earth & Climate ScienceS
What Causes South America’s High Lithium Levels?
Authors: Ph.D. student Gordon Williams, Avner Vengosh and international collaborators
The context: A trove of lithium exists high in the Andes of South America, dissolved in highly salty brine within natural depressions called salt pans. Why this area — called the Lithium Triangle — contains elevated lithium concentrations is poorly understood.
The method: Researchers analyzed the chemistry of brine from the world’s largest lithium deposit, in Bolivia, along with low-salt waters flowing into it. They combined their findings with other chemical data on Lithium Triangle waters..
The findings: The shift from low- to high-salt waters flowing into the salt pan involves evaporation and formation of several minerals, including borate minerals. Certain chemical signatures suggest that the lithium brine originated from an ancient lake that dried up tens of thousands of years ago.
The takeaway: The production of borate minerals, combined with factors like the forming and dissolving of salt, plays a key role in lithium occurrence in the Lithium Triangle. The region’s brine is a nonrenewable resource, raising questions about the long-term sustainability of lithium extraction.
The paper: , published April 2026, in Earth and Planetary Science Letters
environmental natural sciences
How Forest Canopy Openings Affect Seasonal Growth Cycles
Authors: Ph.D. student Hanshi Chen, Ph.D. student Yu Wei and Tong Qiu
The context: Extensive plant research shows how changes in temperature and rainfall can shift the timing of spring bud burst — when new growth first appears — and autumn die-off. We know less about how spatial patterns in vegetation affect seasonal growth cycles.
The method: Researchers analyzed publicly available data on 25 forested sites with canopy gaps, or openings in tree cover, caused by disturbances such as wildfire, harvesting and tree death.
The findings: Canopy gaps were associated with earlier spring greening at 60% of sites and delayed autumn color at 72% of sites across the United States. In tropical forests like Hawaii, both seasons were often delayed. In the western U.S. where forests are dominated by scattered trees, autumn arrived either earlier or later depending on location.
The takeaway: The results can help forest managers anticipate and address how changes in canopy structure will shift local growing seasons.
The paper: , published Feb. 13, 2026, in Global Change Biology.
Environmental social systems
Fire Damage Shapes Disaster Policy Support
Authors: Elizabeth Albright and University of Colorado System colleagues
The context: Social scientists wondered whether communities affected by the 2021 Marshall Fire — Colorado’s most destructive wildfire on record — would continue supporting climate and resilience policies they had favored before the disaster.
The method: About six months after the fire, the team surveyed 823 residents of affected areas in Boulder County about their climate beliefs; participation and trust in disaster-related decision-making before and after the fire; and support for local climate and disaster resilience policies.
The findings: Residents with more wildfire damage reported weaker support for resilience policies but were more likely to attend disaster recovery meetings compared to those with less damage. Trust in fire recovery decision-making processes was associated with greater support for resilience policies.
The takeaway: Home damage from wildfire appeared tied, at least in part, to cost-related opposition to energy efficiency and fire-resilient standards post-fire. The results underscore the nuanced relationship between the experience of disaster, climate risk perceptions, and participation and trust in decision-making processes.
The paper: , published February 2026, in Natural Hazards Review.
Marine Science & Conservation
Stingray Foraging Affects Seagrass Growth Patterns
Authors: Stephanie Valdez, Ph.D.’24, Carter Smith (former lecturing fellow), Catherine Brenner, Avery Paxton, Brian Silliman
The context: Research suggests that physical forces, such as nutrient levels and temperature, determine the extent of plant community growth. However, little research has explored the influence of animal activity along the edges of plant systems.
The method: The team conducted a series of surveys and experiments to test how stingrays and physical variables affect the density and extent of shoreward-facing seagrass in shallow waters off the North Carolina coast. Stingrays excavate sediment when they forage, which can uproot seagrass.
The findings: As stingray foraging intensity increased, seagrass receded and density decreased. Seagrass protected from stingrays survived farther into shallow waters, but stingrays dislodged unprotected seagrass, causing it to die.
The takeaway: In addition to physical forces, foraging animals can shape plant communities along the edges of their growth area. Efforts to restore seagrass beds — which improve water quality, stabilize shorelines and provide habitat — should consider the effects of foragers on growth.
The paper: , published Feb. 10, 2026, in Journal of Animal Ecology.
In the Media
Recent articles and interviews featuring Nicholas School faculty and students:
- (Tim Johnson in The National News Desk)
- (Jackson Ewing in Latitude Media)
- (Avner Vengosh in Grist)
- (Martin Doyle in Water Finance & Management)
- (Shineng Hu in ABP Live News)
- (Drew Shindell in Newsweek)
- (Jackson Ewing in Inside Climate News)
- (Avner Vengosh and Gordon Williams in Charlotte Today)
- (Heather Stapleton in ProPublica)
- (Avner Vengosh in Duke Office of Interdisciplinary Programs News)
- (Nicolas Cassar in Geographical)
- (Ryan Emanuel on WUNC)
Summaries by Julie Leibach, Senior Science Writer
Nicholas School Communications & Marketing