Researchers at CRAG have discovered a key role for AtMC3, a metacaspase protein located exclusively in phloem tissue, in drought stress response. Increasing AtMC3 levels improves plant survival and photosynthetic capacity under water scarcity conditions, offering a potential tool to fine-tune early drought responses.
SourceCenter for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG)·JournalNew Phytologist·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 15, 2023
A new framework defines super drought as simultaneous extreme droughts at multiple time scales, shedding light on compound dry extremes. A web service has been launched to monitor global super drought events in near-real-time, providing valuable insights for researchers and policymakers.
SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateJun 5, 2023
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma predict that global flash droughts will increase globally, with the largest increases projected across North America and Europe. The study finds that flash drought risk over cropland is expected to increase by 1.5 times in North America and 1.7 times in Europe by 2100.
SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateMay 26, 2023
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Soil microbiota from stressful environments can enhance tree tolerance to drought, heat, and cold. Diverse microbial communities promote plant resistance to climate stress through various mechanisms.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateMay 25, 2023
Research found that drought can increase tree growth in cold, harsh environments due to its impact on energy-limited systems. The study's results provide insights into how different tree species and ecosystems will respond to climate change, particularly in water-limited regions.
SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateMay 22, 2023
Researchers at NCAR create detailed drought forecasts using statistical methods and machine learning, predicting summer drought conditions in 81-94% of cases. The technique can help manage water resources, prevent wildfires, and inform agricultural decisions.
SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalWater Resources Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 17, 2023
A UMass Amherst study found that changing patterns of land use lead to increased runoff and decreased forested areas, resulting in higher stream flow and increased phosphorous and nitrogen concentrations. The research warns of impending water quality issues if urban planning does not implement sustainable land-use measures.
SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalPLOS Water·DateMay 11, 2023
A new study reveals that crops such as corn, sorghum, and millet have evolved by swapping genetic modules between cells to adapt to environmental changes. Researchers identified trends of gene module trading among the species, which may help scientists pinpoint genes controlling drought tolerance.
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A five-year field experiment found that nitrogen addition increases biomass recovery but decreases structural recovery after drought, while annual mowing improves both biomass and structural recovery. The study highlights the importance of dominant species and plant functional groups in determining grassland stability under drought.
SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Life Sciences·DateMay 4, 2023
African-led research sequenced the genome of a drought-resistant bean, paving the way for genetic improvements to promote widespread cultivation. The lablab bean offers nutritional and economic benefits, as well as improved soil fertility, making it an important crop for diversified food systems.
SourceInternational Livestock Research Institute·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 28, 2023
A climate-resilient bean genome unveiled potential to boost food security in drought-prone regions through improved genetic diversity and productivity. The sequencing of the hyacinth bean provides opportunities for targeted breeding to reduce anti-nutritional properties and increase its cultivation.
SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 28, 2023
A new study assesses the Amazon's response to drought, identifying the regions most vulnerable to climate change. Trees in the western and southern parts of the forest are at high risk due to rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns.
SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature·TypeSurvey·DateApr 26, 2023
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Researchers identify critical drought thresholds that impact vegetation growth and nonlinear responses to soil moisture stress. The study reveals two distinct phases of vegetation response, with a well-defined threshold beyond which vegetation becomes vulnerable to drought intensification.
SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateApr 20, 2023
A recent study found that temperature and extreme drought drive movement among herds of Plains bison, posing challenges for managing the iconic species. The team analyzed GPS-backed evidence from 33 Plains bison across two sites in Oklahoma, revealing a strong link between air temperature and bison movement.
SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalEcology and Evolution·DateApr 17, 2023
Climate change is driving a shift towards more frequent flash droughts worldwide. The study, published in Science, reveals that regions with limited time for preparation are at highest risk. Early warning systems can help mitigate the impacts of these rapid-onset events.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateApr 13, 2023
Increased droughts are disrupting soil microbes' ability to capture carbon, threatening plant productivity and greenhouse gas levels. Research suggests that if drought-adapted microbes outcompete carbon-sequestering microbes, it could lead to carbon-depleted soils with severe implications.
SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Microbiology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 12, 2023
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A study found that ponderosa pine forests in California's Sierra Nevada will not recover to pre-drought densities, reducing atmospheric carbon storage. The forests' ability to store carbon is threatened by western pine beetle infestations driven by climate change.
SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalFrontiers in Environmental Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 5, 2023
Scientists from CSIC and UPV create modified ABA receptor activated by iSB09 molecule, increasing drought tolerance in plants. The combination efficiently activates the ABA pathway, triggering adaptive mechanisms and reducing water loss.
SourceUniversitat Politècnica de València·JournalScience Advances·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 28, 2023
Researchers have discovered a complex network of genes in the resurrection plant Craterostigma plantagineum that enables it to tolerate extreme drought conditions. The study found that this ability is not due to a single 'miracle gene' but rather the result of a whole genome, with many genes present in higher copy numbers than in more ...
SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalThe Plant Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 23, 2023
A new study found that droughts and heatwaves exacerbate air pollution inequalities in California, particularly for communities of color. Financial penalties for power plants can significantly reduce people's exposure to pollution, except during severe heat waves.
SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 23, 2023
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A new study by Oregon State University finds that Douglas-fir trees in the Klamath Mountains are experiencing a 'decline spiral' due to multiple factors, including climate change and drought. The research developed a tool to assess tree risk and predict mortality events.
SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of Forestry·TypeImaging analysis·DateMar 20, 2023
Wheat yields decline by 4% due to extreme heat and drought, with regions like Russia and China experiencing greater losses. Maize yields also drop by 3%, with North America and Eastern Europe seeing more severe reductions.
SourceAalto University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 13, 2023
A research team from the USA used hand-held and tower-based equipment for phenotyping common and tepary beans. They assessed physiological and ground- and tower-based hyperspectral remote sensing measurements to evaluate drought response in 12 common bean and 4 tepary bean genotypes across three field campaigns.
SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalPlant Phenomics·DateMar 9, 2023
A recent study published in New Phytologist has identified a gene that blocks root growth, leading to enhanced drought resistance in plants. Knocking out the RRS1 gene resulted in longer roots and improved water absorption, making it a promising resource for breeding drought-resistant crop varieties.
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The study identifies challenges in ensuring crop monitoring data reliability, including the lack of standard categorized methods for assessing crop conditions. A novel method using artificial intelligence and computer vision has been developed to collect field yield data, reducing labor intensity and costs.
SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateFeb 24, 2023
Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have discovered a key to improving drought-resistant wheat plants by stimulating longer root growth. By increasing the copies of specific genes, plants can absorb water from deeper supplies, leading to increased biomass and higher grain yield.
SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNature Communications·TypeNews article·DateFeb 23, 2023
A recent study at Baskett Forest found that forests reach an ecosystem wilting point between 2-4 weeks of extreme drought, requiring soaking rainfall to rejuvenate. This concept explains how whole forests respond to drought and is essential for understanding their dynamics under climate change.
SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeCase study·DateFeb 21, 2023
Researchers at the University of Barcelona developed user-friendly and inexpensive methods to detect drought stress in plants, enabling effective monitoring and management. The study presents a range of accessible techniques that can be applied with basic laboratory equipment.
SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalTrends in Plant Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 21, 2023
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Researchers at Cornell University have found that severe drought, lasting three consecutive years, likely accelerated the collapse of the Hittite Empire in ancient Anatolia. The team analyzed tree ring and isotope records to pinpoint this period of severe dryness, which matches the timeline of the empire's disappearance.
A team of Oregon State University researchers found that widespread tree scorch in the Pacific Northwest during the 2021 heat dome was primarily caused by direct exposure to solar radiation and extreme heat. The study challenges previous hypotheses that linked the damage to drought conditions.
SourceOregon State University·JournalTree Physiology·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 4, 2023
A new review argues that heat and drought have a significant influence on food security and agricultural production, reducing wheat and maize yields by up to 40% worldwide. The study highlights the need for practical solutions and management to address these challenges.
SourceCABI·JournalCABI Reviews·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 12, 2023
A recent study found that agricultural droughts in Central Asia will continue to worsen due to human-induced warming and natural climate variability. The researchers used ensemble simulations and observations to project future changes in agricultural droughts across the region, indicating a worsening trend in the coming century.
SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJan 12, 2023
A new UC Riverside-led study reveals that drought-tolerant trees in urban areas use significantly more water than their natural counterparts. The research found that even 'drought-tolerant' species like eucalyptus and ficus increase their water intake when irrigated.
SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalBiology Letters·DateJan 11, 2023
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A study by Brown researchers reveals how climate change can impact the Indian Ocean dipole, leading to extreme weather events like megadroughts in East Africa and flooding in Indonesia. The analysis compares long-term climate data with simulations from an advanced climate model.
SourceBrown University·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 4, 2023
A new study links drought spells to the intensification of raiding activity by Hunnic peoples, who responded to climate stress by adopting new strategies and changing their social organization. The research suggests that extreme drought in the Carpathian Basin contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire.
SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalJournal of Roman Archaeology·DateDec 15, 2022
Scientists developed a first model to predict canopy water content during drought and heat waves. The model could enable fire danger forecasting models that include vegetation in their calculations, making it easier to predict the spread of fires.
SourceINRAE - National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment·JournalNew Phytologist·DateDec 6, 2022
A recent study analyzing nearly 22,000 trees across five continents highlights the importance of old-growth trees in withstanding future droughts under climate change. Older hardwood trees exhibit a 21% growth reduction during drought, compared to a 28% reduction experienced by younger hardwood trees.
SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeObservational study·DateDec 5, 2022
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Researchers from the University of Göttingen found that European beech trees are experiencing increased drought stress in northern Germany due to climate change. The study reveals that dry locations show the strongest long-term decline in growth, highlighting the need for more resilient tree species.
SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 5, 2022
Researchers analyzed over 20,000 trees on five continents and found that old-growth trees are more resistant to drought, while younger trees in the upper canopy show greater resilience. This study highlights the importance of preserving old-growth forests for carbon storage and ecosystem functioning.
SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Climate Change·DateDec 1, 2022
A study by researchers at Boyce Thompson Institute has identified genes that can help plant breeders develop fruit crops that can adapt to drought conditions. The research found that water stress triggers physiological disorders and fruit loss, but also has positive effects such as increasing lycopene levels in ripe fruit.
SourceBoyce Thompson Institute·JournalPLANT PHYSIOLOGY·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 2022
The study reveals that the Dust Bowl's extreme heating influenced temperatures across North America and beyond, suppressing cloud formation in some regions. The research suggests that the hot, exposed land in the central US triggered a wave-5 teleconnection pattern, which spread record-breaking heat to Europe and East Asia.
SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalScientific Reports·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 29, 2022
A four-year experiment combined with a 40-year observation in Inner Mongolia found that previous-year extreme droughts can create strong positive legacies for current-year community productivity. The mechanism driving this effect is the coupled increase of annuals and an early less, middle more precipitation pattern.
SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 27, 2022
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A team of researchers solved a century-long debate on why early land plants developed complex vascular systems, which enabled them to survive in drier environments. By analyzing fossil specimens and living plants, the team discovered that small changes in the vascular system led to improvements in drought tolerance.
SourceYale University·JournalScience·TypeImaging analysis·DateNov 14, 2022
Researchers have found that plants maintain drought-resistant vascular arrangements by restricting tissue width, revealing a long-standing riddle in botany. The discovery provides insights into how plants evolved to colonize dry land and has potential applications in securing drought resistance in crop breeding programs.
SourceBotanicky ustav Akademie ved Ceske republiky·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 10, 2022
A long-term study in Southeast Asian seasonally dry tropical forests found that El Niño-induced drought increased seedling mortality. Despite being more drought-tolerant than rainforests, SDTFs experienced higher mortality rates under severe and prolonged drought conditions.
SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeSurvey·DateOct 28, 2022
Research by Penn State found that lower-than-normal rainfall in Tanzania is associated with a 13-percentage-point increase in the risk of being food insecure for households. The study's findings suggest potential policy interventions to help agricultural households become more resilient against drought conditions.
Researchers found increasing water storage in recent decades, despite declining long rains season, which points to a potential silver lining for climate adaptation. Groundwater may support increasingly food and water insecure rural populations in the Horn of Africa drylands.
SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateOct 19, 2022
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Researchers discovered that ABA inhibits stomatal production by phosphorylating the master regulator SPEECHLESS, reducing its levels and leading to decreased stomatal number. This finding could lead to fine-tuning crop plants' drought tolerance through targeted manipulation of the underlying 'code'.
SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 10, 2022
A new study finds that even a modest temperature increase of 1.5°C will spell serious consequences in India, China, Ethiopia, Ghana, Brazil, and Egypt, with droughts projected to last longer than two years in some countries. Limiting warming to 1.5°C could greatly benefit all six countries, but meeting the Paris Accords is crucial to r...
SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalClimatic Change·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 27, 2022
Researchers at POSTECH developed a self-calibrating effective drought index to analyze 250 years of drought data, comparing precipitation records from late Joseon dynasty to date. The study found socioeconomic drought impacts hinge on the socioeconomic structure and demonstrated the value of meticulous historical records.
SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalJournal of Hydrology·DateSep 23, 2022
Researchers have discovered a way for plants to adapt to drought by modifying their lignin chemistry, enabling them to grow and thrive in challenging conditions. By understanding the 'chemical code' of lignin, scientists can develop crops and trees that are more resilient to climate change stresses.
SourceStockholm University·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateSep 21, 2022
Research reveals that tree species diversity enhances drought resistance in nearly half of the world's forests, with a greater impact on dry and drought-prone regions. The study suggests that restoring tree species diversity could increase drought resistance by up to 3.2% in global plantation forests.
SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Geoscience·DateSep 20, 2022
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A new record of past Indian monsoon drought history has been developed using oxygen isotopes in stalagmites, correlating with historical accounts of severe droughts and societal changes. Protracted droughts tend to occur in clusters within decades-long intervals of weaker monsoon rainfall.
SourceXi'an Jiaotong University, Institute of Global Environmental Change·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 19, 2022
Researchers discovered a link between increased drought and increased wood formation in plant stems on islands. The study found over three times as many insular woody species as previously known, with over 175 independent transitions. This research offers promising avenues for agriculture to increase drought tolerance and food production.
SourceNaturalis Biodiversity Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 9, 2022
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute discovered that mirror-image molecules respond differently to drought stress and can be predicted more accurately via their emissions. This finding has significant implications for understanding forest ecosystem responses to climate change.
SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemistry·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2022
A new study by Rice University biologist Tom Miller explores the role of fungi in determining the range limits of plants in Texas. The research reveals that fungal partnerships improve drought tolerance and could potentially extend the range of grasses in response to climate change.
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Researchers found that climate change has increased the likelihood of flash droughts in southeastern China by 93% in onset speed and 18% in intensity. The study's findings suggest that future flash droughts will be more frequent and severe, making drought adaptation increasingly challenging.
SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateSep 5, 2022
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science found that adding ethanol to soil helps plants thrive during drought. The study showed that 75% of treated wheat and rice plants survived after rewatering compared to less than 5% of untreated plants.
SourceRIKEN·JournalPlant and Cell Physiology·DateAug 24, 2022
A study found that concurrent heat and drought events can have devastating effects on multiple sectors, including human health, energy, and agriculture. The research highlights the importance of considering compound extreme events in adaptation efforts to improve resilience.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Climate·TypeObservational study·DateAug 10, 2022
Simultaneous extreme heat and drought events have significant consequences on various sectors, including economy, health, and food production. The analysis of eight extreme events in Europe, Australia, and Africa highlights the need for more systematic risk assessments to improve adaptability and resilience.
SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalPLOS Climate·DateAug 10, 2022