All articles tagged with #wetlands
Louisiana researchers measuring a swamp near New Orleans find that microbes in wetlands are releasing methane at rising levels, indicating microbial, not fossil-fuel sources, are driving a growing share of methane emissions and potentially accelerating climate warming through a climate feedback loop.
COVID-19 lockdowns sharply reduced nitrogen oxides, shrinking the hydroxyl radical that normally destroys methane and causing a large methane spike in 2020—about 80% of the rise came from a slower methane sink, with the remaining ~20% from increased ground emissions. Wetlands in tropical Africa and Southeast Asia, boosted by La Niña’s wetter conditions, contributed roughly 30% of the global increase during 2020–2022, marking a ‘clean air paradox’ where cleaner urban air reduces methane sinks and intensifies the need for aggressive anthropogenic methane cuts to curb warming.
The U.S. EPA proposes to weaken Clean Water Act protections for 96% of Ohio's wetlands and many streams, risking increased pollution and environmental degradation, especially after the 2023 Supreme Court ruling that redefined water protections. Public comments are open until January 5 to oppose the rule.
The Town of Greece has approved a senior living complex on Island Cottage Road, sparking concerns among residents about environmental impacts and potential contamination. Residents like Steve DiBattisto and the Bulsons are worried about traffic, fire safety, and the effect on local wildlife and wetlands. Despite the approval, opponents vow to continue their fight, citing issues with soil contaminants and loss of green spaces. Town Supervisor Bill Reilich supports the project, emphasizing the need for senior housing in the area.
A study by the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory reveals that methane emissions from wetlands in the Boreal-Arctic region have increased by approximately 9% since 2002, likely due to rising temperatures and enhanced microbial activity. The research team combined data from various monitoring methods to analyze over 307 total years of methane emissions data, finding that higher temperatures and increased plant productivity are major drivers of these emissions. The study provides a better understanding of the role wetlands play in the global climate system and offers a scientific baseline to address climate change.
Scientists warn that rapidly rising seas are causing a surge in sea level rise, leading to the drowning of coastal wetlands in Louisiana. The state's wetlands, crucial for coastal protection and biodiversity, are unable to keep pace with the rising water levels, putting them at risk of disappearing. Efforts to restore wetlands may not be enough to counter the rapid loss, and the study predicts that Louisiana could lose 75% of its coastal wetlands by 2070, posing a significant threat to the state's ecosystem and coastal resilience.
A new study using satellite images has revealed that parts of Greenland's ice sheet and glaciers have melted over the past 30 years, leading to the growth of wetlands, shrub vegetation, and barren rock. The expansion of vegetation and wetlands, particularly in the southwest and northeast, raises concerns about the stability of the landscape, rising sea levels, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. The loss of ice also contributes to global warming by exposing bare rock and vegetation that absorb more sunlight, while wetlands become significant sources of methane emissions. These changes have cultural implications for indigenous populations and pose significant challenges for global sea level rise.
The Nasa-Isro Synthetic Aperture Radar (Nisar) satellite, scheduled to launch in 2024, will provide researchers with unprecedented insights into Earth's forests and wetlands. By scanning the planet's land and ice surfaces every 12 days, Nisar will track changes in forests and wetlands, which play crucial roles in the global carbon cycle and climate change. The satellite's radar technology will help understand the impact of deforestation on the carbon cycle, improve knowledge of forest growth and degradation, and aid in studying geological events and environmental changes such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and glacier melting.
The NASA-ISRO NISAR radar satellite mission, set to launch in early 2024, will provide detailed insights into forests and wetlands, crucial ecosystems for regulating greenhouse gases and combating climate change. By scanning Earth's land and ice surfaces every 12 days, NISAR will track changes in forest density and wetland flooding, helping researchers understand the capture and release of carbon. The data collected will improve our understanding of deforestation's impact on the carbon cycle and aid in the management of wetland ecosystems. NISAR will also monitor land motion, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the melting of glaciers and sea ice.
The Manatee County Commission voted 5-1 to reduce protections for wetlands, cutting in half the buffer zone between construction and wetland areas. Environmentalists warn that this decision could lead to contamination of major drinking water sources. Despite pleas from concerned citizens, the county aims to align its development regulations with those of the state government.
The Biden administration has weakened regulations protecting wetlands after a Supreme Court ruling limited the federal government's jurisdiction over them. The new rule requires wetlands to be more clearly connected to other bodies of water, departing from previous federal rules. The ruling in favor of an Idaho couple seeking to build a house near a lake prioritized property rights over clean water concerns. Environmental groups argue that the new rule weakens protections for wetlands and restricts the federal government's ability to safeguard critical waters. The change takes effect immediately and comes as two hurricanes approach the coasts. The power of the Clean Water Act has fluctuated depending on the political party in the White House.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has removed federal protections for the majority of the country's wetlands in compliance with a recent Supreme Court ruling. The ruling narrowed the scope of the Clean Water Act and the EPA's authority to regulate waterways and wetlands. The EPA's new rule eliminates the "significant nexus" test and shifts the responsibility of protecting waterways and wetlands to the states. Environmental groups argue that the ruling undermines clean water and wetland protections, leaving communities more vulnerable to pollution and flooding. Some business groups, however, believe the EPA's rollback does not go far enough.
The Biden administration has weakened regulations protecting wetlands, citing a Supreme Court ruling that limited the federal government's jurisdiction over them. The new rule requires wetlands to be more clearly connected to other bodies of water, departing from previous federal rules. The Supreme Court ruling favored property rights over clean water concerns, narrowing the reach of environmental regulations. The rule change responds specifically to the court's decision and is final. Environmental groups have pushed for a broader definition to protect more waters, while developers and agriculture groups have sought to limit federal power. The new rule takes effect immediately and removes the "significant nexus" test for federally protected waters.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has revised a key rule to comply with a recent Supreme Court ruling, potentially removing federal protections from up to 63% of the nation's wetlands. The EPA and the Department of the Army changed the definition of "waters of the United States" to align with the court's decision, which weakened the agencies' power to regulate waterways. As a result, numerous types of waters, including wetlands and ephemeral streams, will no longer be under federal protection. The ruling in Sackett v. EPA determined that wetlands are protected only if they have a continuous surface connection to bodies of water considered "waters of the United States." The EPA stated that the amendments made are limited and only address the parts of the previous rule that are invalid under the court's decision.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and US Army have released a new rule that significantly reduces the scope of what qualifies as federal waters, following a Supreme Court decision in May that rolled back protections for US wetlands. The rule invalidates the previous definition of "waters of the United States" and excludes wetlands and smaller tributaries from protection. The decision has sparked criticism from environmental groups and even conservative Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who dissented with the majority, stating that the ruling will have significant repercussions for water quality and flood control in the US.