Included in the May 8, 2025, biweekly update
Impacts of agrisolar co-location on the food–energy–water nexus and economic security
The corresponding author on this article is Jacob T. Stid, stidjaco@msu.edu.
Stid et al. (2025) examine what happens when farmers in California’s Central Valley convert their agricultural fields into solar panel installations—a process called “agrisolar co-location.” Instead of using the land to grow crops, the land is now fully dedicated to solar energy production.
The researchers found that while this shift does mean a loss in food production (especially grains, hay, and some orchard crops), it comes with big upsides: farmers earn more money, use less water, and gain more financial security. Small commercial setups allow farmers to save money on electricity and sell power back to the grid, while larger utility-scale projects offer farmers steady lease payments from energy companies.
Over the 25-year lifespan of these solar installations, the arrays could generate enough power for nearly half a million homes while saving enough water to supply millions of people. Although there are concerns about losing valuable farmland for crops like almonds and grapes that are hard to replace elsewhere, the researchers argue that the impact is relatively small compared to national food production, and the significant economic benefits for farmers.
With climate change making traditional farming tougher and water scarcer, turning fields into solar farms is starting to look like a smart survival strategy for many farmers who are rethinking what “agriculture” looks like.
Stid, J. T., Shukla, S., Kendall, A. D., Anctil, A., Hyndman, D. W., Rapp, J., & Anex, R. P. (2025). “Impacts of agrisolar co-location on the food–energy–water nexus and economic security.” Nature Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-025-01546-4
Evaluating species richness, turnover, and range shifts under climate change for fluvial fishes in Northeastern and Midwestern USA
The corresponding author on this article is Hao Yu, yuhao91@msu.edu.
Yu et al. (2025) investigate how climate change may alter freshwater fish distributions across the Northeastern and Midwestern United States. Using boosted regression tree models and projections from eight climate models, the researchers assessed how habitat suitability for 55 native fluvial fish species could change by mid-to-late 21st century (2050-2100).
The researchers found that cold-water and cool-water species, like brook trout and white sucker, are expected to lose significant habitat, while some warm-water species may expand their ranges. Not all warm-water species benefit, however; certain small-bodied species sensitive to temperature and flow changes could also experience habitat losses. Changes in species richness and turnover are expected to be highly variable across the region, with major declines projected for parts of New Jersey, Illinois, and Iowa, likely driven by increased drought severity.
The researchers identified temperature variation, mean air temperature, and stream size as the most critical predictors of future fish distributions. While the models performed well, Yu et al. note that their projections may underestimate future challenges by not accounting for land use change, non-native species impacts, or stream fragmentation caused by dams.
Overall, the findings suggest significant reorganization of fish communities in response to climate change, highlighting the need for proactive management strategies focused on water conservation, habitat connectivity, and resilience planning for vulnerable species.
Yu, H., Infante, D. M., Cooper, A. R., & Ross, J. A. (2025). “Evaluating species richness, turnover, and range shifts under climate change for fluvial fishes in Northeastern and Midwestern USA.” Ecological Processes, 14, 43. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13717-025-00612-1
Optimizing Lancang-Mekong hydropower portfolio effectively reduces greenhouse gas emissions
The corresponding author on this article is Xiaobo Yun, yunxb@cma.gov.cn.
Yun et al. (2025) evaluate how greenhouse gas emissions from hydropower development in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin (LMRB) could be substantially reduced through better portfolio planning. Currently, 141 operational and planned reservoirs produce an average carbon intensity of 510 kg CO₂-eq/MWh, far above the sustainable hydropower benchmark of 80 kg CO₂-eq/MWh. Emissions are particularly high in lowland reservoirs, where large surface areas and shallow depths promote the release of methane and carbon dioxide.
The researchers modeled optimization strategies and found that by cancelling seven planned reservoirs and decommissioning or upgrading nine high-emission existing reservoirs, the basin’s average carbon intensity could drop to 96 kg CO₂-eq/MWh with only a 3.1% loss in total hydropower generation. More aggressive strategies could cut emissions further but require sacrificing more power output.
The findings highlight that hydropower is not automatically a clean energy source and that location, design, and operational choices determine emissions. Basin-wide planning is key to decarbonizing hydropower in the LMRB and meeting international climate targets.
Yun, X., Tang, Q., Wang, J., Sun, S., Bao, H., Pokhrel, Y., Luo, L., & Chen, D. (2025). “Optimizing Lancang-Mekong hydropower portfolio effectively reduces greenhouse gas emissions.” Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 114, 107952. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2025.107952
Prenatal Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Exposures and DNA Methylation among Newborns in the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program
The corresponding author on this article is Jaclyn M. Goodrich, gaydojac@umich.edu.
Schrott et al. (2025) explore how prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—synthetic chemicals common in food packaging, carpets, and firefighting foams—may affect DNA methylation patterns in newborns, potentially influencing child development and health outcomes.
The researchers analyzed over 1,000 mother-child pairs from six U.S. cohorts in the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program, measuring maternal blood concentrations of five PFAS compounds (PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFNA, and PFDA) during pregnancy and DNA methylation in neonatal blood samples. They found that higher prenatal exposures to PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, and PFNA were associated with subtle but statistically significant changes in DNA methylation at specific genomic sites. Methylation changes were identified in genes involved in metabolism, immune regulation, and cellular stress response.
Schrott et al. also performed a replication analysis in an independent cohort (the Michigan Mother-Infant Pairs study), confirming several methylation changes, though some differed in direction.
While the health impacts of these shifts are still uncertain, the findings suggest that prenatal PFAS exposure has lasting epigenetic marks detectable at birth. These marks could potentially contribute to future risks for conditions such as metabolic disorders, immune dysfunction, and obesity, although longitudinal studies are needed.
Schrott, R., Ladd-Acosta, C., Padmanabhan, V., Barr, D. B., Breton, C. V., Cardenas, A., Carignan, C. C., Dabelea, D., Dunlop, A. L., Fallin, D. M., Hivert, M.-F., Howerton, E. M., Knight, A. K., Oken, E., Peterson, A. K., Petriello, M. C., Ruden, D., Schmidt, R. J., Smith, A. K., Starling, A. P., Yang, I. V., Zhu, Y., & Goodrich, J. M. (2025). “Prenatal per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance exposures and DNA methylation among newborns in the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program.” Environmental Epigenetics. https://doi.org/10.1093/eep/dvaf010
Included in the April 24, 2025, biweekly update
Field and laboratory evaluations of visible light as a cue for guiding downstream-migrating juvenile Sea Lamprey
The corresponding author on this article is Scott Miehls, smiehls@usgs.gov.
Haro et al. (2025) examine whether white light could guide juvenile sea lamprey during downstream migration, both in a natural stream and a controlled flume. This study uses non-physical cues to manipulate lamprey behavior—a smart approach for managing invasive species in sensitive ecosystems.
In the field, the researchers observed that lamprey primarily moved downstream during precipitation-driven flow events when water temperatures ranged from 4°C to 8°C. This suggests that flow spikes may serve as natural triggers of migration. Interestingly, while the juveniles did show some attraction to bank-mounted light arrays, this effect was inconsistent, making light an imperfect yet promising tool.
In the lab, the results were clearer: at moderate water velocities (0.25 and 0.75 m/s), lamprey were nearly three times more likely to approach areas near a linear light source. But at high flow (1.0 m/s), the effect dropped off, suggesting that effective field use of light to guide lamprey may require longer or strategically placed light arrays, especially in faster-flowing or turbulent waters.
Overall, light is not a silver bullet, but it’s a promising, non-lethal addition to integrated sea lamprey control strategies, especially in slower waters.
Haro, A. J., Miehls, S. M., Johnson, N. S., & Wagner, C. M. (2025). “Field and laboratory evaluations of visible light as a cue for guiding downstream-migrating juvenile Sea Lamprey.”Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. https://doi.org/10.1093/tafafs/vnaf008
Opportunities for veterinary engagement to improve aquaculture production and the health of farmed fish in the North Central Region of the United States
The corresponding author on this article is Myron Kebus, kebusmyr@msu.edu.
Kebus et al. (2025) explore fish health challenges and veterinary engagement across aquaculture operations in the U.S. North Central Region (NCR). Through interviews with 24 fish farmers, the researchers find that most veterinary interactions are driven by regulatory fish health inspections, not proactive or preventive care.
Despite known benefits of veterinary support in terrestrial animal agriculture, only 46% of respondents reported working with fish health professionals. Voluntary health practices—like vaccination, written biosecurity plans, or the use of veterinary feed directives—were rare. Producers commonly cited disease, water quality and limited access to trusted information as top challenges to successfully managing their fish farming operations.
The researchers identify an opportunity for veterinarians and fish health experts to support fish farms by improving diagnostic capacity, providing education, and making better use of existing health resources. Strengthening this connection could enhance fish welfare, reduce losses, and build a more resilient aquaculture industry in the NCR.
Kebus, M., Loch, T. P., Smith, M., & Phelps, N. B. D. (2025). “Opportunities for veterinary engagement to improve aquaculture production and the health of farmed fish in the North Central Region of the United States.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.25.01.0037
Development of an Internet of Things (IoT)-based disease forecaster to manage purple spot on asparagus fern
The corresponding author on this article is Younsuk Dong, dongyoun@msu.edu.
Spafford et al. (2025) focus on managing purple spot disease (Stemphylium vesicarium) in asparagus, a pathogen that makes spears unmarketable and causes premature defoliation of the asparagus fern, impacting future yields. To control this foliar disease, fungicides are applied based on disease severity values (DSV), which are influenced by environmental conditions like leaf wetness. These values are generated using disease forecasting systems like TOMCAST (TOMato disease foreCASTing) and weather data.
The researchers compared two systems for determining when to apply fungicides: SpecConnect, a commercially available system, and LOCO-DM, which uses Internet of Things (IoT) sensors. They then assessed the effectiveness of fungicide application at two different DSV thresholds (15 or 20 DSV) or every 10 days.
Results showed that the LOCO-DM system provided more accurate DSV data compared to SpecConnect. All treatments, including those using SpecConnect and LOCO-DM, were more effective in limiting disease progression compared to the non-treated control, indicated by the Area Under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) data.
Spafford et al. concluded that IoT-based systems like LOCO-DM can enhance disease forecasting, allowing fungicides to be applied only when the risk of infection is high. This approach not only improves disease control but also reduces fungicide use, lowering costs and environmental impact.
Spafford, J. R., Hausbeck, M. K., Werling, B. P., Tucker, S. F., & Dong, Y. (2025). “Development of an Internet of Things (IoT)-based disease forecaster to manage purple spot on asparagus fern.” Smart Agricultural Technology, 11, 100941. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atech.2025.100941
Included in the April 10, 2025, biweekly update
Multidecadal patterns of coastal profile change reveal low likelihood of beach recovery following a period of high Lake Michigan water level
The corresponding author on this article is Ethan Theuerkauf, theuerk5@msu.edu.
Penrod et al. (2025) examine why some eastern Lake Michigan shorelines recover after storms and others continue to erode. As lake levels rise, erosion worsens, and, combined with strong waves, accelerates beach loss, threatening nearby infrastructure, beaches and ecosystems. Predicting long-term shoreline recovery can be difficult, largely because the movement of sand in the nearshore zone is not fully understood.
To investigate, researchers analyzed 33 years of beach profile and wave data from six sites. They found that longshore sediment transport—sand moving along the coast through waves—is the main force shaping the shoreline. Calmer conditions allow some sand to return from offshore sandbars, but high-energy waves remove sand from the beach and push it into deeper waters, where it rarely returns.
Human-made structures like seawalls and jetties often make erosion worse by disrupting natural sand flow and reflecting wave energy back toward the shore. This study offers a framework for predicting beach recovery after storms—an important step toward more sustainable coastal planning.
Penrod, N. H., Theuerkauf, E. J., Meadows, G. A., & Meadows, L. A. (2025). “Multidecadal patterns of coastal profile change reveal low likelihood of beach recovery following a period of high Lake Michigan water level.” Journal of Great Lakes Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jglr.2025.102537
Phosphorus application rates and farmers’ perceptions of environmental concerns
The corresponding author on this article is Sampriti Sarkar, sarkars6@msu.edu.
Sarkar et al. (2025) explore the persistent issue of phosphorus (P) fertilizer overapplication among Michigan corn farmers, despite efforts to promote efficient nutrient management practices.
Using survey data from 1,650 farmers, the research identifies factors influencing fertilizer application decisions, with a focus on farmers’ attitudes and perceptions regarding P use. The researchers found that 30% of farmers overapply P fertilizer, even though soil testing is widely used. Key factors affecting fertilizer decisions include environmental concerns, advice from agricultural consultants, and risk tolerance related to yield outcomes. Notably, farmers who overapply P also demonstrated a heightened concern for the environment, indicating a greater willingness to adopt new management practices than other farmers.
This study underscores the importance of targeted outreach to farmers who overapply P, suggesting that improving information dissemination through trusted sources—like extension services and consultants—could reduce overapplication and its associated environmental impacts, particularly nutrient runoff into the Great Lakes and other bodies of water.
Sarkar, S., Lupi, F., & Basso, B. (2025). “Phosphorus application rates and farmers’ perceptions of environmental concerns.” Agricultural & Environmental Letters. https://doi.org/10.1002/ael2.70014