By Tyjaha Steele| SREL
By Tyjaha Steele As legacy nuclear sites shift toward long-term stewardship, understanding how contaminants behave in the environment is critical for informed cleanup and monitoring decisions. Radiocesium (137Cs), a byproduct of nuclear fission, remains a concern due to its persistence and mobility through food webs. New research from the University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology … The post Holding On or Letting Go: How Freshwater Species Manage Radiocesium Exposure appeared first on...| SREL
By Tyjaha Steele There’s a reason the phrase “deer caught in headlights” is so well-known. It captures a split-second moment with very real consequences, often at the expense of the driver and the animal themselves. With thousands of injuries and billions of dollars in damages reported each year, researchers are now asking whether changes to …| SREL
By Tyjaha Steele Amanda Hurst, an Augusta University alum and acting Community Engagement Specialist at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL), recently returned to her alma mater as a guest speaker in Dr. Robert Cromer’s Wetlands class. During her visit, Hurst led a discussion on the ecological importance of wetlands, emphasizing their role in supporting … The post Augusta University Students Wade Into the Wetlands appeared first on SREL.| SREL
The 2025 Palmetto Alligator Research and Management Symposium (PARMS) was hosted at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory’s Conference Center, where researchers, wildlife managers, and students gathered to share current work in alligator and crocodilian research. The two-day event featured presentations on movement ecology, environmental stress, microplastic ingestion, and more, culminating in a keynote by Dr. … The post 2025 Palmetto Alligator Research and Management Symposium Held at SR...| SREL
The Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL) recently came together for its annual Volunteer Day, a tradition that celebrates environmental stewardship, collaboration, and community spirit. This year’s Eco-Litter Cleanup centered around clearing out old, unusable enclosures near Rainbow Bay, opening up the space to benefit native wildlife in the area. Armed with shovels, gloves, and plenty …| SREL
By Tyjaha Steele Across the United States, there is a battle unfolding between wild pigs and farmers, landowners, and wildlife managers. These fast-breeding animals are an invasive species in North America whose adaptability to different environments has allowed them to thrive in novel areas, while causing extensive ecological and economic damage. Wild pigs in particular … The post Wild Pig Management and the Science Behind Trapping appeared first on SREL.| SREL
By Tyjaha Steele and Katrina Ford Researchers at the University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory studied water movement in wetlands and its role in filtering contaminants in the Tims Branch watershed, a riparian wetland on the Savannah River Site in Aiken, South Carolina. “We chose this area specifically to understand how water moves. This …| SREL
By Tyjaha Steele and Katrina Ford Invasive species, also known as non-native species, can pose a significant and costly threat to agriculture and native wildlife. These introduced animals and plants are disruptive due to no natural predators, allowing them to spread aggressively, displace native species, disrupt food webs, spread disease, and alter habitats in ways …| SREL
Check out the latest issue of Impacts below: Impacts Fall and Winter 2024-1| SREL
By Tyjaha Steele For species rescued from captivity from illegal pet trade or wildlife trafficking, reintroduction into the wild goes beyond relocation. It requires reestablishing behaviors and instincts necessary for survival in nature. Animals with diminished natural instincts often struggle to adapt to unfamiliar environments. This leaves them vulnerable to threats like human activity and … The post Seeking Stability: How soft-release can improve outcomes for captive turtles released int...| SREL
By Lauren Maynor| SREL
An image of a sulfur-modified rick husk used in this study as seen under a scanning electron microscope. (Photo courtesy of Valentine Nzengung.)In the wake of Hurricane Helene and the recent flooding across the Southeast, it is crucial to understand the environmental impact of such events. Flooding historically causes sediment disruption which spreads harmful contaminants like mercury. These events can allow for toxic levels of mercury to enter the food web, posing serious risks to wildlife a...| SREL
