Dr. Jessica Richardson
@definearth.bsky.social
freshwater and marine scientist | wetland lover | MATLAB coder
author of definearth.wordpress.com and peatmail.substack.com
author of definearth.wordpress.com and peatmail.substack.com
🧪 Did you know drought stress can have a legacy effect on recalcitrant compounds in leaf litter? 🍃 Or that deforestation added an extra 3°C in the past 20 years? 🌡️ Read more, plus a timeless concept about wetlands (hint: it's about protecting them), in Peatmail: peatmail.substack.com/p/lessons-wr...
Lessons Written in Mud: Why We Can’t Drain the Swamp
Reflecting on the mistakes of past societies and the future of wetland conservation.
peatmail.substack.com
September 3, 2025 at 10:14 PM
🧪 Did you know drought stress can have a legacy effect on recalcitrant compounds in leaf litter? 🍃 Or that deforestation added an extra 3°C in the past 20 years? 🌡️ Read more, plus a timeless concept about wetlands (hint: it's about protecting them), in Peatmail: peatmail.substack.com/p/lessons-wr...
🧪 Beavers 🦫 are starting to become a recurrent theme in my newsletters...but this time you can also find a brief summary of a new study in Global Change Biology + highlights of new pop sci articles! Plus a podcast recommendation 🎤 and wetland photos 📷 as usual. Read Peatmail: tinyurl.com/guanoon 🤓
Keep Calm and Guano On
Bird poop could help maximize carbon stored in coastal ecosystems.
tinyurl.com
August 25, 2025 at 5:49 PM
🧪 Beavers 🦫 are starting to become a recurrent theme in my newsletters...but this time you can also find a brief summary of a new study in Global Change Biology + highlights of new pop sci articles! Plus a podcast recommendation 🎤 and wetland photos 📷 as usual. Read Peatmail: tinyurl.com/guanoon 🤓
If I ever win the lottery, I won't tell anyone, but there will be signs 💸🫂
We're thrilled to announce the largest private gift in our 137-year history: a $25 million unrestricted donation from MBL Whitman Scientist Mark Terasaki.
His extraordinary generosity will bolster our renowned research and education programs. 🔬
Learn more: bit.ly/452WL1m
His extraordinary generosity will bolster our renowned research and education programs. 🔬
Learn more: bit.ly/452WL1m
MBL Announces Largest Ever Gift for Its Renowned Biological Education and Research Programs | Marine Biological Laboratory
Cell Biology Researcher Mark Terasaki’s $25 Million Unrestricted Gift Will Support Operations and Infrastructure Contact: Samantha Cummis scummis@mbl.edu; 973.800.4119
bit.ly
July 30, 2025 at 12:34 AM
If I ever win the lottery, I won't tell anyone, but there will be signs 💸🫂
Caturday is for looking out windows with Haku 😽
July 26, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Caturday is for looking out windows with Haku 😽
🧪 Hey Science 'Sky! Are you a scientist who hosts a science podcast? 👩🏼🔬 🎧🎤 I'm interested in publishing a scicomm case study (about 80% written up) but am having a hard time finding collaborators. If you're willing to share your Spotify for Creators data with me and be a co-author please reach out!!
July 18, 2025 at 8:16 PM
🧪 Hey Science 'Sky! Are you a scientist who hosts a science podcast? 👩🏼🔬 🎧🎤 I'm interested in publishing a scicomm case study (about 80% written up) but am having a hard time finding collaborators. If you're willing to share your Spotify for Creators data with me and be a co-author please reach out!!
🧪 Listen to season two of the FLUXNET science podcast to hear about carbon inset projects with promising results in an Australian mine ⚒️ 🪨 and an Arkansas rice field 🍚🌾, among other interesting stories from our guests! bit.ly/meetthefluxe... this podcast is meant for all curious minds! 🎧
Meet the Fluxers
Podcast · FLUXNET Outreach Working Group · Bridging the gap between eddy covariance flux scientists and those whose work or lives are influenced by flux data.
bit.ly
July 15, 2025 at 10:02 PM
🧪 Listen to season two of the FLUXNET science podcast to hear about carbon inset projects with promising results in an Australian mine ⚒️ 🪨 and an Arkansas rice field 🍚🌾, among other interesting stories from our guests! bit.ly/meetthefluxe... this podcast is meant for all curious minds! 🎧
🧪 At one point in earth's history, warm air temperatures, high humidity, and high CO2 stimulated photosynthesis. Land was covered with dense, lush vegetation🌿. But a new study shows that while marsh CO2 uptake will ⬆️ with atm. CO2, so too will emissions of CH4. peatmail.substack.com/p/jurassic-m...
Jurassic Marsh: How More Carbon Could Explode Plant Growth
"'God creates dinosaurs, God destroys dinosaurs. God creates Man, man destroys God. Man creates dinosaurs.' 'Dinosaurs eat man...Woman inherits the earth.'" Drs. Malcolm and Sattler, Jurassic Park.
peatmail.substack.com
July 5, 2025 at 10:05 PM
🧪 At one point in earth's history, warm air temperatures, high humidity, and high CO2 stimulated photosynthesis. Land was covered with dense, lush vegetation🌿. But a new study shows that while marsh CO2 uptake will ⬆️ with atm. CO2, so too will emissions of CH4. peatmail.substack.com/p/jurassic-m...
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Richardson
Just posted an OpEd in our local paper, the Brentwood Press, on defending science, as encouraged by
@wclivestream.bsky.social and others
@natureatcal.bsky.social
www.thepress.net/opinion/we-s...
@wclivestream.bsky.social and others
@natureatcal.bsky.social
www.thepress.net/opinion/we-s...
We should not dismantle science across America
The Trump administration is destroying our scientific institutions, its infrastructure, and intellectual capital at an unprecedented pace. Scientists are being fired without cause from many federal ag...
www.thepress.net
June 26, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Just posted an OpEd in our local paper, the Brentwood Press, on defending science, as encouraged by
@wclivestream.bsky.social and others
@natureatcal.bsky.social
www.thepress.net/opinion/we-s...
@wclivestream.bsky.social and others
@natureatcal.bsky.social
www.thepress.net/opinion/we-s...
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Richardson
TAKE ACTION with SCBNA TODAY to write in opposition to the proposed rule to rescind the regulatory definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act.
This change would significantly weaken one of our nation’s most effective conservation laws and jeopardize the survival of imperiled species.
This change would significantly weaken one of our nation’s most effective conservation laws and jeopardize the survival of imperiled species.
May 2, 2025 at 2:18 PM
TAKE ACTION with SCBNA TODAY to write in opposition to the proposed rule to rescind the regulatory definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act.
This change would significantly weaken one of our nation’s most effective conservation laws and jeopardize the survival of imperiled species.
This change would significantly weaken one of our nation’s most effective conservation laws and jeopardize the survival of imperiled species.
Would you believe that medical descriptions of ADHD date back to at least the 1800s? 🧪 I'm countering misinformation by sharing the science: symptoms, challenges to getting a diagnosis, treatment options, and barriers to medication access. Check out the article I wrote here: tinyurl.com/yr6fbfcy
Advocating for ADHD Loved Ones
Diagnosis and treatment can greatly improve life for people with ADHD. Learn why in this article.
tinyurl.com
May 13, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Would you believe that medical descriptions of ADHD date back to at least the 1800s? 🧪 I'm countering misinformation by sharing the science: symptoms, challenges to getting a diagnosis, treatment options, and barriers to medication access. Check out the article I wrote here: tinyurl.com/yr6fbfcy
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Richardson
🚨 EASY-TO-TAKE ACTION ALERT! 🚨
Want to do something to protect the integrity of the federal civil service? Submit a public comment! Not sure how to do that and what to say? I have a comment you can submit! 🧪🔭⚛️
Details here:
news.chanda.science/archive/urge...
Want to do something to protect the integrity of the federal civil service? Submit a public comment! Not sure how to do that and what to say? I have a comment you can submit! 🧪🔭⚛️
Details here:
news.chanda.science/archive/urge...
Urgent: Take Action to Protect Public Services
Photo by Katie Rodriguez on Unsplash I have something you can do in five minutes or less that can help salvage the integrity of the federal civil service,...
news.chanda.science
May 13, 2025 at 7:50 PM
🚨 EASY-TO-TAKE ACTION ALERT! 🚨
Want to do something to protect the integrity of the federal civil service? Submit a public comment! Not sure how to do that and what to say? I have a comment you can submit! 🧪🔭⚛️
Details here:
news.chanda.science/archive/urge...
Want to do something to protect the integrity of the federal civil service? Submit a public comment! Not sure how to do that and what to say? I have a comment you can submit! 🧪🔭⚛️
Details here:
news.chanda.science/archive/urge...
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Richardson
Agreed. There are so, so many people I know who are doing incredible science communication. We have books in need of readers, podcasts in need of listeners, museums in need of visitors, social media accounts in need of followers. The effort has to come from both ends.
This misdiagnoses the problem.
Universities and researchers are communicating hard. All the time.
But with the regime now controlling the most widely used news media and social media, it doesn’t matter. The communications channels just aren’t there.
Universities and researchers are communicating hard. All the time.
But with the regime now controlling the most widely used news media and social media, it doesn’t matter. The communications channels just aren’t there.
because they don't realize where the data is coming from, as the article explains
which gives you the marching orders for universities/researchers - they need to publicly communicate the value of what they do.
if it's not too late
which gives you the marching orders for universities/researchers - they need to publicly communicate the value of what they do.
if it's not too late
May 6, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Agreed. There are so, so many people I know who are doing incredible science communication. We have books in need of readers, podcasts in need of listeners, museums in need of visitors, social media accounts in need of followers. The effort has to come from both ends.
After the recent LSU College of the Coast & Environment Seminar by @mangrovedan.bsky.social on mangrove blue carbon, I was compelled to look outside the US for inspiration on restoration work. 🧪 There were more projects than I could even cover in one newsletter! Check it out: tinyurl.com/bluecarbn 🌴
Another Man’s Treasure: Mangrove Restoration
Mangrove restoration is a natural climate solution that many communities have already embraced. As one country dismantles its research efforts in the climate action space, who will lead the way?
peatmail.substack.com
May 1, 2025 at 11:14 PM
After the recent LSU College of the Coast & Environment Seminar by @mangrovedan.bsky.social on mangrove blue carbon, I was compelled to look outside the US for inspiration on restoration work. 🧪 There were more projects than I could even cover in one newsletter! Check it out: tinyurl.com/bluecarbn 🌴
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Richardson
We’re excited to launch Meet the Fluxers, a podcast bridging the gap between eddy covariance flux scientists and people whose work and lives are influenced by ecosystem fluxes.
fluxnet.org/2025/04/10/i...
fluxnet.org/2025/04/10/i...
Introducing Meet the Fluxers - FLUXNET
(blog post from Maoya Bassiouni) We’re excited to launch Meet the Fluxers, a podcast bridging the gap between eddy covariance flux scientists and people whose work and lives are influenced... More
fluxnet.org
April 10, 2025 at 8:09 PM
We’re excited to launch Meet the Fluxers, a podcast bridging the gap between eddy covariance flux scientists and people whose work and lives are influenced by ecosystem fluxes.
fluxnet.org/2025/04/10/i...
fluxnet.org/2025/04/10/i...
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Richardson
Are you a woman who changed your name when you got married?
Congress is considering a bill that could make it much harder for you to vote.
Call your rep—this is not a drill. indivisible.org/resource/cal...
Congress is considering a bill that could make it much harder for you to vote.
Call your rep—this is not a drill. indivisible.org/resource/cal...
April 9, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Are you a woman who changed your name when you got married?
Congress is considering a bill that could make it much harder for you to vote.
Call your rep—this is not a drill. indivisible.org/resource/cal...
Congress is considering a bill that could make it much harder for you to vote.
Call your rep—this is not a drill. indivisible.org/resource/cal...
Baton Rouge, Louisiana is fighting back
April 5, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Baton Rouge, Louisiana is fighting back
HANDS OFF our science, our jobs, our food prices, our bodily autonomy, our future, and our hope
April 5, 2025 at 4:55 PM
HANDS OFF our science, our jobs, our food prices, our bodily autonomy, our future, and our hope
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Richardson
US jury orders Chevron to pay $744M damages to Louisiana for direct destruction of wetlands & breached State laws requiring companies to clean up
12 years in litigation (+ prior to filing) this is why real, substantial and up front security bonds are critical
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
12 years in litigation (+ prior to filing) this is why real, substantial and up front security bonds are critical
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Jury orders Chevron to pay more than $744m for destroying Louisiana wetlands
Verdict marks end of the first trial of 42 lawsuits filed about 12 years ago, alleging firm’s projects destroyed the regions
www.theguardian.com
April 5, 2025 at 7:25 AM
US jury orders Chevron to pay $744M damages to Louisiana for direct destruction of wetlands & breached State laws requiring companies to clean up
12 years in litigation (+ prior to filing) this is why real, substantial and up front security bonds are critical
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
12 years in litigation (+ prior to filing) this is why real, substantial and up front security bonds are critical
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Ecofeminism needs an overhaul if it's going to help save the planet. 🌎 That means breaking away from histories of racism, colonialism, and extractivism, and reimagining our shared futures.💡 Read what the scholars have to say in this month's edition of Peatmail: open.substack.com/pub/peatmail...
Can women save us from the climate crisis?
They invented chemotherapy, gave us barbie, "HeLa" cells, and literal life, but what else can women accomplish when given the chance? Here's what philosophers say.
open.substack.com
April 2, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Ecofeminism needs an overhaul if it's going to help save the planet. 🌎 That means breaking away from histories of racism, colonialism, and extractivism, and reimagining our shared futures.💡 Read what the scholars have to say in this month's edition of Peatmail: open.substack.com/pub/peatmail...
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Richardson
Logging into ORCID so I can log into Web of Science so I can log into Manuscript Central so I can submit a referee report for free
March 28, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Logging into ORCID so I can log into Web of Science so I can log into Manuscript Central so I can submit a referee report for free
Ever wonder how oil & gas companies locate leaks? How potato farmers determine irrigation schedules? What tools are used to monitor drought, or how turbulence mechanics can save vineyards? Listen to our new science podcast, Meet the Fluxers! open.spotify.com/show/5Czt3zA...
Meet the Fluxers
Podcast · FLUXNET Outreach Working Group · Bridging the gap between eddy covariance flux scientists and those whose work or lives are influenced by flux data.
open.spotify.com
March 25, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Ever wonder how oil & gas companies locate leaks? How potato farmers determine irrigation schedules? What tools are used to monitor drought, or how turbulence mechanics can save vineyards? Listen to our new science podcast, Meet the Fluxers! open.spotify.com/show/5Czt3zA...
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Richardson
Keep this in mind when people claim cars mean business — closing Central #Madrid to cars over holidays resulted in a 9.5% boost in retail spending on its main shopping street: STUDY.
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
Closing Central Madrid To Cars Resulted In 9.5% Boost To Retail Spending, Finds Bank Analysis
City of Madrid significantly boosted the takings of its shops and restaurants last Christmas by banning cars from the CBD, finds an analysis by Spain's second largest bank.
www.forbes.com
March 23, 2025 at 6:03 AM
Keep this in mind when people claim cars mean business — closing Central #Madrid to cars over holidays resulted in a 9.5% boost in retail spending on its main shopping street: STUDY.
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Richardson
None “… of this is about “efficiency” or “good management.” Aid like this is incredibly cost-effective. Not only does foreign aid constitute a tiny portion of our budget; things like RUTF cost … pittance, but they spread a positive image of the U.S. abroad and each treatment can save a child’s life”
Musk’s Purges Suddenly Take a Horrific Turn—and Wreck an Ugly MAGA Lie
We can now be depressingly confident that their mass cuts are killing people.
newrepublic.com
March 2, 2025 at 3:09 AM
None “… of this is about “efficiency” or “good management.” Aid like this is incredibly cost-effective. Not only does foreign aid constitute a tiny portion of our budget; things like RUTF cost … pittance, but they spread a positive image of the U.S. abroad and each treatment can save a child’s life”