Ecosystems


DOI Provides $19M for Coastal Wetlands Protection Projects

Twenty-four conservation projects will benefit fish and wildlife on more than 5,900 acres of coastal habitats.

First Underwater Robot to Cross Atlantic Highlighted at Smithsonian Ocean Hall

The first underwater robotic vehicle to cross an ocean will be the centerpiece of a new exhibit that opened in the Sant Ocean Hall at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History on Dec. 9.

EPA Research on Recreational Water Criteria Now Available

New criteria to protect people from potential illness will be developed by October 2012.

2005 Wetlands Excavation Ends with Fine, Restoration Order

Kevin Vaughan did not get the necessary permits to move earth near the Missouri River in Dixon County, Neb.

seagrass

Report Finds Restoration Techniques Do Speed Seagrass Recovery

Results of a five-year monitoring effort to repair seagrass damaged in a boat grounding incident suggest that restoration techniques such as replanting seagrass can speed recovery time.

Survey: 69% Concerned about Fracking's Impact on Water

Respondents called for health studies and tighter public disclosure requirements.

Penguins

There's No Place Like Antarctica For the Holidays

Every year from about October through March, researchers from SWFSC’s Antarctic Living Marine resources Program head south to Antarctica to study and observe how animals living in the Antarctic ecosystem are affected by commercial fisheries in the southern oceans.

Drone Image

Images from Aerial Drones Help Monitor Arctic Seal Population

A novel project that uses cameras mounted on unmanned aircraft flying over the Arctic is serving double duty: Not only is it assessing the characteristics of declining sea ice, but it’s also using the same aerial photos to pinpoint seals that have hauled up on ice floes.



NOAAs Buoy

Data from Buoy Will Reveal More About Currents Around South Africa

To better understand the effects of the ocean on global climate and weather, scientists from NOAA’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory deployed an ocean climate station mooring — an anchored buoy — on the edge of the warm Agulhas Return Current southeast of South Africa.

Penn. Joins Wildlife Violator Compact, Stiffening Poaching Penalties

On Jan. 1, 2011, Pennsylvania will become the 36th member state of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, under which the convicted wildlife violators will stand to lose their hunting privileges in all states enrolled in the compact, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe.

German Research Protects the Amazon Rainforest

The Brazilian state of Amazonas has taken research findings as the basis for its new logging legislation for the floodplain forests.

a wolf seen through a thermal imaging camera

Researchers Use Thermal Imagery to Shed Light on Mange

Psychedelically colored wolves depicted by thermal imaging will shed light on how mange affects the survival, reproduction and social behavior of wolves in Yellowstone National Park.

Workers recover oil-filled boom for decontamination as part of the response effort to the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster.

U.S. Names 9 Defendants in Deepwater Horizon Civil Suit

BP, Anadarko, MOEX, Triton, Transocean and QBE companies face Oil Pollution Act and Clean Water Act charges.

USGS: Global Warming-Caused Sea-Ice Loss Not Irreversible

Sea-ice habitats essential to polar bears would likely respond positively should countries curb global greenhouse gas emissions.

Amy Pruden

Researchers Find that 90 Percent of Antibiotics Leave the Body Intact

Researchers have learned that up to 90 percent of antibiotics consumed pass through an organism’s body without metabolizing, meaning the drugs can leave the body almost intact through normal bodily functions.

Southwestern Forests at Increased Risk from Climate Warming and Drought

Slower-growing trees. More severe fires. More bark beetle outbreaks. A lot more dead trees. And big changes in where various tree species are dominant in southwestern U.S. forests.

NOAA Restricts Fishing in Aleutian Islands to Protect Steller Sea Lions

NOAA’s Fisheries Service issued its final interim rule to reduce commercial fishing for groundfish stocks in the Aleutian Islands in an effort to provide more food for the endangered western Steller sea lion.

Public, Private Partners Conclude Major Cleanup of Ottawa River

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the state of Ohio and the Ottawa River Group announced that they have completed a major cleanup project on the Ottawa River.

2011 National Beach Conference Set for March

EPA seeks abstracts for presentations; deadline is Jan. 14.

Genetically Engineered Microorganism Metabolizes Waste into Methane

A University of Arkansas researcher and his colleagues have created the first methane-producing microorganism that can metabolize complex carbon structures, which could lead to microbial recycling of waste products and their transformation into natural gas.