A new study warns that Colorado's West Slope basins, supporting a $5 billion agriculture economy, face a potential tipping point due to drought vulnerability. The research suggests that even moderate climate change and streamflow declines can threaten water storage, agriculture, and municipal supplies.
Higher temperatures caused by climate change are increasing evaporation enough to cause exceptional droughts in the American West. Evaporative demand now accounts for 61% of drought severity, while reduced precipitation only accounts for 39%. Climate change is expected to lead to more severe and longer-lasting droughts.
Researchers estimate that climate change played a significant role in the severity of the 2022 European drought, which affected an area larger than at any time since 1960. The study found that climate change contributed to 31% of the soil moisture deficit and 38% of the drought-affected area.
Researchers combined GPS and GRACE-based data to develop a new multivariate drought indicator, which showed strong temporal consistency with traditional drought indicators. This approach enabled the detection of previously unidentified drought events and their cascading impacts on freshwater systems.
Researchers at the University of Vienna have found that chickpeas are a promising alternative to traditional grains due to their high protein content and drought resistance. The study suggests that incorporating more legumes like chickpeas into agricultural systems can improve nitrogen use efficiency and make agriculture more sustainable.
A new study analyzed climate factors' impact on internal migration, revealing regions prone to drought-induced migration, such as Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. The research highlights the need for policies addressing drivers of migration and consequences for destination regions.
Repeated droughts could cause Galápagos finches to change their song patterns, which might lead to the formation of new species. The study found that males didn't recognize songs from beaks grown under future drought scenarios, suggesting a pathway for ecological speciation.
A study links droughts in Southern Africa to a massive plankton bloom off Madagascar's southeast coast. Climate warming intensified the dust particles carried by wind, which acted as fertilizer in seawater, creating ideal conditions for phytoplankton growth.
Researchers discovered manipulating miR159a enhances drought tolerance in poplar trees, boosting water-use efficiency and minimizing stomatal opening. This study sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying drought tolerance, offering new avenues to breed resilient tree species.
Scientists have developed AI models that can accurately predict future drought conditions, offering a more reliable alternative to traditional drought indices. The new methodology enhances forecasting accuracy and provides practical implications for water management and resource allocation.
Researchers at Nanjing Agricultural University found that silencing the BcSRC2 gene reduces pak choi's drought resistance, while overexpressing it increases antioxidant levels. This discovery could guide future breeding strategies to create more resilient crops.
The study found that droughts led to increased phosphorus levels, threatening downstream ecosystems. Nitrogen levels also changed, with varying impacts depending on drought severity and timing. The research provides a detailed understanding of the Apalachicola River's nutrient dynamics.
Researchers at CABBI used genetic engineering to improve water use efficiency in climate-friendly C4 crops like sorghum and sugarcane, maximizing biomass production while minimizing water usage. The breakthrough could aid crops in mitigating drought stress and support the development of a sustainable bioeconomy.
A growing global understanding of drought's impacts, but significant gaps remain in affected communities and developing countries. Long-lasting droughts heighten awareness, while economic factors influence responsiveness to the issue.
Researchers found that genetically modified rootstocks can significantly enhance walnut trees' ability to cope with water scarcity. Scions grafted onto modified rootstocks showed reduced drought tolerance, while those grafted onto suppressed roots displayed enhanced drought resistance.
A recent study by the University of Ottawa and Laval University introduces an advanced AI-based method to map drought-prone regions nationwide. The research provides a detailed analysis of historical drought patterns and projections for future drought trends, allowing for more informed decision-making in climate resilience planning.
A recent study reveals that urban trees are more negatively impacted by heat waves and drought than their rural counterparts. The research highlights the challenges urban trees face in the context of climate change, underscoring the importance of tailored urban forestry management to protect tree species and reduce urban heat islands.
A study has discovered a protein phosphorylation mechanism that regulates flavonoid biosynthesis in tea plants under drought stress. This mechanism involves the phosphorylation of a WD40-repeat protein, leading to reduced flavonoid production.
The study found that Tipuana tipu grows faster at higher temperatures and can contribute to urban climate resilience. The tree can thrive in restrictive weather conditions, providing ecosystem services such as carbon capture and temperature regulation.
Research reveals that drought increases nitrate concentrations in drinking water served by majority Latino/a community water systems, exacerbating existing disparities. Arsenic levels also show variability under drought conditions.
Researchers developed more resilient varieties of cotton by analyzing its genes and physical traits. They found two key regulatory genes that help cotton plants manage water stress while maintaining fiber production.
A research team led by Clemson University Professor Shahid Mukhtar aims to identify natural biological solutions through the microbiome to help soybeans survive extreme heat and drought. The study will focus on the cellular level, soil microbiomes, and plant responses to environmental stresses.
A recent study in China found that different tree species respond to extreme droughts in distinct ways. Native maple-oak forests and introduced poplar plantations showed varying levels of vulnerability to drought stress.
Researchers developed a novel method combining computer vision and deep learning for drought-stressed poplar saplings, achieving 99% variety identification accuracy. The methods proposed hold significant potential for drought-resistant poplar screening and precise irrigation decision-making.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
Climate change is driving sudden onset of drying in South America and southern Africa, while Central Asia sees increased moisture due to warming temperatures
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.