Earthquakes can cause rivers to unexpectedly change course. New research reveals we may be able to predict the resulting flooding – and plan better for future disasters.
Many ecologically important wetlands, like these in Kulm, N.D., lack surface connections to navigable waterways.
USFWS Mountain-Prairie/Flickr
In Sackett v. EPA, a suit filed by two homeowners who filled in wetlands on their property, the Supreme Court has drastically narrowed the definition of which wetlands qualify for federal protection.
Mangroves and salt marshes pump out methane – but soak up carbon dioxide. Overall, the world’s coasts are a net greenhouse sink – and we must preserve them
A glacier-fed river from the Odenwinkelkees glacier, Austria.
Jonathan Carrivick
Even in a time with limited alternatives, polluted waterways were not simply accepted without complaint.
Establishing the financial worth of a river’s fish is complicated when many people don’t sell the fish they catch.
Tang Chhin Sothy/AFP via Getty Images
Putting a dollar value on nature has staunch opponents who say it’s morally wrong, but without it, building dams and other infrastructure can run roughshod over vital ecosystems.
Although it has been considerably less studied than other environmental problems, salinization presents major challenges for biodiversity in freshwater and coastal areas.
A sewer overflow maintained by United Utilities that flows into the River Tame in Greater Manchester.
Jamie Woodward
A new survey has revealed an alarming deterioration in the health of the River Thames ecosystem – but some of the recorded changes may be the result of a cleaner river.
There are fears the Northern Territory government will allow gas and other industries to extract substantially more water from the environment than is currently allowed.
Storm Fiona caused a lot of property damage and erosion on the Canadian coast. But its effects are also felt in the depths of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
The flooding wiped out farms in Kogi and other affected states.
Sodiq Adelakun/AFP via Getty Images
Executive Director and Professor of Fisheries and River Management, Gulbali Institute (Agriculture, Water and Environment), Charles Sturt University, Charles Sturt University