The town of Ajax, Ontario received a report from Specialists in Energy, Nuclear and Environmental Sciences (SENES) Consultants detailing the likely changes in local weather patterns for 2040-2049. The climate model predicts an increase in the frequency and intensity of monthly rainfall, a decrease in...

Extreme heat events (EHEs) are one of the leading causes of natural hazard-related deaths in the world. With rising global temperatures, these events will continue to increase in frequency, duration, and magnitude. The urban heat island (UHI) effect exacerbates the consequences of EHEs, discourages active...

In response to projected sea level rise and extreme weather events, Miami Beach and other urban areas surrounding Biscayne Bay are developing adaptive strategies to mitigate the effects of changing environmental conditions. City officials are involved with ongoing efforts to reduce storm damage and monitor...

The Mark Twain National Forest (MTNF) encompasses 1.5 million acres of public land in the Ozarks region of southeastern Missouri. The industrial boom between the 1880s and 1920s had devastating effects on the shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata), Missouri’s...

Balancing the demands of economic development and environmental protection is a challenge which requires policy-makers to be well informed about the extent and value of key natural ecosystems. Wetlands have long been known to regulate hydrological processes, reduce erosion and flooding, safeguard local biodiversity, mitigate...

The Mississippi River Basin is the fourth largest drainage basin in the world, and is susceptible to multi-level flood events caused by heavy precipitation, snow melt, and changes in water table levels. Conducting flood analysis during periods of disaster is a challenging endeavor for...

Riparian corridors in the semiarid Colorado River Basin act as an interface between terrestrial and aquatic systems, play an important role in maintaining biodiversity and wildlife habitat, and contribute to controlling erosion and buffering pollutant and nutrient runoff. However, the proliferation of invasive species...

Estuaries are dynamic environments that provide a host of vital ecosystem services. California’s Marine Life Protection Act protects such ecosystems by creating Marine Protected Areas. California has approximately 440,000 acres of estuarine habitats as well as 23 Estuarine Marine Protected...

Light pollution causes measurable damage to natural wildlife behaviors and human health, as well as decreases the ability for humans to view the night sky. The artificial brightening of the night sky, or sky glow, created by light pollution subjects nearly 100% of Americans...