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On the calendar today …
- PUBLIC MEETING: Development of Beaver Management and Restoration Plan from 5pm to 6pm. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) invites you to a public scoping meeting to solicit input on the planned preparation of a statewide Beaver Management and Restoration Plan (Plan). The purpose of the meetings is to provide an interactive forum for interested parties to learn more about the planned contents of the Plan, share insights, ask questions, and provide input. To accommodate schedules, we will be holding these early scoping meetings on two occasions, each covering the same information. The meetings will be held virtually via Zoom and are intended for the general public, landowners and land managers, Tribes, restoration practitioners, and other stakeholders who are interested in providing feedback on the proposed outline and scope of the plan. For information about the meetings and to register as an attendee, please see the meeting announcement.
In California water news today …
California’s land subsidence challenge: A look at DWR’s draft BMP
“Subsidence from groundwater pumping has severely impacted land surfaces and infrastructure in parts of California. Rates of subsidence and its associated impacts have increased in some areas of California due to unsustainable groundwater pumping and practices and increasing climate aridification. The effects are costing Californians hundreds of millions of dollars annually in damage repairs, reducing water supply reliability, and jeopardizing public safety. The August meeting of the California Water Commission featured an in-depth presentation on the Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) draft Best Management Practices for addressing land subsidence in California. These practices are designed to help local groundwater sustainability agencies better understand the causes of subsidence, how to monitor it effectively, and strategies for managing its impacts. The presentation was led by Paul Gosselin, DWR’s Deputy Director for Sustainable Water Management, and Shane Edmunds, leader of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan Review Section. … ” Continue reading at Maven’s Notebook.
The El Niño-Southern Oscillation and drought outlook in the United States
“The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a recurring phenomenon defined by shifts in tropical Pacific Ocean sea surface temperatures, ocean currents, and overlying atmospheric winds. It manifests in three distinct phases: neutral, La Niña, and El Niño. In the contiguous United States, La Niña generally leads to below-average precipitation and above-average temperatures in the Southern U.S. and the opposite in the Northern U.S. during cool seasons. Conversely, El Niño typically causes above-average precipitation and below-average temperatures in the Southern U.S. and below-average precipitation and above-average temperatures in the Northern U.S. during these same seasons. La Niña conditions are likely from September 2025 through January 2026. NOAA’s official probabilistic ENSO forecast indicates a greater than 50% chance for La Niña during this period. Precipitation and temperature related to La Niña, combined with the La Niña forecast and current drought conditions, suggest drought persistence in the Southwest United States, potential drought development in the Southeast, and drought improvement in the Pacific Northwest into Spring 2026. … ” Read more from NIDIS.
CA Legislature greenlights McNerney’s bill to help drought-proof CA
“The California Legislature has unanimously approved Senator Jerry McNerney’s SB 31, legislation that is designed to help drought-proof California by boosting the use of recycled water. SB 31 would also enhance the state’s fresh water supply by allowing businesses, homes, and agencies to expand their use of recycled water for irrigation and other uses, rather than relying on drinking water. “Expanding the use of recycled water is exactly the type of commonsense proposal that will help solve our state’s water issues,” said Sen. McNerney, D-Pleasanton. “SB 31 is a pragmatic approach that will enhance our supplies of fresh water by expanding the use of recycled water for irrigation and commercial uses. It will also help protect the state during devastating droughts caused by climate change.” … ” Read more from State Senator Jerry McNerney.
Senator Anna Caballero to host capitol press conference on landmark water legislation, SB 72, as it heads to the governor’s desk
“Senator Anna Caballero, SB 72 author, will host a press conference at the Capitol Cactus Garden on Monday, Sept. 8, at 10 a.m. to discuss the importance of passing and signing the landmark water legislation into law. Designed to address California’s lack of water, SB 72 has once again passed the Assembly floor and is headed to the Governor’s desk for signature. “SB 72 offers the Assembly and the Governor a clear opportunity to reaffirm California’s climate leadership and commitment. This bill is a critical next step toward securing our state’s water future in the face of escalating climate threats,” said Senator Anna Caballero, author of SB 72 and press conference host. “This press conference is an opportunity to present a clear and compelling case for why this legislation matters and why now is the time to act.” The bill addresses the state’s water supply challenges with multiple strategies to codify water supply targets, modernize the California Water Plan, and legislate reporting and collaboration among the water community – a novel approach to addressing the water threats in the state and the most significant legislation to improve statewide water planning and future water supply security for the 4th largest global economy in the last 10 years. … ” Read more from California Water for All.
California ag battles: Water, solar, and farmland futures
“California agriculture continues to face pressure from regulatory uncertainty, land use conflicts, and unresolved water projects. In a recent episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Nick Papagni and Lorrie Boyer broke down some of the most pressing challenges farmers are up against, from stalled water infrastructure to the growing debate over solar development on farmland. … ” Read excerpts or listen to podcast at AgNet West.
California’s data centers face a climate cooling dilemma
“California’s digital backbone, sustained by a vast constellation of data centers, is at a critical juncture.. Once operating quietly behind the scenes, these facilities have been thrust into the spotlight due to the convergence of two forces: surging demand for digital services and the escalating impact of climate change. As the state becomes hotter, drier and increasingly energy-constrained, these heat-intensive and power-hungry buildings are under growing pressure. Escalating temperatures stretch cooling systems to their limits. Wildfires cast a shadow of smoke and ash, infiltrating sensitive machinery. Water shortages make traditional cooling techniques increasingly difficult to justify. At the same time, the soaring electricity demands for artificial intelligence and cloud computing are pushing chips to unprecedented thermal densities, straining the limits of air-based cooling systems — just as California faces mounting scarcity of those very resources — threatening to overwhelm an already fragile power grid. … ” Read more from the Daily Journal.
California prepares for a climate-safe future with new Climate Adaptation Strategy
“[Last week], Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled California’s updated Climate Adaptation Strategy — the state’s overarching framework to better protect communities and nature from dangerous climate impacts. “California is on the frontlines of the climate crisis — facing extreme heat, firestorms, drought, flooding, and rising seas that threaten our communities, our economy, and our way of life,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “Too many Californians, especially seniors, outdoor workers, and low-income families, are being hit hardest because they lack vital resources. That’s unacceptable. California is taking action to protect our people and our places, and we’re doing it with the urgency this crisis demands.” California last updated the Strategy in 2021. Since then, the state has made historic investments in climate resilience, set ambitious goals, and prioritized support for vulnerable communities. A review of progress reported between 2022 and 2024 found that 92 percent of all 2021 metrics are well underway, nearing completion, or completed, and that two-thirds of metrics scheduled to end between 2021 and 2024 have been completed. … ” Continue reading from the Natural Resources Agency.
California’s amazing terminal lakes
“When Californians talk of lakes, they usually mean reservoirs, the 1500 or so artificial bodies of water behind dams. Alternately, they may be referring to the 4,000 or so natural lakes in the Sierra Nevada or to one of the few large natural lakes in the state, such as Lake Tahoe or Clear Lake. But some of the most interesting lakes in the state draw our attention mainly when demand for water threatens to dry them up. These are terminal lakes, that mostly depend on seasonal rain or snow melt to maintain them as lakes. They are called terminal lakes because water flows into the basins through streams, but leaves mostly by evaporation or sinking into underground aquifers. Each lake has its own unique chemistry and other characteristics, although most are highly productive so are important to migratory waterfowl and invertebrates. They may or may not support endemic fish populations. This blog is a brief introduction to the largest of these fascinating lakes in California. All are in need of management to protect their distinctive features and biota. … ” Read more from the California Water Blog.
How environmental RNA can give us a real-time picture of freshwater biodiversity
“As climate change and human activity threaten freshwater ecosystems like lakes and rivers, it’s more important than ever to know how the species who inhabit them are being impacted. But traditional methods of monitoring species, such as catching animals, are challenging to implement and can miss rapid changes. What if we could track life without capturing or directly observing individual animals? It turns out we can, by reading the DNA and RNA they leave behind in the water. Every living thing leaves tiny traces in their environment — skin cells, waste or microscopic fragments we cannot see. These fragments carry genetic material unique to each species on Earth. So, when scientists sample one bottle of water, a few grams of soil, or even filter the air, they are actually collecting what’s called environmental DNA (eDNA) or RNA (eRNA), which can tell us which species are (or have been) present in an area. Recent studies have demonstrated that eRNA, previously considered too unstable for field use, can be reliably detected in freshwater ecosystems. … ” Read more from The Conversation.
Boosting timber harvesting in national forests while cutting public oversight won’t solve America’s wildfire problem
“The western United States is facing another destructive wildfire season, with more acres burned in Colorado alone in 2025 than in the past four years combined. If global warming continues on its current trajectory, the amount of forest area burned each year could double or even triple by midcentury. In other words, more fire is coming, more often. As U.S. forests burn, Congress and federal agencies are asking an important question: What role should federal land management play in reducing fire risk? About two-thirds of forest land in the western U.S. is publicly owned, with the majority of it managed by federal agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. These public lands are treasured for recreation, wildlife habitat, timber production and open space. They are also where many of today’s largest fires burn. … ” Read more from The Conversation.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
The Almeda Fire burned through Bear Creek. Now native plants are taking hold
“The Almeda Fire turned the Bear Creek Greenway between Ashland and Phoenix into a barren, ashy landscape. Recovery has involved many partners and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. It’s late summer, and the Bear Creek Greenway is buzzing with life. An endless symphony of birds calls throughout the landscape. Ducks search for food underneath the water, and squirrels dart across the bike path between bushes. But five years ago, this place was the opposite of lively. “The way I described it to folks is it looked much like the moon,” said Steve Lambert, Jackson County roads and parks director. “It was just nothing but gray ash all over the place.” … ” Read more from Jefferson Public Radio.
Potter Valley dam removal to aid salmon but imperil Lake Pillsbury wildlife
“A sweeping plan to remove two century-old dams on Northern California’s Eel River promises to revive native fish runs – but it also raises alarms for the wildlife that has come to rely on the soon-to-vanish Lake Pillsbury. Pacific Gas & Electric’s decommissioning of the Potter Valley Project will drain Lake Pillsbury’s 2,000-acre reservoir in the Mendocino National Forest, transforming the landscape from a placid lake to a re-established river. This ecological upheaval is expected to create clear winners and losers in the region’s wildlife. On the muddy banks of Lake Pillsbury’s north shore, a herd of tule elk has long grazed and watered in the reservoir’s basin . Reintroduced in the 1970s, the elk herd flourished alongside the man-made lake. Now experts fear these elk could be among the biggest losers when Scott Dam is torn down. … ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Tahoe Keys Control Methods Test finds integration of multiple methods key
“Partners are working on a long-term management plan for the aquatic invasive plants in the Tahoe Keys after the conclusion of a three-year control methods test points to an integrated approach as key. Project partners, including the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, and the Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association, presented test findings to the Lahontan Regional Water Board on Thursday, Aug. 28. “It’s clear that not one method is going to be the silver bullet for this problem,” said Lars Anderson, PhD, science consultant for the Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association, explaining the most important finding is that multiple methods need to be carefully applied and integrated for optimal control. Aquatic invasive plants have proliferated in the Tahoe Keys Lagoons despite the property owners association’s control attempts since the mid-1980s. It is the largest aquatic invasive plant infestation in the region. A survey revealed that approximately 85-90% of the available wet surface in the lagoons were infested with the weeds, threatening to spread to other areas of the lake. … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Sacramento area flood defenses undergo $1.6 billion transformation to prevent future levee breaks
“The high flood risk in the Sacramento region is once again in the spotlight following the recent 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Efforts continue to upgrade the area’s aging flood control infrastructure. Back in January 1997, heavy rains pushed the Cosumnes River above levee limits, causing 20 breaks and inundating communities such as Wilton. Nearly three decades later, work is underway along the Sacramento River to prevent that same kind of catastrophic flooding. “We’re talking about 150 years ago, right when those levees were initially established. So it’s an aging infrastructure,” said Gregory Treible, program manager with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. One of the major projects involves expanding the Sacramento Weir, a low-level dam that helps relieve pressure on surrounding levees. The project will double the width of the more than 100-year-old weir. … ” Read more from Channel 13.
Aerial survey of Putah Creek produces ‘virtual reality’ data
“A fixed-wing Cessna Cargomaster, for five days in January, flew over the full 32-mile stretch of Putah Creek, capturing Lidar images and data that Max Stephenson said is like having a “virtual reality simulation” of the stream channel. So vivid are the images, tread marks from tractor tires can be seen in the neighboring farmlands also captured by the aerial survey. The purpose of the $120,000 project, however, was to map out the channel floor and slope – from the Monticello Dam to the toe drain in West Sacramento – something the older lidar technology could not do because it did not adequately penetrate the water surface. … ” Read more from the Daily Republic.
NAPA/SONOMA
The dark side of pinot noir: climate change forcing Napa vintners to make hard choices
“Farmers may generally skew to the right politically, but few California grape growers champion a favorite conservative talking point: climate change is overblown. The shifting climate is a deep concern in Wine Country, and climbing temperatures are affecting how and where grapes are grown — most particularly in the Carneros Region, a coastal portion of Napa County long celebrated for its pinot noir wines. … A study by San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography researcher Daniel Cayan found that steadily climbing temperatures have advanced Napa’s grape-growing season by almost a month compared to the 1950s. That’s bad news for the region’s pinot noir, which must preserve a relative high ratio of acids in the fruit to produce optimal wines; high temperatures reduce acids and increase sugar content dramatically, resulting in heavy, high alcohol “hot” wines that maintain few of the spicy, complicated aromas and flavors traditionally associated with the grape. … ” Read more from Stocktonia.
BAY AREA
Bucolic battlefield: a California seashore says goodbye to dairy farms – and hopes to heal
“Rodd Kelsey gazed out on the golden slopes of Point Reyes national seashore sweeping down to the rugged California coastline, pointing to the patches laden with invasive stalks of prickly thistle and browning sod. These are some of the hallmarks of the region’s recent history, he said – but they also showcase the opportunities for its future. A new chapter is unfolding on the striking landscape located some 70 miles (113km) north of San Francisco. The unique patchwork of wild and pastoral ranges operated by the National Park Service (NPS) has spent decades mired in battles between local ranchers operating on the lands and environmentalists who see their presence as a blight. As part of a settlement reached early this year, 12 organic dairies and cattle operations agreed to take a multimillion-dollar buyout – the financial details of which have been largely kept secret – and were given 15 months to move off the land. … ” Read more from The Guardian.
Marin Voice: Sea-level rise data shows the water is coming
San Rafael residents Gail Napell and Diana Benitez, board members for the Marin Environmental Housing Collaborative group, write, “It’s undeniable: The sea is rising. Property and infrastructure near and on the shoreline will be at risk of flooding. In Marin, that means San Rafael’s Canal neighborhood, Marin City and low-lying neighborhoods along Highway 101 will see more frequent flooding in our lifetimes. Sea level along the coast and bay is predicted to rise 3 feet to 10 feet by 2100. The low estimate is based on immediately halting fossil fuel extraction and use. We’re not at that end of the trajectory. Sea-level rise has an enormous impact on our ability to build the housing we need in Marin. and to protect the housing we already have. With 85% of our land constrained from development, available space for new housing is limited. Low-lying lands along the bay seem attractive – they’re less expensive to purchase than hillside or urban sites, have access to the highway and near bay views — but they are most at risk from sea-level rise. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.
Seasonal erosion and accretion in a San Francisco Bay marsh
“Salt marshes, critical buffers against coastal erosion, rely on a net gain of sediment to maintain their elevation and resilience as sea levels rise. A new study examines how two different sediment delivery routes—wave-battered marsh edges and meandering tidal creeks—combine to shape the future of these vital ecosystems. Focusing on Whales Tail Marsh in South San Francisco Bay, which features both an eroding bay-facing edge and a major tidal creek, researchers deployed net-deposition tiles and oceanographic sensors to track when, where, and how sediment moved into and through the marsh. The results show a seasonally split system … ” Read more from the USGS.
CENTRAL COAST
Los Osos intertie pipeline moving forward
“On September 4 the Los Osos CSD Board awarded a contract to Water Systems Consulting (WSC) for $854 thousand to design the proposed 2.5 mile pipeline intertie project connecting the community to State water at Hwy 1. Currently the town is 100% dependent on groundwater.The bid from WSC is over $200,000 more than an engineer’s estimate used by the CSD in their planning. The consultant highlighted the complexity of the project. At the July 10, 2025, board meeting, the board received a report which summarized the current condition of the Los Osos Groundwater Basin.The results of a new baseline scenario indicated that pumping at current average rates and spatial distribution would cause seawater to intrude further into the Basin which is an indication that current average pumping and distribution is “not sustainable.” … ” Read more from Sierra 2 the Sea.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Beleaguered Springville residents square off again in ongoing battle with Del Oro Water Co.
“A group of angry local residential water customers intends to flood the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) with a deluge of complaints to prevent their drinking water provider – Del Oro Water Company River Island – from getting its second rate increase in two years despite numerous claims of substandard service by their parched clientele. For years now, the residents of a small Springville neighborhood have been fighting to secure a safe, reliable and adequate supply of drinking water to their homes. And for just as long, these thirsty foothills residents claim, the absentee owners of Del Oro – or DOWCRI, as it’s called in state and company documents – have resisted meeting their contractual obligation to provide it. Along the way – through historic drought, record flooding and ongoing contamination – Del Oro never stopped charging top dollar for the hit-and-miss service they provided. Customers received bills even when the water didn’t run at all. And they were also hit with periodic rate increases despite the alleged lack of performance on Del Oro’s part. … ” Continue reading from Valley Voice.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
The LA River is spewing more trash onto our beaches
“At Thursday’s meeting for the Marine Advisory Commission, officials will share the contents of a letter to Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson and the City Council regarding an escalation of runoff into Long Beach’s coastline from the L.A. River, which officials say has reached “ a critical juncture that demands immediate attention.” According to public works, the city has collected more than 12,500 tons of trash from 2020 to 2024, which cost a staggering $12.3 million. The amount of trash is also growing, with spikes in 2023 and 2024. The letter recommends the city strike an agreement with the county to help cover collection costs and be open to improving the existing system, saying the current trash interception operation “appears insufficient,” and the toll on Long Beach is “fundamentally inequitable.” … ” Read more from the Long Beach Post.
SAN DIEGO
Nature Collective works to conserve and restore habitats in Encinitas
“The San Elijo Lagoon, a vital wetland ecosystem in Encinitas, California, continues to flourish thanks to the efforts of the Nature Collective, a local conservation group. The nonprofit organization has been working since 1987 to restore, monitor and manage various ecosystems in the area. “It really is an incredible jewel. In California, our wetlands and estuary systems, there are not that many that are really thriving and as robust as this one,” said Kristin Evans with the Nature Collective. Located between Cardiff State Beach and the canyons, the San Elijo Lagoon serves as a crucial habitat for wildlife, particularly birds. The lagoon is home to 40% of all North American bird species, making it a significant site for biodiversity conservation. … ” Read more from Channel 8.
Along the Colorado River …
Amid ‘tense’ Colorado River negotiations, water summit keeps focus on conservation efforts
“Among “contentious negotiations” regarding usage and the ongoing water crisis of the Colorado River, Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV) hosted the third annual Water Summit at Springs Preserve in Las Vegas on Aug. 28. In addition to the news on negotiations, the main takeaways from this year’s summit included discussions on funding, legislation and local conservation efforts. Lee described the negotiations between Nevada, Arizona and California on water use from the Colorado River as tense. However, she said she believes the best path forward is one that is “jointly chartered and agreed upon” by the basin states and the tribes. She said the worst outcome would be one imposed upon the West from legislators living in Washington, D.C. The 2022 three-state water conservation agreement expires at the end of next year, giving the current round of negotiations a sense of urgency. … ” Read more from the Nevada Independent.
Arizona town sinking up to 3 inches a year in fight to reach groundwater: ‘Train wreck waiting to happen’
“An Arizona town competing for basic access to clean water has sunk more than 18 feet over the past eight decades — with no signs of stopping — as locals struggle to make headway against area megafarms reportedly sucking the land dry. Residents of Wenden, an unincorporated community roughly 60 miles east of the Colorado River Reservation, have had to pivot to digging thousands of feet underground just to reach groundwater. For many towns, this wouldn’t be an issue. But along the Colorado River, communities and companies are locked in battles over its water supply. Wenden draws roughly 38% of its entire water supply from the Colorado River, as do major cities like Los Angeles and Phoenix — but they take more. As groundwater trickles further out of reach in Wenden, the rest of the community’s water supply is up in the air, leaving many high and dry. “It’s a train wreck waiting to happen,” Gary Saiter, head of the Wenden Water Improvement District, told NBC News. … ” Read more from the New York Post. | Read via AOL News.
The state is on a mission to remove invasive fish, but what happens to all the dead fish?
“The state is on a campaign to remove invasive smallmouth bass, which harm ecosystems and eat other fish, threatening native species. Colorado Parks and Wildlife runs a fishing tournament every other summer to encourage anglers to remove as many smallmouth bass as possible from a vital Western Slope reservoir. The top prize for the Ridgway Reservoir Smallmouth Classic is $10,000. The winner this year was none other than Chase Nicholson — for the fifth time. A dedicated angler who is also passionate about the environment, Nicholson believes in the event’s mission. “I think Parks and Wildlife is doing a great job to get on top of it before it becomes unstoppable,” Nicholson said. … ” Read more from Colorado Public Radio.
In national water news today …
These devices harvest drinking water from the air in the planet’s driest places. Critics say they’re an expensive distraction
“The arid desert landscape of Death Valley is not the obvious place to find water. Yet it’s here, in one of the planet’s hottest and driest places, that Massachusetts Institute of Technology engineers decided to test new technology to pull drinking water from an unconventional source: the air. Their water harvesting device is a window-sized panel made with absorbent material called “hydrogel,” which has been infused with salt, folded up like origami and enclosed in glass. The material, which looks like black bubble wrap, absorbs water vapor directly from the air, swelling up as it does so, then shrinking again as the water evaporates. The water condenses on the glass and flows down a tube to emerge as fresh, drinkable water. No power is needed, just heat from the sun. The device doesn’t produce a huge amount of water from the bone-dry air — around two-thirds of a cup a day — but the ultimate aim is to supply a household with drinking water even in arid deserts, said Xuanhe Zhao, a mechanical engineering professor at MIT. … ” Read more from CNN.
Disaster experts call for an extreme weather safety board
“Eric Sorensen has felt for years that the country could better prepare for extreme weather events. But the deadly July floods in central Texas, which killed more than 100 people, solidified the danger of inaction for the meteorologist-turned-congressman. The U.S. should learn lessons from disasters past, he decided — and use them to save lives in the future. The Illinois Democrat — who worked as a television meteorologist for more than 20 years — is now working on legislation to that effect. He’s hoping to introduce a bill this fall that would establish a National Weather Safety Board, an independent, nonpartisan government agency tasked with reviewing the aftermath of U.S. disasters, uncovering any failures in response and making recommendations for the future. … ” Read more from E&E News.
Changes to popular conservation program draws criticism from local conservation groups
“The Department of the Interior announced plans Thursday to reshape a popular conservation program that uses offshore oil royalties to support conservation projects, including narrowing the ways those funds can be spent. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum issued an order guiding the allocation of more than $430 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to projects that would “benefit wildlife habitat, improve water quality and provide flood protection while creating new recreational opportunities.” “The Land and Water Conservation Fund continues to deliver on its promise to connect Americans to the outdoors while protecting the landscapes that make our nation special,” said Burgum in a statement. But local conservation groups say the changes threaten to undermine the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) that President Donald Trump signed into law in 2020, which contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to the development and rehabilitation of parks, conservation areas and outdoor recreation facilities across the nation. … ” Read more from the Nevada Current.
Ocean warming threatens Earth’s tiny oxygen powerhouse
“In the vast, sun-drenched expanses of tropical and subtropical oceans, the planet’s most abundant photosynthetic organism reigns as the base of food chains supporting zooplankton and fish. But according to a study published Monday in Nature Microbiology, rising sea temperatures could slash populations of the microscopic cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus by up to 37% globally by 2100, with dire consequences for marine ecosystems. A decline in Prochlorococcus might also reduce nutrient recycling efficiency and carbon export to deep seas, weakening the ocean’s role in sequestering carbon dioxide. Broader threats loom. As a key oxygen producer — generating about 20% of Earth’s supply — Prochlorococcus losses could exacerbate deoxygenation in warming waters, creating “dead zones” hostile to marine life. Fisheries, already stressed by overharvesting, face further hits: Warming and oxygen dips are projected to cut tropical fish biomass, impacting food security for coastal communities. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service.
