A new report by Cornell University and NASA researchers warns of a high risk of megadrought in the Southwest and Great Plains by late this century. The study suggests that reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the next 10 years could mitigate this risk.
A recent study suggests that both regions will experience severe droughts in the future, worse than any in the last millennium. The projections are based on computer model simulations and comparison with past climate reconstructions, indicating a future with extremely parched Southwest and Central Plains.
A new study predicts that the Western US will face persistent drought worse than any seen in the past 1,000 years, driven by human-induced global warming. The region's larger population and increased resource use will exacerbate the devastating impacts of such a drying period.
A USGS study reveals how plants' vulnerability to drought varies across landscapes, with factors like plant structure and soil type influencing their response. The model helps forecast the future state of drylands by understanding how climate change affects water availability and use.
A team of scientists led by Sean Cutler at UC Riverside successfully repurposed an agrochemical to enhance plant drought tolerance. The researchers engineered plant receptors to respond to mandipropamid, a widely used agricultural chemical, and found that the plants effectively survived drought conditions.
A new study reveals that Pacific wind patterns behind California's drought also led to a significant drop in small plant-like organisms in the northeastern Pacific Ocean, potentially affecting marine life. Meanwhile, researchers warn of worsening US air quality due to climate change, particularly ozone pollution fueled by nitrogen oxid...
A new network of underground sensors in the Texas Hill Country is connected to NASA's SMAP satellite, providing vital information for determining drought and dangerous floods. The Texas Soil Observation Network will help answer questions about how much rainfall gets soaked up by the soil and how much fills reservoirs.
Researchers found evidence of regional drought between 500 and 1150 AD in Mexico, contributing to the abandonment of Cantona, a large fortified city with a population of 90,000 inhabitants. The study suggests that climate change played a role in the site's history, highlighting the interplay of environmental and political factors.
A massive dead zone in Lake Erie was linked to the 2012 drought, according to a new study. Researchers found that agricultural practices and meteorological conditions explain year-to-year variability in the size of the dead zone.
A team of climate scientists has found that California's drought of 2012-2014 was the worst in 1,200 years. The researchers used tree-ring samples to reconstruct rainfall data back to the 13th century and found that the current period of low precipitation combined with record-high temperatures created severe water shortages.
Research reveals that annual plant growth in drylands is severely affected by droughts, but the ability to recover varies depending on the type of ecosystem and grazing regime. The study found that perennial plants dominate areas with higher drought resistance and lower recovery potential.
A new study by UCLA scientists found that plants have limited wiggle room to survive drought due to their plasticity. Most plant species accumulate salts in their cell sap to fine-tune their tolerance, but this adjustment only provides a relatively narrow degree of additional drought tolerance.
A University of Utah study found that pathogens killing tree seedlings in drier forests allow more diverse tree species to thrive in the wetter Caribbean environment. This separation is crucial for conservation planning and understanding how tree species adapt to climate change.
Researchers connect ancient clay tablet data to climate records, suggesting that drought and overpopulation weakened the empire's economy and destabilized its political system. The study draws parallels between the Assyrian Empire's collapse and contemporary issues in the region, highlighting the importance of considering long-term sus...
Kelly Redmond, a renowned climatologist from the Desert Research Institute, will receive the AGU Tyndall History of Global Environmental Change Lecturer award. He has dedicated his career to understanding the Earth's climate and communicating that knowledge to a general audience.
Researchers link decline of Assyrian civilization to population growth and droughts, drawing parallels with Syria and Iraq today. The study found that a severe drought in the 7th century BC weakened the empire's ability to withstand subsequent climate-related challenges.
Researchers at the University of Houston are developing new nanofiltration methods to remove salt from brackish waters, a potentially cheaper alternative to existing desalination techniques. The methods could help alleviate drought-stricken regions' water scarcity issues.
A study identified 181 California dams that may need increased water flows to protect native fish, with the top priority dams including Trinity Dam and New Melones Dam. The new tool provides a scientific basis for dam operators to prioritize management and reduce the risk of extinction for many native species.
A new NASA study reconstructs North American drought history over the last 1,000 years and finds that the 1934 drought was the driest and most widespread of the past millennium. The drought was caused by a high-pressure system and dust storms, which suppressed rainfall and led to severe conditions across western North America.
A new NASA study reconstructing North American drought history over the last 1,000 years found that 1934 was the driest and most widespread drought of the millennium. The severity was attributed to a combination of high-pressure systems and dust storms caused by poor land management practices.
The 1934 drought was seven times larger than comparable droughts and nearly 30% worse than the next most severe drought, affecting nearly 72% of western US. Dust storms intensified the drought and spread it throughout the region.
A study by researchers links California's ongoing drought to human-caused climate change, showing a persistent region of high atmospheric pressure over the Pacific Ocean is more likely to form in modern greenhouse gas concentrations. The extreme conditions led to unusually low precipitation and triggered wildfires and air pollution.
A Stanford University study links California's ongoing drought to human-caused climate change, finding that a persistent high atmospheric pressure region over the Pacific Ocean is three times more likely to form in the present climate. This blocking ridge prevented winter storms from reaching California during the 2013 and 2014 rainy s...
Researchers have discovered that the smell of cut grass signals distress and summons parasitic wasps to protect plants from insect attacks. The volatile organic compounds also play a role in drought tolerance and can help breeders develop new crop varieties with improved resistance to insects and drought.
Researchers at Washington State University have identified specific genes in barley that enable the plant to live longer and become more tolerant of stress, including disease. These findings could lead to the development of crop breeding programs that slow aging and increase yields without genetic engineering.
A study by Cornell University and the U.S. Geological Survey warns that the Southwest US is at risk of a 'megadrought', with a 50% chance of a decade-long drought and 20-50% chance of a drought lasting over 30 years
Researchers at Duke University have identified a gene, called OSCA1, that helps plants sense water availability and adjust their water conservation machinery accordingly. The findings could lead to new ways to help crops thrive when water is scarce.
Scientists at UC San Diego's Scripps Institution used GPS technology to track uplift caused by the severe drought, estimating a water deficit of 62 trillion gallons. This has resulted in an average uplift of 4 millimeters across the western US and up to 15 millimeters in California's mountains.
A new study reveals that sea-level spikes can cause more damage to beaches than hurricanes, while a volcanic risk assessment in Saudi Arabia highlights the danger of future eruptions. Additionally, research finds that large volcanic eruptions can trigger strong droughts in eastern China, posing a threat to its food supply.
A new study by UCI and NASA scientists reveals that more than three-quarters of the water loss in the drought-stricken Colorado River Basin since late 2004 came from underground resources. The extent of groundwater loss may pose a greater threat to the region's water supply than previously thought.
Charcoal rot, caused by fungi like Macrophomina phaseolina, thrives in hot and dry conditions, exacerbating crop yields. Researchers are now focusing on breeding drought-resistant soybean lines that can combat the disease.
A study found that trees with higher carbohydrate storage are more resistant to drought, providing insights for reforestation efforts. Researchers in Malaysia manipulated carbohydrate levels and observed improved drought survival rates in seedlings.
Seven wildfires are still burning in San Diego County, California, with the Cocos Fire being the most active, spanning over 1,200 acres. The region is experiencing extreme drought conditions, and climate change is cited as a factor by the governor.
Corn yields in central US sensitive to drought conditions increasing over past two decades. Farmers may be pushing limits of productivity under extreme heat and dryness.
A study analyzing tree rings reveals that droughts in the Rocky Mountains can be even more severe than the 1930s Dust Bowl, with some scenarios suggesting prolonged periods of below-average stream flow and intense droughts like 1580's record low river flow.
Research suggests that Midwest corn and soybean yields could drop by 15-30% over the next half-century due to harsher drought conditions. The study, published in Science, found that corn and soybeans are becoming increasingly sensitive to drought, with yields struggling in dry conditions in Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana.
A new analysis of NASA satellite data reveals a gradual decrease in Congo rainforest greenness, suggesting a slow adjustment to long-term drying trend. The study found that climate factors such as land surface temperatures and decreased cloudiness contribute to the observed browning of the forest canopy.
A new study reveals a significant increase in wildfires across the western US over the last 30 years, with larger fires burning more frequently. Climate change is projected to exacerbate this trend, with rising temperatures and droughts contributing to increased fire activity.
A recent study found that severe droughts and repeated fires in the Amazon lead to high tree mortality rates, with 60% of trees dying in a single experiment. The researchers warn that climate change will exacerbate this issue, making it essential to implement policies and programs to control forest fires and prevent deforestation.
A new study by Harvard University scientists shows how severe droughts can trigger cascades of ecosystem change that last for centuries. The research analyzed tree rings spanning over 300,000 square miles and 400 years of history in the eastern US.
Researchers have developed nanosensors to track the movement and distribution of the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) within plants. This allows for better understanding of ABA's role in drought resistance and plant growth under environmental stress, enabling future studies on how ABA helps plants respond to drought and other stresses.
Researchers at Carnegie Institution have developed a new method to measure abscisic acid levels in individual plant cells, shedding light on the hormone's role in plant stress responses. This breakthrough tool has the potential to improve crop yields and inform strategies for mitigating the impacts of drought and climate change.
A new study found that prolonged droughts cause more intense and widespread wildfires, consuming more forests than previously understood. Climate change is expected to lead to shorter rainy seasons and longer dry seasons, increasing the risk of forest fires.
Researchers tracked drought dynamics in the US using a new Event-based Spatial-Temporal Data Model (ESTDM), which analyzed four years of European Space Agency's soil moisture and ocean salinity data. The study aims to predict future drought events by identifying patterns of spreading drought.
A new study predicts that 12% of land will experience drought by 2100 due to rainfall changes alone, but this number increases to 30% with consideration of evaporative drying. The warming climate may lead to food-price shocks and water scarcity in regions like the US, China, and Africa.
Climate scientists analyzed tree rings to find that Genghis Khan took power during a severe drought, but his empire expanded during the wettest period in the region. The study suggests human-caused warming may be exacerbating current droughts in Mongolia and Inner Asia.
Researchers found that citrus plants watered regularly in controlled environments exhibited reduced transpiration and stomatal closure when exposed to low temperatures. High soil moisture content was key to minimizing drought stress on the trees. The study's findings could impact commercial citrus growers' traditional irrigation methods.
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 study by University of Texas at Austin researchers found that shifting from coal to natural gas for electricity generation saves significantly more water than the additional consumption required for hydraulic fracturing. Water savings can be up to 25-50 times greater, making Texas less vulnerable to drought.
Research teams compared climate simulations to assess drought, water scarcity and river flooding impacts. The study found that frequency of drought may increase by over 20%, while 40% more people are at risk of absolute water scarcity without reduced greenhouse-gas emissions.
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.
New research suggests that the Amazon rainforest can withstand dry conditions due to its ability to recycle moisture, reducing water stress on plants. This natural process helps mitigate the impacts of climate change-induced drought.
Scientists at UC Riverside are using DNA marker-assisted breeding to accelerate the development of new cowpea varieties with desirable traits such as drought tolerance, pest resistance, and high yield. The research aims to improve crop yields in several African countries, supporting USAID's Feed the Future initiative.
A new CU study finds drought is a better predictor of spruce beetle outbreaks in northern Colorado than temperature, with warm and dry conditions causing stress in host trees. The study also suggests that climate fluctuations, including the Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation, contribute to drought conditions.
A new study reveals that earthworms can survive for up to three weeks without water by entering a state of estivation, where they reduce their surface area exposure and seal themselves in a mucus-lined chamber. After rewetting, the earthworms were able to recover and regain their weight.
A team of researchers from Dartmouth College has identified a protein called ESB1 that plays a vital role in how plant roots use water and nutrients. This discovery could ultimately boost crop and biofuels production by improving the plants' ability to tolerate stresses such as salinity, drought and flooding.
Researchers use tree-ring growth data to reconstruct forest drought-stress index, revealing strong relationships between FDSI and regional forest productivity. Climate change is expected to lead to increased forest drought-stress by the 2050s, driving imminent changes in forest structure and composition.
A study by UC San Diego engineers found that dirty solar panels in California lost only 7.4% of their efficiency after 145 days without cleaning, resulting in a mere $20 gain in electricity production. For larger systems, the financial losses are still relatively small.
Researchers have identified a gene that enables Jatropha, a potential biofuel plant, to withstand drought. The study found that the JcPIP1 gene plays a crucial role in recovery from damage, while JcPIP2 may help prevent drought stress.
Plants with thinner roots show natural variation in cortical cell number, reducing energetic cost of soil exploration and increasing rooting depth. This trait could lead to improved seed production for agriculture, maintaining high yields in drought-prone regions.