During extreme drought, C3 biomass production increased five-fold in grasslands while C4 plants declined. This shift is linked to changes in seasonal precipitation patterns favorable for C3 grasses
A new study by USC researchers found that El Niño cycles are an unreliable predictor of droughts in the American West. Instead, Earth's dynamic atmosphere plays a significant role in wet and dry cycles, making drought forecasting challenging.
A new study suggests small trees can adapt better to droughts and grow into a new generation to help the rainforest survive. Researchers found that small trees increase their capacity for photosynthesis and growth despite lack of water, potentially leading to greater overall resilience in the forest.
A study reveals snow droughts globally increased in duration and intensity from the first half to the second half of 1980-2018. Changes are attributed to a combination of natural and human-induced factors, including Arctic warming.
Astrocast uses satellite imagery and machine learning to predict drought conditions, providing valuable time for farmers and pastoralists to prepare. The system has been successful in forecasting changes up to ten weeks ahead with good confidence.
Researchers from the Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries investigated water distribution in the Demnitzer Mühlenfliess sub-catchment area. They found that vegetation plays a significant role in storing and releasing water, with forests having a drier soil than grasslands due to their root depth and leaf canopy.
A comprehensive analysis of the consequences of the 2018 drought and heat event in European forests reveals that even drought-resistant tree species suffered long-term damage. The study suggests that future scenarios require redesigning forests to combat heat and drought, and new analytical approaches are needed to track tree mortality...
A team led by Maggie Wagner will study how plants and microbes adapt to drought, focusing on genetic changes in microbial communities. The research aims to understand the impact of drought on plant growth, health, and ability to withstand water stress.
Researchers at Clemson University found that climate change will lead to more extreme wet and dry seasons globally. The study predicts that regions already prone to drought and flooding will be disproportionately affected.
A new study by Cornell University and Washington State University found that climate change will force farmers to choose between lower yields and higher revenue volatility. The research team used a model to explore the impact of drought-tolerant crop varieties, which can improve average yields but also increase revenue fluctuations.
Research reveals that aardvarks feeding in daylight during droughts may be starving due to lack of food. A long-term study showed that drought caused a shift from nighttime to daytime activity, which was not enough to save the aardvarks from starvation.
The discovery of the DRIK1 protein has opened up new avenues for developing more drought-resistant plants. By identifying a synthetic molecule that binds to the protein, researchers aim to breed plants with naturally reduced or inhibited activity, reducing losses related to climate change.
A Texas A&M University report warns that the state will experience drier summers and decreasing water supplies for decades to come. The researchers predict that parts of West Texas will be hit hardest by drought conditions.
The new South American Drought Atlas shows widespread, intense droughts and unusually wet periods have increased since the mid-20th century. The study suggests global warming and pollution may be contributing factors.
Researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno have engineered thale cress to improve water-use efficiency and salinity tolerance, a trait that can be applied to other plants to address future food shortages and climate change impacts.
Research team reports record-breaking temperatures causing water transport collapse through wood, leading to widespread tree death and drought-related stress symptoms. Mixed forests with drought-resistant species are needed to mitigate climate change impacts.
A study found that droughts can increase power costs and pollution linked to hydropower losses, even with increased renewable energy. The analysis of the 2012-2016 California drought revealed a moderate impact on electricity prices but also highlighted the importance of flexible generation sources during drought years.
Researchers have developed a machine learning platform that analyzes high-resolution drone images to predict root crop growth and health. This technology enables scientists to respond quickly to stimuli and breed more drought- and heat-resistant varieties, ultimately improving crop productivity and food security.
A new study suggests that prehistoric people relied on shellfish to sustain them as they migrated out of Africa, particularly during periods of drought. The availability of these marine mollusks allowed for continuous harvests without major ecological impacts.
A new University of Wyoming study reveals that drought reduces the availability of key food resources by shortening the duration of spring green-up, altering the progression of the "green wave" across the landscape. As a result, the benefits of migration for mule deer and other migratory herbivores are likely to decrease.
A new study found that a severe spring heatwave in Europe contributed to the 2018 summer drought, depleting soil moisture. The research suggests that adopting alternative land management strategies could mitigate droughts' effects.
Researchers are exploring areas of landscape less prone to disturbances like fire and drought, known as disturbance refugia, to understand why change doesn't occur as quickly in some landscapes. These refugia may hold the key for conserving forest landscapes and biodiversity in a changing climate.
New climate model projections indicate that droughts will become longer and more frequent globally, particularly in regions like the Amazon, Mediterranean, and southern Africa. The study's findings suggest that variability in rainfall is a key factor in predicting future drought intensity.
Researchers at UC San Diego developed a new nanosensor, SNACS, to monitor SnRK2 protein kinase activity in live plant cells. This allows for the study of drought tolerance mechanisms in unprecedented detail, providing insights into how plants respond to environmental stress.
Warming temperatures are causing increased aridity across the western United States, leading to declining river flows, tree death, and agricultural stress. Climate scientists warn that this trend will continue eastward, resulting in more frequent and severe dry spells, flash droughts, and interannual droughts.
A new study finds that certain stream pools act as drought refuges for salmon, providing conditions necessary to support survival during extreme conditions. The research provides insight into the role of habitat fragmentation in threatening salmon survival and informs strategies for conservation efforts.
Researchers analyzed tree-ring reconstructions of streamflow to quantify drought severity, dating back to 800 CE. The study found the 2000-2010 drought was the driest in 1,200 years, with increased warming contributing to its extreme severity.
An international team led by Princeton atmospheric scientist Meiyun Lin found that drought-stressed vegetation reduces ozone removal, worsening pollution episodes. This study highlights the need for stronger emission controls to address ozone air quality in Europe and has broader implications.
New research from CU Boulder suggests that as much as two-thirds of western states will lose their ability to predict seasonal drought using snowpack by mid-century. Coastal areas and regions at lower elevations will be most affected, leading to increased reliance on reservoirs and potential water supply complications.
A new study by Duke University finds that US community water systems are disproportionately affected by droughts, with low-income and minority neighborhoods facing the highest risks. The analysis highlights the need for a fundamental re-evaluation of how these systems are managed and funded to ensure equal access to safe drinking water.
New insights into drought's impacts on social, ecological and agricultural systems are highlighted in this special issue. Research identifies vulnerabilities in water management policy and the importance of soil microbiota in crop resilience.
A new study suggests that climate change is driving a megadrought in the western United States, with warming temperatures playing a key role. The study, which analyzed modern weather observations and tree-ring data, finds that the current drought is already outdoing the worst past 19-year increments within previous episodes.
A 900 AD human dispersal event occurred in eastern Polynesia, preceding colonization of the southern Cook Islands. Regional drought may have driven an incremental expansion into the region.
Researchers found that increased CO2 levels reduced water loss and improved water use efficiency in trees during periods of drought and heat, but had no positive effect on carbon metabolism. The study suggests that the benefits of elevated CO2 are outweighed by the negative impacts of climate change.
The UK Water Resources Portal brings together up-to-date data on river flows, rainfall, soil moisture and groundwater levels, providing insights into floods and droughts. The portal also offers historical records for comparison with previous significant events.
Research finds that sorghum crops in areas with high witchweed prevalence have genetic adaptations to resist the parasite, altering hormone production. While these mutations confer some resistance, they also affect photosynthesis and growth, raising potential trade-offs.
Researchers at New York University have sequenced the genome of two basmati rice varieties, including one with improved drought tolerance and resistance to bacterial disease. The study provides insights into the evolutionary history of basmati rice and its unique genetic traits.
Soil pathogens like Pythium ultimum spread more easily under heat and drought stress, causing widespread crop failure. Soils from Scotland are less resistant to these pathogens than those from Hungary.
Researchers at Washington State University found that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi provide added benefits during crises, enhancing water uptake and nutrient acquisition in plants. The study suggests that focusing on fungi can help sustainably grow crops under stressful conditions.
The 2018 Four Corners drought in the US was exacerbated by human-induced warming, with temperatures rising 2 degrees Celsius. The region's vegetation turned brown due to increased evaporation, resulting in economic losses of over $3 billion and impacts on Native American communities.
A new study warns of the platypus's critically high risk of extinction, citing water resource development, land clearing, climate change, and severe drought as major threats. The researchers call for urgent national action to prevent the species from disappearing from Australian waterways.
A study led by Scott Mackay finds that pines and junipers access water sources through their deep roots during prolonged dry spells. The research suggests that growing new roots takes too long to tap into deeper resources, helping conifers survive droughts.
A new study reveals Amazonian forests regrow much slower than previously believed, taking up to a century to fully recover and potentially overestimating their role in combating human-caused climate change.
A literature review of 229 studies found that multiple techniques and follow-up treatments are most effective in controlling buffelgrass. The invasive weed can outcompete native species by accessing deeper water and nutrients, highlighting the need for restoration of drought-tolerant native species.
Researchers found that four-species mixtures of perennial ryegrass, chicory, red clover and white clover outperformed monocultures in terms of yield stability during drought. The study revealed higher yields in the multi-species mixtures, with an average drop of 1.08 tonnes ha-1 compared to 1.41 tonnes ha-1 for monocultures.
New research from the University of Adelaide reveals that climate and economic factors are driving farmers out of their properties in the Murray-Darling Basin. The study found no significant association between reduced water extraction and farmer numbers.
A new study found that lower elevation Silversword plants are less drought-resistant than higher elevation plants, leading to increased mortality rates. The researchers suggest using suitable habitats for the plants in a changing climate rather than breeding them with drought-resistant genes.
Flinders University researchers have developed a method to enhance plant tolerance to climate change stressors by manipulating mitochondrial respiration. This approach has shown promise in improving plant recovery from drought and high light conditions.
Researchers have discovered how the sorghum plant exercises exquisite control over its genome to survive harsh conditions. The study reveals that the plant modulates the expression of tens of thousands of genes in response to drought stress, with changes occurring within a week of water scarcity.
Under future climate change, droughts are expected to become more frequent and severe, with a tripling of globally-averaged reductions in plant production by the end of this century. This could have devastating impacts on plant populations and the global carbon cycle.
A new study finds that increasing solar and wind energy in California can enhance drought resilience and benefit groundwater sustainability. The researchers developed a trade-off frontier framework to quantify the water sustainability value of solar and wind energy.
A Princeton University-led study shows that solar and wind energy enhance drought resilience and aid in groundwater sustainability by reducing reliance on hydropower. The researchers suggest deploying solar and wind energy simultaneously with regulations on groundwater use can increase overall benefits.
A long-term study found that five consecutive years of drought effectively ended copperhead snakes' reproductive output. Snakes produced significantly fewer offspring during and after the drought, with no pregnant females recorded in the year following the drought's end.
A UC Riverside-led team has developed a chemical to help plants retain water, reducing crop losses from drought. The new compound, Opabactin, is more effective than earlier versions and works quickly, allowing farmers to manage crop performance.
A new drought index, SEDI, sensitively captures biological changes in ecosystems due to drought evolution. The study assesses its effectiveness in highlighting vegetation responses to climatic fluctuations and heavy droughts.
Researchers have created a synthetic abscisic acid (ABA) mimic, opabactin, nearly 10 times more effective in manipulating crop water use than natural ABA. The molecule demonstrates high potency in wheat and tomato plants and provides long-lasting protection against underwatering.
A recent study found a significant increasing trend of flash drought frequency over China during 1961-2005, driven by anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. The exposure risk in southern provinces with humid climates is expected to increase by up to 40% in the middle of this century.
Researchers discovered a new function in the BAG4 protein, which regulates potassium transport and optimizes water use by plants. This finding is crucial for developing crops resistant to drought conditions.
A new study warns that up to 60% of current wheat-growing areas could experience severe and prolonged droughts by the end of the century due to climate change. This would have a significant impact on global food production and lead to increased food prices.
Researchers found that sesame performs well under drought conditions, with consistent yields even when water-deficit conditions decreased sorghum's yield by 25% and cotton's yield by 40%. Sesame has multiple market value uses, including food consumption, cooking oil production, and livestock feed.