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New research shows toll of human activities on rivers

New research findings, long in the making, show that the recent outbreak of a non-native deadly fish parasite on the Yellowstone River was probably the result of the cumulative impact of human activities.

by Carol Flake

The Rio Grande has been the lifeblood of the valleys and civilizations it flowed through for more than 3,000 years. As cities and farms suck it dry and a warming climate makes it evaporate faster, the river's future has never been more uncertain.
Credit: Erich Schlegel

New research findings, long in the making, show that the recent outbreak of a non-native deadly fish parasite on the Yellowstone River was probably the result of the cumulative impact of human activities that degraded the river's "immune system." A recent study summarizing much of the research, which you can get here, demonstrates the potentially destructive long-term effects on rivers from such activities as homebuilding, dams, irrigation and channelization. (environment 360)

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