A study from Northern Arizona University reveals that rising stream temperatures change how carbon moves through river ecosystems. While microbes and insects process organic matter faster in warmer water, they convert less of that carbon into biomass and release more of it into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. This shift reduces the energy available for aquatic food webs, potentially impacting fish populations and overall ecosystem stability in the western United States. The research highlights a critical link between water temperature and the efficiency of carbon retention in freshwater environments.
