Studying and Protecting Ecosystems this Earth Day

April 22 is Earth Day—a global day of awareness to demonstrate support for environmental protection. Everyday scientists at the MBL Ecosystems Center strive to learn more about our planet and how we're affecting it. The Ecosystems Center was founded more than four decades ago with the mission of investigating the structure and function of ecological systems and their response to changing environmental conditions, and applying that knowledge to the wise management of natural resources.

This work is more and more urgent as societies mitigate the effects of climate change that are already evident, and work to advance sustainable solutions for managing and restoring ecosystems into the future.

Below are some of the biggest stories from the MBL Ecosystems Center since last Earth Day:

Most of the World’s Salt Marshes Could Succumb to Sea Level Rise by Turn of Century

Framework Helps Local Planners Prepare for Climate Pressures on Food, Energy & Water Systems

Can Scientists Restore Seagrass on Cape Cod? MBL Scientists Receive Grant to Fund BioSeed Project

World Wetlands Day Calls for Restoration of Degraded Wetlands

Food, Not Temperature, is Main Driver of Microbial Release of Carbon from Soil

As Temps Rise, Low Marsh Emits More Carbon Gas than High Marsh

Chemical Weapons may not Protect Antarctic Seafloor Animals — And their Value for Drug Discovery

Long-Term Coastal Research by MBL Scientists is Awarded Renewal Grant

Does Excess Nitrogen Cause a Marsh to Build Up or Collapse? Team to Resolve Contradictions

New Model Sheds Light on Day/Night Cycle in the Global Ocean

Vallino Receives Grant to Study Marine Microbial Responses to Global Change