Thanks to their use of a unique methodology, a McGill-led research team has obtained new insights into how boulders affect snow melt in mountainous northern environments, with implications for local water resources. The team found that snow near boulders melts faster, not only because rocks radiate heat, but also due to subtle processes that reshape the snow’s surface. This information will help researchers understand how small-scale processes affect downstream water resources. … The paper is published in the journal Cold Regions Science and Technology.

Other water and ecosystem science news:

• Phoenix Business Journal: ASU professor launches Tributary to measure forest water benefits
• Ducks Unlimited: Blog: Multi-species benefits of wetlands conservation