Captain Robert Scott’s Antarctic Discovery expedition took place over 100 years ago—and yet its participants recently racked up another contribution to science. Thanks to the samples of bacterial mats they collected from polar ponds—samples that were pressed, dried, and stored … Continue reading
Journal Club
Highlighting recently published papers selected by Academy members
Tag Archives: climate change
Journal Club: In a first, deep sea robots get a close look at giant larvaceans, a key player in the biological carbon pump
Closer inspection of the giant larvacean, seen here in an undersea video taken by a remotely operated vehicle, could reveal clues about how the deep sea sequesters carbon. Image Credit: © 2017 MBARI In the deeps off Monteray Bay, Calif., … Continue reading
Journal Club: Geometry of Greenland’s glaciers helps predict future ice melt
The changing climate is just one factor contributing to the melting and thinning of the slow-moving rivers of ice that terminate in spots such as Greenland’s fjords. Each glacier’s geometry—including its thickness and how steeply it flows—also makes a difference. … Continue reading
Categories: Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences | Environmental Sciences | Journal Club
Tagged climate change, Greenland, ice sheet, iceberg
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Journal Club: In some cases, water management practices exacerbated California drought, according to model
Many of California’s reservoirs are now fuller than they’ve been in years thanks to an extraordinarily wet winter. Yet drought conditions are likely to return based on historical cycles, even without accounting for climate change. And California’s depleted groundwater is … Continue reading
Journal Club: Landscape connectivity key to future animal migration needs in the United States
As the climate changes, plants and animals worldwide are migrating to follow their preferred conditions. Human activity, however, can impede these movements. Now researchers are mapping out ways to help species escape to more suitable climes. The scientists detailed their … Continue reading
Categories: Applied Biological Sciences | Ecology | Journal Club | Sustainability Science
Tagged climate change, migration
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Journal Club: Maya altered their environment significantly, for better or worse
The ancient Maya once had a civilization in the Americas that stretched over an area the size of Texas. Now scientists detail a number of key ways the Maya left behind a lasting impact on the environment during the so-called … Continue reading
Categories: Agriculture | Anthropology | Ecology | Environmental Sciences | Journal Club
Tagged climate change, ecosystem, environment, Maya, soil
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New forests change land temperatures
Thirty years ago China began launching ambitious reforestation projects, aiming to undo some of the massive environmental damage caused by years of clear cutting. Each year the country adds around 2 million hectares of new trees, with no sign of … Continue reading