(Press-News.org) New research published today sheds light on the positive effects of maintaining natural shoreline structure on freshwater ecosystems, as opposed to armoring them with steel walls or piles of rocks. The study, conducted by Shedd Aquarium, Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, revealed important trends in fish diversity and abundance along various types of shorelines in the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS). The findings indicated both fish species richness and the numbers of fish grew with increasing proportions of natural shoreline.
Shoreline armoring, or the practice of reinforcing shorelines to prevent erosion, is a common alteration to aquatic systems worldwide. However, while its impact on coastal and estuarine environments is extensively studied, research of its effects on freshwater systems has been sparse. To address this gap, the study reviewed data collected during a large-scale, long-term fish survey with a new lens. There was a clear correlation between shoreline type and biodiversity, consistent with those shown in coastal ecosystem studies.
“Our research shows the importance of natural shorelines, which can be functional for both aquatic life and humans,” said Dr. Austin Happel, research biologist at Shedd Aquarium. “As urbanization continues to encroach on freshwater systems, reviewing alternatives to armoring along with restoring or enhancing vegetated space, and advocating for policy are all proactive conservation measures to safeguard the health and biodiversity of freshwater ecosystems, which benefits human health, economies, and climate.”
One key example the authors point out is that barge traffic is prevalent both in the downtown portion of the Chicago River and the Little Calumet River. However, only the downtown portion exhibits extreme levels of shoreline armoring while the Little Calumet River sections support relatively high barge traffic without extensively armored shorelines. The shoreline differences between these two sections are reflected by strong changes to the fish communities. For example, none of the 15 downtown Chicago samples had more than 6 species whereas 53% of the 336 samples from the Little Calumet River had 10 or more species. The authors use this example to illustrate that extensive barge traffic does not require extensive shoreline armoring, and more natural shore could aid aquatic biodiversity.
Further, particularly of note for the CAWS is the hunting habitat provided by natural sloping shorelines for wading birds like great blue herons (Ardea herodias) and the state-endangered black-crown night-heron (Nycticorax nycticorax). As such, a reduction of steel-walled bulkhead areas in urban waterways, in favor of natural and vegetated shorelines, would increase biodiversity and ecosystem services both within and around the aquatic ecosystem.
In areas where de-armoring is not possible, additions of new habitats or enhancements could also benefit the ecosystem. Floating wetlands with native plants are one example of ways to supplement habitat for aquatic life in urban waterways. Shedd Aquarium has teamed up with local nonprofit Urban Rivers to expand floating habitats on the Wild Mile and in the South Branch of the Chicago River. While any shoreline changes require regulatory reviews from municipal, state and federal agencies, continued novel approaches and innovations for restoration and reducing reliance on armoring provide benefits to aquatic life and people who rely on freshwater systems.
The full findings from this research have been published in Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems under the title, “Natural shorelines support greater diversity and abundances of fishes than armored shores along Chicago’s waterways.”
END
Study shows natural shorelines support greater biodiversity in the chicago river
Researchers advocate to de-armor and restore shorelines to support fish diversity and abundance
2024-05-13
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
New study shows certain combinations of antiviral proteins are responsible for lupus symptoms and affect treatment outcomes
2024-05-13
In a new study, researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine say they have uncovered insights as to why lupus symptoms and severity present differently in individuals with the autoimmune condition, which affects up to 1.5 million Americans. The team says this is a crucial step forward in understanding biological mechanisms behind lupus, and may also lead to shifts in how clinicians treat patients with the condition.
The full report, published in Cell Reports Medicine on May 13, concludes that specific combinations and elevated levels of immune system proteins, known as interferons, are associated with ...
Inclusion is not enough: New study reveals the potential of coaching employees to drive new strategic ideas
2024-05-13
In the landscape of modern business, inclusion isn't just a buzzword - it's a strategic imperative. Companies like IBM, Volkswagen and Starbucks are moving to more participative strategy development approaches that reflect a growing understanding of the importance of diversity in fostering innovative and creative strategic ideas. Yet the outcomes of inclusive strategy processes often fall short of expectations. A new study in the Strategic Management Journal sheds light on why that may be.
In ...
New paper examines potential power and pitfalls of harnessing artificial intelligence for sleep medicine
2024-05-13
DARIEN, IL — In a new research commentary, the Artificial Intelligence in Sleep Medicine Committee of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine highlights how artificial intelligence stands on the threshold of making monumental contributions to the field of sleep medicine. Through a strategic analysis, the committee examined advancements in AI within sleep medicine and spotlighted its potential in revolutionizing care in three critical areas: clinical applications, lifestyle management, and population health. The committee also reviewed barriers and challenges associated with using AI-enabled technologies.
“AI ...
Study reveals patients with brain injuries who died after withdrawal of life support may have recovered
2024-05-13
BOSTON - (May 13, 2024) Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of hospitalizations and deaths around the world, affecting more than five million people each year. Predicting outcomes following a brain injury can be challenging, yet families are asked to make decisions about continuing or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment within days of injury.
In a new study, Mass General Brigham investigators analyzed potential clinical outcomes for TBI patients enrolled in the Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in TBI (TRACK-TBI) study for whom life support was withdrawn. The investigators found that some patients for whom ...
Anti-immigrant political rhetoric and action threaten Latino/a youth
2024-05-13
WASHINGTON (March 13, 2024)-Harsh political rhetoric about immigrants and anti-immigrant actions can damage parent-child relationships in Latino families and in turn lead to a significant increase in mental health problems for the kids in those families, according to a study published today in JAMA Pediatrics.
“Our research suggests that restrictive immigration policies and harsh rhetoric about immigrants can harm Latino and Latina adolescents,” said Kathleen Roche, lead author of the study and professor ...
Prognostic value of cardiovascular biomarkers in the population
2024-05-13
About The Study: Cardiovascular biomarkers were strongly associated with fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events and mortality. The addition of biomarkers to established risk factors led to only a small improvement in risk prediction metrics for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, but was more favorable for heart failure and mortality.
Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Johannes Tobias Neumann, M.D., Ph.D., email j.neumann@uke.de.
To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/
(doi:10.1001/jama.2024.5596)
Editor’s Note: Please see the ...
Sending abortion pills through the mail is timely and effective
2024-05-13
Dispensing abortion pills through the mail works as well as requiring patients to get them in person from a clinic or doctor’s office, according to new research from UC San Francisco, which comes as the Supreme Court is considering whether to disallow the practice.
Researchers found that using a mail-order pharmacy to deliver the drugs after an in-person assessment was both safe and effective, and patients appreciated the privacy and convenience of receiving their abortion medication that way.
“The ...
Telehealth expansion and Medicare beneficiaries’ care quality and access
2024-05-13
About The Study: In this cohort study of Medicare beneficiaries across all 3,436 hospital service areas (HSAs), high levels of telehealth use were associated with more clinician encounters, more ambulatory care–sensitive hospitalizations, and higher total health care costs. COVID-19 cases were still high during the period of study, which suggests that these findings partially reflect a higher capacity for providing health services in HSAs with higher telehealth intensity than other HSAs.
Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Sara Parker-Lue, Ph.D., ...
Mail-order pharmacy dispensing of mifepristone for medication abortion after in-person screening
2024-05-13
About The Study: The findings of this cohort study indicate that mail-order pharmacy dispensing of mifepristone for medication abortion was effective, acceptable to patients, and feasible, with a low prevalence of serious adverse events. This care model should be expanded to improve access to medication abortion services.
Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Daniel Grossman, M.D., email daniel.grossman@ucsf.edu.
To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/
(doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.1476)
Editor’s Note: Please ...
SHINE trial sheds light on deadly stroke complication
2024-05-13
An ambitious, nationwide clinical trial led by UVA Health’s Karen Johnston, MD, has provided doctors with long-needed insights into the importance of managing stroke patients’ blood sugar after treatment with clot-busting therapy. The findings will help improve stroke care and save lives.
The SHINE trial, funded by the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (grant U01 NS069498), was conducted at UVA Health and 69 other hospitals around ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Protective genetic mutation offers new hope for understanding autism and brain development
Colombia's Dr. Natalia Acosta-Baena uncovers critical link between brain development and degeneration
How can we reduce adolescent pregnancies in low- and middle-income countries?
When sun protection begets malnutrition: vitamin D deficiency in Japanese women
Cannabis use can cause chromosomal damage, increasing cancer risk and harming offspring
Survey finds many Americans apply misguided and counterproductive advice to combat holiday weight gain
New study reveals half a century of change on Britain’s iconic limestone pavements
Green flight paths could unlock sustainable aviation, new research suggests
Community partners key to success of vaccine clinic focused on neurodevelopmental conditions
Low-carbon collaborative dual-layer optimization for energy station considering joint electricity and heat demand response
McMaster University researchers uncover potential treatment for rare genetic disorders
The return of protectionism: The impact of the Sino-US trade war
UTokyo and NARO develop new vertical seed distribution trait for soybean breeding
Research into UK’s use of plastic packaging finds households ‘wishcycle’ rather than recycle – risking vast contamination
Vaccine shows promise against aggressive breast cancer
Adverse events affect over 1 in 3 surgery patients, US study finds
Outsourcing adult social care has contributed to England’s care crisis, argue experts
The Lancet: Over 800 million adults living with diabetes, more than half not receiving treatment, global study suggests
New therapeutic approach for severe COVID-19: faster recovery and reduction in mortality
Plugged wells and reduced injection lower induced earthquake rates in Oklahoma
Yin selected as a 2024 American Society of Agronomy Fellow
Long Covid could cost the economy billions every year
Bluetooth technology unlocks urban animal secrets
This nifty AI tool helps neurosurgeons find sneaky cancer cells
Treatment advances, predictive biomarkers stand to improve bladder cancer care
NYC's ride-hailing fee failed to ease Manhattan traffic, new NYU Tandon study reveals
Meteorite contains evidence of liquid water on Mars 742 million years ago
Self-reported screening helped reduce distressing symptoms for pediatric patients with cancer
Which risk factors are linked to having a severe stroke?
Opening borders for workers: Abe’s profound influence on Japan’s immigration regime
[Press-News.org] Study shows natural shorelines support greater biodiversity in the chicago riverResearchers advocate to de-armor and restore shorelines to support fish diversity and abundance