate

A new study from the University of Exeter, published in the journal Ecology Letters, found that phytoplankton - microscopic water-borne plants - can rapidly evolve tolerance to elevated water temperatures. Globally, phytoplankton absorb as much carbon dioxide as tropical rainforests and so understanding the way they respond to a warming climate is crucial.

27 Nov 2015

Assessing Environmental Impact of Crude Oil Spills in Sensitive Ecosystems

A comprehensive scientific report released today by The Royal Society of Canada (RSC) has concluded that there are still critical research gaps hampering efforts to both assess the environmental impacts of crude oil spills and to effectively remediate them.

27 Nov 2015

Novel Research Project Uncovers Details about Mysterious Leopard Seals

In the pristine wilds of the Antarctic, the mysterious leopard seal rules the animal kingdom. This polar bear-sized top predator has razor-sharp canine teeth and the ability to greatly impact or even decimate entire communities of its prey, yet very few scientific studies have focused on this species.

23 Nov 2015

Warming of Arctic Waters May Impact Sensitive Marine Ecosystems in Polar Regions

The warming of arctic waters in the wake of climate change is likely to produce radical changes in the marine habitats of the High North. This is indicated by data from long-term observations in the Fram Strait, which researchers from the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) have now analysed. Their most important finding: even a short-term influx of warm water into the Arctic Ocean would suffice to fundamentally impact the local symbiotic communities, from the water's surface down to the deep seas. As the authors recently reported in the journal "Ecological Indicators", that's precisely what happened between 2005 and 2008.

23 Nov 2015

NASA Explores Impact of Climate Change on North Atlantic Phytoplankton

NASA begins a five-year study this month of the annual cycle of phytoplankton and the impact that small airborne particles emitted from the ocean have on the climate-sensitive North Atlantic.

6 Nov 2015

Parts of Arctic Ocean to Experience More Days of Open Water by 2050s

By the 2050s, parts of the Arctic Ocean once covered by sea ice much of the year will see at least 60 days a year of open water, according to a new modeling study led by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder.

3 Nov 2015

Extreme Temperature-Based Events Key to Understanding Climate of Chesapeake Bay

For the millions of people who live in its expansive coastal areas, Chesapeake Bay provides an important source of income and recreational enjoyment. To protect the ecosystem and the livelihood of area residents, it is important to assess how climate variability and change will affect Chesapeake Bay's shallow water ecosystems and water quality.

2 Nov 2015

Researchers Explore Expanded Land Use for Renewable Energies Versus Biodiversity Protection

Deployment of renewable energy is expanding all over the world. There is high competition between alternative land uses, and conflicts over limited land are likely to emerge between biodiversity conservation and expanded deployment of renewable energy.

30 Oct 2015

Ancient Permafrost Thawed by Changing Climate Could Release Massive Amounts of Carbon Dioxide

Researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey and key academic partners including the University of Colorado Boulder have quantified how rapidly ancient permafrost decomposes upon thawing and how much carbon dioxide is produced in the process.

27 Oct 2015