Articles tagged with Climate Change Effects
A new study suggests that managing local environmental conditions can help coral reefs persevere in the face of climate change. Local factors like macroalgae presence and nutrient pollution exacerbate coral loss, but also offer opportunities for management to boost reef resilience.
A recent study published in Science found that local conditions play a significant role in coral reef survival after climate-driven heatwaves. Managing global climate change and local factors such as nutrient pollution and overfishing can help reefs withstand the effects of climate change, according to researchers.
Two invasive beachgrass species introduced to the Pacific Northwest are hybridizing, altering the region's dune-building ecosystem. The new hybrid combines traits from both parent species, with the potential to impact coastline stability and biodiversity.
A study analyzing California data from 2004-2013 reveals that heat events and ozone have substantial spatial variation in their impact on respiratory hospitalizations, with stronger joint effects in lower-income areas. The results suggest establishing local temperature and ozone thresholds to protect population health.
A new study by University of Liverpool ecologists finds that climate change will see some species succumb to infertility earlier than thought. The research used fruit fly species to predict temperature tolerance and found that almost half of the species become sterile at lower temperatures, making conservation more difficult.
A new study reveals that the End-Permian extinction event, also known as the 'Great Dying', was caused by a rapid spike in global temperatures due to volcanic activity. The researchers found that the region experienced abrupt aridification and changed climate patterns, with high-southern latitudes serving as refugia for moisture-loving...
Climate-driven ocean acidification and deoxygenation impact the California Current, leading to increased phytoplankton biomass and subsurface respiration rates. This eutrophication can reduce oxygen concentrations and pH levels, with potential effects on fisheries and aquatic ecosystems.
Researchers used fibre-optic sensing to obtain highly detailed temperature measurements from the surface of the ice sheet to its base, revealing a heterogeneous temperature distribution. This finding contradicts previous theories and highlights limitations in current models, including those predicting global sea-level rise.
A study has found that climate change may be causing the degradation of ancient rock paintings in Indonesia, dating back up to 45,000 years. The researchers analyzed flakes of rock and found high levels of salts, which can cause rocks to break apart, suggesting a widespread process in Maros-Pangkep.
The AgMIP Regional Integrated Assessment methodology provides a stakeholder-driven approach to understanding climate change impacts on agriculture. The project assesses the most vulnerable groups of farmers and develops effective solutions for adaptation and resilience planning.
International media focused on wildlife, habitat destruction, and climate change, while Australian outlets prioritized human impact, firefighters, and politicians. This disparity in coverage highlights the distinct visual news values of domestic versus international media.
A Cornell University-led study found that when temperatures rise, people fish less often, but stocks of fish and other aquatic foods increase, leading to slightly larger catches. Factoring in human behavior is crucial for understanding climate change's effects on rural livelihoods and food access.
Oregon State University researchers argue that socially just population policies can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote human rights. Effective policies, such as improving education for girls and young women, can significantly decline fertility rates in developing countries.
Severe droughts prompted landowners to grant rights to non-elites, who promoted institutional changes through cooperation. Climate shocks also influenced agricultural activities and social orders in developing countries., Climate crises in Mesopotamia led to the development of cooperative relationships between elites and non-elites.
A recent study found that a disproportionate number of new homes built in struggling neighborhoods will end up in high flood-risk areas. Climate change is expected to disproportionately impact these communities, leading to increased inequality and systemic risks such as mortgage defaults and foreclosures.
A University of Maine study found that Down East wild blueberry fields are warming at a rate 1.2 degrees Celsius faster than the rest of the state over the past 40 years. This rapid warming is expected to increase evapotranspiration, threatening water supplies and crop health.
A new study finds that climate change is a major consideration for people deciding whether or not to have children, with many citing concerns over resource depletion and population growth. The research identifies three themes: overconsumption, overpopulation, and an uncertain future, which can evoke feelings of guilt and moral obligation.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen gathered data from the Renland Ice Cap, combining airborne radar, on-site measurements, and satellite data to create a more accurate model. This study now allows for greater precision in projecting local climate conditions for smaller ice caps and glaciers around the world.
A new study finds that climate change may lead to a decline in suitable areas for high-quality specialty coffee types in Ethiopia, threatening the country's economy and coffee industry. The researchers suggest that tailored adaptation measures are needed to mitigate this trend.
A new book from Cornell University Press explores how climate change will alter the world's dinner plate. Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns threaten staple crops like rice, avocados, and bananas, with some varieties facing yields reduced by up to 80%.
A new study by a University of Copenhagen researcher finds that thawing permafrost in Alaska causes colder water in smaller rivers and streams. This unexpected consequence of climate change could affect the survival of fish species in the Arctic's offshore waters, as warmer air temperatures cause frozen soil to thaw.
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.
A new study led by Curtin University calls for immediate climate action to protect global food production and human health. The researchers estimate that world food production will need to increase by 50% by 2050 to meet growing demand.
Researchers in the European Diverfarming Project introduced herbaceous species and aromatic plants to Mosel vineyards, reducing soil erosion and increasing biodiversity. The results show improved wine quality without negative effects on yield, suggesting a positive relationship between soil mineral acidity and wine quality.
A team of researchers explored the effect of solar radiation modification technologies on ecology, focusing on a specific strategy called stratospheric aerosol intervention (SAI) that creates a sulfate aerosol cloud in the stratosphere to reduce incoming sunlight and radiation. The study highlights the complexity of cascading relations...
Researchers investigate the ecological impacts of solar radiation modification (SRM) on Earth's ecosystems. The study predicts SRM could have complex and uneven effects on ecosystem functions and biodiversity. Climate scientists emphasize the need for continued decarbonization efforts alongside SRM research.
A new study by the University of Illinois reveals that climate change will impact Colombia's coffee production significantly, with low-altitude regions facing negative effects and high-altitude areas experiencing improved yields. The research provides valuable insights for policymakers and coffee growers, highlighting the need for regi...
Injections of reflective sulfate aerosols into the atmosphere may relieve worst climate change consequences when combined with carbon emission reductions. However, SAI carries its own risks, affecting multiple environmental factors in complex and unpredictable ways.
A Cornell-led study found that climate change has slowed global agricultural productivity growth by 21%, or about seven years, since the 1960s. The research used an econometric model linking weather changes and productivity measures to quantify the impact of human-caused climate change on total factor productivity.
Global agricultural productivity has slowed by 21% since 1961 due to climate change, with the impact being more severe in warmer regions. The study finds that areas like Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean are already experiencing slower growth rates, highlighting the need for increased climate resilience.
Climate change and poaching pressure are expected to significantly impact kangaskhan habitat suitability, according to a new study. Researchers used several species distribution modeling algorithms to predict the species' future survival.
A global review of hail trends suggests climate change will lead to increased hailstorm frequency in most regions, particularly Australia, while reducing it in East Asia and North America. Hail severity is expected to increase globally due to warmer temperatures and increased atmospheric instability.
A new study suggests that floating solar farms could help protect lakes and reservoirs from some of the harms of climate change, such as blooms of toxic blue green algae. However, further research is needed to understand the likelihood of both positive and negative impacts on water temperature and stratification.
Climate change impacts grassland vegetation through increased CO2 concentration, leading to reduced stomatal conductance, nitrogen uptake, and yield. Researchers found that heavy nitrogen fertilization no longer boosts yield performance, instead hindering it.
Researchers have successfully monitored a subglacial discharge plume for the first time, providing new insights into the dynamics of glaciers and their role in climate change. The study reveals that plumes are intermittent and influenced by various factors, including tides and wind.
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.
Research on grass blade sizes reveals that smaller leaves with more veins provide better tolerance to dry and cold conditions. This discovery can aid scientists in conserving grass species under climate change and breeding crops for cold climates.
A new study predicts that parts of the UK, particularly eastern and southern England, will face extremely hot and dry conditions conducive to wildfires nearly every other year by 2080 due to climate change. This could lead to a significant increase in wildfire danger, posing environmental, health, and economic risks.
A new study reveals that intense summer blooms of phytoplankton alter the structure of coastal benthic systems in Antarctica. The research team analyzed C and N stable isotopes to identify ecological niches of marine species, finding a significant geographical variation in carbon sources.
Researchers surveyed 9,911 people in Germany and the US, finding that emphasizing urgency alone doesn't increase support for high-cost climate plans. However, giving context and communicating effective near-term solutions can boost support, particularly when politicians are transparent, engaging, and authentic.
Researchers found that climate change and human disturbances like fire can slow down forest regrowth in the Amazon. The study suggests that protecting these forests is crucial to mitigate climate change.
A new study reveals that marine heatwaves are devastating the function of coraligen habitats in the Mediterranean, leading to a loss of structural complexity and essential ecosystem services. The impact is particularly severe for gorgonian corals, which provide shelter for over 1600 species.
A study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases found that extreme climate events can increase Aedes aegypti populations in Kenya, but preventative measures may reduce dengue fever cases. The researchers monitored mosquito abundance and dengue infections in a cohort of children.
New research from Swansea University found that warmer temperatures help invasive species establish themselves and alter ecosystem structures. The study analyzed the synergistic effects of temperature and invasions on communities, revealing that temperature and invasion act together to increase species loss and create smaller networks.
The Three Gorges project has affected local climate, with a warmer spring and autumn and drier fall in the region. Climate extremes, such as heat waves and flooding, are linked to larger Yangtze River Basin weather patterns.
The Antarctic peninsula is expected to experience significant warming over the next two decades, with temperatures rising by 0.5 to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2044. Precipitation in the region is also projected to increase by 5% to 10%, posing a threat to the ice shelves and glaciers that cover it.
A new study finds that combining urban development and climate change caused by greenhouse gases will increase extreme precipitation over future US metropolitan regions. Cities like Atlanta, Denver, Phoenix, and Houston are vulnerable to flooding due to these twin forcing agents of environmental change.
A University of Illinois study suggests that India's rice farmers can increase production while reducing water usage by adopting conservation practices like direct-seeding and soil conservation technology. The researchers also recommend reducing post-harvest losses to further increase crop availability.
A new study finds that climate change is the causal driver influencing the magnitude of global river flows. The analysis of thousands of time series from around the world revealed recent spatially complex hydrological trends, with rivers in some regions drying up and flowing less while others are growing wetter.
A study published in Nature Communications found that climate change can directly impact malaria transmission in Africa, particularly in highland regions. The research analyzed data from Ethiopia and showed a strong correlation between regional temperatures and malaria cases.
A study published in Science found consistent annual declines in butterfly populations over the past 40 years in the western United States. The estimated 1.6% per year decline is attributed to increasing fall temperatures and warming landscapes.
A recent study using citizen science data found that climate warming is driving population declines in butterflies throughout the American West over the past 40 years. The research, published in Science, highlights the need for new approaches to butterfly conservation and suggests that climate change is a key factor in pollinator decline.
A new study estimates that at least 44% of UK seagrasses have been lost since 1936, with losses accelerating in recent decades. The research highlights the urgent need to protect current seagrass meadows and restore degraded or lost ones to mitigate climate change and support marine biodiversity.
Research reveals that prolonged periods of terrestrial invertebrates in rivers lead to monopolization by larger fish, altering food webs and ecosystem functions. In contrast, pulsed periods enable smaller fish to access benthic invertebrates, resulting in reduced leaf breakdown rates.
A recent analysis of CMIP6 climate models found that those with high climate sensitivity do not provide a plausible scenario of Earth's future climate. Models with lower climate sensitivity are more consistent with observed differences in temperature between the northern and southern hemispheres.
A study by Princeton University researchers suggests that climate change can have both positive and negative effects on different groups. Those harmed by climate change should be compensated first, while those benefiting from it may receive payment afterwards. The approach aims to correct incentives and promote fairness in climate policy.
Research highlights social resilience as key factor in overcoming climate adversity, with aridification sparking development of agriculture and complex social structures. The study shows that population surged around 3,900 to 3,500 years ago due to human adaptations and innovations.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers argues that extreme climate forecasts can be counterproductive, leading to public distrust in climate science. The study analyzed 79 climate-caused apocalypse predictions and found that many have expired without consequence, undermining the credibility of such forecasts.
Comparative biologists develop strategies to predict climate change impacts on species and ecosystems, informing conservation policy. Physiological adaptations and interactions between animals and their environments are crucial for building policies to protect keystone and vulnerable species.
A new study finds that eastern forests are more responsive to climate change, with younger trees increasing their seed production. In contrast, older western trees have been less responsive, which could limit their ability to regenerate after diebacks. The study reveals a continental divide in forest responses to climate change.