A UC Riverside-led team has discovered a new chemical called quinabactin that mimics a naturally occurring stress hormone in plants to improve drought tolerance. This breakthrough could provide a powerful tool for farmers to protect their crops under extreme weather conditions.
Researchers from Bonn University found that particulate matter salt compounds can decrease the drought tolerance of trees, leading to forest decline. The study reveals a physical mechanism where deliquescent salts form wick-like structures that remove water from leaves, promoting dehydration.
Biologist Keith Gido is discovering dramatic changes in native fish communities due to the North American drought. River fragmentation and groundwater withdrawals are affecting aquatic systems and native fish species in the Great Plains.
Researchers found that aerosol pollution from the Northern Hemisphere cooled the region, shifting tropical rain bands and leading to drought in central Africa. The study used decades of historical observations and climate models to determine this global impact. The discovery highlights the remote climate effects of air pollution.
A new analysis by the USDA Forest Service emphasizes managing forests as consumers of water, reducing risk of water stress. This shift in thinking helps maintain resilience and health in a changing climate.
Researchers identified two genes responsible for flowering in a tropical tree species. The genes, SbFT and SbSVP, show dramatic changes before flowering after a four-week drought period. This discovery may help predict mass flowering events, aiding conservation efforts.
A new study led by the University of Arizona has found that monsoon failure plays a significant role in prolonged droughts in the Southwest. The researchers used tree-ring analysis to reconstruct summer precipitation patterns over a 470-year period, revealing that dry summers coincided with severe winter droughts.
Researchers found that certain viruses and fungi work together with plants to improve drought and temperature tolerance. This collaboration is a key to sustainable agriculture and may lead to more natural methods of creating crops that are more heat, drought, and stress tolerant.
A recent study found that hotter temperatures triggered a widespread die-off of Colorado trembling aspen trees, with the drought from 2000-2003 exacerbating the damage. The researchers used oxygen isotope analysis to determine that summer temperatures were the key factor in drying out surface soil and stressing the trees' water-transpo...
Researchers from Oklahoma State University created a reliable 'calendar' of seasonal drought patterns that can help farmers avoid costly losses to drought conditions. By considering soil properties and water deficits, the study found that traditional atmospheric measurements underestimated drought probabilities.
A global research team has completed high-quality sequencing of 90 chickpea genomes, revealing clues on how to improve crop resilience. The study provides a map of the genes that define the chickpea plant, potentially leading to improved varieties with enhanced drought tolerance and disease resistance.
A study by the University of Arizona and USDA found that plants can adapt their water demand to changing climate conditions, but this resilience has a limit. Prolonged droughts threaten the survival of plant communities, especially in sensitive environments like arid grasslands.
Researchers studied paleoclimate data to understand historical patterns of aridity in Eastern Africa, revealing a clear pattern of dry and wet periods. Climate model simulations showed that sea surface temperatures in the Indian Ocean drive rainfall variations in East Africa.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have found intriguing parallels between modern-day Syria and Bronze-Age Syria, where urban decline, government collapse, and drought led to a regional government's downfall. The study, which used obsidian tools from the ancient city of Urkesh, suggests that climate change, militarism, and unsu...
A study from the University of Copenhagen found that a drought in the Horn of Africa led to a delayed arrival of European songbirds in northern Europe, causing them to stay longer in Africa. This delay resulted in a late breeding year, but researchers believe it may not have affected population size.
Scientists use satellite data to map plant stress, providing early warning signs of drought. The maps can aid in drought forecasts and help farmers make practical decisions sooner.
The Carnegie Airborne Observatory's AToMS system is uncovering a previously invisible ecological world by combining laser and spectral imaging instrumentation to derive simultaneous measurements of an ecosystem's chemistry, structure, biomass, and biodiversity. This technology has applications ranging from mitigating climate change to ...
A recent study by George Washington University Professor Amy Zanne found that plants worldwide are operating at their safety threshold for drought, making forests vulnerable to environmental stress. The research reveals that while plants vary in drought resistance, they share similar hydraulic safety thresholds across all forest types.
The University of Southampton is leading a €11.6 million EU-funded research project to develop new crops that can withstand drought, addressing the impact of climate change on crop productivity. The project aims to characterise DNA variation in under-utilised crops and harness this knowledge to produce better crops.
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.
Research found that drought stress enriches microbial communities around plant roots, promoting drought resistance and increasing plant photosynthesis by up to 40%. This discovery highlights the importance of symbiotic relationships between plants and soil microbes in maintaining plant health.
A new study found that over 60% of western aspen trees in Utah and Colorado are triploid, with this genetic anomaly causing altered physical traits such as sterility or reduced fertility. The researchers also discovered a correlation between triploidy rates and regional climate variation.
A University of Tennessee study suggests recent droughts may be the new normal, posing significant threats to the nation's forests. The researchers found that the US has experienced several mega-droughts in the last 1,000 years, and projections indicate worsening drought and increased tree mortality by 2050.
Scientists at the University of Hawaii found a significant decrease in northeast trade wind days from 291 to 210 per year. This change is linked to an increase in eastern trade winds and may impact climate patterns, including droughts in Hawaii.
Researchers found that warmer temperatures and increased atmospheric evaporative demand will lead to widespread tree mortality and changes in forest distributions. The study used a 'Forest Drought Stress Index' to estimate annual regional tree-growth variability with exceptional accuracy.
The study reveals that southwestern forests face significant challenges due to climate change, including increased drought stress and mortality. The researchers developed a Forest Drought-Stress Index that shows a strong correlation with tree growth, death from drought, and area burned by forest fires.
A new analysis examines the effects of widespread forest die-offs on ecosystem processes, species diversity, and human services such as water purification and real-estate property values. The study highlights the need for a multidisciplinary approach to understand the complex consequences of climate-driven forest mortality.
Researchers have identified a key genetic mechanism in plant hormone signaling that helps plants balance between drought resistance and growth. The discovery may lead to new methods to help plants thrive in tough conditions and reduce crop losses from stress.
A recent study by Texas A&M researchers found the Gulf Dead Zone to be its smallest size in years, with no hypoxia detected off the Texas coast. The team's analysis covered over 1,200 miles of cruise track and revealed about 1,580 square miles of hypoxia compared to 3,400 square miles in 2011.
Scientific analysis strengthens the view that record-breaking summer heat, drought, and other extreme weather events are caused by human activities and global warming. Nobel laureate Mario J. Molina suggests a new international agreement to put a price on greenhouse gas emissions and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Scientists used fossil pollen to augment historical records of ancient Egyptian droughts and fires, including a massive 4,200-year-old drought that contributed to the demise of Egypt's Old Kingdom. The study provides insights into the evolution of societies tied to climate variability.
A recent study found that soil microbes play a crucial role in helping plants survive the effects of global changes, such as increased CO2 concentrations and altered precipitation patterns. By interacting with microbes, plants can adapt to drought stress more quickly, allowing them to thrive in new environments.
A recent study found that diverse grasslands can tolerate increased periods of drought and climate change due to the presence of drought-resistant species. This diversity allows grasslands to maintain their ecological functions, including carbon sequestration, food sources for grazing animals, and temperature regulation.
Scientists warn that chronic droughts like the 2000-04 event could become more frequent and severe, leading to ecosystem damage and reduced carbon sequestration. The region's ability to absorb carbon dioxide may decline by the end of the century, exacerbating global warming.
A new method developed by UCLA life scientists can rapidly and reliably assess drought tolerance in plants for diverse species across ecosystems worldwide. The method is based on the turgor loss point and osmotic potential, allowing for fast estimates within 10 minutes per leaf.
A multi-institutional initiative seeks to improve the genetic basis of drought resistance in a grass closely related to current biofuels feedstocks and food crops. Researchers will dissect the genetic basis of drought tolerance in these plants, with the goal of developing crops that can endure harsh conditions.
Researchers at Arizona State University are developing a game-changing approach for drought monitoring using satellite detection and hydrologic models. The project aims to provide timely detection of drought events with high accuracy, enabling proactive decision-making for national water managers, irrigation districts, and policymakers.
A new study reveals that even drought-resistant tree species in the Bornean rainforest will face increased mortality due to El Nino events. Replacing coal with natural gas could reduce global warming by 40% under certain scenarios, according to a separate analysis.
The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center has received a five-year, $12.1 million grant to develop a new model plant system, Setaria viridis, to advance bioenergy grasses as a sustainable source of renewable fuels. The research focuses on improving drought resistance and water efficiency in these crops.
Researchers used tree ring data from the US Pacific Northwest and oxygen isotope analysis of lake sediments to clarify ancient climate regimes. The study suggests that drought patterns in the American West may have varied across different regions, with some areas experiencing wetter winters than expected.
Research confirms long-lasting severe droughts in western US throughout history, including 200-year megadroughts in the Sierra Nevada. Scientists used advanced sonar tools and tree-ring analysis to determine precipitation levels over the past 12,000 years.
Researchers are investigating three popular wheat varieties to understand their drought tolerance mechanisms and how they can be improved. The study aims to identify key genetic regulators of drought tolerance, which is crucial for maintaining crop yields in dryland areas affected by drought.
Researchers evaluated drought response of various radiata pine ecotypes, finding that some are more tolerant than others. The study suggests introducing new varieties with improved drought resistance will be essential to mitigate climate change impacts on forests.
A UCLA study resolves decades-old debates on plant drought tolerance, finding that saltier cell sap is key to survival. The team's discovery allows for predictions of which species can thrive in dry environments.
A new sorghum plant has been developed that can withstand drought and produce toxins without harming animals. The breakthrough is expected to provide farmers with a reliable source of food during droughts, saving hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
Climate change and global trade are expected to increase demand for drought-tolerant plants from Africa and the Middle East, increasing the risk of new invasive species. Ecologists recommend proactive management practices, including pre-emptive screening of nursery stock before imports.
Researchers develop novel approach to enhance plant stress response, increasing crop yield under drought conditions. By modifying abscisic acid receptors, the team achieves prolonged activation of stress response pathways, paving the way for breeding more resilient crops.
New research by William Anderegg and colleagues reveals that carbon starvation is unlikely to be the primary cause of tree death during droughts. The study found significant losses of function in the trees' water-transportation systems, especially in the roots, resulting in a 70% loss of water conductivity.
New research suggests ancient Meso-American civilizations amplified droughts by clearing rainforests, leading to significant precipitation decline. Ancient dry spells also occurred in the Northeast, with major droughts lasting up to 500 years, hinting at a potential future of severe water shortages.
The record-breaking Texas drought has reduced groundwater levels in much of the state to their lowest levels in over 60 years. The latest maps from NASA's Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites show severely depressed groundwater levels, indicating a prolonged drying effect.
A new grass family tree reveals that the C4 photosynthetic pathway has evolved in grasses over 20 times within the last 30 million years. The study suggests that once C4 evolution occurs, it's unlikely to reverse, making scientists interested in engineering this pathway into drought-tolerant crops.
Scientists at Bangor University discover that climate-induced droughts can lead to prolonged CO2 release from peatlands, potentially lasting a decade. This has significant implications for the environment, including habitat loss, species extinction, and decreased water quality.
The ICRISAT-led team has completed the genome sequence of pigeonpea, a legume crop grown by millions of poor farmers worldwide. With this breakthrough, scientists can now identify genes for drought tolerance and improve crop productivity, tackling pests and disease constraints in production.
Researchers from the University of Arizona have discovered a long-lost megadrought in the southwestern US during the second century AD, lasting nearly 50 years. The study, using tree-ring analysis, reveals a previously unknown drought period that had significant implications for regional climate and water resources.
A new insurance program is providing compensation to poor herders in northern Kenya's Marsabit District, who have lost up to a third of their animals due to drought. The program uses satellite images to track forage conditions and payouts are triggered when grazing lands deteriorate beyond 15 percent loss.
Researchers will examine how humans have responded to changes in surrounding forests over multiple centuries, focusing on New Mexico's Jemez Mountains and the intersection of climate change, drought, and forest fires. The team aims to understand how humans can live sustainably within fire-adapted ecosystems.
A new study found that rain-index insurance can have ecological consequences if farmers adopt unsustainable grazing practices. The study suggests that insurance payouts in periods of moderate drought may incentivize farmers to abandon sustainable management strategies, leading to overgrazing and increased soil erosion. To mitigate thes...
Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute discovered that plants create a water reserve around their roots, which helps them survive short periods of drought. The water reserve is found within a few millimeters from the roots and contains about 30% more water than the rest of the soil.
A study by ILRI found that investments aimed at increasing the mobility of livestock herders can help avert future food crises in arid lands. Herding makes better economic sense than crop agriculture in many regions, and supporting mobile communities can help people cope with droughts.
Researchers at the University of Missouri College of Agriculture have completed two drought simulators designed to mimic real-world conditions. The simulators, measuring 50 feet by 100 feet, will enable in-depth testing under varying environmental conditions and improve food security for farmers.