Articles tagged with Climate Change Effects
A team of researchers led by URI Professor Brennan Phillips successfully demonstrated new technologies for capturing preserved tissue and high-resolution images of deep-sea animals in minutes, preserving them for advanced genomic study. This breakthrough enables faster species discovery and can inform extinction prevention efforts.
Research by University of Exeter scientists found that females with warmer temperatures have fewer spots, challenging long-held views on the reason for this variation. The study suggests that butterflies adapt their camouflage based on temperature, which could lead to a decrease in spotting over time.
Researchers uncover key mechanisms behind 2021's Pacific Northwest 'Heat Dome', attributing it to human-caused warming and natural systems. The study reveals the interplay between atmospheric dynamics, soil moisture, and climate change shapes extreme weather conditions.
Climate change in the South China Sea region is linked to changes in global weather patterns, including droughts and humidity shifts. The study highlights the complex interactions between ocean, land, and atmosphere, which drive climate change and impact regions worldwide.
A new analysis reveals a pronounced regional imbalance in forest productivity, with the Western U.S. experiencing a notable slowdown and the Eastern U.S. seeing slightly accelerated growth. This study highlights the urgent need for reduced global greenhouse gas emissions to restore the global carbon balance.
A new study reveals that climate change is silently eroding the ocean's ability to provide fish by reducing plankton levels, leading to significant drops in fish stocks. The research found that even small declines in phytoplankton can result in much bigger drops in fish populations due to an amplifying mechanism within the food web.
Research reveals that aquifer depletion can curb crop yields even when it appears saturated enough to continue meeting irrigation demands. As groundwater dwindles, agricultural losses escalate, especially for corn and soybean yields.
A study using infrared cameras found that high air and ground temperatures limit numbats' ability to forage in the sun, forcing them to retreat to the shade. Climate change may also make the shade too hot for numbats to survive.
The Caatinga's ecosystem is projected to lose up to 87% of its mammal species and 70% of plant assemblages due to climate change. This will result in a loss of ecological functions, such as seed dispersal, and make the ecosystem less resilient.
Researchers found that the Asian summer monsoon's strengthening played a key role in Homo sapiens' dispersal from Africa to East Asia during the last interglacial period. The study integrated paleoanthropological data with high-resolution reconstructions of the monsoon, suggesting a link between climate change and human migration.
The biological carbon pump is crucial for regulating atmospheric CO2 levels, but focusing solely on export flux neglects ocean circulation's impact. Changes in ocean circulation under climate change lead to increased storage of biologically produced CO2 in the interior ocean.
A new Dartmouth study finds that seasonal snowpacks have shrunk significantly over the past 40 years due to human-driven climate change. The sharpest global warming-related reductions are in the Southwestern and Northeastern United States, as well as in Central and Eastern Europe.
Researchers studied two coral species in Hawaii to understand their adaptability to climate change, finding that certain species can endure and recover from heat stress, while others are more vulnerable. The study highlights the importance of acclimatization and recovery patterns in coral resilience.
A study found that Spanish butterflies are better at regulating their body temperature by basking in the sunshine compared to British counterparts. However, rising global temperatures due to climate change may put Spanish butterflies at greater risk of extinction if they cannot adapt quickly enough.
A new study finds that input-efficient technologies like water-saving devices have negative net benefits for consumers, contradicting the 'win-win' narrative. The authors conclude that modest savings and uncertain long-term benefits are insufficient to overcome consumer resistance.
A global study led by Colorado State University scientists shows that extreme drought has been greatly underestimated for grasslands and shrublands. The study found that the loss of aboveground plant growth was 60% greater when short-term drought was extreme, exceeding previously reported losses.
A new study has found that evolution is influenced by a genome's evolutionary history, allowing scientists to predict gene interactions and tackle real-world issues like antibiotic resistance. This discovery opens the door to new possibilities in synthetic biology, medicine, and environmental science.
A study by Florida State University researchers finds that climate migration will sharply affect coastal populations, leading to an influx of younger people and a subsequent increase in median age. By 2100, this could result in a spike of up to 10 years in the median age of coastal communities.
Researchers found that logged forests have higher average temperatures and lower humidity, hastening the transition of bird species to higher elevations. Small bird species colonize logged forests better due to temperature tolerance, while larger species remain in primary forests.
Researchers from Fordham University partnered with Bronx schools to collect real-time air quality data through a citizen science project. The study highlighted the disproportionate impact of pollution on low-income communities and inspired students to develop an interest in science.
An international study classifies groundwater as a keystone ecosystem, emphasizing its critical role in sustaining both humanity and biodiversity. The researchers propose eight key themes for improved groundwater conservation to reduce biodiversity loss and counterbalance climate change.
A recent study found that climate warming is altering carbon flow and food web dynamics in Arctic tundra and boreal forest ecosystems, with fungi replacing plants as the main energy source for animals. This shift has significant implications for ecosystem function and animal responses to climate change.
Tackling inequality is vital to mitigate climate change effectively, as wealthy individuals often have greater ability to reduce their carbon footprint. Deep-rooted inequalities restrict people's capacity to switch to lower-carbon behaviours, making it essential for policymakers to provide equal opportunities across all income brackets.
A new study reveals that accelerating sea level rise will exacerbate existing social inequality in coastal areas, with minority populations facing the most severe burdens. Rising sea levels disrupt transportation networks and roads, leading to increased isolation and reduced access to essential services.
Researchers Dr. Maisa Rojas and Marco Billi propose a new model of governance to address climate change in Chile, prioritizing social justice and ecological order. This approach aims to mitigate the effects of climate change on vulnerable groups and promote transformative change.
A study published in Environment International found that air conditioning reduced heat-related mortality in Spain by up to 31.5%, while heating systems contributed to a decrease of 50.8% in extreme cold-related fatalities. However, the effect may be attenuated by an ageing population.
A study published in Nature predicts that climate change will lead to a 9% loss of ecosystem services by 2100, with the poorest 50% of countries expected to bear 90% of the damages. The study's findings highlight the importance of accounting for natural systems and human well-being within economic frameworks.
Researchers used genetic information from 104 aardvark poop samples to study their distribution and movement across the African landscape. They found regional divisions and larger home ranges, but also restricted movement through arid areas due to climate change.
New ASU research models the benefits of combining heat adaptation strategies with mitigation efforts to lessen extreme heat exposure in major US cities. The study finds that Northeast and Midwest regions can expect greater benefits, while Sun Belt cities face limited reductions.
A team of UVA civil and environmental engineers and environmental scientists have developed a web-based decision-support tool, called the Climate Equity Atlas, to help residents deal with the challenges caused by climate change. The tool combines historical environmental data and socioeconomic data to create a sophisticated predictive ...
A study published in Nature Communications reveals the Third Pole is vulnerable to glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) due to climate change, with 1,499 lakes at high risk. The research estimates that 190,000 lives are directly exposed to GLOF paths and $55 billion worth of infrastructure is threatened.
A 1916 study by Eugene Clyde La Rue estimated the Colorado River discharged just 15 million acre-feet of water, but was ignored in favor of a higher estimate. Today, the river's actual flow is around 13 million acre-feet per year, prompting calls for improved estimates and Indigenous involvement in managing the water.
A recent study published in Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology examines the effects of climate change on various allergic conditions, including atopic dermatitis, asthma, and seasonal allergies. The research suggests that environmental warming can lead to longer-lasting pollen seasons and increased T2 inflammation.
A Washington State University study reveals that high-elevation snow in the Pacific Northwest is melting earlier due to frequent and intense heatwaves. The researchers found that these heatwaves have doubled in frequency and intensity since the mid-1990s, posing a significant threat to the region's water supply.
Research from the University of California San Diego finds that wildfires transform lakes and aquatic ecosystems, storing more carbon and emitting less CO2. The study suggests a shift in the role of aquatic systems in the global carbon cycle, with potential consequences for aquatic health and fisheries.
A cross-disciplinary study from the University of Cambridge reveals that a drought in southern California in the mid-1970s led to the explosive rise of professional skateboarding culture. The authors argue that small environmental changes can have profound effects on human behavior, stimulating cultural and technical innovation.
Researchers found that most US watersheds are too small and lack sufficient sediment to sustain tidal wetlands as sea levels rise. Scientists now recommend allowing wetlands to migrate upslope or restoring natural hydrology to preserve low-lying land, alongside other engineering approaches.
A modelling study published in Scientific Reports suggests that rising global temperatures could lead to an expansion of the green turtle's nesting range in the Mediterranean Sea. The authors found that sea surface temperature, salinity, and human population density most affect the suitability of a location as a nesting site.
A new paper published in Environmental Research Letters explores the link between a three-day exceptional heatwave in North China and human-induced climate change. The study highlights the need for emission reduction measures to address extreme heatwave consequences, with implications globally.
Researchers found that high plant diversity acts as a buffer against fluctuations in soil temperature, protecting ecosystems and agricultural productivity. Plant diversity increased shading and organic carbon content, reducing heat conduction and stabilizing soil temperature.
Researchers from Incheon National University found that climate change impacts prokaryotes in oceans, altering methane and nitrous oxide cycles. This study highlights the need for policies to reduce ocean acidification and warming to stabilize vital microbial communities and greenhouse gas cycles.
New data analysis reveals that regional temperature patterns are crucial for evaluating climate models, with warmer temperatures in the North Atlantic and a cooler North Atlantic found to be more accurate. This approach provides better insights into the spatial impact of climate change and its effects on ecosystems and human societies.
Researchers discovered that rising temperatures trigger katabatic winds in Himalayan glaciers, cooling the air and preserving surrounding ecosystems. The team used climate models to demonstrate this phenomenon across the Himalayan range, suggesting that some glaciers may have a chance to 'save' themselves by reacting to global warming.
A new study compiled over 600,000 records from US and Canadian wildlife rehabilitation centers to investigate the threats facing more than a thousand species by region, highlighting human activities such as climate change and extreme weather events
A new study identifies public and private companies operating in economic sectors associated with increased risks of emerging infectious diseases. Financial actors can mitigate these risks through investments that promote ecological restoration, pathogen surveillance systems, and community health care.
Researchers develop a mathematical model that analyzes the future survival of plants in a changing climate by studying how far wind can carry seeds. The model provides fast and reliable predictions of seed movement, considering factors like seed type, plant height, and wind speed.
A new study by the University of Miami Rosenstiel School found that carbon dioxide becomes more potent as climate changes, increasing its heat-trapping effect. This means that future CO2 increases will provide a more potent warming effect on climate than past increases.
A new study reveals that the protective effect of income has largely eroded in affluent neighborhoods over the past 40 years. This means that even if residents have more wealth, they won't be able to enjoy cooler temperatures as climate change worsens.
A new study finds that public incentives for negative emissions can exacerbate economic inequality, especially in countries with concentrated equity ownership and expensive mitigation options. Researchers propose alternative policy provisions to mitigate the increase in inequality while ensuring decarbonization at reasonable cost.
A new study of 600 years of tree rings from the San Joaquin Valley reveals that climate extremes have been more severe and lasted longer than modern records, highlighting flood and drought risks in California. The research combines paleo information with synthetic weather generation to help understand and anticipate these risks.
Local sea snails, such as the frilled dog winkle, are vulnerable to warming oceans due to their inability to adapt or migrate. In contrast, species like oysters and northern anchovies, which are tolerant of heat, may survive in warmer waters.
Scientists tracking Cadman Glacier's rapid retreat highlight the importance of long-term monitoring of Antarctica's polar regions. The glacier's ice shelf thinned due to warmer ocean waters, leading to a 28% increase in ice discharge over 13 months.
Researchers predict that vampire bats will expand their locations in search of more stable climates, potentially linked to a spillover of rabies. The team's work aims to identify and track the bats by traveling to Colombia to contain the spread.
The Arctic Amplification (AC)³ research network will continue its study of the phenomenon, which has observed a drastic increase in near-surface air temperatures in the Arctic. The researchers aim to make fundamental advances in understanding Arctic amplification and improve climate model predictions.
A new study estimates that climate change and coastal land usage will result in significant shrinkage of coral habitats, tidal marshes, and mangroves. In contrast, macroalgal beds are expected to remain stable, while seagrass meadows may expand due to increased sunlight penetration.
Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem discover that pollutants trigger significant changes in large-scale weather patterns, leading to enhanced radiative forcing. Aerosols stop rain in some areas, causing moisture to move to regions with big clouds, which release heat and strengthen winds.
A global study reveals that farmworkers in major crop regions are facing increasing exposure to extreme heat and humidity, which can impair their ability to function. The most affected crops are rice and maize, with nearly half of the world's rice cropland already experiencing extreme conditions during the planting and harvest seasons.
Plants capture more carbon on weekends when industrial production decreases and fewer people commute, finding similar patterns during COVID-19 lockdowns. This improvement in air quality could enhance natural carbon sequestration and mitigate climate change.
Researchers found that a more complex climate model projects stronger and sustained carbon uptake by plants until the end of the 21st century. This could lead to a larger impact on mitigating climate change through nature-based solutions like reforestation.
Researchers found a tradeoff between fast growth and heat tolerance in corals, with thermally sensitive algae dominating faster growth but only in cooler water. This study helps predict reef futures and inform conservation strategies, highlighting the complexity of coral growth on a reef.