Pacific herring are known to lay their eggs on a wide variety of submerged vegetation, from algae to seagrass. A new study in the Marine Ecology Progress Series reports that Puget Sound herring show little preference when it comes to these types of spawning vegetation. The paper, co-authored by Puget Sound Institute Lead Ecologist Tessa Francis, analyzes […]
December 2, 2014
EPA releases final Lower Duwamish Waterway Superfund cleanup plan
The new EPA cleanup plan for the Lower Duwamish Waterway seeks to remove 90% of the river’s pollution over a period of 17 years. The EPA issued the following press release today.
November 21, 2014
Nature inspires new approach to flood control
Every year, winter rains bring the threat of millions of dollars in property damage, or even the loss of life, from floods. Rivers have historically been channeled and tamed to protect towns and farms in low-lying floodplains, but research shows that this approach may actually be making flooding worse while at the same time threatening […]
November 18, 2014
New research identifies ‘time of emergence’ of climate change impacts in Puget Sound
When can we expect to see the full impacts of climate change in Puget Sound, and what will those be? UW Climate Impacts Group Director Amy Snover will present new research in a talk tomorrow (November 19th) at the University of Washington Tacoma. Her presentation is from 2-3:30 at the UWT Research Commons, 3rd Floor […]
November 6, 2014
PSI is hiring a research scientist
The Puget Sound Institute is seeking a highly-motivated full-time research scientist to analyze and synthesize, and help design a communication plan for, the results of 30–35 research projects conducted over the last 4 years focused on recovery and protection of the nearshore and marine environments of Puget Sound. This is an 8-month project, and we […]
October 31, 2014
Brighter future for salmon at downtown seawall
The decaying seawall along Seattle’s waterfront is providing scientists with an opportunity to improve long-lost habitat for migrating salmon. It could also show the way for habitat enhancements to crumbling infrastructure worldwide. One University of Washington researcher describes the project. Read more about the Seattle seawall in Salish Sea Currents.
October 22, 2014
Shifting plankton communities in Lake Washington
Puget Sound Institute Research Scientist Tessa Francis is the lead author on a new paper in PLOS One describing changes in Lake Washington plankton communities from 1962 to 1994.
October 21, 2014
Forum looks at risks to Cherry Point
Announcement reprinted from Resources for Sustainable Communities Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve Forum: A Report to the Community Saturday, October 25th 9:30am – 3:00 0pm Bellingham Technical College (map) Building G, Room 102A/103B Attend this Forum to learn about the risks posed to the Salish Sea by projected increases in vessel and rail transportation, and learn about Cherry […]
October 15, 2014
Science Panel: Are Puget Sound recovery efforts working?
The Puget Sound Science Panel will discuss the state of effectiveness monitoring in Puget Sound at its October 16th meeting in Edmonds. Also on the agenda are updates to new biophysical and human wellbeing indicators of Puget Sound health. The meeting will be held from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Center Conference Room […]
October 9, 2014
Citizens now the leading cause of toxics in Puget Sound
The latest issue of Salish Sea Currents reports that some of the greatest dangers to Puget Sound come from our common, everyday activities. These pervasive sources of pollution are so woven into our lives that they are almost invisible to us, but it’s becoming impossible to ignore their effects. Read the article in the Encyclopedia of Puget […]