Grant to Saint Louis University to Study Links Between Climate Change and Aquatic Habitat

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding $246,149 to Saint Louis University in St. Louis to predict the impacts of climate change on aquatic biodiversity in U.S. rivers and streams. University professors will develop models to show how water resources could be altered by a changing climate and the potential impacts on freshwater species.

“EPA looks for these funds to improve our understanding of the response of aquatic systems to possible climatic changes,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks. “Understanding these changes will help us develop strategies to reduce the risk of harmful impacts to water quality and aquatic ecosystems.”

Climate change affects temperature, precipitation, surface radiation, humidity, winds and sea levels. These changes could affect runoff, groundwater levels and snowmelt, as well as the amounts and quality of water available for drinking, recreation, agriculture and industrial and energy production.

EPA is investing more than $16 million in Science to Achieve Results grants for 23 universities across the country to characterize the consequences of climate change on allergies, water quality, drinking water and air quality. The grant to Saint Louis University is part of the overall funding.

Source: U.S. EPA