Deep-learning models known as LSTMs are changing the way scientists forecast how rivers will respond to changes in rain, snow and temperature. But a new study led by researchers at the University of British Columbia shows that these models often get the right answers for the wrong reasons, and their internal “thinking” often clashes with basic science. The team analyzed more than 1,100 rivers across North America and focused on 672 where the AI achieved strong predictive accuracy. While the models handled rainfall correctly, they frequently misinterpreted the roles of temperature and evaporation. Accurate river forecasts are critical for flood warnings, drought planning and water management. If AI models misinterpret how heat and evaporation affect rivers, communities could make poor decisions during extreme weather.

Researchers are proposing a new strategy for local governments to make municipalities more resilient against climate change. The “compounded resilience” strategy lays out how local governments can take advantage of opportunities to both limit adverse impacts of climate change on their communities and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change.

A new Special Report (https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biaf175) published in the journal BioScience warns that long-term ecological and evolutionary research faces severe threats from lack of recurring funding and governmental/institutional support, to data manipulation and political interference, even as these studies become more crucial for addressing issues of broad societal importance, such as biodiversity loss and climate change.

MIT scientists identified a key atmospheric condition that determines how hot and humid a midlatitude region can get, and how intense related storms can become. The results may help climate scientists gauge a region’s risk for humid heat waves and extreme storms.

A paper published by URI researchers reveals key mechanisms in speciation in corals. Critically threatened by climate change, a better understanding of coral biology will help efforts to conserve and restore their populations.