Time for another friendly beaver report from the science folks who don’t know they’re writing about beavers. Thank you to Bob Kobres from Georgia who send this my way. We wish you and Jane peaceful seclusion in this hour of plague.

There’s too much nitrogen and phosphorus in U.S. waterways

Even minor amounts of human activity can increase nutrient concentrations in fresh waters that can damage the environment, according to a new study.

These findings suggest most U.S. streams and rivers have higher levels of nitrogen and phosphorus than is recommended. Although nutrients are a natural part of aquatic ecosystems like streams and rivers, too much of either nutrient can have lasting impacts on the environment and public health.

“Ecosystems are being loaded with legacy and current nitrogen and phosphorus, and their capacity to hold these nutrients in many cases is decreasing,” said FIU associate professor John Kominoski, an ecologist and co-author of the study. “Not only are they being overwhelmed by nutrients, but they also have and continue to undergo hydrological and land use alterations.”

Gosh all that car washing soap and fertilizer is ruining our creeks and streams It sure would be great if there were some way to fix that which didn’t cost too much money, so every city across America could afford it. Something natural that improved things for fish and wildlife too. But I guess that crazy pipe dream could never happen.

The research, led by hydrologist Professor Richard Brazier, found that the work of a single family of beavers had removed high levels of sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus from the water that flowed through their 2.5 hectare enclosure.May 9, 2018