Last updated: September 20, 2025
Article
Water, Wildflowers, Fire
In this issue, we highlight the work of park and partner scientists who study rivers and other aquatic environments. You'll also find tales of hidden places and strange, wonderful creatures, and why it matters when wildflowers bloom. Rounding out the issue is the second installment of our new Research Roundup section.
About this article
This article was originally published in Park Science magazine, Volume 39, Number 2, Summer 2025 (August 29, 2025).
NPS / A. Armstrong
We didn’t plan this issue to be thematic, but it is. Most of the stories are about water. The lead Feature article is about learning from nature, beavers especially, how to help rivers and riparian areas recover from wildland fires. That’s good news for one very special kind of fish.
New species found in wet areas next to city roadways! No, that’s not a tabloid heading. It’s the subject of a Feature article about crustaceans newly described by scientists. Wondering why so many birds are disappearing from the Hawaiian Islands? Find the answer in another Feature article. There’s also a story about macroinvertebrates that demonstrates the resilience of dynamic coastal ecosystems.
You may never have heard of national natural landmarks, but they’re some of the most fascinating places. Listen to Episode 5 of the Park Science Podcast to find out why.
Our newest section, the Research Roundup, is on its second run in the magazine. It has a great lineup of short reads on studies recently described in scientific journal papers. Wondering how bears withstand hibernation? There’s a paper on that. Sensitive to light at night? So are many animals, according to another one.
Can there be anything more exciting than whitewater rafting? For some scientists, knowing how to use images of those rapids to understand river flow may just be! Read all about it in our lead In Brief article. In this section, you’ll also find a story on using flowers to figure out climate-related puzzles, one on two parks that serve as havens for native fish, and another on uncovering the secrets of a unique underground river.
Our lead Picture This article takes you to the Hawaiian island of Moloka‘i. There, volunteers traverse a rocky shoreline as they collect marine debris. In this section, you can also learn the benefits of prescribed fires and read about a remote community helping scientists to protect endangered seals.
Many park visitors love celebrity wildlife. Could that make them less cautious around the animals? Our new Perspective article suggests it can.
Happy reading!