"Wisdom begins in wonder" – Socrates
Month: June 2025
Soil Salinity
06/17/25
“How can we quantify the amount of salt in soil?”
Salt can intrude into soil. Soil Salinity is the measure of salt present in soil. Soil salinity can result from mineral weathering, saltwater intrusion, ocean withdrawal, or saltwater irrigation.
Why Midwestern US Cities That Are Losing Population But Have a Resilience Plan Can Potentially Become Receiving Cities
06/16/25
“Why can midwestern US cities that are losing population but have a resilience plan potentially become receiving cities?”
Many midwestern US cities are losing population. However, the midwest is particularly advantaged when it comes to climate change in comparison to the rest of the country, and if they have a resilience plan, then there is potential for future climate adapted growth. This is Why Midwestern US Cities That Are Losing Population But Have a Resilience Plan Can Potentially Become Receiving Cities.
Salt Marshes
06/15/25
“How are there marshes in salt water?”
Marshes are wetlands with shallow, stationary water. Marshes that border coastal saltwater are called Salt Marshes. Salt marsh plants are typically salt-tolerant and play a large role in binding sediments. Salt marshes are vital for coastal protection, and many environmental planners are working on restoring salt marshes.
Stream Banks
06/14/25
“How do we classify the land by streams?”
Streams flow from one place to another. The land bordering streams, also known as Stream Banks, have a symbiotic relationship with the bodies of water.
Stream Beds
06/13/25
“What makes the bottom of streams so special?”
Streams carry water throughout a particular geography. The bottom of a stream, known as a Stream Bed, influences how the stream moves. For example, if a stream bed is more rocky, then it will protect against flooding, but can lead to extra sedimentation. Plant life can also occur on stream beds.
Watershed Democracy
06/12/25
“What if we were to use watershed boundaries for political boundaries?”
Most political boundaries will bisect watersheds. This makes watershed and environmental management much more difficult because multiple actors need to come together to make decisions, and communities within the same watershed are divided. So what if we were to base political boundaries on watershed boundaries? This concept, called Watershed Democracy, allows for much better water resource use, environmental management, climate adaptation, and community engagement.
Artificial Groundwater Recharge
06/11/25
“How can we recharge groundwater supplies using human-built infrastructure?”
Infrastructure operators need to maintain groundwater supplies at sustainable levels. Sometimes, demand is so high that groundwater levels will collapse if no external intervention is taken. Infrastructure operators can undertake Artificial Groundwater Recharge using human-built mechanisms such as recycling treated wastewater and stormwater.
River Meandering
06/10/25
“Why do rivers curve?”
Rivers carry water from one source to another. Sometimes, the rivers run straight. But other times, the land on one side of the river offers less resistance than the other. This makes it easier for the river to bend towards this side. When that happens, more water will flow to that side, and less to the other, creating a bulge in the side of less resistance. The water will then slam harder into the other side after moving through the bulge, creating a sinusoidal bulge pattern for the river. This River Meandering is a fundamental part of how rivers affect local landscapes.
The Kalahari Basin
06/09/25
“What makes the Kalahari Basin in Southern Africa so special?”
The Kalahari Desert is a marvel to see, with its brilliant orange sands stretching over vast plains. And right in the center of it is The Kalahari Basin, an endorheic basin inhabited by complex life.
Isaac's science blog 