Earth Gauge

Hecho climático: Oscilación en la precipitación Mexicana

kraus — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:20:16 +0000

En Síntesis: En los últimos siglos, periodos relativamente secos en el norte de México han coincidido con periodos relativamente húmedos en el sur de México y viceversa.

México cuenta con grandes contrastes climáticos. El noroeste del desierto de Sonora recibe en promedio menos de cuatro pulgadas de lluvia cada año, mientras que en algunos lugares húmedos y tropicales del sur de México pueden acumularse cerca de los diez pies de lluvia. Esta diferencia del norte y el sur en la precipitación total, refleja una diferencia en la presencia de la sequía. En los años 1940, 1970 y mediados de 1980 en la parte central y sur de México se experimentaron relativos periodos de sequía, mientras que en el norte de México estos mismos periodos fueron relativamente húmedos. El análisis de los anillos anuales de árboles, permite a los científicos reconstruir los niveles de precipitación en tiempos donde los registros son escasos hace siglos, ya que generalmente los árboles crecen más cuando tienen más agua disponible. Este análisis muestra el mismo patrón visto en registros modernos: la prolongada sequía en el norte de México durante el siglo 16 fue acompañada por condiciones húmedas en el sur, y mientras que en el sur de México se estaba pasando por una sequía en la década de 1630 el norte en cambio estaba particularmente húmedo. Este “sube y baja” con orientación norte-sur se puede explicar por variaciones en el la corriente de chorro en capas bajas del Caribe (CLLJ por sus siglas en Inglés), que lleva la humedad del Mar Caribe y del Golfo de México hacia el interior continental de América del Norte durante el verano, cuando la mayor parte de México recibe por lo menos el 60 por ciento de su precipitación anual.

Cuando la corriente en choros es más fuerte mayor humedad se despliega al norte de México, y cuando en cambio es más débil menos humedad se despliega al norte y más lluvia cae sobre el sur de México. La fuerza de la CLLJ para un año determinado se ve influida por los movimientos a largo plazo de calor en todo el Atlántico y el Pacífico. Por ejemplo, al igual que el occidente de Estados Unidos, el norte de México tiende a ser más seco cuando el norte del Océano Atlántico está más cálido de lo normal.

Fuente: Méndez, M and Magaña, V. “Regional Aspects of Prolonged Meteorological Droughts over Mexico and Central America.” Journal of Climate 23 (2010): 1175-1188.

Have Shell, Will Travel

espinoza — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:11:01 +0000

Depending on your latitude (how far north or south you live), you may spot young painted turtles emerging from nests sometime between late May and mid-June. These turtles have been overwintering underground where they may have even been partially frozen! As turtles emerge from their nests, they will likely head for the closest body of water.

Viewer Tip: Help turtles in your neighborhood by providing healthy lake, stream and pond habitat for them. Visit www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/whatyoucando/index.html for many tips to protect water quality in your community. If you see a turtle trying to cross the road, safely help it across in the same direction it was heading.

This information is provided by Great Lakes Aquarium. Learn more at www.glaquarium.org.

Painted turtle.

Download from U.S. FWS Photo Library.

www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/whatyoucando/index.html

Lake Erie Algal Blooms

espinoza — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:48:27 +0000

A persistent icepack never formed over Lake Erie this past winter – the fourth warmest on record for the contiguous United States – and that has given smelly, blue-green algae a head start less than a year after it swelled to record levels. This image, taken from NASA’s Terra Satellite, caught the roots of another algal bloom in late February. Around this time last year, Lake Erie was still covered by ice that inhibited an early algal growth, but by the end of the summer, the largest harmful algal bloom in the lake’s recorded history had developed. Scientists are concerned that the warmer lake conditions this year could lead to an earlier outbreak in June, rather than in August or early September.

Stay informed by following your local news for updates on harmful algal blooms. Report any outbreaks in Lake Erie’s tributaries to your state’s health department, department of environmental protection or department of natural resources.
Do your part in minimizing nutrient pollution, which can cause algal blooms, by calculating your own nitrogen footprint and following these steps to reduce your impact.

An early algal bloom on Lake Erie as observed by the MODIS sensor aboard NASA Terra Satellite on February 20, 2012.

Download the image from NOAA’s Environmental Visualization Laboratory.

(Sources: NOAA National Climatic Data Center, State of the Climate: National Overview for February 2012, published online March 2012, retrieved on April 3, 2012 from http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/national/2012/2; NOAA Environmental Visualization Lab, “Algal Blooms in Lake Erie”, http://www.nnvl.noaa.gov/MediaDetail2.php?MediaID=989&MediaTypeID=1; Wells, Colleen, “Mild Winter Could Mean More Blue-Green Algae” http://www.wtol.com/story/17315881/mild-winter-could-mean-more-blue-green-algae; Smith Horn, Kristina. “Lake Erie: can toxic algae blooms be limited?” CentralOhio.com. April 1, 2012)

Summertime is the Right Time to Fertilize

espinoza — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:31:48 +0000

Did you know that a dead zone the size of the state of New Jersey forms in the northern Gulf of Mexico every spring? A dead zone is an area of low-oxygen water that gets its name because aquatic wildlife either leaves the area or dies. One contributor to the formation of dead zones is fertilizer that contains nitrogen and phosphorus. When it storms, rainwater carries fertilizer from farms and lawns into our local waterways, which eventually reach the Gulf.

Viewer Tip: Our lawns and gardens – and how we maintain them – can have a big influence on water pollution. You can protect water quality with these tips:

If you decide to fertilize, do so when your grass is actively growing. In Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana, mostly warm season grasses grow – these grasses don’t need fertilizer in the fall, winter and early spring. Summertime is the Right Time to fertilize warm season grasses along the northern Gulf of Mexico.
Some grasses will stay green without fertilizer. Find out if your lawn is able to thrive fertilizer free.
Replace some grass with a rain garden that includes native plants, shrubs and trees. Rain gardens reduce the amount of fertilizer needed and provide a place for rain water to soak into the ground.
Do not fertilize during drought – when grass is not actively growing, it cannot take up the nutrients provided by fertilizer.

(Sources: Smart Yard Healthy Gulf, http://smartyardhealthygulf.com/, Mississippi Cooperative Extension, http://msucares.com/, Alabama Cooperative Extension, http://www.aces.edu/main/, Louisiana Cooperative Extension, http://www.lsuagcenter.com/, EPA, Mississippi River Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force, http://water.epa.gov/type/watersheds/named/msbasin/index.cfm)

Too Much Nitrogen

espinoza — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:22:36 +0000

Nitrogen is an important element for life on the Earth – it supports aquatic ecosystems by helping algae and aquatic plants grow, which provide food and habitat for fish, shellfish and other animals that live in streams, rivers and lakes. But, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. Too much nitrogen in the water causes algae to grow faster than ecosystems can handle. Significant increases in algae harm water quality, food resources and habitats, and decrease the oxygen that fish and other aquatic life need to survive.

Viewer Tip: Rain and irrigation water running off of lawns and agricultural lands can pick up extra nitrogen, carrying it into storm drains and local water bodies. For homeowners, common sources of nitrogen are fertilizers, yard waste and pet waste. Using smart irrigation strategies can reduce the amount of water – and nitrogen – running off your property.

Measure soil moisture to determine when and how much water to apply. An easy way to find out if your grass is thirsty is to stick a screwdriver in the ground. If it goes in easily, don’t water! Most home lawns only need about one-inch of water, approximately every 5-7 days.
Check the local weather forecast – rain in the forecast can eliminate the need for watering for several days.

(Sources: EPA, “Nutrient Pollution”, http://www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/; WaterSense Program, http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense)

Efficient Watering Approaches

espinoza — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:14:44 +0000

With drought continuing in many states, now is a great time to analyze water use in your yard. Every day in the United States, more than seven billion gallons of drinking water is used to irrigate landscapes, at least half of which may be wasted!

Viewer Tip: Reduce water waste with an in-ground hose system that reaches plant roots and prevents evaporation. You can buy soaker hoses at your local gardening or home improvement store. Weave them in and out of your plant beds several inches below the ground surface. Drip irrigation has solid hoses you add holes to, permitting more precise control of where the water goes. For instance, your shrubs along a fence may need regular watering, but not drought-tolerant native plants nearby. If you must use above-ground sprinklers, angle them to avoid sidewalks and other paved surfaces.

This information is provided by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Learn more at www.wildflower.org.

Smart About Septics

espinoza — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:56:11 +0000

You probably know that failing to maintain your septic tank could cost you thousands of dollars in repairs – just ask Jack and Greg from “Meet the Parents.” But did you know that excess nitrogen, phosphorus and other toxins from leaky septic tanks can be washed into our waterways and oceans, where they can sicken and even kill fish, shellfish and other marine animals? Failing septic systems leach nitrogen into your backyard soil – and that nitrogen can reach groundwater or surface waters. When these nutrients reach larger bodies of water, they spawn unpleasant algal blooms that decompose and deplete the dissolved oxygen that aquatic animals need to survive. Some overgrowths of cyanobacteria – blue-green algae – can create toxins that are harmful to plants, animals and even humans if we ingest contaminated shellfish or swim in polluted waters.

Viewer Tip: Since faulty septic tanks can contribute nutrient pollution that reaches our waterways, it’s important to keep them properly maintained. Following proper guidelines will help prevent expensive repairs and keep the environment clean. Here are some helpful tips for keeping your septic tank in check:

Keep your septic system maintained. For typical septic systems, experts recommend a professional inspection every three years and a pump-out every three to five years. Some systems may require more frequent maintenance. Most counties require specific cleaning and inspections every three to five years. Check your county website to make sure that you are meeting these guidelines.
Use your water more efficiently by installing water-efficient faucets, showerheads, toilets and household appliances.
Care for the “drainfield” by planting only grass above it – tree roots can dislodge the plumbing. Never drive or park your vehicle over the drainfield.

Download septic tank image, courtesy of U.S. EPA.

(Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “A Homeowner’s Guide to Septic Systems” http://www.epa.gov/owm/septic/pubs/homeowner_guide_long.pdf; World Resources Institute, “Sources of Nutrient Pollution” http://www.wri.org/project/eutrophication/about/sources#urban; Chesapeake Bay Program Phase 4.3 Watershed Model http://www.chesapeakebay.net/content/publications/cbp_13352.pdf)

Smart About Septics

· Keep your septic system maintained. For typical septic systems, experts recommend a professional inspection every three years and a pump-out every three to five years. Some systems may require more frequent maintenance. Most counties require specific cleaning and inspections every three to five years. Check your county website to make sure that you are meeting these guidelines.

· Use your water more efficiently by installing water-efficient faucets, showerheads, toilets and household appliances.

· Care for the “drainfield” by planting only grass above it – tree roots can dislodge the plumbing. Never drive or park your vehicle over the drainfield.

Climate Fact – Extreme Rainfalls

gray — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:59:21 +0000

Frequency of extreme rainfall events has increased since 1940s

Climate Fact – Earth’s Vital Component

gray — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:57:06 +0000

Plants and ocean phytoplankton important component of Earth’s atmosphere

Hurricane Preparedness

gray — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:55:23 +0000

Always be prepared for a hurricane with a family disaster plan

Squeaky Clean

gray — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:54:08 +0000

Protect waterways with phosphate-free soaps and detergents

American Wetlands Month

gray — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:52:57 +0000

Wetlands provide critical habitat for many species

Celebrando la Semana Nacional de las Flores Silvestres

espinoza — Fri, 04 May 2012 17:03:19 +0000

La Semana Nacional de las Flores Silvestres es del 7 al 13 de mayo, y es un momento perfecto para visitar un jardín botánico donde se pueden ver flores de la primavera de la variedad autóctona. Con cientos de jardines públicos, grandes y pequeños en todo el país, seguramente existe uno cerca de usted. Un número creciente de ellos tienen secciones dedicadas a las flores silvestres y plantas nativas, y todos los jardines públicos ofrecen información importante sobre el mundo de las plantas y cómo benefician a otras especies, ¡como nosotros!

Consejos: Para obtener una lista de algunos jardines botánicos para visitar, visite a www.wildflower.org/reciprocal/. También puede visitar un santuario, parque local, estatal o nacional, agregar flores silvestres a su patio trasero y visitar sitios como www.wildlflower.org y www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/index.shtml para las listas de avistamientos de flores silvestres a lo largo de las carreteras por donde viaja.

Esta información es proporcionada por Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Obtenga más información en www.wildflower.org.

Celebrate National Wildflower Week!

espinoza — Fri, 04 May 2012 16:24:47 +0000

National Wildflower Week is May 6-13 — it’s the perfect time to visit a botanic garden or park where you can see spring blooms of the native variety. With hundreds of public gardens throughout the country, there is sure to be one near you. An increasing number of them have sections devoted to wildflowers and native plants, and all public gardens offer important information about the plant world and how it benefits other species — like us! Wildflowers add beauty to the landscape, help conserve water, reduce mowing costs, provide habitat for birds, butterflies and other wildlife, protect the soil and save money on fertilizer and pesticides.

Enjoy spring wildflowers with these resources:

For a state-by-state list of botanic gardens to visit, go to www.wildflower.org/reciprocal/.
You can also visit a sanctuary, local, state or national park to view wildflowers. Go to www.wildflower.org and www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/index.shtml in the spring for lists of wildflower sightings along roadways you travel.
Want your own display? Add wildflowers to your backyard or along roadways and driveways. Explore plants native to your area at www.wildflower.org/explore/ and get tips for avoiding some of common wildflower-growing mistakes at www.wildflower.org/feature/?id=90.

Need even more reason to get outside and enjoy wildflowers? Check out NEEF’s Children & Nature infographic below to learn how being active in nature makes kids healthier. The infographic is freely available for download and sharing at www.neefusa.org/health/infographic.

This information is provided by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Learn more at www.wildflower.org.

Curiosidades del Clima: El antiguo Sahara

kraus — Wed, 02 May 2012 18:24:59 +0000

Curiosidades del Clima: El antiguo Sahara

El desierto del Sahara en el Norte de África es uno de los lugares más secos en la tierra, prácticamente sin revestimiento vegetal. ¿Ha sido el desierto del Sahara siempre de esta manera?

Curiosidades del Clima: Hace 8,500 años, la región del Sahara era:

a) Tan seca como en la actualidad?
b) Aún más seca que en la actualidad?
c) Más húmeda que en la actualidad pero todavía estéril?
d) Más húmeda que en la actualidad, con vida vegetal y asentamiento humano

La respuesta correcta es d. El desierto del Sahara era mucho más verde alrededor de 11,500 a 5,500 años atrás cuando una leve diferencia en la órbita de la Tierra permitió que las lluvias del monzón se extendieran hacia el norte en el Sahara. En la cima del periodo húmedo africano hace 8.500 años atrás, el Sahel – una banda climática donde los pastos y arbustos separan el árido desierto al norte y las sabanas húmedas al sur – se extendía tan al norte como el Trópico de Cáncer, que en la actualidad se encuentra en el sur de Libia, Egipto y Argelia. El área al sur del Sahel antiguo albergó precipitaciones mucho más superiores a las actuales, permitiendo el crecimiento de arbustos y hierbas. Los cuerpos de agua bordeados de árboles también fueron más frecuentes en aquel entonces. Este ambiente incitaba asentamientos humanos, los cuales contaban con ganado doméstico y arte simbólico pintado o tallado en las rocas. Si bien los cambios en la órbita de la Tierra que obligaron la sequía del Sahara fueron graduales, la aparición repentina de los depósitos de polvo en la costa occidental de África hace unos 5.500 años atrás indica que hubo una sequía catastrófica, por lo menos en el Sahara occidental. Este cambio repentino ilustra la capacidad de los ecosistemas regionales para tolerar cambios hasta cierto punto, antes de transformarse repentinamente en zonas climáticas con características diferentes.

Mapa de la tierra exponiendo la diferencia normalizada del índice vegetativo. Las zonas más verdes son las más húmedas y de más vegetaciones, mientras que las áreas más claras son más secas y áridas. Imagen provista por la NASA.

Fuente: Krinner, G et al. “A reassessment of lake and wetland feedbacks on the North African Holocene climate.” Geophysical Research Letters 39 (2012): L07701 and Watrin, J et al. “Plant migration and plant communities at the time of the “green Sahara.” Comptes Rendus Geoscience 341 (2009): 656-670 and NOAA Paleoclimatology: “End of the African Humid Period.” 20 August 2008. Accessed Online 5 April 2012

Climate Trivia: How do clouds affect Earth’s temperature?

kraus — Wed, 02 May 2012 17:29:18 +0000

As Earth’s temperature rises the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere increases. This increase in water vapor causes changes in how, where and when clouds form and these changes influence the general state of Earth’s climate.

Trivia Question: How do clouds impact Earth’s climate?

a)   They cool the planet by reflecting sunlight.
b)   They warm the planet by absorbing heat headed from the surface back out to space.
c)   Clouds can work to both warm and cool the planet, and their overall cumulative effect on climate is likely an important one.
d)   Clouds can work to both warm and cool the planet, but their overall cumulative effect on climate is likely a negligible one.

The correct answer is c. While the overall effect that a global temperature rise has on the structure, density and distribution of Earth’s clouds remains an active area of study for scientists, it is clear that different clouds can work to warm or cool the planet’s surface. Whether the warming or cooling effect dominates depends on many factors like changes in cloud size, changes in cloud type frequency, changes in the altitude at which clouds form, changes in the time of day and time of year that their formation is most common, etc. Changes in cloud dynamics due to warming is an example of a climate system feedback. Climate system feedbacks are phenomena caused by an initial change in the climate system that works to amplify or dampen this initial change. While most research suggests that the cloud feedback is self-reinforcing, meaning that the changes in cloud dynamics that result from the initial warming work to amplify the warming, uncertainties remain. Generally, high altitude clouds, such as cirrus clouds, do little to block incoming sunlight but do trap outgoing heat, having a net warming effect. Low altitude clouds, such as stratocumulus clouds that form over cool ocean waters, tend to have a net cooling effect. Deep convective clouds tend to be neutral.

Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

Source: Hannay, C et al. “Evaluation of Forecasted Southeast Pacific Stratocumulus in the NCAR, GFDL, and ECMWF Models.” Journal of Climate 22 (2009): 2871-2889 and NASA Earth Observatory. “Clouds and Radiation.” Accessed Online 2 May 2012

Hecho climático: El aumento de la temperatura y supervivencia de la trucha

kraus — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:13:06 +0000

En síntesis: La actividad reproductiva de la trucha es sensible al aumento de la temperatura durante el verano.

Las únicas especies de truchas nativas del oriente de Estados Unidos son las truchas de arroyo, las cuales hoy en día son más difíciles de encontrar de lo que solían ser. Prácticamente todas las cuencas hidrográficas han visto un aumento significativo en el porcentaje de cobertura de superficies duras, tales como el hormigón, el cual absorbe el calor y aumenta la temperatura de la escorrentía de la precipitación a medida que fluye hacia los riachuelos. Estas condiciones han causado que la temperatura del agua en muchos ríos haya aumentado significantemente, llegando a límites intolerables para esta especie. El aumento de la temperatura, junto con otros cambios en el terreno y la introducción de nuevas especies invasoras, tuvieron como producto una repentina disminución de las truchas de arroyo en las últimas décadas. La región de Adirondack en el norte de Nueva York es una de las últimas fortalezas de estos peces. Sin embargo, esta especie también es vulnerable a los aumentos de temperatura. Un estudio del comportamiento de los peces en un lago en las montañas Adirondack muestra que las actividades reproductivas de la trucha de arroyo están fuertemente influenciadas por la temperatura. Veranos más cálidos significa que los peces retrasan la puesta de huevos y además ponen menos cantidades. En el estudio de un lago, las temperaturas máximas diarias en el verano son de 1.6 grados Fahrenheit por encima de lo normal dando como resultado una semana de retraso en la puesta de huevos y 65 nidos menos. El retraso en la puesta de huevos puede significar problemas para los peces, ya que puede crear un desajuste entre la aparición de los peces y la aparición de su presa.

Fuente: Warren, DR et al. “Elevated summer temperatures delay spawning and reduce redd construction for resident brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis).” Global Change Biology 13 March 2012. Accessed Online 4 April 2012 .

Climate Number: 15,800 Square Miles

kraus — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:51:56 +0000

Collectively forming the largest area of glacial cover outside of Alaska and the Arctic and referred to as Earth’s “third pole,” the Himalayan glaciers are important sources of water for the Indus, Ganges and Bhramaputra river basins, where 800 million people live. Best estimates suggest that the glaciers of the greater Himalaya cover about 15,800 square miles, which includes the glaciers of the Karakoram, an adjacent mountain range to the northwest of the Himalaya proper. While monitoring these glaciers is difficult (they are generally found about three miles above sea level in extreme and challenging terrain), most of the greater Himalayan glaciers appear to have lost mass since the mid-19th century, with accelerating rates likely over the last few decades. Mass losses have not been regionally uniform, however, and many glaciers of the Karakoram appear to have grown slightly in recent years. Most of the precipitation that feeds the glaciers of the Karakoram falls during the winter months as westerly cyclones pass over the region, while the glaciers farther to the southeast in the main Himalaya are fed mostly by rains from the summertime Indian and Southeast Asian monsoons. Summer-fed glaciers in this region tend to be more sensitive to temperature changes than winter-fed glaciers, as a temperature rise during the summer can mean significant changes in the proportion of precipitation falling as rain versus snow. While current melt rates do not pose an imminent threat to the region’s water resources, the growth of glacial lakes in the central and eastern Himalaya may cause serious problems for those living downstream as these glacial lakes are subject to sudden drainage events. Also, the very existence of glacial lakes, because they transmit thermal energy to adjacent ice, can lead to accelerated melt rates and ice calving.

For comparison: 15,800 square miles is about the size of Massachusetts and Connecticut combined.

Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

Source: Bolch, T et al. “The State and Fate of Himalayan Glaciers.” Science 336 (2012): 310-314.

Climate Number: An Albedo Difference of 0.1

kraus — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:36:58 +0000

Albedo describes how much of the Sun’s radiation an object reflects. New snow is very reflective, with an albedo as high as 0.9, meaning that 90 percent of the sunlight that hits it is reflected. Dark asphalt, on the other hand, has an albedo as low as 0.04, meaning it absorbs 96 percent of the sunlight it receives. This absorption warms the asphalt and the general tendency for urban spaces to have lower albedos than surrounding rural areas is one of the causes of the urban heat island effect. Changes in surface albedo have implications for local climates and if these changes are on a large enough scale, the implications can be global. One example of this is in the Arctic, where the average September sea ice minimum is approximately 1.3 million square miles smaller than it was at the beginning of the 1980s – 1.3 million square miles is enough ice to blanket most of Europe. Because seawater is less reflective than ice, this reduction means that larger areas of the Arctic Ocean are exposed to the sun’s energy for longer periods the year, allowing more solar energy to be absorbed and transmitted to the rest of the climate system. Also, not all Arctic ice is equally reflective, with older ice that has survived at least one melt season being more reflective than younger seasonal ice. The older ice has an albedo of 0.65 compared to an albedo of 0.55 for the seasonal ice, a difference of 0.1. In March 2011, only about 45 percent of the ice present in the Arctic was multiyear ice, compared with 75 percent in March 1980. While about 50 percent of the ice cover was particularly old ice (older than five years) in 1980, that number had declined to 10 percent by March 2011.

For comparison: The albedo difference of 0.1 between the seasonal and multiyear ice, combined with differences in how snow and melt ponds develop on the two different types of ice over the course of a melt season, mean that each square meter of seasonal ice absorbs about 342 more megajoules of energy each year than the older ice. This extra 342 megajoules is enough to thin a layer of ice by over three feet.

Seasons: Spring, Summer

Sources: Perovich, DK and Polashenski, C. “Albedo evolution of seasonal Arctic sea ice.” Geophysical Research Letters 39 (2012): L08501 and Maslanik, J et al. “Distribution and trends in Arctic sea ice age through spring 2011.” Geophysical Research Letters 38 (2011): L13502 and Francis, JA and Vavrus, SJ. “Evidence linking Arctic amplification to extreme weather in mid-latitudes.” Geophysical Research Letters 39 (2012): L06801.

Spring Rains and Galveston Bay

espinoza — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:55:54 +0000

Spring rains mean that the historic drought in Texas may be over and that’s very good news for Galveston Bay. The multi-year drought reduced freshwater flow into the Bay from the Trinity River and other tributaries, making it saltier and creating detrimental conditions for native finfish, crustaceans and shellfish. The high salinity levels also helped kill vegetation, a prime component of the salt marshes that make estuaries invaluable feeding grounds, nurseries and refuges for a host of Lone Star State species.

Viewer Tip: Help replant the salt marshes by taking part in Galveston Bay Foundation’s annual Marsh Mania, a nationally recognized volunteer wetlands-restoration event. Join the Foundation on May 5 at the Baytown Nature Center to help restore Galveston Bay’s wetlands. The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and is fun for all ages. For more information and to sign-up, visit galvbay.org/events_marsh.html.

Questions? E-mail Julie Mintzer at jmintzer@galvbay.org for more details.

This information is provided by Galveston Bay Foundation and Restore America’s Estuaries. Learn more at www.estuaries.org.