BiotechMashup

(United States Geological Survey) The Potomac River is showing multiple benefits from restoration efforts. Reduced nutrients and improved water clarity have increased the abundance and diversity of submerged aquatic vegetation, according to an 18-year field study.

A new river monitoring system to assist local communities to improve water quality of the River Eden and its tributaries goes online today. Researchers have installed 10 river monitoring stations to collect valuable data on river water quality that is available to farmers, local communities and anyone interested.

In a feat of reverse-engineering, scientists have successfully built and maintained a scale model of a living meandering gravel-bed river in the lab. Their findings point to the importance of vegetation to reinforce the banks and, surprisingly, to the importance of sand in healthy meandering river life.

In an expedition for submerged evidence of early Americans off Florida's Gulf Coast, archaeologists traced two ancient river systems in what they believe is the most extensive delineation of submerged prehistoric river systems ever done. They also identified chert, a stone used by prehistoric peoples in toolmaking, at three sites. Scientists believe they are on the threshold of delivering evidence of human habitation along those inundated rivers.

The amount of water flowing in streams and rivers has been significantly altered in nearly 90 percent of waters that were assessed in a new US nationwide study. Flow alterations are a primary contributor to degraded river ecosystems and loss of native species.

One way to maximize the eco-friendly factor of a structure is to include a green roof. "Greening" a roof, or covering a roof with vegetation, is gaining popularity in North America, where the number of green roofs increased 30 percent from 2006 to 2007. Benefits of green roofs include improved storm water management, energy conservation, reduced noise and air pollution, improved biodiversity and even a better return on investment than traditional roofing.

(Burness Communications) Climate change could significantly alter water flows in major river basins in Africa, presenting a new barrier to nascent efforts to better manage water for food production and to resolve potential cross-border water conflicts all over southern Africa, according to research findings presented at this week's Third International Forum on Water and Food in Tshwane, South Africa.

(United States Geological Survey) The amount of water flowing in streams and rivers has been significantly altered in nearly 90 percent of waters that were assessed in a new nationwide USGS study. Flow alterations are a primary contributor to degraded river ecosystems and loss of native species.

(American Society for Horticultural Science) One way to maximize the eco-friendly factor of a structure is to include a green roof. "Greening" a roof, or covering a roof with vegetation, is gaining popularity in North America, where the number of green roofs increased 30 percent from 2006 to 2007. Benefits of green roofs include improved storm water management, energy conservation, reduced noise and air pollution, improved biodiversity and even a better return on investment than traditional roofing.