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Current Drought News Events, Discoveries and Articles

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Hacking code of leaf vein architecture solves mysteries, allows predictions of past climate
UCLA life scientists have discovered new laws that determine the construction of leaf vein systems as leaves grow and evolve. These easy-to-apply mathematical rules can now be used to better predict the climates of the past using the fossil record. (2012-05-24)

Southern pine beetle impacts on forest ecosystems
Research by USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station (SRS) scientists shows that the impacts of recent outbreaks of southern pine beetle further degraded shortleaf pine-hardwood forest ecosystems in the southern Appalachian region. (2012-05-18)

BGI reports the completed sequence of foxtail millet genome
BGI, the world's largest genomics organization, in cooperation with Zhangjiakou Academy of Agricultural Science, has completed the genome sequence and analysis of foxtail millet (Setaria italica), the second-most widely planted species of millet. (2012-05-14)

University of Pittsburgh Geologists Map Prehistoric Climate Changes in Canada's Yukon Territory
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have joined an international group of scientists to study past climate changes in the Arctic. (2012-05-09)

With climate and vegetation data, UCSB geographers closer to predicting droughts in Africa
What might happen if droughts were predicted months ahead of time? Food aid and other humanitarian efforts could be put together sooner and executed better, say UC Santa Barbara geographers Chris Funk, Greg Husak, and Joel Michaelsen. (2012-05-02)

A study points to the importance of seeking new pine varieties resistant to climate change
The radiata pine is the tree species par excellence in the Basque Country's forests. Like other types of pine, the lack of water is one of the factors having the greatest effect on its survival and productivity. (2012-04-20)

CU research shows warming climate threatens ecology at mountain research site west of Boulder
A series of papers published this month on ecological changes at 26 global research sites -- including one administered by the University of Colorado Boulder in the high mountains west of the city -- indicates that ecosystems dependent on seasonal snow and ice are the most sensitive to changes in climate. (2012-04-19)

Stoneflies mapped across Ohio, with implications for water quality and nature conservation
Stoneflies, or Plecoptera, are insects that live in water during immature stages, but are terrestrial as adults. They are among the best bioindicators of river water quality and general landscape disturbance. Anglers often model their dry and wet flies (lures) after these insects. (2012-04-13)

Rapid climate change threatens Asia's Rice Bowl
As Asia's monsoon season begins, leading climate specialists and agricultural scientists warned today that rapid climate change and its potential to intensify droughts and floods could threaten Asia's rice production and pose a significant threat to millions of people across the region. (2012-04-13)

800-year-old farmers could teach us how to protect the Amazon
In the face of mass deforestation of the Amazon, we could learn from its earliest inhabitants who managed their farmland sustainably. (2012-04-10)