Researchers have discovered that drought stress triggers the activity of Rider retrotransposons, potentially leading to new trait variations in crops. The study highlights the potential of transposons as a source of crop improvement, particularly in breeding more resilient crops against climate change.
Climate change causes grassland communities to lose diverse species, especially those adapted to drought. The loss of native forbs with high specific leaf area indicates water-limited regions are particularly vulnerable.
A new study found that concurrent soil drought and atmospheric aridity are driven by land-atmosphere processes and feedback loops, leading to increased frequency and intensity of extreme events. The researchers warn that future intensification of these events would be disastrous for ecosystems and human lives.
Climate simulations suggest that land-atmosphere feedbacks can increase atmospheric aridity, leading to high probabilities of concurrent soil drought and extreme aridity. The study also predicts more frequent and intense drought and aridity in the coming century with significant human and ecological implications.
Researchers aim to understand how microorganisms respond to drought, potentially shedding light on adapting to climate change. Studying the microbiome of dead plant matter in Southern California fields, they found that certain bacteria and fungi shift composition in response to moisture deprivation.
Researchers aim to create genetically modified poplar trees that can thrive in drought-prone environments and produce feedstocks for bioenergy. The project involves using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing tools to identify the ideal tree species for these conditions, with the goal of delivering new genotypes by the end of the project.
Climate change and drought are exacerbating malnutrition outcomes in children worldwide, with stunting affecting at least one-third of children in Africa and South Asia. A new study maps the effects of drought on child nutrition, identifying areas most vulnerable to climate shocks and factors influencing vulnerability.
A recent study found that droughts are associated with poor childhood nutrition, particularly in areas with low agricultural diversity and ineffective governance. Researchers mapped the risk of child stunting during drought conditions using data from 53 countries since 1990.
A new study from the University of Washington explores how Pacific Ocean conditions contribute to prolonged droughts in the Southwestern US. Researchers found that El Niño events can lead to multi-year droughts if followed by a La Niña event, and that a complex interplay between ocean and atmospheric conditions is at play.
A study of 12 centuries of European summer droughts reveals that recent changes in drought patterns are not unprecedented. The research team found that climate models exaggerate temperature-driven drought risk in northern Europe, while underestimating excessive precipitation and flood risks.
A new study by University of Arkansas researcher Linyin Cheng found that a warming climate amplifies the intensity and likelihood of heatwaves during severe droughts in the southern plains and southwest US. In regions with low soil moisture, higher temperatures create a 'feedback loop' that links the land and air, worsening droughts.
A new study highlights the importance of introducing conservation measures upstream from where droughts are likely to cause shortages. The research found that effective policies can conserve water but have limited ability to mitigate shortages, as timing and location mismatch
A study reconstructs a severe megadrought interval in Australia between 1891 and 1903, revealing widespread ecosystem impacts. The findings suggest that record rainfall deficiencies can lead to mass mortality and ecosystem collapse, with over 60 genera experiencing severe stress.
A new line of barley has been bred to resist heat, salt, and drought, producing up to 20% higher yields under adverse conditions. The breed combines the advantageous properties of industrial and wild barley, with genetic analysis revealing key gene variants for improved stress tolerance.
Research findings show that mid-high latitude climate variability significantly impacts the East Asian monsoon, with a synergistic effect on predictability sources. Chinese scientists propose new concepts to explain combined effects of regional climate variabilities on East Asian climate.
A record-breaking South American drought and marine heatwave in 2013/14 were caused by strong atmospheric convection over the Indian Ocean. The event displaced normal atmospheric circulation over South America, leading to extreme weather conditions and severe impacts on agriculture, public health, and fisheries.
A study published in Nature Geoscience found that California's Sierra Nevada mountain range experienced a catastrophic forest die-off due to depleted deep-soil water. The researchers discovered that years of severe drought and abnormally warm temperatures exceeded the safety margin for trees, leading to widespread tree death.
Plant communities in Mediterranean climates with limited underground water storage can thrive in both low-water and rainy years. They do well because the soil stores little water relative to rainfall, replenishing the supply even during dry years.
Researchers found that certain plant and tree traits exacerbate drought conditions by rapidly releasing water vapor into the air. This can lead to more frequent and intense droughts in hot climates, even in regions with adapted plant species.
Researchers found a microscopic valve-like structure in slow-growing ponderosa pines provides greater safety against drought but slows water transport, limiting growth rate. The study suggests there is a fundamental tradeoff between drought resistance and growth rate in these trees.
A new study found that extreme drought conditions can lead to an explosion of root-feeding nematodes in grassland ecosystems, decreasing grass root production and potentially exacerbating carbon sequestration loss. The research team hopes to learn more about the interaction between water and nematode stresses to plants.
A study by Cornell University researchers suggests that climate change-induced heat stress will have a greater impact on crop yields than drought stress in the US. The analysis projects significant yield reductions of 8-48% for major crops like maize and spring wheat, with some crops more resilient to heat stress.
A new study reveals that Asia's high mountain glaciers provide a significant buffer against drought, supplying water to major river basins during dry seasons. The glaciers release 36 cubic kilometres of meltwater annually, equivalent to the annual municipal and industrial needs of several countries.
A study from the University of California, Davis found that thinning forests and prescribed burns reduced tree mortality during a severe drought and bark beetle epidemic. The treatment also helped to increase forest resilience by reducing water stress and making trees more resistant to climate change.
The GRACE mission has provided unprecedented insight into global water resources, measuring polar ice loss and ocean currents. The data has also highlighted the impact of drought and aquifer depletion worldwide.
A NASA study reveals that human activities have been influencing global drought patterns since the early 20th century. The research, published in Nature, used a combination of modern soil moisture measurements and tree ring-based records to identify a 'human fingerprint' in drought data.
Researchers identified long-term global effects on water supplies, with drying soils in North America and Eurasia, and wetter regions like the Indian subcontinent. The study suggests severe consequences for humans as warmer temperatures intensify droughts in dry regions.
A recent US study found that excessive rainfall can reduce corn yield by up to 34% relative to expected yields, similar to the impact of extreme heat and drought. The research highlights the need for improved crop insurance models to address climate change-driven extreme weather events.
Researchers analyzed data from Fresno and Bakersfield before, during, and after the California drought to understand its impact on ozone air quality. They found that severe drought conditions led to a 20% decrease in ozone production due to reduced isoprene concentrations and altered VOCs.
A new study reveals that arctic warming contributes to drought in mid-latitude regions by reducing precipitation and weakening wind patterns. Researchers analyzed geological evidence from lakes and glaciers to estimate past dry conditions, finding that Wyoming experienced several thousand years of drought-like periods.
A new study by Duke University finds that droughts and rising water temperatures will significantly impact US power plants' generating capacity. The researchers recommend replacing traditional once-through cooling systems with recirculating cooling systems to mitigate these effects.
A recent study found that groundwater extraction is harming floodplain forests in Europe by reducing tree growth and increasing drought sensitivity. The research suggests that adapting to climate change requires reducing groundwater extraction, not increasing it, to protect these critical ecosystems.
Researchers measured groundwater loss and storage capacity during 2012-2015 drought, finding a permanent loss of up to three percent of the aquifer's storage capacity. The study provides water resource managers with better tools to monitor groundwater health and implement sustainable practices.
A recent study by University of Wyoming researcher Bryan Shuman found connections between Atlantic Ocean changes, centuries-long droughts, and forest transformations over the past 8,000 years. The study's predictability framework helps anticipate future climate-driven weather and ecosystem shifts.
The ECOSTRESS mission aims to provide critical data for irrigation, enabling farmers to optimize water usage and reduce drought vulnerability. By measuring surface temperature, scientists can calculate evapotranspiration and identify which plants are using water most efficiently.
A new monitoring method uses thermal stress measurements to identify drought conditions sooner, enabling conservation measures and reducing damage. The method, developed by Duke University researchers, combines surface and air temperature data from thousands of weather stations and satellite images.
A field experiment in California's 2017-2018 winter drought revealed a strong correlation between seedling root length and mortality. In contrast, easily measurable adult traits showed only weak correlations with seedling mortality, suggesting that traditional plant traits may not predict ecosystem responses to environmental stress.
Scientists at Kobe University found a unique protein in Striga hermonthica that enables it to steal water and nutrients from its hosts. The team identified the ShPP2C1 gene, which blocks ABA signaling and allows high transpiration rates, leading to new potential control methods for this devastating parasitic weed.
A study reveals that unique genetic features in desiccation-sensing algae enabled the colonization of terrestrial habitats. The SAL1-PAP chloroplast retrograde signaling mechanism allowed early land plants to sense drought and protect vital photosynthetic tissue, facilitating their adaptation to harsh environments.
Researchers discovered that plants' built-in drought detection system has an unlikely origin: freshwater-dwelling streptophyte algae. This signaling pathway, which triggers plants' drought defenses, has remained virtually unchanged for hundreds of millions of years and exists across most plant lineages.
Researchers found that many bird species responded positively to the climate conditions associated with the drought, potentially offsetting negative habitat impacts. The study's results suggest that birds may be more resilient to temperature increases than previously thought, but also highlights the need for further research on their r...
Researchers reconstructed past rainfall patterns in south-east Queensland using preserved paper-bark tea tree leaves from North Stradbroke Island, finding a generally wet period around 5000-6000 years ago. The study suggests that the probability of a drought worse than the Millennium Drought may be as much as 10 times higher.
A new study reveals that sea snakes in dry regions rely on freshwater lenses formed on the ocean's surface to quench their thirst. Researchers found that only a portion of the captured snakes accepted the offered freshwater after rainfall began.
Researchers found that despite reports of big trees being more vulnerable to drought, small trees in open areas lost leaves, while shaded trees surprisingly added leaf area. This response is dependent on environmental conditions imposed by the rainforest's structure.
Scientists from Australian National University used space technology to predict droughts and increased bushfire risk with unprecedented precision. The team combined satellite data with a computer model simulating the water cycle and plant growth, enabling accurate forecasts of vegetation state up to five months in advance.
A study found that adolescent girls exposed to severe drought conditions in rural Lesotho had higher rates of HIV and were more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors. The researchers call for a coordinated policy to attenuate the effects of drought on HIV infection in southern Africa.
New research by Oregon State University suggests that coastal cutthroat trout and giant salamanders can recover from drought conditions within just a few years. The study found that the fish populations were negatively affected by hot, dry summers, but recovered quickly in predrought form.
Researchers found that termites mitigate drought's impact by increasing decomposition rates and nutrient cycling. The study suggests that intact biological communities can act as ecological insurance during environmental stress.
A co-led study by HKU researchers found that termites increase leaf litter decomposition, nutrient heterogeneity, and soil moisture during drought periods. The presence of termites helps protect tropical rainforests from the negative effects of drought.
Forest termites play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem function during droughts by decomposing organic matter, mixing soil nutrients, and regulating moisture. Their increased activity during drought helps buffer important soil processes critical for tropical forest survival.
Researchers found trees changing their wood anatomy in response to drought, with some species developing smaller water-carrying vessels. This adaptation allows mature rainforest trees to conserve water during extended dry periods.
A study of 2,800 hectares of mixed-conifer forest found that increasing tree density due to fire suppression leads to increased drought stress and reduced resilience to wildfires. Rising carbon dioxide levels exacerbate this effect, suggesting that denser forests will be more vulnerable to drought in the future.
A new study from Stanford University finds that droughts cause a 10% increase in carbon dioxide emissions from power generation in California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington between 2001 and 2015. Drought-induced shifts in energy sources led to an additional 100 million tons of carbon dioxide across 11 western states.
A recent study published by University of Queensland researchers sheds light on the responses of various species to major climate events. The research found that extreme weather events such as cyclones, droughts, and floods are causing unpredictable changes to ecosystems, leading to population declines and local extinctions.
The discovery of exceptionally preserved late-Permian plant fossils in Jordan pushes back the ages of important seed plant lineages and suggests that drought-prone tropical habitats served as evolutionary cradles for early plant diversification. The findings indicate that these plant lineages survived the mass extinction event at the e...
A new peanut variety has been discovered to conserve water during droughts, allowing it to maintain a high yield as the soil dries out. By reducing transpiration earlier in the drought cycle, the plant saves water for later use, resulting in increased productivity.
Three University of Montana researchers are developing new tools to predict tree recruitment declines in Western semi-arid forests. They will use a combination of NASA Earth observation data, forest inventory data, and a coupled ecohydrologic model to simulate drought stress and lethal surface temperatures for conifer seedlings.
Researchers at Lund University studied how 18 years of drought affect soil bacteria, finding that drought-tolerant microbes can slow carbon loss from soils. This adaptation could mitigate the impact of climate change on global carbon balance.
A new study reveals that climate change is impacting human health, food supply, infrastructure, and economy through 467 ways, including warming, drought, heatwaves, wildfires, precipitation, floods, and sea level rise. By 2100, the number of hazards occurring concurrently will increase, making it difficult for people to cope.
Forests in the Pacific Northwest are less vulnerable to drought and fire due to climate conditions. Modeling suggests water-limited forests in the Rockies will be most affected by future drought-related mortality.