Welcome to the environmentalresearchweb newswire. This week we bring you details of the Arctic river ice that's becoming less reliable, a rise in the amount of land growing crops for export, how local knowledge can minimize the impact of offshore wind farms, and more. Simply click on the headlines below to read the full stories.

Environmental research round-up
14 May, 2014
Highlights from Environmental Research Letters (ERL), including simulating urban heat islands, predicting winter winds, thawing permafrost, geoengineering and more.

Concrete pilings best for oysters
13 May, 2014
Using concrete rather than pile-wrap structures along shorelines could remove need for artificial reefs

Electromagnetic noise could set European robin adrift
12 May, 2014
Disruptive interference seen over a broad range from 20 kHz up to 5 MHz

Water-cycle changes will hit half world’s population
9May, 2014
‘Hotspots’ likely in south-eastern China, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, and Nigeria, Benin, Ghana and Togo

Climate change is clear and present danger, says landmark US report
8 May, 2014
National Climate Assessment, to be launched at White House on Tuesday, says effects of climate change are now being felt (from the Guardian)