The Bureau of Reclamation has released a report identifying innovative approaches to improve drought resiliency in the Washita Basin. The study used tree ring data to develop a new reservoir operations model, predicting that paleo droughts could have far greater impacts on reservoir yield than observed droughts.
A new study reveals that dams and reservoirs can have unintended consequences, including exacerbating droughts and water shortages. The research team found that increasing storage capacity can lead to a vicious cycle of higher demand and decreased sustainability.
Severe droughts in the Caribbean, exacerbated by climate change, threaten 2 million people's access to food and freshwater. The region has experienced a drying trend since 1950, with recent droughts pushing 1 million people into food shortages.
Researchers at CRAG have successfully generated plants with enhanced drought resistance by modifying steroid hormone signaling, a major breakthrough in agriculture. These drought-resistant plants exhibit improved water-stress tolerance without compromising growth.
A team of Penn State researchers found that hot temperatures lead to changes in plant RNA structure, linked to a loss in messenger RNAs. This process may help plants cope with heat stress and drought conditions, offering insights into developing more resilient crops.
Researchers identified NGA1, a transcription factor in Arabidopsis thaliana, as a key player in early drought stress response by activating the NCED3 gene and promoting abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis. This finding suggests that ABA accumulation is essential for plant protection against dehydration.
A team of scientists at RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science in Japan has discovered a gene regulator called NGA1 that allows plants to rehydrate after drought. The study found that NGA1 controls the transcription of a key gene NCED3, ultimately enabling plants to survive dehydration stress.
A University of Houston graduate student has received a NASA fellowship to incorporate predictions of biogenic volatile organic compounds from vegetation into a climate model. The project aims to better understand the impact of extreme drought on emissions and atmospheric composition.
Climate scientists predict that extreme summers, like 2018, will continue if countries don't phase out fossil fuels; however, switching to cleaner coal-burning technology can mitigate this effect. Aerosols play a crucial role in regulating temperatures and cooling the planet.
Researchers found that a specific mark on RNA molecules protects them from degradation under stressful conditions, enabling plants to more effectively respond to drought and salt stress. This mechanism could be manipulated to develop more resilient crop varieties.
A University of Oklahoma meteorologist predicts severe droughts and intense rainfall events will become more frequent and long-lasting worldwide. The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, uses standardized rainfall indices to compare event characteristics between regions and seasons.
A European team of scientists investigated the impact of heat and drought on maize and winter wheat yields under climate change. They found that drought poses a greater threat to maize than heat stress, with yield losses expected to increase due to changing climate conditions.
Two types of flash drought have been identified in China, Type I driven by high temperatures and evapotranspiration, while Type II is initiated by rainfall deficiency. Both types have increased significantly over the past 30 years, with a two-fold greater increase for Type I.
A WSU climate scientist analyzed The Great Drought of 1875-78, leading to the Global Famine that killed 50 million people. Climate conditions characterized as more severe than before could be replicated with global warming.
A $1 million grant will support research into tree chemical defenses against bark beetles, exploring mechanisms of tree death and susceptibility. The study will investigate tree responses to drought conditions and manipulate water availability in pinyon pine forests.
Scientists have identified a crucial gene controlling stem juiciness in sorghum, which could enhance drought tolerance but also increase disease susceptibility. The discovery has significant implications for breeding and improving crop yields.
Climate projections suggest China's drought intensity and area will increase, leading to significant economic losses. Limiting future warming to 1.5°C could save trillions of dollars in drought-related losses
A new study projects that China's drought losses will increase ten-fold under a 1.5°C temperature rise and nearly three-fold under a 2.0°C rise, equivalent to tens of billions of USD in annual losses. The Paris Agreement aims to limit warming to 1.5°C to reduce these risks.
Research by University of Utah biologist William Anderegg and colleagues found that diverse forests are more resilient to droughts due to a variety of hydraulic traits in tree species. Forests with multiple types of trees and diverse water use patterns showed less impact from droughts, with satellite data confirming the findings.
Researchers found that stronger connectivity alters how rainfall affects moisture, heat, and carbon fluxes in ecosystems, as well as the progression from early to late-stage drought. The study provides insights into how connectivity influences ecosystem responses to extreme events.
Researchers surveyed 1400 Kenyans affected by drought, finding that those who relocated are more likely to experience violence. However, migrants themselves do not express increased support for violence, suggesting a complex relationship between migration and conflict.
Researchers found a decline in snakebites during droughts and an increase after rainy periods. Climate change exacerbates extreme weather events, leading to more snakebites.
A new study found that rainy years lead to a 3.9% spike in snake bites across California's 58 counties, contradicting the notion that drought increases encounters with venomous reptiles. The researchers suspect that rodents, which thrive in rainy conditions, may be the primary driver of this unexpected trend.
Research indicates that California will see increased winter precipitation, but dry conditions in non-winter months. The state's new norm could mimic or surpass the 2017 fire season, emphasizing the need for enhanced water storage capabilities.
A new study uses satellite technology to measure the impact of droughts on photosynthesis and ecosystem respiration. Researchers found that during dry years, natural ecosystems removed about 30% less carbon from the atmosphere, leading to faster CO2 concentration increases.
A new Cornell University study reveals that the San Joaquin Valley in central California is sinking by up to a half-meter annually due to drought and ongoing groundwater extraction. Groundwater depletion has been estimated at 10 miles cubed between 2012 and 2016, posing significant engineering problems and threatening water quality.
Researchers used information theory techniques to track changes in rainfall, heat, soil moisture and carbon flow in two ecosystems before, during and after rainfall and drought events. The study found that stronger connectivity alters how rainfall affects moisture, heat and carbon flux in the system.
A long-term study found that drought helped ecological underdogs by stressing dominant species, while carnivores suffered when their prey became scarce. The Carrizo Plain National Monument revealed patterns relevant for climate change, with implications for conservation efforts.
Research reveals a 73% decrease in bird abundance and 45% drop in species diversity at nine sites surveyed on the Pajarito Plateau. The decline may signal early effects of drought, hotter temperatures, and bark beetle outbreaks on piñon pine trees.
A new study found that frequent fires in eastern US forests make droughts harder for young trees to survive, even in wet areas. The research shows that fire can promote warmer, drier conditions and reduce nitrogen availability, leading to increased drought stress.
Researchers improved soil moisture drought forecasting over the Yellow River Basin by combining climate and land surface hydrology models, achieving higher probabilistic drought forecasting skill and reliability. The multimodel ensemble approach provides valuable information for drought adaptation in this region.
Researchers measured isotopes of water trapped in gypsum to determine changes in rainfall and relative humidity during the Maya downfall. Annual precipitation decreased by 41-54% and relative humidity declined by 2-7%. These findings support theories that drought contributed to the Maya civilization's collapse.
A new study reveals that climate change is altering soil microbial networks, affecting plant communities and ecosystem function. The research found that drought increases the abundance of a certain fast-growing grass, leading to decreased soil moisture.
A new study reveals that the Terminal Classic Period drought led to significant reductions in rainfall and relative humidity in the Maya Lowlands. The research found annual rainfall decreased by nearly 50% on average, with up to 70% during peak drought conditions.
A new tool predicts dengue outbreaks in the Caribbean after droughts and intense rainfall, helping plan interventions to reduce disease risk. The model, developed by ISGlobal, considers combined impacts of drought and rainfall on mosquito-borne diseases.
Rice plants engineered to have fewer stomata are more tolerant of drought and resilient to future climate change, conserving water and surviving longer under drought and high temperatures. This discovery has significant implications for food security as much of the global rice crop relies on rain-fed agricultural systems.
A team of ASU and JPL scientists used satellite-based Earth remote sensing techniques to map California's Central Valley aquifer system. The analysis revealed significant drops in groundwater levels and permanent loss of storage capacity during the 2007-2010 drought period.
Researchers used satellite-based measurements to track changes in groundwater levels and storage capacity in the Central Valley aquifer system, revealing permanent loss of water storage capacity. The study provides new tools for water resource managers to monitor aquifers and mitigate the effects of drought.
Researchers found that particulate matter increases foliar transpiration in plants, making them more susceptible to drought. The tiny pores on leaves, known as stomata, are compromised by salt solutions formed from hygroscopic particles.
Financial incentive programs created critical waterbird habitat in the Central Valley of California during severe droughts. Satellite data revealed a 61% increase in flooded rice fields and up to 100% of available habitat created by these programs.
Spanish researchers developed a system to track human migration caused by climate change using mobile phone tracks. The model achieved over 60% prediction success rate for displacements in Colombia's La Guajira region during a severe drought, highlighting the importance of economic opportunities and urban areas in migration decisions.
Scientists have discovered a new 'teleconnection' that predicts winter rainfall in California by analyzing sea surface temperatures in New Zealand during the summer. This discovery allows for more accurate precipitation predictions and has implications for drought forecasting and regional ecosystem management.
Researchers used ESMD and BGSA to study temporal and spatial patterns of drought in the Yellow River basin. The results showed that drought frequency varied by season, with summer being the driest, and suggested targeted drought resistance measures for the region.
A global study found that Leguminosae trees are twice as common in dry compared with wet secondary forests during the first three decades of natural forest regeneration. These trees have high drought tolerance and can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere, making them essential for tropical forest regrowth in dry regions.
New research reveals tall Amazonian forests are more resilient to drought, with older trees having deeper root systems that access deeper soil moisture. This finding has implications for the future ability of rainforests to store carbon and withstand climate change.
A recent study by Melinda Knuth of Texas A&M University explores the importance of efficient water usage in landscaping and horticulture. The research suggests that relying on recycled water can help conserve this diminishing resource, ultimately benefiting both human life and plant growth.
A recent study reveals that seven of eight North China PSSD events occurred when La Niña transited to El Niño with a negative NPO phase in preceding winter. This study demonstrates that ENSO phase transition from La Niña to El Niño is one of the important precursors of North China PSSD.
Drought regions in Europe could expand from 13% to 26% of total area with a 3-degree global warming, affecting up to 400 million people. A 1.5-degree warming limit would reduce expansion to 19%, while drought durations would increase three to four times.
Research found droughts halve overall flower numbers, reducing food for bees and other pollinators in chalk grasslands.
Researchers at Nagoya University have discovered new compounds that can control stomatal movements in plants, preventing leaves from drying up and suppressing withering. These compounds could lead to the development of agrochemicals for drought tolerance and extend the freshness of cut flowers.
Climate change is altering eastern US forests, leading to shifts in tree species composition and reduced biomass, which affects carbon storage. Drought-tolerant trees are slower-growing, making forests more responsive to drying or wetting, amplifying the effects of climate change.
Researchers used tree-ring records to analyze Mongolia's 2,060-year climate history. The study found that future droughts are likely no worse than those of the past, with increased precipitation offsetting the effects of higher temperatures on semi-arid regions.
A single gene, LGF1, has been discovered to control the surface properties of rice, making it superhydrophobic and enabling survival during flood events. The gene also confers drought tolerance by reducing evaporation from leaf surfaces.
Research found that older tropical forests can access deeper soil layers during droughts, while younger forests struggle to survive due to shallower root systems. This study has implications for reforestation efforts and understanding forest responses to climate change.
A University of California study found native wildflowers stored up to 201% more seeds underground during a drought, compared to exotic grasses which decreased by 52%. This adaptive strategy helps them survive in variable climates.
A recent study has found that a layer of weathered bedrock can store significant amounts of water that may sustain trees during droughts. Researchers discovered that up to 27% of annual rainfall was stored as 'rock moisture' in the field site, allowing trees to survive severe droughts.
Researchers found that up to 27% of annual rainfall is stored as 'rock moisture' in bedrock fractures and pores. This water can sustain trees through droughts even after soil has become parched, explaining why some tree species showed little effect from severe droughts.
Researchers at UCR discovered that tropical trees in the Amazon Rainforest have developed an unusual way to conserve and redistribute water during drought, using a layer of living cells around their xylem. This unique method may alleviate concerns about the impact of drought on these critical climate regulators.
A study by Portland State University found that rural ranchers in Mexico's Baja California peninsula faced significant challenges accessing water during a six-year drought. The study highlights a rural-urban divide, with those living closer to urban areas having better access to water deliveries.
New research reveals an extreme lack of genetic diversity in domestic chickpeas, threatening their adaptability to climate change. However, the study also identified wild relatives with promising traits such as drought-resistance and resistance to insect pests.