Northern Arizona University (NAU)
Northern Arizona University (NAU) is a university that is part of the pulse of the water sector. Here we bring together everything it publishes on Smart Water Magazine: its news, its blogs and the events it takes part in.
Study finds impacts of 4.2 ka climate event no big deal, actually
A megadrought that occurred 4,200 years ago had catastrophic impacts, potentially wiping out early empires and leading to large-scale changes worldwide. It was so significant it marked a turning point in the Earth's geologic history. Or was it? New research out of Northern Arizona University shows that while the 4.2 ka event did happen, its […]
Studying the effects of dust and drought on climate change
Atmospheric dust plays a key role in Earth's climate system. While it can have a positive impact, such as fertilizing the soil, dust can also have a negative impact on our planet's ecosystems, affecting everything from the weather to global warming. For example, in the Four Corners region—which includes portions of Arizona, Colorado, Utah and […]
Where Earth’s water comes from, preparing for DART impact and a discovery from Active Asteroids
Two NAU astronomers presented groundbreaking research at this week’s annual meeting of the Division for Planetary Sciences, a branch of the American Academy of Sciences. To see an archived version of the conference, see the AAS Press Office YouTube channel. Where does Earth’s water come from? A Northern Arizona University researcher who studies active asteroids, which […]
Drought affects aspen survival decades later, new NAU study finds
Drought—even in a single year—can leave aspen more vulnerable to insect infestation and other stressors decades later, a new study by NAU researchers found. Aspen trees that were not resilient to drought stayed smaller than others, growing more slowly and succumbing to an outbreak of insects known as aspen leaf miners that have plagued interior […]
Only 17 percent of free-flowing rivers are protected, new research shows
New science about the fate of freshwater ecosystems released today by the journal Sustainability finds that only 17 percent of rivers globally are both free-flowing and within protected areas, leaving many of these highly-threatened systems­—and the species that rely on them —at risk. “Populations of freshwater species have already declined by 84 percent on average since 1970, with […]
Water efficiency is achievable in US without decrease in economic activity
A recent study co-authored by two Northern Arizona University researchers showed that targeted efforts to increase water efficiency could save enough water annually to fill Lake Mead. It could happen without significantly compromising economic production, jobs or tax revenue. The study, published in Environmental Research Letters, demonstrates that there is no one right answer to increase water […]
Beef eaters in cities are causing water shortages in western United States
All over the world, the rate at which humans consume fresh water is now approaching or surpassing the rate at which water sources are being naturally replenished, creating water shortages for people and ecosystems. In the western United States, water shortages are becoming more frequent and more severe, and are putting many species of fish […]
Looking for clues in the mystery of the Grand Canyon’s water supply
Where does the water in the Grand Canyon come from? We all know the Colorado River, but it’s not the most mysterious water resource in the Grand Canyon; we know it moves through at a rate of about 12,000 cubic feet per second as it travels from the Rocky Mountains to the Gulf of California. […]