A new study published in Science of the Total Environment found that forests can reduce storm flows, but only when small-scale floods occur. In contrast, forests offer little to no protection against larger and more devastating flood events.
The Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Management of UK Marine Resources (SuMMeR CDT) will train 50 interdisciplinary PhD students to sustainably manage the UK's coasts and seas. The program focuses on subjects ranging from marine sciences to law, health, education, and economics.
A new study warns that California's Central Valley groundwater may be unable to recover from past and future droughts, with less than a third recovered after the 2012-2016 drought. The researchers found that groundwater recovery times can be halved with modest caps on pumping in drought and post-drought years.
A major new study found that woodland and hedgerow creation can support higher numbers of pollinators, including bees, hoverflies, and butterflies. The survey, which covered hundreds of sites across Wales, revealed the importance of carefully managed habitats in land management incentive schemes.
Researchers identified 'hotspots' for flash droughts globally, including regions with high agricultural production, and found that half of the contributing factor is a lack of rainfall and hot weather conditions. This study provides a foundation to build off and explore key questions regarding future trends of flash drought occurrence.
A new study reveals that rivers in High Mountain Asia have experienced significant increases in sediment flux over the past 60 years, with projected doubling of sediment flow by 2050 under extreme climate change. This change has far-reaching implications for hydropower generation and environmental security in the region.
A UNIGE-led team studied fossil rivers to reconstruct the Sahara's rainfall rates that led to a major migration of people away from the Nile valley 10,000 years ago. The research found a sharp increase in intense rainfall events, forcing riverine populations to migrate to central Egypt.
Researchers from Oregon State University have found that citizen scientist contributions significantly improve snowpack modeling, particularly in high mountain environments. The study leverages data collected by thousands of citizen scientists through the NASA-funded Community Snow Observations project.
A new study reveals that incorporating lateral groundwater processes into forest models can significantly impact predictions of tree survival in drought conditions. By accounting for the sideways flow of water through soil, scientists can better understand how riparian forests will respond to future climate change.
A new study by Flinders University highlights concerns over the potential impact of a proposed Carmichael coal mine on the Doongmabulla Springs Complex in central Queensland. The research suggests that even partial dewatering of the aquifer could lead to permanent damage, threatening the springs' existence.
A new study reveals that road development in sub-Saharan Africa has negative impacts on biodiversity, both inside and outside protected areas. The researchers found that roads act as barriers to movement, facilitate access to previously inaccessible land, and contribute to urbanization, logging, and cropland expansion.
Deploying honeybees on solar parks in the UK could raise crop yields and financial returns, with soft fruits and oilseed benefiting the most. The study found that prioritizing these crops within a 1.5km honeybee foraging radius around solar parks could boost values by £80 million annually.
New research at Lava Beds National Monument found that wildfires burning the surface also impacted life in caves below, causing a significant drop in ecosystem diversity. Changes in hydrology and moisture levels may be driving these changes, and understanding these impacts is crucial for protecting fragile cave ecosystems.
Researchers found that changes to the ice sheet immediately impact the groundwater underlying the island, affecting Arctic hydrology and ocean circulation patterns. The discovery sheds new light on the importance of groundwater in responding to climate change.
The Quantum Sensors project aims to create ultrasensitive gyroscopes and accelerometers using quantum states, enabling precise measurements for self-driving cars and spacecraft. This technology could capture information not provided by GPS, improving navigation and stability in various environments.
A new study reveals that early human activities, specifically Māori burning practices in New Zealand over 700 years ago, impacted the Earth's atmosphere more than previously known. The increase in black carbon levels in Antarctic ice cores supports this conclusion.
A recent study by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin found that the 2011 Texas drought was more severe and widespread than previously estimated. Using satellite data to track soil moisture levels, the team's updated model showed that extreme drought affected over 95% of the state in April 2011.
Groundwater recovery time varies by region and human activity, with some areas taking up to 15 years to recharge. Excessive pumping can cause land subsidence, contaminant mobilization, and decreased water quality.
Fine root anatomy and function data from the FRED 3.0 database informs Earth system models predicting future climate changes. Meanwhile, 3D printed concrete smart walls demonstrate energy efficiency and potential cost savings in buildings.
A new study by the University of Liverpool warns that safe passages for species adapting to climate change are often not being protected. The researchers found that important connecting patches were left out of existing networks of protected areas, resulting in a 13.6% shortfall in connectivity.
A new study found that LED streetlights have a detrimental impact on local insect populations, with moth caterpillar numbers being 52% lower under LED lighting than in unlit areas. The study suggests that this is due to female moths laying fewer eggs in habitats illuminated by streetlights.
Researchers say surprise is a key factor in disastrous river floods, with improved flood warnings and protection measures contributing to declining casualties. Asia is the worst-hit region, with over 125 million people affected annually by such disasters.
A strategic toolkit has been developed to help manage the nexus between water, energy, food and ecosystems, reducing disputes in catchment areas. The DAFNE methodology uses state-of-the-art modeling techniques to enable participatory planning and engage stakeholders, finding compromises and synergies that benefit everyone.
Scientists use NASA's Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite 2 to map subglacial lakes under the West Antarctic ice sheet. The study reveals two new lakes and provides critical insight into freshwater exchange, which may alter ocean circulation and ecosystems.
Researchers used seismic sensors to study subglacial water flow on the Argentière glacier. The study revealed a complex drainage system with multiple cavities producing high water pressure, accelerating glacier movement.
A long-term study by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology found that natural regeneration through seed dispersal by birds, mammals, and wind can produce biodiverse and resilient woodlands. The research suggests that incorporating passive rewilding into national planting targets could result in significant cost savings.
A new study shows Puerto Rico's capacity to produce record-breaking floods and landslides, highlighting the need for adaptation in planning tools. The island's limited water storage capacity is exacerbated by sediment infilling reservoirs, leading to water scarcity.
A recent study by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University researchers found that floods in most UK areas no longer follow historical patterns due to climate change and human intervention. This challenges traditional flood frequency analysis methods, which may lead to underestimation of flood peaks and catastrophic consequences.
A new model predicts that rising temperatures in the UK will increase the risk of West Nile virus outbreaks, which are spread by mosquitoes with no vaccine available. The risk is currently low but expected to rise as temperatures increase.
A study found that fish-eating seabirds are struggling to raise young due to ocean warming, with long-term declines in breeding success reported. The research highlights the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems and the need for conservation efforts.
Researchers estimate that restoring all global agricultural peatlands could cut 500 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to one per cent of global GHG emissions. Raising peatland water levels could allow farmers to reduce climate impact while extending soil usage.
A new study reveals that many UK farmers are not prioritizing adapting to the effects of climate change due to uncertainty and focus on short-term profitability. However, innovative practices such as improving soil health and adopting risk-spreading strategies can help build resilience within farming businesses.
A £2.3million study is investigating the impact of chemical pollutants from UK coastal landfill waste on seabirds' health, reproduction and survival. The researchers will focus on European shags in the Firth of Forth, comparing their health and survival rates with birds that spend more time in the area.
A team of environmental engineers has presented a model that predicts where a disease will spread from an outbreak, in what patterns and how quickly. The model, based on data from county health agencies, shows similar patterns across regions, including urban and rural areas.
Researchers in Spain found rock humidity in dehesas can sustain vegetation during droughts by providing an alternative source of water. Soil moisture levels varied between slopes, with the north-facing slope having higher biomass and NDVI values, indicating improved plant growth due to increased water storage capacity.
An international team of researchers led by Xiangming Xiao used satellite data to track changes in the Brazilian Amazon from 2010 to 2019, finding that forest degradation resulted in greater carbon loss than deforestation. This study has significant implications for forest policies and conservation efforts in the region.
Geographers at Heidelberg University created a full inventory of seasonal aufeis fields in the Upper Indus Basin, discovering over 3,700 fields across 300 square kilometers. These natural reservoirs play an essential role in hydrology and climatology, particularly in irrigation and hydropower generation.
New research suggests that reversing global warming quickly enough can prevent abrupt and irreversible changes triggered by climate tipping points. The study found that thresholds could be temporarily exceeded without permanent shifts, providing a lifeline to avoid dangerous climate change.
Raising water levels in agricultural peatlands can mitigate climate change by reducing CO2 emissions. Halving drainage depths could cut emissions by 1% of all global GHG emissions, equivalent to 500 million tons of CO2 annually.
The Bureau of Reclamation released final technical reports supporting the Water Reliability in the West - 2021 SECURE Water Act Report, assessing climate change impacts on 17 western states. The reports provide detailed information on adaptation strategies to increase water supply reliability.
A recent study published in Environmental Research Letters finds that climate change greatly increases the risk of flood-related displacement, with a 50% increase for each degree of global warming. Even if population growth is stabilized, the risk will still rise significantly, with projected increases of up to 110% by the end of this ...
A new study finds that global warming significantly increases the risk of population displacement due to river floods, even when accounting for population growth. The research projects a 110% increase in globally averaged displacement risk by 2100 if climate change is aligned with the Paris Agreement, highlighting the need for rapid ac...
A new study suggests that floating solar farms could help protect lakes and reservoirs from some of the harms of climate change, such as blooms of toxic blue green algae. However, further research is needed to understand the likelihood of both positive and negative impacts on water temperature and stratification.
Researchers at UMD have developed a new camera allowing for the imaging of wetland soil activity in real time, enabling the calculation of iron reduction rates. This technology opens up new research avenues in soil science, providing a better understanding of wetland soil behavior and its potential applications.
The USDA Forest Service has established a new urban long-term ecological research site in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, focusing on the dynamics of urban nature and social systems. The project aims to improve environmental outcomes for all city residents, addressing disparities in access to urban benefits.
Scientists have identified a statistical relationship between city growth and paved surfaces' impact on water cycles and climates. They also demonstrated a method to heal dendrites in solid-state batteries, and created high-performance thermoplastic composites using additive manufacturing and conventional compression molding.
Researchers challenge prevailing views that warmer climate means more dry land by developing a new metric of drylands based on land surface properties. The study found that climate models don't project a dramatic and rapid global expansion of drylands, but still struggle with uncertainty about future land changes.
A new study by Oregon State University suggests that low-intensity thinning in riparian zones can aid forest restoration without harming streams. The research examined the effects of shade and light reductions on stream temperatures in three small watersheds in northern California's second-growth redwood forests.
Scientists confirm climate change and fire suppression influence wildfires, but their effects vary within regions. Climate change increases burn probability in wetter areas while decreasing severity in drier locations.
The Columbia River basin is projected to experience a significant increase in flooding severity and expansion of the flood season due to climate change. The magnitude of one-, 10- and 100-year floods is likely to rise nearly everywhere in the region, with the largest increases expected for the Willamette River and its tributaries.
The developed framework captures detailed information on agricultural groundwater use at the regional scale down to individual fields. It combines data from satellite images, weather prediction models, and land-surface hydrology models to estimate water delivery to each field.
A study using drone and Landsat imagery reveals a 33% increase in vegetation cover along the Kuiseb River in the Namib Desert between 1984 and 2019. The research provides new insights into the long-term change in hydrology and ecology of this system, shedding light on how ephemeral rivers in desert landscapes respond to global change.
Engineers at Rice University developed a model to quantify the spread of pollutants from failed storage tanks during natural disasters. The model shows that chemicals like benzene and toluene can evaporate and drift with the wind, posing health risks to downwind communities.
Researchers will use a combination of data from scientific monitoring, citizen scientists, and high-tech sensors to assess UK insect abundance and diversity. The project aims to provide definitive evidence on whether insects are declining overall and inform environmental policies to protect them.
A new model refines an existing computer model to understand water movement and storage in dry desert soils. The study improves knowledge of solar farm impacts on desert hydrology, useful for soil restoration and flood risk mitigation.
Pollinator monitoring schemes offer high-quality scientific data at a much lower cost than traditional research projects. The UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme provides world-leading evidence to better understand the status of pollinators and inform conservation efforts.
Researchers from Cornell University and North Carolina State University are developing 'microcleaners' - self-propelled biomaterials that can capture and decompose microplastics in waterways. The project aims to design inexpensive, non-toxic microsystems to collect and break down microplastic particles.
Researchers from Princeton will help lead a project to simulate the nation's natural groundwater system using artificial intelligence, improving hydrologic forecasting and water management. The project combines data science, machine learning, and hydrology to predict how much groundwater is available and its impact on extreme events.
A 4-year NSF-funded project will investigate how intermittent streams support both the environment and humans, focusing on hydrology, microbiology, and microbial activity. The project aims to inform policy debates and boost workforce development in data science methods.
Tropical cyclone Noul is characterized by hundreds of thunderstorms, with infrared data revealing the strongest storms are located at high altitudes. NASA's MODIS instrument detected cold cloud top temperatures as low as minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit near Noul's center.