Researchers uncover a critical genetic mechanism boosting plants' ability to withstand drought, using the transcription factor PbERF3 and protein PbHsfC1a. This breakthrough could inform the cultivation of crops with superior resilience to water shortages, ensuring food security and sustainable agricultural practices.
SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalHorticulture Research·DateJul 4, 2024
A new study suggests that human activities may actually reduce the severity of droughts in certain regions. Climate model simulations indicate that aerosols and greenhouse gases produced by human activities have opposite effects on atmospheric chemical composition and precipitation mechanisms. This research challenges previous conclusi...
SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateJun 21, 2024
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The study reveals regional differences in Amazon drought response due to local environments and tree properties. The southern Amazon, with shallow water tables, is more vulnerable to drought, while the northern region, with deeper roots and less fertile soil, is more resilient.
Researchers have discovered that phosphorylation of the birch tree BpNAC90 gene plays a crucial role in conferring drought tolerance. The study found that phosphorylation at Serine 205 enhances BpNAC90's ability to regulate genes involved in stress tolerance, leading to improved drought resistance.
SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalHorticulture Research·DateJun 14, 2024
A recent study has unlocked the genetic secrets of Cissus quadrangularis, a desert-dwelling plant with extraordinary drought tolerance. The discovery sheds light on its Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) pathway and genetic adaptations, providing insights into developing crops that can withstand water scarcity.
SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalHorticulture Research·DateJun 6, 2024
International research team finds that increasing key nutrients like potassium and phosphorus can sustain tropical forest productivity under drought conditions. This study, published in Nature Geoscience, aims to address the potential impact of climate change on these critical ecosystems.
SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 27, 2024
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that the Cerrado biome in Brazil is experiencing its worst drought in at least 700 years, caused by global warming. The research used chemical analysis of stalagmites to extend the perception of drought back seven centuries and linked it to disruption in the hydrological cycle.
SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 23, 2024
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Climate change is driving sudden onset of drying in South America and southern Africa, while Central Asia sees increased moisture due to warming temperatures
SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 21, 2024
Researchers identified GmACO1 as a key player in soybean's response to drought. The gene is highly expressed in roots and regulates drought tolerance through multiple pathways. It also negatively regulates nodule formation.
SourceBeijing Zhongke Journal Publising Co. Ltd.·JournalaBIOTECH·DateMay 20, 2024
A new study finds that the US Drought Monitor is not keeping pace with climate change, leading to frequent severe droughts being classified as rare. The consequences are dire, with some regions spending more time in extreme drought conditions than federal guidelines allow, potentially leaving them without adequate aid.
SourceDartmouth College·JournalAGU Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 20, 2024
Researchers discovered that plants employ ABA to close stomata, obstructing spider mites' entry points and significantly reducing pest damage. The closure of stomata also coincides with the production of ABA, a hormone linked with drought response.
SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPLANT PHYSIOLOGY·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 3, 2024
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The UK's 2022 drought, the worst since 1976, emphasized the importance of early mitigation measures due to its rapid onset and extensive impacts on water resources, wildlife, and people. Improved monitoring and forecasting systems can help prevent similar extreme weather events in the future.
SourceUK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology·JournalWeather·TypeSystematic review·DateMar 28, 2024
Researchers at Penn State developed a new high-tech tool to accurately estimate plant root depth using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. The LEADER method has the potential to speed up breeding of plants better able to withstand drought, acquire nitrogen and store carbon deeper in soil.
SourcePenn State·JournalCrop Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 21, 2024
A new study finds a significant increase in aboveground carbon in Southwest China from 2013 to 2021, contrary to expected effects of extreme droughts. This suggests the region's role as a substantial carbon sink, thanks to ecological projects and remote sensing techniques.
SourceAerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalJournal of Remote Sensing·DateMar 15, 2024
A major research programme found that climate change risks to human and natural systems greatly increase with global warming, leading to droughts, flooding, crop yields decline, and loss of biodiversity. Limiting global warming to 1.5 ºC could reduce these risks by up to 61% in some countries.
SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalClimate Change·DateFeb 28, 2024
Researchers found that reduced fire severity due to drought creates an environment conducive to invasive species, particularly non-native grasses. This transformation leads to a decline in native species abundance and diversity. The study advocates for strategies considering wildfire frequency and invasive species control post-fire.
SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalEcology·DateFeb 28, 2024
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Research at the University of Bristol found that droughts trigger behavioral changes leading to higher instances of HIV transmission among women in rural sub-Saharan Africa. The study suggests that climate change may exacerbate this issue, particularly for women who rely on farming as their livelihood.
SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalAIDS and Behavior·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 19, 2024
A new study from Uppsala University found that increased access to water in arid areas can lead to a surge in demand for water and pasture, threatening the livelihoods of nomadic livestock farmers. The research highlights the need for effective management of water infrastructure to ensure climate resilience.
SourceUppsala University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateFeb 16, 2024
Researchers have found a highly conserved ethylene signaling pathway that can be targeted to control the direction of root growth, creating deeper root systems that hold on to carbon and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This breakthrough could help engineer crops more resilient to climate change and drought.
The researchers conclude that intensive agricultural cultivation has reduced the landscape's water storage capacity, leading to severe droughts. Restoring natural habitats can restore soil structure, allowing for evapotranspiration and guaranteeing rainfall in drought years.
A recent study examines the frequency of compound drought and pluvial flooding, as well as their reverse patterns, finding that 15.46% of meteorological droughts are succeeded by a pluvial the following season globally, with regional variability existing in Eurasia, western North America, South Asia, and Australia.
SourceUniversity of Arkansas·JournalWater Resources Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 24, 2024
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Researchers successfully mapped intricate patterns of extreme drought and wetness in Guangdong, China employing a novel approach integrating Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data with precipitation records. The study revealed a clear seasonal pattern in precipitation efficiency, with fluctuations between 10 to 25% annually.
SourceAerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalSatellite Navigation·DateJan 22, 2024
Researchers found that more extreme and frequent droughts could lead to a nearly five-fold increase in total area burned, from 231 sq mi in 2016 to over 17,000 sq mi by 2100. Fires would also become more frequent, returning to certain forest points every five years.
SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalFire Ecology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 17, 2024
New research reveals that microplastic pollution affects soil fungi differently depending on moisture levels. In dry conditions, microplastics help retain water and may mitigate drought effects, while in well-watered environments, toxic chemicals leach into the soil, hindering fungal richness.
SourceWiley·JournalEnvironmental Microbiology·DateJan 10, 2024
Researchers found that peat exposed to mild drought still absorbs some carbon, but extreme drought causes it to release carbon. Increasing biodiversity in peatlands does little to combat drought, contrary to previous assumptions.
SourceRadboud University Nijmegen·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateJan 10, 2024
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A recent study found that anthropogenic forcing increases the occurrence probability of a 2022Drought-like event by 56% due to changes in moisture and upward motion. Under low-emissions scenarios, drought risk declines, while high-emissions scenarios project a 79% higher chance.
SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateJan 9, 2024
A global study led by Colorado State University scientists shows that extreme drought has been greatly underestimated for grasslands and shrublands. The study found that the loss of aboveground plant growth was 60% greater when short-term drought was extreme, exceeding previously reported losses.
SourceColorado State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 8, 2024
A new study by researchers at the University of California, Davis, reveals that tomato plants produce a water-repellent polymer called exodermal suberin to cope with drought. Without it, tomato plants are less able to withstand water stress.
SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNature Plants·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 2, 2024
According to a new study, African countries saw an 80% increase in people moving to rivers and cities during or after droughts, leading to increased flood risk. This resettlement pattern is expected to intensify due to climate change, exacerbating drought's impact on vulnerable populations.
SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalEarth s Future·DateDec 21, 2023
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A team of researchers has decoded the genetic diversity of nine species of wild North American grapes, revealing critical traits that could accelerate grape breeding efforts. The research identifies key genes responsible for important traits such as salt tolerance, drought resistance, and defense against Pierce's disease.
SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalGenome Biology·DateDec 19, 2023
Researchers identify Caribbean Islands as prone to rapid drought conditions known as flash droughts. A new drought index considers atmospheric demand for moisture to predict drying conditions earlier.
SourceVirginia Tech·JournalJournal of Hydrometeorology·DateDec 15, 2023
A new study reveals that trees growing in wetter regions are more sensitive to drought, with up to 50% of species' ranges expected to become drier by 2100. Climate change models predict these areas will experience rapid drying, exposing trees to conditions beyond their adaptive capacity.
SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalScience·DateDec 13, 2023
A cross-disciplinary study from the University of Cambridge reveals that a drought in southern California in the mid-1970s led to the explosive rise of professional skateboarding culture. The authors argue that small environmental changes can have profound effects on human behavior, stimulating cultural and technical innovation.
SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateDec 12, 2023
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A severe drought led to a surge in professional vertical skateboarding in Los Angeles, influenced by cultural, commercial, and environmental changes. The development of polyurethane wheels and sport-specific media contributed to the growth of the sport.
A recent study analyzing tree ring measurements from 122 species found that trees in wetter forests are more vulnerable to drought than those in drier regions. This suggests that land management policies focused solely on drier regions overestimate the resilience of forests in wetter areas.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateDec 7, 2023
A new study of 600 years of tree rings from the San Joaquin Valley reveals that climate extremes have been more severe and lasted longer than modern records, highlighting flood and drought risks in California. The research combines paleo information with synthetic weather generation to help understand and anticipate these risks.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have found that quinoa's 'bladder cells' do not protect against salt and drought, but instead serve as a barrier against pests and diseases. The discovery could lead to more resilient quinoa varieties for global cultivation.
SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 22, 2023
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PoWRKY71 transcription factor regulates drought tolerance in Paeonia ostii by directly activating the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding protein gene. Overexpression of PoWRKY71 enhances drought tolerance, while silencing reduces it.
SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalHorticulture Research·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2023
The research highlights the need for improved disaster prevention strategies in response to droughts and floods on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The team proposed a method for predicting and warning of these events, as well as a technical framework for identifying risk-blocking points and adaptive regulation.
SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Earth Sciences·DateNov 15, 2023
A research team developed a multi-model projection system using the self-calibrating Effective Drought Index to predict drought and recommend cumulative precipitation for recovery. The required rainfall for drought recovery was estimated at 170 mm, 310 mm, and 440 mm for March, April, and May respectively.
SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateNov 14, 2023
A new study found that wildfires and drought have led to a 10% reduction in the value of private timberland in three Pacific states over the past two decades. Climate change is attributed as the primary cause of this damage, with large wildfires causing an additional 8.7% loss.
SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of Environmental Economics and Management·DateNov 12, 2023
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Researchers studied how 4-year-old tree species respond to extended drought and heat, finding that different species have varying levels of drought tolerance. The study's findings can help shape forest management policy and understand future landscape changes.
SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalFrontiers in Forests and Global Change·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 3, 2023
Uncontrolled wildfires are threatening environmental progress in Brazilian Amazonia, a critical carbon sink. Deforestation rates have fallen, but fire counts remain high, driven by hotter and drier climate conditions.
SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 16, 2023
Researchers have developed a new method to measure the duration and severity of hydrological droughts in streams and rivers, which can persist for up to 3.5 years after drought conditions end. The study found that baseflow droughts are strongly tied to groundwater levels and can impact water management and ecosystem services.
SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of Hydrology·DateOct 11, 2023
A team of researchers analyzed ancient leaf waxes to study past rainfall and drought patterns. By comparing their data with climate models, they verified how well those models capture past climate change and improved the accuracy of future rainfall predictions.
SourceSyracuse University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateOct 10, 2023
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Recent research reveals that certain soil microorganisms persist and even thrive during drought periods, influencing ecosystem balance and plant growth. A novel method using water vapor measurement indicates that specific bacterial species become more active under simulated future climatic conditions.
SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 28, 2023
Researchers found that climate change can cause a shift from high to low biomass fungal species, leading to simpler networks between trees. This disruption can have cascading effects on tree performance and ecosystem function. The study suggests that warming and drought may harm forest resilience by breaking down ectomycorrhizal networks.
SourceSyracuse University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 21, 2023
Researchers developed an impacts-based thresholds approach to better prepare Ohio farmers for drought conditions. The method takes into account changes in soil moisture, crops, and livestock losses to provide earlier and more accurate notice of approaching droughts.
SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Hydrometeorology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 13, 2023
Research from Fudan University reveals that global droughts exhibit distinct characteristics based on their geographical location, with only 40% of coastal droughts accompanying heatwaves. The study developed a clustering algorithm to analyze drought events and found significant differences in symmetry between inland and coastal types.
SourceOcean-Land-Atmosphere Research (OLAR)·JournalOcean-Land-Atmosphere Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 12, 2023
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Research found seven regional hotspots where sudden shifts from drought to heavy rains are becoming more common due to climate change. The study's discovery of land-based feedback loops can help improve predictive climate models and aid communities in preparing for extreme weather conditions.
SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 29, 2023
A Rutgers-led study reveals that Amazonian lowland rainforest areas critical for absorbing carbon dioxide and buffering climate change may morph over time into dry, grassy savannas. The findings highlight the impact of double-stress conditions, where alternating flooding and drought limit forest establishment and favor short-lived gras...
SourceRutgers University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 29, 2023
A team of researchers from UC Davis has developed a tool that can predict which forests are likely to survive or die after a drought. By analyzing changes in precipitation, soil moisture, and temperature, the tool links these factors to tree growth and carbon reserves.
SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 29, 2023
A new study from Lund University found that secondary forests in Sweden were more affected by the 2018 drought than primary forests. The research team analyzed satellite images and vegetation indexes to compare the impact of drought on both forest types.
SourceLund University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJul 31, 2023
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Researchers found that prolonged droughts have led to Steamboat Geyser's dry spells by clogging pathways for trees to respire and grow. The team matched tree growth periods to regional climate records, revealing a connection between environmental conditions and reduced water supply.
SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeochemistry Geophysics Geosystems·DateJul 26, 2023
Researchers found that soil microbes adapt to drought conditions over time and provide benefits to plants when grown together, even without plant signals. This challenges the long-held assumption of co-evolutionary dialogue between plants and microbes.
SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateJul 25, 2023
Researchers at KAUST have isolated a desert microbial strain that enhances drought resilience in Arabidopsis and alfalfa, promoting water use efficiency without affecting crop yields. The microbes modify epigenetic status of drought stress genes and actively change plant root architecture.
SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalEMBO Reports·DateJul 20, 2023
Researchers evaluate three drought indices (SPEI, SZI, scPDSI) in the core zone of westerlies-dominated climatic regime. scPDSI is found to be more effective in reproducing drought events and monitoring arid regions due to its sensitivity to potential evapotranspiration changes.
SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Earth Sciences·DateJul 19, 2023
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Researchers found that most US forests have the potential to adapt to hotter, dryer conditions, but are not changing quickly enough. The study suggests that biodiversity can buffer the impact of climate change on forests.
SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateJul 10, 2023
A new study reveals that soil moisture stress has a more significant impact on vegetation growth in Eurasian drylands than atmospheric vapor pressure deficit. The research provides crucial insights for effective ecosystem management and drought mitigation in the region.
SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateJul 7, 2023
A study by University of Nebraska-Lincoln undergraduates found that drought can lower survival odds, slow growth, and even skew the ratio of female-to-male painted turtles. The team discovered a 7% decrease in female survival and a 10% decrease in male survival rates during drought periods.
SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalClimate Change Ecology·DateJun 28, 2023