Underwater lake heatwaves are on the rise, threatening aquatic life

Subsurface heatwaves are becoming more frequent, longer-lasting and more intense.

Iestyn Woolway, Reader and NERC Independent Research Fellow, Bangor University • conversation
yesterday ~6 min

Invasive carp threaten the Great Lakes − and reveal a surprising twist in national politics

Democratic governors and President Donald Trump agree to fight an invasion of non-native fish that has spread up the Mississippi River and threatens the Great Lakes.

Mike Shriberg, Professor of Practice & Engagement, School for Environment & Sustainability, University of Michigan • conversation
July 1, 2025 ~10 min


Toxic algae blooms are lasting longer in Lake Erie − why that’s a worry for people and pets

The blooms have become an annual problem in the Great Lakes. DNA studies show what’s growing there and why it’s dangerous.

Gregory J. Dick, Professor of Biology, University of Michigan • conversation
June 26, 2025 ~10 min

Toxic algae blooms are lasting longer than before in Lake Erie − why that’s a worry for people and pets

The risk of harmful algal blooms can be reduced. The biggest drivers of the increase are farm fertilizer and climate change.

Gregory J. Dick, Professor of Biology, University of Michigan • conversation
June 26, 2025 ~10 min

A quarter of freshwater animals threatened with extinction, finds major new study

Scientists have assessed more than 23,000 species.

Iwan Jones, Freshwater Ecologist and Head of the River Communities Group, Queen Mary University of London • conversation
Jan. 8, 2025 ~6 min

Fossilized footprints reveal 2 extinct hominin species living side by side 1.5 million years ago

Ancient fossil footprints are the first evidence of two different hominin species − Homo erectus and Paranthropus boisei − living in the same place at the same time.

Purity Kiura, Chief Research Scientist in Archaeology and Heritage, National Museums of Kenya • conversation
Nov. 28, 2024 ~13 min

Paddleboards, swim kit and fishing gear pose a biosecurity risk – here’s why

Portable paddleboards can transport unwelcome passengers – here’s how to minimise the risk of spreading invasive and non-native species between waterways.

Ben Mayfield, Lecturer in Law, Lancaster University • conversation
July 3, 2024 ~7 min

Wildfire smoke reached almost every lake in North America in 2019-2021

A study of "lake-smoke days" show that wildfires reached 99% of US lakes from 2019 to 2021, a three-year period of intense wildfire activity.

Kat Kerlin-UC Davis • futurity
June 11, 2024 ~5 min


Losing winter ice is changing the Great Lakes food web – here’s how light is shaping life underwater

In winter 2023-24, the Great Lakes’ ice cover was near record lows, peaking at just 16%. Researchers explain how diminishing ice could have consequences for fisheries, and how species are evolving.

Robert Michael McKay, Director and Professor, Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor • conversation
June 11, 2024 ~8 min

East Africa’s ‘soda lakes’ are rising, threatening their iconic flamingos

New research shows increased rainfall due to climate change is threatening the birds’ food supply.

Aidan Byrne, PhD Candidate, Department of Geography, King's College London • conversation
April 15, 2024 ~6 min

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