Articles tagged with Climate Change Adaptation
Researchers chronicle how Utah ski resort managers are adopting adaptive tactics to cope with decreasing snowpack, shorter seasons and worsening weather. Managers are exploring alternative revenue streams through activities like mountain biking and festivals.
Ancient human societies adapted to tropical ecosystem dynamics, revealing their adaptability and resourcefulness. By studying these past interactions with the environment, scientists can better understand how to conserve tropical environments.
Researchers identified climate-resilient root, tuber and banana crop varieties with flexible planting dates to adapt to warmer and wetter conditions. Cassava, banana, and sweet potato are most adaptable, while potato growing areas are vulnerable.
The Copernicus Ocean State Report reveals record low Arctic ice levels, with a 90% reduction in average sea ice thickness in the Barents Sea. The report also highlights extreme variability in ocean temperatures and oxygen levels, posing significant challenges for marine ecosystems.
A mathematical model developed at Linköping University predicts that many species in polar regions will become extinct due to global warming, with ecosystems already showing signs of strain. The model simulates the impact of climate change on species interactions and diversity, highlighting the importance of considering ecological proc...
Researchers at Binghamton University found that wood frog eggs laid later in the breeding season are less resilient to road salt pollution. The study highlights the complex effects of climate change on amphibian breeding, which may lead to population declines in vulnerable species.
A new study using Argo system ocean temperature data refines climate modeling predictions by identifying models most consistent with observations. The analysis shows that land and air temperatures only tell part of the story, with oceans storing 90% of the planet's heat.
A University of Arizona-led study found that drought and seasonal fluctuations in rainfall are larger drivers of evolutionary diversity than warm temperatures. The research team created maps of evolutionary diversity across North, Central and South America, revealing that deserts have more plant species compared to forests due to drought.
Scientists are still unraveling how pathogens adapt to changing conditions, including climate change and global trade. Genome sequencing and big data technologies have revealed that dramatic events like hybridization between pathogen species can lead to rapid evolution of virulence on new host plants.
Researchers are studying how climate change is forcing animals to evolve and adapt, with changes in beak and ear sizes reported in birds and tail length increases in mice, experts warn that these changes may have unintended ecological consequences
A decade-long study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers shows how aspen stands change their genetic structure over time, adapting to environmental fluctuations. The findings suggest that exposure to various environmental changes can maintain diverse forests capable of responding to different stresses.
A new study reveals corals have a high ability to pass on adaptive traits, helping them cope with climate change stress. However, reducing global warming is crucial for making the most of this adaptation capacity.
Urban climate change adaptation measures can improve human health and wellbeing, reducing cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, heat stress, and exposure to food-borne diseases. Early warning systems and policy changes can deliver immediate benefits.
A new study found that birds and mammals evolved into new species at higher rates where the land has risen most over the past three million years. This effect was found to be greater than historical climate change, present-day elevation, and temperature in driving speciation.
A new study by Portland State University assesses strategies for the Hood River watershed to adapt to climate change. The researchers found that a combination of water banking, infrastructure improvements, and reflexive feedback mechanisms can achieve overall resilience.
A new study assesses the impacts of sea level rise and wetland change on storm surge flooding in the Chesapeake Bay region. The results show that even relatively weak storms in 2100 could have a greater impact than high-intensity storms today, with significant property damage and effects on people.
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 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.
The $3 million grant aims to study the effect of climate change, globalization and infrastructure development on the Arctic region. The project will examine interactions among social systems, natural environment and built environment in Yamal, northern Russia.
Trees continue to form reserves even during long periods of starvation, contrary to the assumption that they only form when photosynthetic conditions are favorable. As CO2 starvation progresses, trees stabilize their reserve levels and divert resources to storage, allowing them to survive climate extremes.
Scientists have developed a new live analysis system for plant stomata, allowing for rapid and affordable identification of desirable traits. This innovation has the potential to accelerate crop development for climate-resistance, addressing future food shortages.
The Lancet reports that extreme heat is becoming a major health issue, with over 356,000 deaths in 2019 related to heat. Effective cooling strategies are needed to protect vulnerable populations and mitigate climate change.
Researchers measuring the impact of the Montreal Protocol found that banning CFCs preserved plant's ability to absorb CO2, preventing a further acceleration of climate change. The study predicts a 2.5°C rise in global temperatures without the ban, exceeding the 1.5°C limit seen as critical for avoiding climate damage.
Researchers found that Indigenous Territories are as effective as Protected Areas in preserving forest's carbon stocks, with some areas showing up to 10% more carbon storage. The study suggests that securing land titles and formalizing forest co-governance can bring multiple benefits for both indigenous people and national governments.
Researchers sequenced DNA from plant specimens collected nearly 50 years ago to analyze genetic diversity and its response to climate change. The study found that several species restricted to the Guadalupe Mountains had surprisingly high amounts of genetic diversity, which could help them adapt to changing conditions.
Researchers at Lehigh University have developed an energy-saving desalination process using carbon dioxide, which can reduce water pretreatment required and cost savings. The HIX-Desal technology has shown promising results in reducing salinity of treated wastewater by over 60% without the need for reverse osmosis.
Researchers have identified different thermal tolerance mechanisms in corals, with some species exhibiting 'resilient' and 'resistant' responses to heat stress. The findings provide a toolbox for protecting coral reefs worldwide and inform conservation prioritization.
Warming oceans are causing fish to struggle with both survival and adaptation, leading to potential extinction. The research found that warmer waters reduce the size of fish, making it harder for them to relocate to more suitable environments, and also limit their ability to evolve and cope with changing temperatures.
A synthesis of scientific literature provides a unified resource for managing western forests and addressing the impacts of climate change on wildfires. The report recommends approaches such as thinning dense forests, prescribed burning, and revitalizing Indigenous fire stewardship practices to make landscapes more resilient.
Research predicts that climatologically wet regions will get wetter on average, but also swing widely between wet and dry conditions. This increased rainfall variability could lead to more extreme weather events impacting crop yields, river flows, and infrastructure resilience.
New research from the University of Arizona identifies climate-related threats to US Department of Defense facilities in the southwestern United States. The study recommends emphasizing risks to DOD missions, finding champions at individual bases, and integrating climate considerations into existing plans to mitigate these challenges.
A new analysis reveals that global toxic pollution and climate change disproportionately affect low-income countries, with the top-one-third of at-risk nations accounting for over two-thirds of the world's population. The study provides a list of top-ten countries most equipped to immediately begin risk reduction efforts.
Climate change poses a pervasive threat to the availability of essential micronutrients from marine fish catches, impacting 40% of countries, including tropical nations. Fisheries micronutrient supplies are less vulnerable to overfishing, but climate change is more critical.
The coming decade will determine whether coral reefs survive, with up to 30% predicted to persist if global warming is limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Policymakers are called upon to address climate change, improve local conditions, and restore coral reefs through coordinated actions and innovative approaches.
An international team of scientists uses archeological digs and palaeoclimate records to study human interactions with the environment during past climate-change events. This approach can help identify tipping points in climate history and provide insights into how cultural diversity has contributed to human resilience.
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.
Fishers in the Northeast US have adopted three strategies to cope with climate-related changes in fish distribution and abundance. They shift their target species, change where they fish, or sell their catch at different ports. Regulations often constrain these adaptations due to conservation measures and market constraints.
A study found that male dragonflies evolve less wing pigmentation in regions with hotter climates to regulate body temperature. This adaptation helps them survive but may also make it harder for them to attract mates.
Male dragonflies have evolved larger melanin wing patches in cooler climates to cope with warmer temperatures. Climate change may lead to even smaller patches in the future, according to research published in PNAS.
Plants can respond to subtle environmental changes on the cellular level, triggering molecular changes in as little as five minutes. The study found that canopy shade leads to the removal of histones at growth-regulating genes through DNA binding of PIF7, activating their expression.
Research led by University of Bristol scientists has shed light on the camel's kidneys, revealing a key role in helping it cope with dehydration and rapid rehydration stresses. The study suggests that cholesterol levels play a crucial role in water conservation, allowing camels to produce highly concentrated urine and minimize water loss.
Researchers integrate disciplines to chart a roadmap for strategic and managed climate retreat. Effective processes involve diverse responses, local knowledge integration, and public deliberation. Communities can define research approaches to support adaptation strategies in their homelands.
A new rapid assessment framework offers a simple tool to facilitate climate-informed conservation and nature-based solutions. The '5Ws' framework helps practitioners consider the what, when, where, why, and who of climate-informed action, enabling them to adapt investments in reforestation, fire management, and habitat protection.
Research suggests that more efficient water management, technology, and infrastructure can help achieve development goals in the world's drylands. This study concludes that coherent system-oriented policies and institutions are necessary to support climate change adaptation efforts.
Most São Paulo state cities have limited capacity to adapt to climate change, with metropolitan areas scoring higher according to the Urban Adaptation Index. Cities must develop strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to global efforts to mitigate climate change.
A new study found that human-induced global warming is responsible for 37% of all heat-related deaths globally, with Central and South America and South-East Asia most affected. Cities like Santiago de Chile, Athens, and Tokyo saw significant increases in mortality due to climate change.
Researchers discovered that clownfish develop white stripes faster in giant carpet anemone hosts due to higher levels of thyroid hormones and increased duox gene activity. Thyroid hormone levels correlate with duox expression, leading to faster bar formation in giant carpet anemone clownfish.
Researchers found that locally adapted cultivars can increase crop yields by up to 20% even under moderate warming, and that strong warming threatens adaptation. Innovative breeding methods like CRISPR-Cas may help develop required cultivars quickly and targetedly.
New research by Aalto University warns that climate change could push a third of global food production out of safe climatic space if greenhouse gas emissions continue growing unchecked. The study assesses the impact of climate change on crop production and livestock, highlighting regions most vulnerable to changes.
A new project aims to rethink biodiversity protection approaches due to climate change by developing flexible and dynamic conservation methods. The Appalachian region will serve as a test-case landscape, with researchers using artificial intelligence and collaborative governance strategies.
A recent study found large populations of monarchs breeding in San Francisco and Los Angeles, suggesting an adaptation to the changing climate. The researchers believe that this new breeding pattern may help the population persist in the western US, despite a decline in numbers.
Researchers found that different species use distinct genetic mechanisms to adapt to desert environments, offering a silver lining for species facing climate change. The study's findings have implications for developing gene therapies to treat human dehydration-related illnesses like kidney disease.
A new study warns that major reductions in wetlands will disproportionately affect Afrotropical migratory waterbirds. The research highlights the urgent need for a holistic conservation strategy to address climate change impacts.
Planktonic foraminifera retained a stable temperature preference over 700,000 years of glacial-interglacial climate fluctuations. The species' inability to adapt suggests they may be vulnerable to extinction if habitats shift suddenly.
Researchers call for climate projections to be taken into account in conservation planning to protect areas at risk of biodiversity loss and climate impacts. Climate change is expected to impact 58% of montane forests in the Peruvian Andes, highlighting the need for adaptive management frameworks.
A new study by Oregon State University suggests that policy decisions will have a greater impact on coastal communities' risk than climate change. The researchers used a modeling platform to analyze the effects of flooding and erosion on buildings, infrastructure, and beach accessibility through the 21st century.
Researchers from McGill University warn of worsening water scarcity in rural Alaska due to climate change. Households often rely on rainwater catchment and grey water recycling, but affordability remains a significant issue, with costs exceeding household income.
Even with limited warming, South Asia will experience deadly heat stress due to population growth and already hot climate conditions. A new study projects nearly tripled heat stress exposure by 2 degrees Celsius of warming.
Researchers present a new framework for studying 'the History of Climate and Society,' which reveals that past populations adapted by exploiting opportunities and resilient energy systems. Case studies show that societies like the Roman Eastern Mediterranean thrived under adverse climate conditions.
A new study published in Polar Biology found that Arctic foxes adapt to changing food sources due to climate change, relying on larger prey during rodent 'bust' years. The research provides insights into the feeding ecology of Arctic foxes and potential impacts of changes in food abundance across space and time.