Scientists have uncovered a disturbing twist in how climate change affects our oceans, revealing that tiny changes at the bottom of the food chain can have massive impacts on most fish populations.



The findings of a recent study highlight the intricate workings of the ocean's food web and how it's more vulnerable to warming temperatures than previously thought.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiny-ocean-creatures-big-fish-impact">Tiny ocean creatures, big fish impact</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-heatwaves-have-complex-effects-on-phytoplankton-food-web/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Phytoplankton</a> are tiny, plant-like organisms that float around in oceans, seas, and lakes. Even though you can't see them without a microscope, they're incredibly important. 



They use sunlight to make their own food through photosynthesis, just like plants do on land. In the process, they produce a huge amount of the Earth's oxygen -- some estimates say up to half of it. 



These little guys are the starting point of the food chain in aquatic environments, feeding small fish, shrimp, and other marine creatures.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dust-from-africa-sparked-a-massive-phytoplankton-bloom/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Phytoplankton</a> also play a big role in absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to regulate our planet's climate. But they're sensitive to changes in their environment, like warming waters.



When climate models predict that warming oceans will reduce phytoplankton levels by 16% to 26% in regions like the North Atlantic, it's a cause for concern.



But here's where it gets alarming: the study found that this seemingly modest drop in phytoplankton could slash the ocean's capacity to support fish by a staggering 38% to 55%. That's more than double the initial decrease in phytoplankton.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-phytoplankton-and-the-hidden-amplifier">Phytoplankton and the hidden amplifier</h2>



Dr. Angus Atkinson from the <a href="https://pml.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plymouth Marine Laboratory</a> and Dr. Axel Rossberg of <a href="https://www.qmul.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queen Mary University</a> of London led the research team behind this discovery.



They took a straightforward approach by examining real-world data on plankton sizes from oceans, seas, and lakes around the globe. 



By looking at the sizes of plankton, they could determine how efficiently energy moves up the food chain -- from tiny phytoplankton to the fish we rely on.



This amplification effect hinges on a surprising twist: temperature, often blamed for food web disruptions, appears to play a secondary role. 



Instead, the key driver is the overall amount of phytoplankton, which governs how efficiently energy flows from tiny plankton to larger fish.



"Our global analysis sheds light on a hidden vulnerability," explained Dr. Atkinson. "We were surprised to find temperature didn't directly affect food web efficiency. Instead, we see ecosystems <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/invisible-forest-of-phytoplankton-thrives-in-a-warming-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adapting to warming</a> by changing plankton size. "



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nutrients-the-unsung-hero">Nutrients: The unsung hero</h2>



In the open ocean, nutrients come from deeper waters. As the surface warms, it becomes more layered, making it harder for these nutrients to reach the <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/spectacular-phytoplankton-bloom-in-the-north-atlantic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phytoplankton at the top</a>.



"Close to shore or in lakes, excess nutrients from land can cause imbalances like harmful algal blooms," notes Dr. Rossberg. 



"But at the vast scales relevant to climate change, it's the lack of nutrients from deeper waters that becomes the major bottleneck."



To clarify, warming oceans, seas, and lakes impact fish indirectly by reducing nutrient supply from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/toxic-legacy-decades-old-ddt-found-in-deep-sea-fish/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deeper waters</a>, ultimately shrinking phytoplankton size and hindering energy transfer throughout the food web.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-real-world-impact-for-ocean-fish">Real world impact for ocean fish</h2>



When phytoplankton numbers change, the impact can ripple through the entire <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oceans-twilight-zone-stabilizes-the-marine-food-chain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine ecosystem</a>, impacting everything from water quality to the abundance of fish.



This isn't just a problem for the fish; it's a problem the planet. Many communities around the world depend on fishing for food and livelihood. 



The study highlights the need to consider climate change impacts when managing fisheries.



"Global averages can mask the true picture," explains Dr. Atkinson. "Some of the most significant projected declines are in areas with concentrated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fish-stocks-are-collapsing-globally-as-overfishing-continues/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fishing activities</a>."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-next">What happens next?</h2>



So, what can we do about it? The researchers suggest a multi-pronged approach to ensure sustainable fisheries in the face of climate change. 



"We need a combination of data on plankton size structure and sophisticated computer simulation models to design truly 'climate-smart' ocean protection strategies," concludes Dr. Rossberg. 



"By understanding the hidden amplifiers within the food web, we can better safeguard the future of our oceans and the vital resources they provide."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oceans-fish-and-the-global-food-chain">Oceans, fish, and the global food chain</h2>



To sum it all up, these scientists found that even a small drop in phytoplankton levels due to warming oceans can massively reduce fish populations. 



They discovered that it's not just the temperature rise itself causing problems, but the decrease in nutrients reaching these tiny organisms. 



This leads to smaller plankton and less efficient energy transfer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbial-awakening-arctic-food-webs-are-transforming-from-green-to-brown/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">up the food chain</a>, which is bad news for fish and, by extension, us.



This study underscores underscores the interconnectedness of Earth's ecosystem. Tiny changes at the bottom can have huge impacts at the top. 



It's a reminder that we need to pay attention to even the smallest players in the ecosystem if we want to protect the health of our planet. 



By understanding these hidden mechanisms, we can work towards smarter strategies to safeguard our oceans and the communities that rely on them.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-44406-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Earth’s oceans, seas, and lakes are quickly losing their ability to keep fish alive

Scientists have uncovered a disturbing twist in how climate change affects our oceans, revealing that tiny changes at the bottom of the food chain can have massive impacts on most fish populations. The findings of a recent study highlight the intricate workings of the ocean's food web and how it's more vulnerable to warming temperatures than previously thought. Tiny ocean creatures, big fish impact Phytoplankton are tiny, plant-like organisms that float around in oceans, seas, and lakes. Even though you can't see them without a microscope, they're...

New research published in the journal Nature Climate Change shows a bleak future for many marine invertebrates living around Antarctica as climate change continues to impact the globe. 

Over the next few decades, the average global temperature is predicted to rise by .04 degrees, and scientists are starting to see the effect that this warming will have on the ecosystems around the Antarctic sea floor. 

As the Antarctic sea floor warms, the species who have thrived in those cold waters will be drastically impacted by habitat degradation.

A research team from the<a href="https://www.bas.ac.uk/"> British Antarctic Survey</a> used the new ORCHESTRA program, funded by the UK’s <a href="http://www.nerc.ac.uk/">Natural Environment Research Council </a>(NERC) to conduct the study. 

ORCHESTRA, which stands for Ocean Regulation of Climate by Heat and Carbon Sequestration and Transports, is an expansive project that uses data collection, analyses, and computer simulations to measure and better understand how the Southern Ocean will be impacted by climate change. 

The researchers used ORCHESTRA to create various computer models to see how the native invertebrates around <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-volcanic-range-antarctica/">Antarctica</a> would fare as waters warmed and found that 79 percent of native species would be negatively affected and lose habitat.

The researchers point out that while initially, a slight temperature rise might seem beneficial, in the long run, it will prove costly to many marine species. 

“While a few species might thrive at least during the early decades of warming, the future for a whole range of invertebrates from starfish to corals is bleak, and there's nowhere to swim to, nowhere to hide when you're sitting on the bottom of the world's coldest and most southerly ocean and it's getting warmer by the decade,” said lead author Dr. Huw Griffiths.

The research team analyzed 963 seabed species of the Antarctic sea floor and of those, 577 could face a habitat reduction due to climate change. Some of the 577 species could even lose as much 40 percent of their normal habitat. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Image Credit: Cath Waller

Warming Antarctic sea floor will cause costly habitat degradation

New research published in the journal Nature Climate Change shows...

How are we able to trace what the Earth was like hundreds of thousands of years ago? Scientists use a method called ice core research, which involves drilling deep into into ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland to uncover clues frozen beneath the ice. Now, a new study has used ice core data to determine that a long stretch of volcanic eruptions in Antarctica occurred around the same time as a global warming event 17,000 years ago.  

The study was led by Joseph McConnell, professor from the <a href="https://www.dri.edu/">Desert Research Institute’s</a> (DRI) ultra-trace Chemical Ice Core Analytical Laboratory, and his team of researchers.

“Detailed chemical measurements in Antarctic ice cores show that massive, halogen-rich eruptions from the West Antarctic Mt. Takahe volcano coincided exactly with the onset of the most rapid, widespread climate change in the Southern Hemisphere during the end of the last ice age and the start of increasing global greenhouse gas concentrations,” said McConnell.

The halogen-rich eruptions would have drastically changed the environment, altered solar insulation, changed the composition of the continental ice sheets, and emitted more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/converts-greenhouse-gases-clean-fuel/">greenhouse gasses</a>.

The researchers also note that the volcanic ash fallout from the Mt. Takahe eruptions could have spanned as far Southern South America. 

McConnell discovered the Takahe eruptions by analyzing the West Antarctic Ice Sheet Divide (WAIS Divide) core, a sample taken from as deep as two miles into the ice sheet, in the DRI Ultra-Trace Laboratory. 

The researchers discovered a chemical anomaly in the ice core data that matched a similar anomaly in the Byrd Ice core sample extracted and studied in the 1990s. But due to a lack of technology, the anomaly was not connected to volcanic activity at the time.

“Most previous Antarctic ice core records have not included many of the elements and chemical species that we study, such as heavy metals and rare earth elements, that characterize the anomaly - so in many ways, these other studies were blind to the Mt. Takahe event,” said McConnell. 

The chemical anomaly was then discovered in other ice core data made available to the researchers. 

McConnell’s research finally gives a definitive reason for the global warming that took place so long ago, and the ice core data will prove invaluable to future scientists, climatologists, and geologists. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a>, Staff Writer

Ancient volcanic eruptions changed the Southern hemisphere climate

How are we able to trace what the Earth was...

As floodwater from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hurricane-harvey-worst-hurricanes/">Hurricane Harvey</a> begins to recede, officials are concerned the death toll will continue to rise. At least 40 people have lost their lives and thousands have been displaced. 

Texas governor Greg Abbott said that there are more than 32,000 people in shelters across the state. Some residences will retain water for weeks, and evacuees are preparing for a long period of recovery.

For all of those people who want to support the victims of the hurricane, it is difficult to know the best way to help.

Bob Ottenhoff is the president and CEO of the <a href="http://disasterphilanthropy.org/">Center for Disaster Philanthropy</a>. He explained that it is best to send money, not items, to help with the disaster relief.

Ottenhoff told <a href="http://www.npr.org/">NPR</a>,"This is not the time to be donating products or even services...With the floods blocking off streets, when warehouses are not available, there's no place for these products — there's no place to store anything, there's no place to distribute anything. And that's going to be the case for some time."

Ottenhoff suggested that people should send money now for immediate relief, but also save some of their donation to send later for rebuilding efforts. He said that "this is often the part of a disaster that doesn't get media attention and therefore doesn't get donor support."

Experts advise to find a trusted organization to avoid scams and ensure your money is going directly to the hurricane victims. Susan Koranda is an advisory board member for the Chicago Salvation Army who also volunteers for the Red Cross.

Koranda told the Naperville Sun that even though donating to organizations like the <a href="http://www.redcross.org/">American Red Cross</a> and the <a href="http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/">Salvation Army</a> "sounds a little cold and impersonal,” it is actually the best way to help. She said that this “allows local organizations to do what they do best."

Donations to the Salvation Army can be made on their website. The American Red Cross also accepts donations online or you can text HARVEY to 90999 to donate $10.

Houston mayor Sylvester Turner set up the <a href="https://ghcf.org/hurricane-relief/">Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund</a> after receiving an overwhelming amount of inquiries from people wanting to help. <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/hurricaneharvey">GoFundMe</a> has posted all of its Hurricane Harvey-related campaigns on a single website for easy access. 

<a href="https://www.directrelief.org/">Direct Relief</a> is shipping medical supplies to victims, and <a href="https://www.americares.org/">Americares</a> is on the ground in Texas distributing water, medical aid, and basic supplies. 

For those who live in the Texas area or simply prefer to send items, the <a href="http://www.texasdiaperbank.org/">Texas Diaper Bank</a> in San Antonio is asking for diapers and wipes, which can be dropped off or sent through the mail. <a href="http://www.houstonfoodbank.org/">Houston Food Bank</a> and <a href="http://www.foodbankcc.com/">Food Bank of Corpus Christi</a> are also asking for donations.

There are plenty of ways to support the animals who are hurricane victims as well.

<a href="https://www.spca.org/">The SPCA of Texas</a> has evacuated pets, including 123 cats from a shelter in Corpus Christi. <a href="https://www.austinpetsalive.org/">Austin Pets Alive!</a> has also taken in hundreds of animals. This organization has ran out of storage space for donated supplies, so cash donations are encouraged. In addition, they are seeking people to adopt pets.

A complete list of trusted organizations that are helping the victims of Hurricane Harvey can be found at the <a href="https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&amp;cpid=5239">Hurricane Harvey: Charity Navigator</a> website.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

The best ways to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey

As floodwater from Hurricane Harvey begins to recede, officials are...

As the tundra gets warmer and plants adapted for its harsh, cold environment struggle to survive, grazing reindeer and other animals may actually help protect them.

So says a new study from <a href="http://www.umu.se/english">Umeå University</a> in Sweden, where researchers visited tundra meadows with grazing herds and small, plant-eating animals like voles and lemmings, then looked at meadows without these animals.

"We found that the warming increased the number of species in plots that were grazed, because it enabled small tundra plants to appear and grow there. But when we fenced reindeer, voles and lemmings out, vegetation became denser and the light was limited. As a result, many small and slowly-growing plant species were lost," said Dr. Elina Kaarlejärvi, the study leader.

The grazing reindeer and their other herbivorous cohorts ate tall, wide-leaved species that blocked sunlight from other plants growing in the meadows. The result was actually a healthier, more diverse range of plant life in the unfenced meadows. 

Earlier studies assumed that plant species would die out and diversity would wither in the tundra due to warming. However, the voles, lemmings and reindeer seem to counteract that, allowing small and slow-growing species to have an equal opportunity at survival.

"By eating tall and wide-leaved plants, reindeer can increase light availability and thus allow more plant species to co-exist and benefit from warmer conditions," Kaarlejärvi said in a press release.

The scientists conducted their research in Kilpisjärvi in northwest Finland. They monitored which plants appeared, flourished, waned or disappeared in both fenced and unfenced meadow plots. They added nutrients to some plots by way of fertilization.

They also constructed small greenhouses in some locations that increased summer temperatures by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius, to see how a further rise in temperatures might affect the tundra. 

The study will be published in the journal <a href="http://www.nature.com/ncomms/">Nature Communications</a>. 

—

By <a href="mailto:kcathey@earth.com">Kyla Cathey</a>, <a href="http://www.earth.com">Earth.com</a> staff writer

Image credit:  Dr. Elina Kaarlejärvi

Grazing reindeer play a vital role in keeping the tundra healthy

As the tundra gets warmer and plants adapted for its...

Zero waste proponents have found an unlikely champion in the quest to eliminate garbage: college sporting venues.

Researchers at the <a href="http://missouri.edu/">University of Missouri</a> were curious to measure the success of their own university’s sustainability efforts, and see where they could continue to improve.

"Our objectives were to develop a system to characterize the waste produced at sporting events prior to game day and unsold food disposed of on game day, quantify the greenhouse gases produced, identify waste management and recycling strategies, and develop scenarios that event managers can use to decrease life cycle greenhouse gas emissions and energy use,” study co-author Dr. Christine Costello said in a press release.

To get a good idea of what kind of waste the university was generating at athletic events, the University of Missouri team audited the landfill waste produced at five football games at the college in 2014.

They found that the majority of the landfill waste produced came from pre-game food preparation off-site. A full 96 percent of the waste generated by the football games was pre-consumer and unsold food items. 

The research team brainstormed several ideas for reducing the amount of food waste generated by Mizzou’s football games. To reduce food waste, they suggested analyzing food demand at games to better predict what and how much to make; donating unsold food to charities and food banks; providing more recycling bins throughout the stadium; and replacing some of the beef items with chicken or vegetables, to contribute less to cattle-related greenhouse gas emissions. 

College sporting venues can also work to educate their spectators about recycling, sustainability and zero waste campaigns, the researchers said.

"Athletic events offer a great opportunity for engaging with a large, diverse crowd that may or may not be familiar with sustainability issues," said Dr. Ronald G. McGarvey, who co-authored the study. "Sporting event organizers can generate pro-environmental messaging to a broad audience and should take advantage of getting the word out about sustainable operations."

Their methods and findings can help other college sporting venues analyze where they can reduce waste as well.

The case study was published in the journal <a href="http://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/9/7/1236">Sustainability</a>. Funding was provided by the <a href="https://mizzouadvantage.missouri.edu/">Mizzou Advantage</a>.

—

By <a href="mailto:kcathey@earth.com">Kyla Cathey</a>, <a href="http://www.earth.com">Earth.com</a> staff writer

Image credit: <a href="http://mutigers.com/">MU Athletics</a>

College sporting venues are leading the way toward zero waste

Zero waste proponents have found an unlikely champion in the...

A new study has revealed that antidepressants are making their way into the Great Lakes and into the organs of fish. This raises concerns about the efficiency of wastewater treatment plants and may affect the stability of marine ecosystems.

Scientists tested the muscles and organs of 10 species of fish in the Niagara River to look for traces of pharmaceuticals and personal care products. They found high concentrations of antidepressant drugs and their remnants in the brain tissue of all 10 species including bass and walleye.

Lead author Diana Aga, a Chemistry professor at the <a href="https://www.cas.buffalo.edu/">University at Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences</a>, said that this alarming discovery may be a serious threat to the environment.

"These active ingredients from antidepressants, which are coming out from wastewater treatment plants, are accumulating in fish brains," said Aga. "It is a threat to biodiversity, and we should be very concerned.”

Study co-author Randolph Singh explained that changes like this have the potential to disrupt the balance between species which keeps the ecosystem stable. Singh pointed out that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chemicals-creating-transgender-fish/">antidepressants</a> found in the fish do not pose a threat to humans, especially in the United States where people do not eat fish organs.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the number of Americans taking antidepressants rose by 65 percent between 1999 and 2014. Aga said the wastewater treatment facilities have failed to keep pace with this growth, typically ignoring these drugs and allowing them to be released into the environment.

The research team found the highest concentration of a single compound in a rock bass, which had 400 nanograms of norsertraline per gram of brain tissue. Norsertraline is a metabolite of sertraline, the active ingredient in Zoloft, and over half of the fish tested had high levels of this drug. The rock bass also had a cocktail of other compounds, including the active ingredient of Celexa and remnants of Prozac and Sarafem.

The experts explained that the antidepressants detected in the fish brains had accumulated over time, often reaching concentrations that were several times higher than the levels in the river. Levels of norsertraline, for example, reached concentrations that were often hundreds of times higher than that found in the river.

Aga said further research must be done to determine what amount of antidepressants poses a risk to fish and how the drugs influence their behavior. The study is published in the journal <a href="http://pubs.acs.org/journal/esthag">Environmental Science and Technology</a>.
--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Antidepressants are getting into fish brains in the Great Lakes

A new study has revealed that antidepressants are making their...

Many people find that images, videos, and even sounds of nature have a calming effect on them – especially if you spend all day cooped up in a corporate environment. But do these same things have a similar effect on inmates in prison?

This is the question a recent study by researchers at the <a href="http://www.unews.utah.edu/">University of Utah</a> and published in <a href="http://www.frontiersinecology.org/fron/">Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment</a> sought to answer. The researchers followed inmates in solitary confinement at an Oregon prison for a year, showing one population a nature video during their 45-minute exercise period four to five times a week, and comparing it to another population that didn’t watch the videos. The videos depicted a variety of nature scenes, ranging from deserts to oceans to rainforests.

During this time, the researchers surveyed and interviewed the inmates and prison staff, and tracked the number of disciplinary referrals – or violent infractions of prison rules – in the cellblock.

Of the inmates surveyed, 80 percent said that the videos made their time easier. Many reported they felt a calming effect after watching the videos, and that they found their relationships with staff improved. Some said that they were even sleeping better.

“The nature project help’s me think clearer to know there is so much more beauty in this world then this prison,” wrote one inmate.

Although initially skeptical, prison staff said that they observed fewer angry outburst and concerning behaviors. 

Through statistical analysis of data from the prison staff, the researchers found that if the cellblock were at full capacity, the prisoners that viewed the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natures-climate-change/">nature</a> videos would commit 26 percent fewer infractions than those that hadn’t. Since each infraction carries the possibility of someone getting hurt, decreasing the number of these incidents is a big deal.

The results of this study have far-ranging implications for improving the lives of nature-deprived populations – which may include up to 5 million people. This same nature therapy could be used in nursing homes, homeless shelters, military barracks, and many other institutions.

Moving forward, the researchers will begin creating toolkits with new nature videos from National Geographic as well as education materials about the habitats to be featured in the videos. These materials will go out to ten prisons to start, but have the ability to benefit people in any nature-deprived environment.

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Nature imagery has a calming effects on prisoners

Many people find that images, videos, and even sounds of...

An international team of scientists have collaborated to save coral reefs, which are currently under severe threat due to warming ocean waters caused by climate change. 

The team is comprised of marine biologists from across five different countries, led by Manuel Aranda and Christian Voolstra from <a href="https://www.kaust.edu.sa/">King Abdullah University of Science and Technology</a>. The researchers’ collective efforts were published in a paper in the journal Nature Climate Change.

<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/movie-review-sea-of-life/">Coral reefs</a> are important ecosystems that provide habitat and shelter for many marine animals. They’re also some of the most beautiful and diverse naturally-occurring ecosystems on the planet, and as such, play an important role in many tourism-heavy economies. 

<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-bleaching-havoc-hawaiian/">Coral bleaching</a> events have wreaked havoc on reefs across the globe, most notably Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. With water temperatures continuing to increase, coral bleaching events are projected to only worsen.

“The clock is ticking. If we look at the Great Barrier Reef, more than 30% of the corals may already be dead. Understanding these mechanisms is becoming increasingly important if we want to help these ecosystems,” said Aranda. 

The key, according to the researchers, lies in microbes. Studying how coral reefs can adapt to climate change revolves around understanding how coral microbes change and adapt to varying conditions.

“All animals and plants associate with microbes and form so-called metaorganisms. In particular, coral metaorganisms rely on their microbial partners for survival. These microbes hold the promise to contribute to host physiology and can quickly adjust under changing environmental conditions, thereby helping the coral to adapt,” said Voolstra.

The researchers came up with eight different directions to study that could help paint a better picture of how coral may adapt to the effects of climate change. They recommended looking at the plasticity, epigenetic mechanisms, and microbiomes in the coral. 

Corals are considered ecosystem engineers because the reefs they build host 25 percent of all marine species. Aside from their aesthetic beauty, reefs are extremely important to ocean conservation.

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Scientists team up to save coral reefs from climate change

An international team of scientists have collaborated to save coral...

In 2016, there were a reported 40,000 road traffic deaths in the United States, a jump of 6 percent from the previous year. According to the <a href="http://www.nsc.org/NewsDocuments/2017/12-month-estimates.pdf">National Safety Council</a>, the year before saw a 7 percent increase from 2014. Experts attribute many factors to the rising number of traffic incidents, including cell phone use and speeding. Now, new research shows that rising temperatures may also be linked to road deaths and traffic collisions, a factor not previously considered.

Dr. Leon Robertson from the University School of Public Health in Green Valley, Arizona conducted research to see if climate change was at all to involved, as 2015 was a particularly <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/2015-was-the-hottest-year-ever-recorded/">warm year</a> across the United States. 

From 2014 to 2015, annual temperatures rose 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit in the areas that Robertson studied. Robertson gathered data from recorded temperatures, precipitation, mileage, and traffic fatalities to see if there was a correlation between temperatures, rainfall, and the number of miles driven annually. 

Robertson found that people drove 60 miles more per year for every degree the temperature rose, and drove 66 more miles annually with every additional inch of rainfall. 

The research also found that road deaths increased in warmer areas and in places with more rainfall. That rate also increased in areas where freeway speed limits were higher. 

Robertson noted that given the correlation between mileage and temperature, in 2015 drivers would have tacked on 13.6 billion extra miles because of the 1.5 degrees increase. He also noted that road deaths increased on warmer days for a number of reasons, including more people driving and an increase in foot and bicycle traffic. 

“As temperatures continue to increase from heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere, road deaths will likely increase more than expected unless there are major mitigating countermeasures,” said Robertson. 

Robertson’s research is based on an observational study and comes with a certain set of limitations. Most observational studies cannot be taken at face value because of external factors that were perhaps not considered. 

But Robertson’s study is important as it points to a “vicious cycle” of higher temperatures equalling more miles driven, which in turn creates more carbon emissions and the rotation repeats again. 

The research further adds to the mounting evidence that climate change is drastically changing our environment, and disastrous consequences could ensue if measures aren’t taken to hinder the effects. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

How climate change relates to the rising number of road deaths

In 2016, there were a reported 40,000 road traffic deaths...

Because climate change affects such a large geographical territory, it’s often difficult for scientists to properly predict how certain ecosystems will respond. Overcoming this challenge has now led a group of researchers at the Rothera Research Station in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strong-ocean-waves-antarctic-ice/">Antarctic Ocean</a> to warm a small portion of the environment around them, in order to observe localized changes.

The researchers warmed an area of seabed around the station by 1° and 2° Celsius – the global temperature increases expected within the next 50 years and 100 years respectively – and observed the major impacts these temperature changes had on the marine community. By deploying heated settlement panels for the purpose of warming a thin layer of water, they were able to mimic the ocean temperatures one might find in that area just years down the road.

The researchers found that with just a 1°C increase in temperature, a single pioneer species of bryozoan (Fenestrulina rugula) significantly increased its population size. It ended up dominating the community, and causing a reduction in overall species diversity and evenness in just two short months. Another effect was that individuals of a marine worm (Romanchella perrieri) grew to an average size 70 percent larger than their fellow species mates under ambient conditions.

Under a 2°C increase, the organisms’ responses were much more variable. Growth-rate responses to warming varied among species, ages, and seasons. During the Antarctic summer, species generally grew faster with warming. However, differing responses among species were observed in the month of March – when both ambient temperature and food availability for suspension feeders declined.

Ultimately, the researchers say that these findings hint that climate change may actually have even greater effects on polar marine ecosystems than they had anticipated. 

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By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Minor increases in Antarctic Ocean temperature have a big impact

Because climate change affects such a large geographical territory, it’s...

Hurricane Harvey made landfall yet again on Tuesday night, this time hitting the state of Louisiana and eastern parts of Texas. So far, Houston has seen over 50 inches of rainfall and <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/hurricane-harvey-slamming-texas/">unimaginable flooding</a>. Louisiana has been on high alert since the storm first hit Texas, urging citizens to take all precautionary measures and preparing evacuation sites with cots, food, and water. 

Beaumont, Texas has seen especially disastrous flooding, with as much as 26 inches of rain in just one day. Rescue operations in Beaumont are in full swing, but the death toll is still rising. 

Port Arthur, Texas is already so overwhelmed from flooding that even evacuation sites are taking on water, with one <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/30/us/harvey-texas-louisiana/index.html">CNN</a> report showing pictures of muddy water almost knee deep in an evacuation center. Port Arthur is in danger of even more flooding as waters from Beaumont could flow towards it. 

Newscasters, journalists, rescue personnel, and government officials have described the flooding from Hurricane Harvey as biblical and catastrophic, as it has set a new record for rainfall dumped on the US mainland. 

There is so much water in Harris County, Texas that one meteorologist, Jeff Lindner, <a href="http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-texas-harvey-20170829-story.html">remarked</a>: “In four days, we’ve seen a trillion gallons of water in Harris County — enough water to run Niagara Falls for 15 days.”

But how does Hurricane Harvey compare to the worst hurricanes to ever hit the U.S. mainland? To give some perspective, Hurricane Ike, another massive storm that hit the Texas area in 2008, caused billions in damages. But the damage caused by Harvey are already set to surpass the costs of Ike by 12 billion dollars. 

Hurricane Katrina also saw massive flooding in Louisiana. However, the actual hurricane only dropped between six to nine inches of rainfall along the Mississippi River. It was the storm surge with waves cresting at <a href="https://www.livescience.com/60257-harvey-vs-katrina-storm-comparison.html">eight to twenty-five fee</a>t that caused most of the devastation in New Orleans. 

Hurricane Sandy slammed in the New York-New Jersey area in 2012 and cost <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/28/hurricane-harvey-much-less-damaging-than-katrina-sandy-hannover-re.html">36 billion</a> in damages, according to Hannover Ren.

But according to <a href="https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/accuweather-predicts-hurricane-harvey-to-be-the-most-costly-natural-disaster-in-us-history/70002597">AccuWeather</a>, Hurricane Harry could have a $190 billion impact on the U.S. economy. The flooding damage, in particular, in Texas has been unprecedented. 

One of the reasons that Harris County, Texas is so prone to flooding is the disappearing wetlands in place of booming economic development. <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/08/why-cities-flood/538251/">Stripping away wetlands in place of pavement </a>also destroys the natural barriers that protect against flooding by soaking up rainwater. More pavement means higher flooding, and a longer time until floodwaters recede. 

The sheer strength of Hurricane Harvey has been inevitably linked the climate change. The warmer waters of the Gulf of Mexico certainly fueled the storm as it slammed into Texas, and lingered longer than any weather predictions reported. It was a deluge of perfect conditions, the severity of which can certainly be linked to climate change. But scientists also point out that climate change was not completely responsible for all of the damage.

"It's important to say that this event — or something close to it — could have happened without climate change," said Adam Sobel director of <a href="http://extremeweather.columbia.edu/">Columbia University’s Initiative on Extreme Weather and Climate</a> in an interview with <a href="https://www.livescience.com/60269-did-climate-change-intensify-harvey.html">LiveScience</a>.

Rescue operations will continue as FEMA, the Red Cross, and volunteers work to evacuate victims and provide shelter, food, and clothing for those displaced. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette,</a> <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com </a>Staff Writer

How Hurricane Harvey compares to the worst hurricanes ever

Hurricane Harvey made landfall yet again on Tuesday night, this...

Expanding animal grazing areas can have a negative effect on locals ecosystem and native wildlife. Grazing can reduce native plants and animal species by clearing away trees to make way for wider feeding areas for cattle. Now, a new study has found that some birds can adapt to habitat degradation from grazing by changing their diets and eating different available seeds, while others stubbornly stick to their preferred diets and hurt their survival chances. 

Luis Marone from the <a href="http://3sc.unccd.int/the-conference/organizers/argentine-institute-for-arid-zone-research">Argentine Arid Zones Research Institute</a> conducted the study that monitored the diets of seed-eating birds in the South American desert. The research was published in the journal The Condor: Ornithological Applications.  

Researchers gathered soil samples from grazing areas in the Monte Desert in Argentina, which helped Marone and his colleagues get an idea of what seeds were available for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-find-home-smell/">birds</a> to eat. Soil samples collected from the grazing sites contained fewer large grass seeds that many native birds enjoy as a part of their regular diet. 

The researchers also found that two types of birds that were more adaptable to the grazing sites: the Diuca-Finch and Rufous-collared Sparrow. An analysis of the birds’ digestive tracts showed the birds ate what seeds they could, with more forb seeds found in their stomachs. 

But the birds who prefer grass seeds specifically, like the Many-colored Chaco Finch and Ringed Warbling-Finch, did not adjust their diets at grazing sites. 

Understanding how birds and animals adapt to degrading habitats through expanding grazing is important not just for the continued survival of many species, but also for understanding the best farming practices for graziers as meat as livestock are an economic necessity for many.

Choosing which species of grass to sow in grazing areas could mean life or death for some types of birds that are less adaptable. 

“Given that cattle breeders usually sow grass species as fodder, our results should be used for managing cattle stocks with bird conservation in mind by selecting the fodder species that are most consumed by the most specialized seed-eating birds,” said Marone. 

The study is also an important contribution to our understanding of how sometimes the survival of a species can depend on its diet flexibility and willingness to adapt to changing environments.

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com </a>Staff Writer

Species survival can depend on willingness to adapt to new diets

Expanding animal grazing areas can have a negative effect on...

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.igb.illinois.edu/">Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology</a> reveals how scientists can modify common crops like soybean, rice, and wheat to protect them from heat stress.



“We need to double crop production by 2050 to feed a growing global population, and not only are we not on track to do that, but climate change is further complicating things,” said Amanda Cavanagh, a lecturer at the University of Essex. 



The study is part of Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE), an international research project that aims to develop food crops that turn the sun’s energy into food more efficiently.



“Using an engineering approach we designed multiple alternative metabolic pathways to photorespiration. Testing them in the field showed increases in productivity which led Amanda to significantly move the project forward by showing our engineered plants can withstand pretty extreme temperature stress,” said study co-author and RIPE researcher Paul South.&nbsp;



“As the climate changes and temperature stresses increase the pressure on our global food supply, farmers will need every tool available including engineering approaches like the synthetic biology used here to maintain safe and productive harvests.”



The experts tested plants modified to have more efficient photorespiration to see if they were better adapted to warmer temperatures.&nbsp;



The team found that the engineered plants produced 26 percent more biomass than the wild-type plants exposed to the same temperatures, and had 15 percent less yield loss under the higher temperatures.



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes the first comprehensive estimate of carbon density in the Saharan, Sahel, and Sudanian zones of Africa. In an effort to measure the amount of carbon stored across these drylands, a team of scientists used high-resolution satellite images and artificial intelligence to map nearly 10 billion individual trees. 



"The high spatial resolution (50 cm) combined with AI and field measurements used in this study is key to improving tree inventories in drylands," said Pierre Hiernaux, a French researcher working for NASA. "The ever-increasing availability of very high-resolution satellite imagery will make it possible to assess carbon pools and their dynamics at the individual tree level on a global scale."



"This study is exceptional because it is pioneering a type of approach that will revolutionize the monitoring of trees and forests on a global scale: in the short term, it will be possible to map the world's trees from the centre of the Amazon to our schoolyards," said <a href="https://www.inrae.fr/en">INRAE</a> researcher Jean-Pierre Wigneron.



"Many fields of application will become much more efficient and accurate, such as tracking carbon stocks, biodiversity, monitoring logging and protection against illegal forest degradation, in near real time.”



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features northwest Lesotho in South Africa.



According to ESA, Lesotho is the only nation in the world that lies completely above 1,000 m in elevation. The country is famous for its tall mountains and narrow valleys, and is known as Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky."



Out of a population of around two million people, about 80 percent live in rural areas. More than 75 percent of these people are engaged in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-have-a-global-impact-on-agriculture/">agriculture</a>, including rainfed cereal production and animal grazing.&nbsp;



ESA reports that the country’s agricultural system faces a growing number of issues, with climate-related vulnerabilities such as drought, floods and extreme temperatures occurring more frequently. 



Diamonds are amongst the minerals found in the mountains. Indeed, Lesotho can truly be called the Kingdom in the Sky. Beautiful, culturally rich, safe, affordable, and easily accessible from Durban and Johannesburg, mountainous Lesotho is a vastly underrated travel destination. the Kingdom of Lesotho (Sotho: 'Muso oa Lesotho) is an enclaved country in southern Africa. It is just over 30,000 km2 (11,583 sq mi) in size and has a population of around 2 million.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> features a visual dataset of.methane emissions from wetlands across the globe. Atmospheric methane levels have reached record highs in recent years, and wetlands are a major source of these emissions.&nbsp;



"Methane is an important greenhouse gas that contributes substantially to global warming. On a molecule by molecule basis, methane is much more efficient at trapping heat than carbon dioxide, the main driver of warming," says NASA.



"Though human activities, including agriculture, oil and natural gas production and use, and waste disposal, collectively contribute the majority of methane to the atmosphere, about a third of total methane emissions comes from wetlands."&nbsp;



According to NASA, understanding methane emissions from wetlands and other natural sources is critically important for scientists and policymakers who are working to combat climate change by reducing emissions from human activities.



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> reveals the evolution of the Columbia Glacier in southeastern Alaska. Columbia is among the fastest shrinking glaciers in the world, and the video documents its rapid retreat over the years.&nbsp;



Columbia Glacier is a large, multi-branched calving glacier that flows out of the Chugach Mountains to the Prince William Sound.&nbsp;



According to USGS, Columbia had a long history of stability prior to 1980, with a length 41 miles, and small, short-lived advances or retreats.



In the years since 1980, however, satellite images have captured Columbia’s alarming retreat. By using false-color images, scientists can distinguish between snow and ice, open water, vegetation, and rocky debris on the glacier’s surface.



The series of false-color images featured in today's video were acquired over the span of 35 years. You can see that by 2021, the glacier’s main branch had retreated about 15 miles from its initial position.



The Columbia Glacier has also lost more than 50 percent of its volume, mostly due to calving. <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/nasa-reveals-3d-visual-of-an-atmospheric-river/">NASA</a> reports that while climate change likely started the retreat, mechanical processes kept the disintegration going.



The NASA images are provided by Jesse Allen, Robert Simmon, Joshua Stevens, and Lauren Dauphin using data from Landsat satellites, from the U.S. Geological Survey, and data from MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite. The structure of Columbia’s moraine played a large role in the stability of the glacier before 1980. 



Like other tidewater glaciers, the Columbia built up a moraine over time, and the mixture of ice and rock functioned like a dam keeping out the sea. It was supported on one end by the shoreline and by the underwater terminal moraine at the other.



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/&nbsp; NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes how record-breaking heat expressed itself around the world in 2022.



Scientists have determined that 2022 was the 5th warmest year since 1880. Furthermore, the last nine consecutive years have been the warmest on record.



From devastating floods and wildfires to natural disasters like Hurricane Ian, 2022 showed us yet again how a warming climate affects people across the globe.&nbsp;



"As we look back at 20:22 and years past, we see that each year we better understand the challenges we face and how important it is to meet them," says NASA.



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes Earth’s interconnected systems, and how this network is affected by rising temperatures.&nbsp;



During 2020, average global temperatures matched the hottest year on record. The hurricane season was also record-breaking, with many of the storms intensifying at extraordinary speeds. Hot water in the ocean is fuel for hurricanes. The satellite data shows that it's all one interconnected system showing how Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected.



According to NASA, dust swept up from Northern Africa plays a major role in the formation of hurricanes, and is also a key source of fertilization in the Amazon rainforest. As a result of<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-wasting-disease-is-fueled-by-climate-change/"> climate</a> change, dust plumes are expected to decline, which will have an effect on vegetation far away.&nbsp;



Images from Earth-observing satellites show how the world’s plant life is affected by natural disasters, fires, and deforestation. Satellites also reveal how widespread changes in vegetation impact waterways,&nbsp; the climate, air quality. Satellites communicate by using radio waves to send signals to the antennas on the Earth. "Earth From Space" is a groundbreaking two-hour special that reveals a spectacular new space-based vision of our planet. 



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"] Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected...

Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://welcome.miami.edu/">University of Miami</a> Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science explores how changes in water temperatures have affected tiger shark habitats and movements in the North Atlantic Ocean. The study reveals that rising temperatures have caused the sharks to shift toward the poles over the past 40 years.



“Tiger shark annual migrations have expanded poleward, paralleling rising water temperatures,” explained study lead author Neil Hammerschlag. “These results have consequences for tiger shark conservation, since shifts in their movements outside of marine protected areas may leave them more vulnerable to commercial fishing.”



The researchers analyzed nine years of tracking data from satellite-tagged tiger sharks, combined with four decades of conventional tag and recapture data provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cooperative Shark Tagging Program.



The experts found that during the last decade of record heat, for every one-degree Celsius increase in water temperatures, tiger sharks migrated further poleward by over 400 kilometers. They also migrated two weeks earlier than usual to waters off the northeastern coast of the United States.



“Given their role as apex predators, these changes to tiger shark movements may alter predator-prey interactions, leading to ecological imbalances, and more frequent encounters with humans,” concluded Professor Hammerschlag.



Video Credit: University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

Today’s Video of the Day from the University of Miami...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> is focused on the melt ponds that emerge during the spring and summer on the Greenland Ice Sheet, which is the largest ice mass in the northern hemisphere.



"Melt ponds are vast pools of open water that form on both sea ice and ice sheets and are visible as turquoise-blue pools of water in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image," says ESA.



"When snow and ice melts atop glaciers, water flows in channels and streams and collects in depressions on the surface. These melt ponds can speed up the melting of the surrounding ice since they greatly reduce the ice’s ability to reflect sunlight."



"This can create a positive feedback where an increasing number of melt ponds absorb more heat which causes ice cover to melt even faster."



According to ESA, Greenland has been hit with a late-season heatwave that began in early September. This caused the type of melt event that usually occurs in the middle of summer.



"In a recent paper published in Nature Climate Change, scientists found that major sea-level rise from the melting of the Greenland ice cap is now ‘inevitable’ even if the burning of fossil fuels were to halt overnight," says ESA. "Using satellite observations of Greenland ice loss and ice cap from 2000 to 2019, the team found the losses will lead to a minimum rise of 27 cm regardless of climate change."



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes how Earth is unique in our solar system for its ability to sustain liquid water on its surface. But now, the water cycle is shifting as the climate warms, and scientists must find ways to predict how these changes will affect water availability.



Overall, 96 percent of Earth's water is saltwater, and nearly all of freshwater is found in ice and groundwater. These sources of water are linked as it passes through solid, liquid and gas phases.



In a warmer climate, the water cycle will be transformed. It will be easier for water to evaporate and form clouds, and storms will become more frequent and intense. Some regions will get too much water, while others will be left without enough water. In addition, soil moisture will be lost - which threatens food security.



Scientists are using satellite data from over the last 40 years to track changes that are happening in the water cycle. This will ultimately help us prepare for extreme events and better manage our water resources, according to ESA.



Video Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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Saturn,-,High,Resolution,3d,Images,Presents,Planets,Of,The

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a> features images of Saturn from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. The photographs capture the start of the mysterious "spoke season" on Saturn - when unexplained features appear on its rings. 



According to NASA, both the cause of the spokes and their seasonal variability have yet to be fully explained by planetary scientists.



"Like Earth, Saturn is tilted on its axis and therefore has four seasons, though because of Saturn's much larger orbit, each season lasts approximately seven Earth years. Equinox occurs when the rings are tilted edge-on to the Sun," explains NASA.



"The spokes disappear when it is near summer or winter solstice on Saturn. (When the Sun appears to reach either its highest or lowest latitude in the northern or southern hemisphere of a planet.) As the autumnal equinox of Saturn's northern hemisphere on May 6, 2025, draws near, the spokes are expected to become increasingly prominent and observable."



Experts believe that the spokes may be a product of the planet's variable magnetic field. When magnetic fields interact with solar wind, an electrically charged environment is created. This phenomenon is visible on Earth as the northern lights.&nbsp;



"Scientists think that the smallest, dust-sized icy ring particles can become charged as well, which temporarily levitates those particles above the rest of the larger icy particles and boulders in the rings," says NASA.



The spokes were first observed in the early 1980s by NASA's Voyager mission. Depending on the angle of the rings, the spokes can appear dark or light.



"Thanks to Hubble's OPAL program, which is building an archive of data on the outer solar system planets, we will have longer dedicated time to study Saturn’s spokes this season than ever before," said NASA senior planetary scientist Amy Simon, head of the Hubble Outer Planet Atmospheres Legacy (OPAL) program.



"Despite years of excellent observations by the Cassini mission, the precise beginning and duration of the spoke season is still unpredictable, rather like predicting the first storm during hurricane season."



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

[sendtonews key="Ccjk8KEMzv-2550719-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

Closeup,Of,Fresh,Green,The,Napier,Bush,Grass,As,Animal

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="http://www.ntu.edu.sg/">NTU Singapore</a> reveals that some plants can remove toxic heavy metals from soil.&nbsp;



The researchers analyzed samples of various tropical plant species to test for levels of heavy metals and metalloids. The study showed that there are existing plants with high levels of these contaminants, which means that these species are great candidates for drawing pollutants out of the soil.&nbsp;



Among the plants examined in the study, 12 species had accumulated several types of heavy metals and metalloids. These plants are widely available, including species that are native to Singapore.



“In a small nation like Singapore, land may be repurposed to support new development plans, so it is important that we have a green and sustainable way to remediate land that is contaminated," said Professor Lam Yeng Ming.



"We set out to uncover how to better make use of tropical plants to do phytoremediation and through advanced characterization techniques, we showed how some of these tropical plant species can be an environmentally friendly and literally a 'green' way to remove contaminants in soil."&nbsp;



"Phytoremediation also has benefits of cost effectiveness, simplicity of management, aesthetic advantages, and long-term applicability and sustainability. The strategy prevents erosion and metal leaching by stabilizing or accumulating heavy metals, so that helps reduce the risk of contaminant spread.”



Video Credit: NTU Singapore



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Plants help remove heavy metals from contaminated soil

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> describes why herbicides are not as effective in killing weeds anymore. In the 20th century, chemical companies developed thousands of herbicides. The most commonly used herbicide was glyphosate, which was introduced in 1974.



Over the past few decades, dozens of species of weeds have evolved resistance to glyphosate. Depending on the site of action, the part of the plant that an herbicide interacts with, weeds may even be resistant to herbicides that have not been developed yet.&nbsp;



With increasing resistance to glyphosate and other herbicides, weeds are - once again - becoming a major concern for farmers.&nbsp;



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Weeds are becoming increasingly resistant to herbicides

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/">NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a> (JPL) describes a dust storm on Mars that was nearly twice the size of the United States. As the storm covered the southern hemisphere of the planet, some of NASA’s explorers had to delay their normal activities.



NASA’s Insight lander put itself in a "safe mode" for 11 days to conserve battery power because solar power was disrupted by the dust. The Ingenuity Mars Helicopter postponed flights until conditions improved.



"A fleet of NASA orbiters monitor Martian dust storms like this one and serve as lifelines to Earth by relaying data from the rovers and lander on the ground back to the team. This includes the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, MAVEN, and Odyssey," reports JPL.



"Dust storms like this recent one start close to the ground and are spread by wind as they rise – warming the cold Martian atmosphere."



The images in the video were captured by NASA’s Curiosity as the dust rolled in. A fleet of orbiters monitored the dust storm from above, relaying data from Mars’ explorers back to scientists on Earth.



Video &amp; Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

NASA monitors giant dust storms on Mars

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="http://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. This strait provides the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean.



Qeshm is separated from the Iranian coast by the Clarence Strait, also known as Khuran.&nbsp;The Hara Forest Protected Area is a network of shallow waterways and forest located between the island and the mainland. This protected region is home to sea turtles, snakes, and more than 150 species of migrating birds.



Qeshm is famous for its wide range of&nbsp;ecotourist&nbsp;attractions, such as the&nbsp;Hara marine forests. According to environmentalists, about 1.5 percent of the world birds and 25 percent of Iran's native <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/female-hummingbirds-avoid-sexual-harassment-by-looking-like-males/">birds</a> annually migrate to the forests, which are the first national geo park in Iran.



Tourists are also drawn to the island to see an age-old Portuguese&nbsp;fort, historic mosques, the&nbsp;Seyyed Mozaffar&nbsp;and&nbsp;Bibi Maryam&nbsp;shrines, and the "Valley of Stars."



The average temperature on the island is 81 degress and the region is often hot and humid. From June to August, the island is described as being oppressively hot. The ideal time to visit is during the winter season. 



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Inhambane Bay in southeast Mozambique.&nbsp;



"Inhambane Bay is a deep inlet into which the small Mutamba River flows," says ESA. "On one side of the bay lies the historical city of Inhambane, capital of the Inhambane Province, while the sister city of Maxixe, the economic capital of Inhambane, sits across from it. The province is the second largest grower of cashews, after Nampula, and it also produces coconut and citrus fruits."



The beaches of Barra and Tofo are popular with tourists. There are also coral reefs along the long coastline of Inhambane, making it an ideal destination for scuba diving and snorkeling.



"Mozambique’s extensive coastline heightens the country’s vulnerability to tropical cyclones that develop in the Indian Ocean as well as storm surge flooding," says ESA.



"More than half of the population lives in low lying coastal areas, putting communities at risk. Inhambane Bay was dangerously close to where Cyclone Idai made landfall in 2019 causing widespread destruction to the country."



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Inhambane Bay in southeast Mozambique

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency </a>&nbsp;features the Kangerlussuaq Glacier, one of the largest tidewater outlet glaciers in Greenland. The glacier is located on the east coast of the Greenland ice sheet.



As human-induced climate change continues to drive up temperatures, global ice loss is accelerating at an alarming rate. ESA reports that, over the past decade alone, 3.5 trillion tons of ice have melted from the Greenland ice sheet. This is enough to cover the UK with meltwater 15 meters deep.



Based on satellite imagery, researchers determined that Kangerlussuaq entered a new phase of rapid retreat and acceleration in 2017. In their study, published in <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2019.00123/full">Frontiers in Earth Science</a>,&nbsp; the experts report that the glacier's ice front is now at its most retreated position since the early 20th century.



"Given Kangerlussuaq’s previous impacts on both the magnitude and pattern of ice sheet wide mass loss, we predict that its new phase of retreat, acceleration and thinning will markedly enhance the south-east region’s contribution to increasing discharge from the ice sheet," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;&nbsp;



"More broadly, accurate forecasting of the ice sheet’s contribution to sea level rise will require a deeper understanding of, and responses to, these non-linear ice dynamic processes."



Video Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Kangerlussuaq Glacier on the Greenland ice sheet

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes the complex relationship between ocean and climate. ESA's Climate Change Initiative will help us understand how oceans influence the climate and how climate change is impacting the oceans.&nbsp;



"Earth’s oceans are huge heat stores, soaking up 93% of the excess heat from human activity over the past 70 years. Ocean currents redistribute heat around the planet, from the Equator to the poles. Where this ocean heat goes influences weather patterns and regional climate," explains ESA.



"As well as absorbing heat, oceans are a natural carbon sink, absorbing a quarter of carbon dioxide emissions from human activity. This has led to the acidification of ocean water, threating marine life."



The amount of heat and carbon dioxide soaked up by the ocean depends on specific variables, including phytoplankton, temperatures, waves, salinity, and ice cover. Satellites can be used to measure these variables from space.



"From their unique vantage point, satellites provide key information for understanding the complexities of our planet and monitoring environmental issues," says ESA.



Video Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Ocean heat influences regional climate

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes the importance of monitoring the shape of the sea surface, which is constantly changing. These observations have many applications, such as ship routing, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-modem-ocean-is-a-tough-place-for-whales-to-survive/">ocean</a> current forecasting, and debris tracking.



"A project supported by the Discovery element of ESA’s Basic Activities recently investigated a new technique to measure sea surface topography very precisely," reports ESA.



"The technique involves looking at satellite navigation (GNSS) signals that have been reflected off of the sea surface at very low angles. At these so-called grazing angles, waves and surface roughness have very little impact on the reflection process; the sea surface acts as a very smooth mirror."



Estel Cardellach is the principal investigator at the Institute for Space Studies of Catalonia, who first submitted the idea for the project.



“In a mirror-like reflection the phase of the signal can be tracked – it is continuous," said Cardellach. "Different surface heights result in different phase measurements. It gives a very precise measurement of the surface altitude at a few centimetres’ precision.”



The researchers developed a GNSS receiver and set up an experiment in the Balaeric Islands to collect signals from the receiver that were reflected off the sea surface. Ultimately, these signals will provide improved measurements of the shape of the sea surface.



Image/ Video Credit: ESA



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Monitoring the dynamic shape of the sea surface

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center</a> describes how scientists are using autonomous sound sensors to monitor deforestation in the Amazon. By recording soundscapes, the experts can determine which animals are present through their distinct sounds.&nbsp;



Using this method, sounds can be used as scientific measurements to analyze the effects of deforestation. The researchers will gain a better understanding of how the acoustics of a forest can be used to measure its health.&nbsp;



"From space, parts of the Amazon rainforest that have previously been logged or burned may look lush and green, like a place buzzing with activity and full of sounds. But inside the rainforest, the animal life may tell a different story, of a harsh environment and a quieter soundscape," says NASA.



Video Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center&nbsp;



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Monitoring deforestation in the Amazon through sounds

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