Areas across the Northeast have lost an average of one-fourth of their local plant biodiversity in the last 50 to 150 years. Certain plant families had even higher rates of loss, says Caitlin McDonough MacKenzie, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Maine. When her research team compared 19th century botanical records from Mount Desert […]
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Dr. Brenda Hall, a professor of glacial geology in the School of Earth and Climate Sciences and Climate Change Institute, was awarded the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture at the University of Maine’s 2019 Outstanding Research Award. The award was presented at the college’s annual Celebration of Excellence on April 17. The college […]
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Monitoring concentrations of dissolved organic carbon in Maine lakes before and after severe rainstorms could inform management strategies to help ensure consistent, high-quality drinking water, according to University of Maine researchers. In their study, working with local drinking water districts, Kate Warner and Jasmine Saros, researchers in UMaine’s Climate Change Institute and the School of […]
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As spring slowly moves its way into Maine, data is indicating that large parts of the midcoast and southern central parts of the state are likely to experience another tough year with the browntail moth. Maine Forest Service’s (MFS) aerial survey in fall 2018 showed over 126,000 acres impacted — double what was reported two […]
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The University of Maine was mentioned in a Medium article about a project to restore Arctic charr at Big Reed Pond. The Arctic charr, also known as blueback trout, is found in just one state in the Lower 48 — Maine. Charr were the first fish species to colonize Maine waters when the glaciers receded […]
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Children in Alaska whose diet includes a lot of fish from rivers fed by the Eastern Alaska Mountain Range may have a long-term elevated risk for cancer because of insecticides — including DDT — in the meltwater. Even with low levels of organochlorine pollutants (OCPs) in glacial meltwater, the risk of cancer for youth and […]
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Ecological traps have the potential to effectively control pest species and inhibit the spread of infectious diseases, according to a University of Maine researcher. A recently published study led by Allison Gardner, an assistant professor of arthropod vector biology at UMaine, provides new insights into how ecological traps, which occur when organisms show preference for […]
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The perception of glacial water as cold and pristine isn’t reality, says Kimberley Miner. At least the pristine part. The research assistant professor with the University of Maine Climate Change Institute found pesticide pollutants — including the insecticide DDT — in a remote Alaskan glacier and its meltwater. Pesticides that contain organochlorine compounds (OCPs) are […]
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Mainers can expect significant environmental changes in the next two decades due to increased greenhouse gas emissions and patterns of variability in the climate system, say University of Maine researchers Sean Birkel and Paul Mayewski. And they’ve produced a report — Coastal Maine Climate Futures — to provide a base for coastal Maine planners to […]
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In December, Micmac Donna Sanipass’ spectacular, detailed pinecone basket made of brown ash and sweetgrass will be raffled off at the Maine Indian Basketmakers Holiday Market. Proceeds will support the 24th annual market that will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Collins Center for the Arts at the University […]
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