Apr 17
Farmers put covers on their fields—but not so they can sleep! Cover crops reduce erosion and improve water absorption. Dig in: You might think soil could use a rest between growing seasons. But leaving soil bare through winter makes it vulnerable to heavy rain and winds that cause erosion and wash nutrients out of the …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.currentcast.org/agricultural-runoff/cover-the-eco-bases-with-cover-crops/
Apr 16
Tens of millions of ash trees in the U.S have fallen victim to an invasive insect called the emerald ash borer. That’s not just a problem for forests. Trees are important for water quality. “The roots help control the nitrates and phosphates, which are some of the pollutants that can enter streams and waterways. They …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.currentcast.org/stormwater-management/a-tiny-green-insect-does-major-damage/
Apr 15
More than a hundred years ago, Pennsylvania started raising trout in hatcheries and releasing them in state waters. Today, more than four million adult trout are released each year. Gary Smith of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission says, “The primary purpose of our stocked trout program is to provide recreation for our anglers.” So he …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.currentcast.org/sustainable-fisheries/a-state-that-takes-trout-fishing-seriously/
Apr 14
If you walk alongside a river, you might notice long strands of algae called Cladophora. Marc Peipoch of the Stroud Water Research Center says this type of algae plays an important role in streams. “Other small algae can take use of it and grow on top of the Cladophora or some insects will have some …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.currentcast.org/biodiversity/the-wisdom-in-the-adage-everything-in-moderation/
Apr 13
Kayaking and canoeing on lakes and rivers is nothing new. But there’s a growing movement to promote and improve access to paddling routes. “Today there’s an official water trail on just about every mile of Great Lakes coastline that touches Michigan,” says Harry Burkholder of the Land Information Access Association in Traverse City. He says …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.currentcast.org/location-profiles/blazing-trails-water-trails-in-michigan/
