envirobites

The total costs of land conservation includes costs of acquisition, maintenance, preservation, logistics, and sometimes litigation. Many time, these costs have been far above what was budgeted for them, partly due to flawed methods of estimating those costs in the first place. New mapping techniques show first, the flaws in these methods, and second, the potential to estimate the actual costs far more accurately. This will allow for more efficient planning, and a lower likelihood of conservation projects encountering unexpected costs.

Cities Environmental Science Remediation

All Parks are not created equal… in terms of air quality benefits

November 17, 2020November 16, 2020 Mary Davis 0 Comments carbon, green space, parks, Trees

The ability of trees to remove carbon dioxide from the air and capture carbon makes reforestation a way to combat

Environmental Science

Joining forces: The role of the natural and social sciences in addressing the Global Nitrogen Problem

November 12, 2020November 12, 2020 Jackie Webb 0 Comments agricultural pollution, environmental policy, fertilizer, food security, nitrogen, resources, social-ecological, Sustainability

A wealth of scientific knowledge exists on the role of nitrogen in the natural and agricultural world, with research dating back over a century. Nitrogen sustains life and has enabled modern food production to keep up with the demands of the growing human population. However, we have reached a critical state where the use of synthetic nitrogen needs to be regulated due to the multitude of environmental impacts. The problem is that the effect nitrogen has on the planet is rarely discussed outside of scientific circles. With the recent development of international campaigns to address the global nitrogen problem, it’s time to put nitrogen research into practice with the help of social science.

Environmental Science Remote Environments

Plastic Pollution and Penguins?

November 10, 2020November 10, 2020 Elisabeth Lang 0 Comments Antarctica, plastic ocean pollution

Many people may see plastic pollution as a local issue, but did you know that small pieces of plastic have made their way to super remote locations? Plastic pollution has been documented in Antarctica, one of the most remote locations on the planet, for decades. Now though, scientists are finding out that microplastics, which are harmful to marine life, are also making their way to Antarctica. Researchers documented similar levels of microplastics in Antarctica as other, less remote locations globally. While many come from marine industry, we can all help solve the problem by putting less plastic into the environment.

Cities Climate Environmental Science

Industrial Revolution Pollution Suppresses Succession in Lichen Communities

November 5, 2020November 4, 2020 Brianne Palmer 0 Comments history, lichen, Pollution, urban ecology

Lichens are indicators of air pollution and ecosystem health. In London parks, researchers found that historical pollution may have decreased the lichen diversity. Sulfur emissions from the Industrial Revolution and modern nitrogen emissions stall the growth of lichens on urban trees hinting at larger effects on ecosystem health.

Ecosystems Environmental Science

From the mountaintops to the streams: Mountaintop removal mining threatens salamander populations

October 26, 2020October 25, 2020 Sarah Shainker 0 Comments amphibians, coal, freshwater, mining, mountaintop removal, salamanders, streams

Primary article: Hutton, J.M et al. Occupancy and abundance of stream salamanders along a specific conductance gradient. Freshwater Science. 2020.

Environmental Science Science through time

What does effective science communication look like?

October 21, 2020October 21, 2020 Jessica Wright 0 Comments Education, science communication

How do we communicate our science? Are traditional methods of science communication equitable? Let’s explore how scientists share information.

Environmental Science

Starting at the Bottom: The Potential Impact of Climate Action by Sub-National Entities in the United States

October 19, 2020October 19, 2020 Munim Deen 0 Comments

International agreements on climate change action, like the Paris Agreement of 2016, are typically reached by individual countries working together. However, sub-national governments and non-governmental entities pursuing their own policies of combating climate change can often lead to significant positive impact. The United States, which signed and then withdrew from the Paris Agreement, is a model of this scenario.

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New GIS-based Methods Allow More Accurate Estimation of Conservation Costs

All Parks are not created equal… in terms of air quality benefits

Joining forces: The role of the natural and social sciences in addressing the Global Nitrogen Problem

Plastic Pollution and Penguins?

Welcome to envirobites

New GIS-based Methods Allow More Accurate Estimation of Conservation Costs

All Parks are not created equal… in terms of air quality benefits

Plastic Pollution and Penguins?

Industrial Revolution Pollution Suppresses Succession in Lichen Communities

From the mountaintops to the streams: Mountaintop removal mining threatens salamander populations

What does effective science communication look like?

Starting at the Bottom: The Potential Impact of Climate Action by Sub-National Entities in the United States