Incorporating paths carved by the critters and by tree roots helps scientists align simulations of tropical soils more closely with real-world data.
Research Spotlights
Research spotlights are plain-language summaries of recent articles published in AGU’s suite of 24 journals.
The Competing Climate Effects of Elevation and Albedo
Variations in surface reflectivity are as important as surface elevation changes in determining regional climate at nonpolar latitudes, according to a new modeling study.
A Benchmark for Trace Greenhouse Gases in the Arctic Ocean
Samples of seawater from the North American Arctic show that the region is neither a major source nor sink of methane and nitrous oxide to the overlying atmosphere.
Small Wetlands Retain Lion’s Share of Nutrients
Still-water ecosystems are key to combating explosive algae growth.
Sediment Cores Reveal Ocean Current’s Past Life
East Asia’s Black Current may have rerouted in the past 10,000 years or so.
Hubble Reveals Less Studied Regions of Jupiter’s Auroras
With a dose of fiery plasma, the secondary arcs of Jupiter’s aurora shine bright.
Are Humans to Blame for Worsening Heat Waves in China?
A new study suggests that even hotter events will follow unless greenhouse gas emissions are reduced.
Tsunami Records Show Increased Hazards for Chile’s Central Coast
Simulations of the historical quake raise new concerns: A similar event in the future could cause a devastating tsunami in Chile’s most populated coastal region.
Natural Resource Exploitation Could Reach New Depths
The deep seafloor could provide humans with supplies of valuable metals, but opinion is divided as to whether sustainable exploitation is possible and worth the ecological and economic risk.
Antarctic Microbes Shape Nutrient Content of Snowmelt
As temperatures continue to rise, snow-dwelling microbes could accelerate melting and influence downstream ecosystems.