The Integrated Precipitation and Hydrology Experiment field campaign aims to better understand mountain weather patterns and improve precipitation measurement. Researchers will combine ground-based measurements with airborne sensors and satellite data to gain insights into the complex processes of mountain rainfall.
A new report reveals that cutting down on meat and dairy products can reduce nitrogen air and water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and free up large areas of farmland. Adopting a demitarian diet across Europe could reduce nitrogen pollution levels by about 40%.
A study in the Gabayan watershed, Philippines, found that agroforestry reduces sediment yield by 20% and increases income for farmers. Agroforestry also helps communities adapt to climate change by improving water management and ecosystem services.
Current flood losses in Europe are likely to double by 2050, with socioeconomic growth accounting for two-thirds of the increased risk. Climate change is also expected to contribute to this increase, as changing rainfall patterns affect river flow and flood frequency.
Researchers mapped landscape vulnerabilities ahead of time to help communities prepare for extreme flooding. The study used high-resolution data and computer modeling to analyze erosion, deposition, and soil characteristics, finding that areas with certain vegetation patterns were more vulnerable to flooding.
Researchers from Ben-Gurion University found that liquid fertilizing techniques through drip irrigation result in lower groundwater pollution rates compared to intensive organic farming. High nitrate concentrations in aquifer water lead to drinking-water well shutdowns due to down leaching of nitrates under intensive organic farming.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that the horse-chestnut leaf-mining moth has spread rapidly across England and Wales since its arrival in London in 2002. The data collected by citizen scientists revealed that it takes just three years from the first sighting to maximum levels of damage to the horse-chestnut trees.
The Penn State-led team aims to improve existing hydrological predictions and study the coupling of water with its environment. The goal is to create a strategic tool to assist in decision-making for extreme weather events.
Research predicts increased frequency and intensity of droughts in southern Europe, with potential reductions in river flow levels up to 40% by 2100. Climate change and intensive water consumption will exacerbate drought conditions, worsening their socio-economic impacts.
A new study finds that butterflies can expand their ranges in northern England and Scotland as the climate warms. However, this expansion is only possible for species with stable or increasing population trends, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts to boost abundances within current ranges.
A new study finds that drought frequency is likely to increase globally by the end of the 21st century due to climate change. The research suggests an increase in global severity of hydrological drought, with greater increases if no mitigation policies are implemented.
Researchers found that alien harlequin ladybirds are less likely to be parasitized by common wasps and flies than native UK species. The study supports the Enemy Release Hypothesis, suggesting that native predators and parasites may struggle to attack invasive species.
The project utilizes GPS-equipped cars with varying wiper systems to measure rainfall intensity, offering a promising alternative to traditional rain gauges. By analyzing sensor readings, researchers can create a more extensive network of measurement points, leading to improved flood prediction and prevention.
Research finds that horse manure disperses non-native weed seeds, including 16 noxious weeds in Australia and 105 invasive species in North America. Habitat disturbance from trampling also facilitates seed germination.
A new study reveals that carbon storage in re-growing tropical forests recovers faster than plant biodiversity following major disturbances. Despite this, even after 80 years, these forests tend to have less carbon than old-growth forests due to the dominance of small, fast-growing trees.
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding how burned landscapes respond to rainfall, enabling the development of treatments to mitigate damage. Debris flow models have helped explain where these events are most likely to occur and how large they might be.
The CYGNSS hurricane satellite mission has passed NASA's Systems Requirements Review and Key Decision Point-B, moving into the next phase of development. The constellation of eight microsatellites will use GPS signals to measure ocean surface properties and determine how hurricanes form and strengthen.
Flavia Tauro, a graduate student at NYU-Poly, has won the AGU Hydrology Section's Horton Research Grant to develop novel tracer particles for hydrological monitoring. Her technique aims to improve the efficiency and feasibility of traditional tracing methods while reducing environmental impact.
A study by the University of New South Wales reveals that global warming may lead to a decline in seasonal water storage capacity for Argentina and Chile. The North Patagonian Ice-field, vital to maintaining this capacity, is expected to shrink due to changes in westerly winds.
A new study projects a 56% drop in Oregon's peak snowpack by mid-century, with significant impacts on ecosystems, agriculture, and hydropower. The study highlights the risks facing low-elevation, mountainous regions where snow often falls near freezing temperatures.
Increased variability in yearly temperature records has shifted to regions of high population in Europe and North America. Globally, total temperature variability remains relatively stable despite global warming trends.
Researchers have developed a high-fidelity national carbon map of Panama using field data, satellite imagery, and LiDAR measurements. The maps provide unprecedented accuracy in estimating carbon stocks at the national level, with an uncertainty of around 10% per hectare.
A recent study by the University of Exeter found that localized temperature fluctuations have a significant impact on silver-spotted skipper populations. The research suggests that saving habitats with diverse microclimates is crucial for conserving this species under changing climate conditions.
A new study by US Forest Service scientists finds that eastern hemlock decline due to invasive insect infestation will impact forest transpiration and alter seasonal stream flow patterns. The replacement of hemlock with species like rhododendron or sweet birch may lead to reduced winter stream discharge and increased summer stream flow.
Researchers study beach nourishment decisions and find that decentralized management can lead to resource inefficiencies. The stratigraphic record is controlled by physical processes such as sediment deposition rates and river channel migration, with gaps often left due to pauses in deposition or heightened erosion.
Researchers from the University of New Hampshire have detailed how thermoelectric power plants interact with climate, hydrology, and aquatic ecosystems. Rivers serve as
A global review reveals a cocktail of pressures contributing to declining pollinator populations, impacting crop yields and wild plant reproduction. Effective habitat networks, pesticide risk assessments, and innovative disease therapies are proposed solutions.
A new study found that approximately half of Tamiflu prescriptions were unused in England during the 2009-10 influenza pandemic. The unused medication represents around 600,000 courses and a significant financial cost to the UK taxpayer.
Researchers at Columbia University developed a method to map evaporation globally using weather stations, enabling scientists to evaluate water resource management and assess recent trends. The technique uses air temperature and humidity measurements to obtain daily evaporation rates.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have discovered how ancient Maya populations in remote areas built reservoirs to conserve water and used natural methods to purify their water supply. The findings, presented by doctoral student Jeffrey Brewer, show that these techniques were crucial for survival during extreme dry spells and...
James R. Rice, Harvard professor, will receive the Harry Field Reid Medal for his influential research on fracture mechanics and its application to earthquake processes. His work has defined standards for numerous frontiers of research, integrating theory, experiment, and observations.
Long-term data from the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest suggests a trade-off between forest productivity and water flow. A study found that applying calcium silicate to restore soil calcium levels resulted in an increase in forest water use within 5 months.
Mobile LIDAR promises to change the way we see, study, and record the world around us, providing highly detailed and precise maps of landscapes. The technology has vast potential in various fields, including surveying, transportation engineering, and virtual tourism.
A recent study published in Nature Geoscience suggests that tropical forests are less likely to lose biomass in response to greenhouse gas emissions. This finding has important implications for the future evolution of tropical rainforests and their role in the global climate system.
Researchers from Princeton University presented various topics at the 2013 AAAS annual meeting, including virtual water trade to cope with climate change, biodiversity indicators, and the physics of cancer. They also explored the evolutionary significance of third molar impaction in human populations.
Research suggests that groundwater acts as a natural water filtration and purification system, removing excess nutrients and impurities from the earth's surface. The study highlights the need for better management of this critical resource to ensure clean drinking water and sustainable ecosystems.
Dr. Bruce J. Peterson has made seminal contributions in oceanography, limnology, biogeochemistry, ecology, and hydrology through his use of new methods and scientific publications. His research on the freshwater cycle of the Arctic has made fundamental advances in understanding land-ocean interactions.
Ant pupae employ acoustics to signal their rightful place in the colony's hierarchy, influencing adult ants' behavior. Researchers discovered that pupae make sounds similar to adults with 'file and scraper' organs, essential for maintaining social status.
A study by University of Exeter researchers reveals tropical forests' sensitivity to climate change, with significant carbon release expected if climate models are inaccurate. The team found a correlation between year-to-year variations in carbon dioxide concentration and long-term changes in tropical forest carbon storage.
Researchers have found a decreasing trend in intense rainfall frequency in the Ebro basin since 1955. This decrease is attributed to a general decrease in rainfall erosivity, suggesting persistent long-term climate changes.
Researchers from Brown University found fossilized conduits on Mars that suggest water once flowed beneath the planet's surface. The conduits, formed by underground cracks, indicate an active hydrology and a possible habitable environment.
Researchers have discovered that some water catchments exhibit a finite resilience to wet and dry years, switching between two steady states. This finding allows for better prioritization of investment and informed decision-making in water resourcing.
A new study finds that climate warming is allowing bark beetles to thrive in previously inhospitable high-elevation forests, posing a significant threat to whitebark pine ecosystems. The insects are attacking trees with weakened defenses, leading to potential cascading effects on mountain ecosystems.
A new study projects a 10 percent decline in the Colorado River's flow by 2040, posing significant challenges for water management in the US Southwest. Climate modelers predict increased evaporation and drying conditions across three key regions, including California, Nevada, and Texas.
Scientists have developed a new method for studying parasite numbers in individual seabirds in the wild, using endoscopy. The technique found that all birds had parasites ranging from low burdens of several worms to high burdens of over 40 worms, with higher burdens in males and late breeders.
Scientists from six countries emphasize the importance of collaboration between science and policy in addressing air pollution effects. Successful integration has led to significant improvements in reducing acid rain and eutrophication, but challenges persist, including nitrogen emissions and climate change.
A new study reveals that climate change is altering the Northern hardwood forest ecosystem, affecting maple syrup production, wildlife health and timber resources. The research highlights the need for long-term studies to understand and manage these complex effects.
A new study suggests climate change is causing significant stress to western rangelands, leading to ecosystem degradation and loss of biodiversity. The researchers recommend reducing or eliminating livestock from public lands to mitigate these effects and restore affected ecosystems.
A new study found that UK butterfly populations' sensitivity to extreme drought is affected by habitat type area and degree of fragmentation. Larger, more connected patches of woodland habitat reduced population sensitivity and facilitated faster recovery.
A team led by Assistant Professor Noah Molotch will identify thresholds of change in land use, forest management, and climate that may compromise the sustainability of trans-basin water diversions. The project aims to provide projections on future water supply and demand changes due to climate change.
A new study finds that deforestation in snowy regions consistently causes more floods, both big and small. In mountainous areas, trees help control snowmelt, but without them, water flows faster, leading to a significant increase in flood frequency.
Research using satellite data found convective precipitation is more common over dry regions, suggesting a different mechanism than previously thought. The study's findings challenge existing computer models and highlight the need for further research to understand this phenomenon.
Research finds that dry soils increase the likelihood of afternoon storms globally, contradicting current climate models. The study's findings have significant implications for predicting regional weather patterns and understanding global climate change.
A study by the University of Leeds finds that tropical forests produce significantly more rain than vegetation, with the Amazon and Congo forests maintaining rainfall over surrounding areas. This could have catastrophic consequences for people living thousands of kilometres away if these forests are destroyed.
A binational team of researchers from the University of Arizona monitored conditions in Ciénega de Santa Clara before, during and after the plant's pilot run, finding no significant changes to hydrology, water quality, vegetation, or marsh birds. The wetland appears resilient in the face of short-term disturbances.
A new study found that warmer summers have allowed the Brown Argus butterfly to shift its diet to wild Geranium plants, enabling it to expand its range in Britain at a rapid rate. Over 20 years, the butterfly has spread northwards by 79km, becoming common in southern England.
A new computer model developed at NC State University predicts the environmental impact of forest land-use decisions, considering factors such as plant growth and water cycles. The DRAINMOD-FOREST model will help policy makers and forest managers make informed decisions to minimize environmental harm while maintaining forest productivity.
Scientists from NASA's Precipitation Measurement Missions discovered that light rain makes up 50-60% of total precipitation in the region, contributing to freshwater resources. The study used satellite data and ground-based instruments to validate measurements and make new discoveries.
A University of Missouri research team is conducting a two-year study to reclaim developed flood plain land and keep waterways free of pollutants. The project uses 777 willow trees to filter water and potentially produce a cash crop for farmers.
A new study by Rice University scientists reveals that cooking temperature determines the effectiveness of 'biochar' as a soil additive. Biochar can improve hydrology and make more nutrients available to plants when produced at high temperatures.