Researchers from the Universities of Bonn and Bologna discovered a mutant in barley with roots growing straight downwards, potentially providing a starting point for breeding more drought-resistant varieties. The study found that the gene responsible for this trait is evolutionarily conserved across different cereals.
A study found that climate change and drought are shifting the range of infectious disease in forests suffering from white pine blister rust disease. The disease expanded its range into higher-elevation forests while contracting it in lower elevations, where conditions were too hot and dry.
Research finds that drought changes the community of microbes living in rice plant roots, allowing them to tap deeper water sources after dry spells. This 'memory' of drought enables plants to grow more resilient roots, reducing crop losses in a changing climate.
Researchers warn that rising temperatures and drought will reduce California's natural ability to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, potentially limiting the state's progress toward achieving carbon neutrality. The study highlights the importance of present-day drought and wildfire in driving carbon sequestration losses.
Researchers from the University of Chicago have made a groundbreaking discovery in plant biology, using RNA manipulation to increase crop yields by 50% and boost drought tolerance. The breakthrough has potential applications beyond food production, including engineering plants to withstand climate change and other environmental pressures.
The study found that El Niño led to higher plant mortality rates in forests with a history of human disturbance, resulting in significant carbon dioxide emissions. Plant growth was only able to offset 37% of the emissions three years after the start of El Niño.
A major drought and forest fires in the Amazon rainforest killed billions of trees and plants, emitting 495 million tonnes of CO2 and turning a carbon sink into a big polluter. The damage lasted for multiple years, with only a third of emissions re-absorbed by plant growth.
A University of Illinois study finds that US corn and soybean varieties have become more resilient to extreme heat and drought but less adapted to normal weather patterns, leading to reduced productivity. The researchers call for crop breeders to focus on developing crop varieties for diverse weather patterns.
A new study finds that the microbiome of grasses plays a crucial role in their ability to withstand drought. Healthy bacteria in grasses can provide nutrients, protect against pathogens and UV radiation, and help manage drought. However, under severe drought conditions, the bacterial communities become less diverse and more harmful.
A study published in Geophysical Research Letters found that anthropogenic forcing has increased drought risk in Southeast Asia, with more frequent and widespread droughts over the past six decades. The region's biodiversity is also threatened due to water scarcity issues exacerbated by climate change.
Researchers investigated plant competition under dual stressors of extreme drought and invasive species, finding dynamic interactions that amplify or buffer each other. Cork oak trees surprisingly recover better than expected after extreme drought when the invasive gum rockrose is also affected.
Researchers at Cornell University developed a minimally invasive method to measure water potential in leaves using nanoscale sensors and fiber optics. This technology enables the study of basic plant biology, advances breeding more drought-resistant crops.
The study reveals that the 2019-20 drought was caused by a meteorological phenomenon, atmospheric blocking, which prevented raincloud formation. The Pantanal's severe drought had devastating effects on the biome due to high temperatures, low humidity, and exacerbated by human activities like deliberate burning of vegetation.
A study by the University of Córdoba has identified holm oak trees that exhibit greater resistance and tolerance to drought stress, root rot, and high temperatures. These 'elite' specimens may be used as molecular markers for drought-tolerant trees in reforestation programs.
Researchers have uncovered genes that enable plants to make three key things: transport water and nutrients via xylem, produce lignin and suberin for drought protection, and regulate root meristem growth. These findings can be applied to crops like tomatoes and rice, potentially increasing their drought tolerance.
A recent study found that African tropical rainforests removed 1.1 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide per year during the 2015-2016 El Niño event, equivalent to three times the UK's carbon emissions in 2019. The forests continued to function as a carbon sink, with only modest impacts from extreme heat and drought.
A UCI study shows that human-sourced greenhouse gas and aerosol pollution is lengthening and intensifying droughts globally. Drought hotspots in the Americas, Africa, and Asia have seen significant shifts due to anthropogenic forcing.
A new study from Monash University finds that some Victoria water catchments still behave like they're in a drought even after nearly eight years without rain. The research, published in Science, challenges the common view that rivers and underground water supplies eventually replenish following periods of severe drought or flood.
A new study found that over a third of Australian watersheds had not recovered from the Millennium Drought seven years later. The findings suggest that hydrological droughts can persist indefinitely, highlighting challenges to sustainable water use under climate change.
Researchers from Basel and Würzburg investigated spruce trees' reaction to extreme heat and drought, finding a sudden collapse of the water-conducting system leading to tree death. The study reveals that dehydration occurs abruptly after exceeding a species-specific threshold value, causing trees to be unable to recover.
A new study from the University of Illinois finds that US interstate trade can reduce the economic impact of climate change on crop profit, with potential benefits worth up to $14.5 billion by 2050. This approach shifts the paradigm compared to current forecasts, which only consider local drought impacts.
Researchers at UNIST propose a new drought monitoring method using Vector Projection Analysis (VPA), which can comprehensively investigate drought disasters. The approach captures varied climate and environmental characteristics, showing good agreement with surface-based indices and drought references across continental scales.
Researchers discovered that trees experience a sudden collapse in their hydraulic systems during drought, leading to rapid death. The study found that this collapse occurs much sooner than previously thought, highlighting the importance of understanding tree water relations.
Across most of the western US, dry periods between rainstorms have become longer and annual rainfall has become more erratic over the last 50 years. This is according to a new study that used actual rainfall data from 337 weather stations, revealing changes in drought length and rainfall patterns.
Researchers have discovered that plants influence how their bacterial and fungal neighbors react to climate change. The study found that simulated drought affected both bacteria and fungi in grassland and scrubland, while nitrogen addition had a lesser impact on bacteria, but more significant effects on the overall microbial diversity.
Plants recall drought conditions through GABA signalling, affecting leaf pore width for water conservation. This unique mechanism allows drought-tolerant plants to survive longer without water.
A team of Australian and German researchers found that GABA, a molecule associated with relaxation in animals, can control the size of plant leaves' pores to minimize water loss. This helps plants conserve water and survive longer during droughts.
Researchers found that considering soil organic matter improves water retention, mitigating crop yield losses from drought. Including this data in insurance premiums could reduce liabilities by 36% while increasing corn yields by 35 bushels per acre.
Researchers have discovered genes in peach's wild relatives that enable them to withstand stressful conditions, including cold, drought, and ultraviolet radiation. These genetic adaptations could help improve the resilience of domesticated peaches, making them better equipped to cope with climate change.
Research from the University of Minnesota finds that atmospheric drying significantly reduces crop productivity even under well-watered conditions. Plants respond by growing smaller and more resistant to drought, but this also leads to decreased productivity in photosynthesis and seed production.
A new study predicts that the Southeastern United States is at high risk of extreme drought, which could expose its water-supply infrastructure to stress beyond its design limit. The researchers used short-term climate modeling forecasts to highlight the urgency of drought risk and inform policymakers' actions.
Researchers at Utah State University used a new tool to study the effects of stress on Pseudomonas chlororaphis O6, a health-promoting bacterium found in dryland wheat roots. The study found that stress can cause compositional changes in the bacteria's outer membrane vesicles, which may be leveraged for crop benefit.
Researchers led by Eliza Harris and Michael Bahn studied N2O emissions under environmental impacts, finding denitrification dominates production in dry soils. This process was previously thought to occur primarily in moist soils, leading to increased atmospheric emissions during drought.
A delayed rainy season onset can signal a higher likelihood of seasonal drought and food insecurity in regions prone to these conditions. Analysis reveals that a 10-day delay is associated with a significantly higher risk of drought in the most vulnerable areas.
A study published in Nature Climate Change finds that climate change will alter the position of the Earth's tropical rain belt, with a northward shift expected in the Eastern Hemisphere and a southward shift in the Western Hemisphere. This shift may lead to increased drought stress in some regions and intensified flooding in others.
A recent study found that Hawai'i drought is only associated with Eastern Pacific El Niño, while Central Pacific El Niño events result in deficient rainfall in Hawaii only 60% of the time. This new information has significant implications for water resource management and planning in Hawai'i.
Researchers identified a severe drought period in 1302-07 Europe, which shares similarities with the 2018 weather anomaly and recent climate trends. The study suggests that transitional phases in the climate are characterized by stable weather patterns, contributing to extreme events like the Great Famine of 1315-21.
A new UCPH study highlights significant trends affecting the world's forests, including drought, viral outbreaks, and vast infrastructure expansions. These trends pose severe consequences on forests and humans alike, emphasizing the need for prioritized forest conservation strategies.
A new predictive mapping tool, POCSCRPT, aids forest managers in determining which areas of western US forests will naturally regrow following wildfires. The tool's accuracy is enhanced by incorporating climate and seed production data.
Native to the US, tepary beans are drought-heat tolerant and require less water than common bean crops. They can be used as forage or cover crops, adding atmospheric nitrogen to soil and improving food security.
Certain bacteria living in sorghum roots work together with the plant to reduce drought stress, leading to overall plant success. The microbiome plays a critical role in determining crop productivity, and manipulating it may hold the key to developing crops that can thrive in harsh conditions.
New research from Lehigh University explores the link between drought, food insecurity, and HIV among women in less-developed countries. The study finds that drought escalates food insecurity, leading to reduced access to education, healthcare, and autonomy, ultimately increasing the percentage of HIV cases among women.
A new study using tree-ring data found that inner East Asia experienced a unique and unprecedented rise in heatwave-drought events over the last two decades. The findings suggest a positive feedback loop between declining soil moisture and increasing surface warming, potentially leading to more frequent and severe events.
A study suggests the probability of another 'Day Zero' drought in Cape Town will increase due to anthropogenic emissions. By 2100, the likelihood rises from 0.7% to 25% under an intermediate emission scenario, highlighting emerging drought risk in arid regions.
Researchers warn that extreme events like the 'Day Zero' drought could become common by the end of the century due to climate change. The study used high-resolution simulations to conclude that human-caused climate change made the drought five to six times more likely, and such events could impact regions with similar climates.
A north-south drought dipole influences ponderosa pine recovery post-fires, with juvenile conifers less likely to thrive in dry northern regions. The study's findings suggest taking climate variability into account can improve long-term predictions of forest resilience.
Researchers at Stanford University found that US corn yields have become significantly more sensitive to drought conditions due to changes in soil moisture retention. This shift is likely driven by increased crop water needs and the adoption of drought-tolerant varieties.
CAM photosynthesis, used by arid plants, is introduced into C3 plants to reduce water loss. The study reveals alternative metabolic modes can provide environment-specific benefits under certain conditions, helping prepare for growing food crops in increasingly hot and dry temperate environments.
A severe drought in East China from August to October 2019 was exacerbated by warm central equatorial Pacific sea surface temperatures and global warming. The study suggests that while natural climate variability played a role, human-induced climate change amplified the droughts likelihood.
Researchers found that human activities since 1940 have increased the risk of acidification in the Murray estuary during droughts. The study uses historical data and geological records to understand the estuary's formation and evolution. Improved management of the Murray-Darling system is crucial for water resource sustainability.
Researchers found that repeated droughts generally increase a forest's detrimental effects, making trees more vulnerable to stress. Conifers are particularly affected due to their vascular systems, which sustain more damage in initial droughts and hinder recovery.
A new tool developed by Utah State University scientists can predict drought and water flow in the Colorado River several years in advance. The model uses long-term ocean memory and associated atmospheric effects, as well as filtering effects of land systems to temper short-term precipitation events.
A new review highlights the severe impacts of drought on global wetland soils, leading to irreversible changes and decreased water quality. The study emphasizes the need for better understanding and protection of these critical ecosystems, which support biodiversity and carbon storage.
New research from University of Illinois scientists suggests that crop-relevant drought should be measured by atmospheric dryness (VPD) rather than just rainfall and soil moisture. Studies found that VPD accounts for nearly 90% of changes in crop stomatal conductance and productivity.
A new study estimates that droughts in Italy cause losses between 0.55 and 1.75 billion euros, mainly due to agricultural productivity decline. The economic impacts of droughts extend beyond agriculture, affecting the food industry and wholesale services.
A new study by McGill University researchers finds that combined dry and hot events are increasing in frequency and size, causing widespread damage. The study suggests that climate change is driving these extremes, which can be particularly devastating for agriculture and ecosystems.
Researchers have identified a new kind of 'landfalling drought' that can potentially be predicted before it impacts people and ecosystems on land. These droughts form over the ocean and then migrate landward, causing larger and drier conditions than land-only droughts.
A new study by the University of Tokyo's Institute of Industrial Science found that limiting warming to 1.5°C rather than 2°C above pre-industrial levels would significantly reduce global aridity, particularly in Mediterranean regions and western Europe. The research highlights the importance of considering regional impacts and suggest...
A 2018 European drought had devastating effects on crops, forests, and grasslands. Researchers found that plants initially benefited from the warm spring weather but suffered from lack of water during summer heatwaves.
Research from the University of Montana found that tropical songbirds reduce reproduction during severe droughts, but this shift actually increases their survival rates. Long-lived species experience higher survival rates during drought years than non-drought years.