Research on the consequences of a changing climate. Covers food and water disparities, sea-level costs, forest resilience, and shifting ecosystems.
Scientists from Wildlife Conservation Society examine implications of economic development and climate change on conserving Myanmar's biodiversity. Recommendations include strengthening protected area systems and ecosystem-based adaptation strategies to protect unique biodiversity.
A new research assesses conservation gaps of crop wild relatives, finding that 54% are high-priority for collection to improve yields and resilience. The study highlights the importance of collecting wild plants in countries like Australia, Bolivia, China, and Italy.
A new study finds that current conservation efforts for the Iberian lynx are insufficient to save the species from extinction within 50 years, as climate change is not accounted for in management plans. The research highlights the importance of integrating climate models into biodiversity management.
The Iberian lynx, the world's most endangered cat species, is threatened by climate change and may go extinct in 50 years. Climate change must be incorporated into strategies to reintroduce the species to new habitats for survival.
Researchers discovered a 3% increase in flower production on Barro Colorado Island since 1987 due to rising temperatures and precipitation. In contrast, the Luquillo Forest Dynamics Plot in Puerto Rico showed no overall increase in flower production over the same period.
A new study estimates that human-caused outdoor air pollution causes around 470,000 premature deaths each year due to increased ozone levels. Additionally, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is linked to an estimated 2.1 million annual deaths. The effects of past climate change on air quality and health are found to be relatively small.
Rising temperatures cause snakes to become more active, devouring mosquito-eating birds like the Acadian flycatcher. This increase in snake predation has severe consequences for agriculture, disease prevention, and tourism.
A new study found that birds can survive climate change through phenotypic plasticity, a flexibility in behavior. This adaptation enables them to track environmental changes, increasing their chances of survival. However, slow-reproducing species are more vulnerable to extinction due to the need for precise adaptations.
Researchers found that open-minded people became more supportive of government intervention after viewing videos presenting both sides of the issue. Closed-minded individuals did not change their views, regardless of the messages they received. The study suggests climate change denialists may be less effective in swaying public opinion.
Researchers found that climate change can have both positive and negative effects on eelgrass meadows, depending on the presence of small algae-eating crustaceans. Without these crustaceans, higher water temperatures and ocean acidification pose a greater threat to the ecosystem's survival.
Scientists discovered that elevated carbon dioxide concentrations have caused a significant increase in foliage cover across warm, arid environments globally. The study found that the CO2 fertilization effect led to an average 11% increase in foliage, with some regions experiencing up to 10% growth.
A new article synthesizes recent findings on climate-fire interactions, highlighting the significant regional climate effects of smoke particles and their impact on global temperatures and precipitation. The study also explores the role of black carbon in accelerating snow melting and its influence on terrestrial ecosystem services.
Climate change alters species interactions, potentially destabilizing entire ecosystems. The study reveals how temperature changes affect metabolic rates and consumer-resource interactions, leading to increased encounter rates between predators and prey.
A new study projects that heat-related deaths in Manhattan will increase by 20 percent by the 2020s and potentially up to 90 percent or more by the 2080s. Higher winter temperatures may offset some of these deaths, but overall temperature-related mortality is expected to rise.
A Dartmouth College study suggests that many species of tropical lizards may not be on the brink of extinction due to climate change. The research found that high-resolution temperature measurements revealed varying effects on different lizard populations, contradicting previous predictions of widespread extinction.
Researchers used fish temperature preferences as a 'thermometer' to assess climate change's impact on the world's oceans between 1970 and 2006. They found that warm-water species dominated global fisheries catches, while tropical regions experienced reduced marine species and catches.
A new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, highlights racial disparities in heat vulnerability. The findings show that areas with no tree canopy and high heat-absorbing surfaces disproportionately affect African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics.
A recent study found that urbanization significantly affects surface warming in eastern China, particularly in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region. The study revealed a remarkable summer warming rate of 0.132-0.250°C per decade, accounting for 36%-68% of regional warming. In contrast, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region experienced...
Research predicts that climate change will cause a dramatic decline in common plant and animal species by 2080, with plants, reptiles, and amphibians facing the highest risk. Acting quickly to mitigate climate change could reduce losses by 60%.
A new study models iceberg production by Greenland glaciers, finding that fjord shape and terrain below the ice significantly affect their movement. The research suggests that climate change will lead to an average loss of 30-47Gt of ice from these glaciers over the 21st century.
The new model helps authorities find a sensible balance in mitigating natural hazards, taking into account deep uncertainties and limited resources. The study provides methods to estimate the expected value of damage and predict probabilities of disasters.
A new study reveals that Antarctic clams' reaction to environmental changes varies depending on their age. Younger clams are more active in responding to hypoxia, while older, sedentary clams remain relatively unchanged. This has implications for future clam populations and ecosystems.
The report outlines how climate change could affect habitats, plants and animals within the sanctuary, as well as adjacent coastal areas. Climate change poses a grave threat to the health of the ocean, with impacts felt in marine protected areas like the Olympic Coast sanctuary.
A national marine biodiversity observation network is proposed to track ocean ecosystem health, monitor trends, and facilitate proactive responses to environmental pressures. The study recommends coordination of existing efforts, digitization of historical data, and establishment of regional centers to process and identify specimens.
University of Cincinnati student researcher Bo Yang develops method to combine thermal data from separate satellite systems, creating detailed maps of regional temperature fluctuations. This technique simplifies the process of analyzing parallel data, allowing geographers to derive daily surface temperature and emissivity information.
Carnegie scientists found that plant communities are stronger predictors of ecosystem chemistry than environmental conditions. The study used a new airborne instrument to map multiple ecosystem chemicals and found that plant composition explains up to 61% of variation in plant chemical traits.
Simulations suggest a shift northward, which could increase or decrease seasonal rainfall in areas such as the Amazon, sub-Saharan Africa or East Asia. A warmer northern hemisphere causes atmospheric overturning to weaken in the north and strengthen in the south, shifting rain bands northward.
Richard B. Alley, a renowned geoscientist, has been awarded the AAAS Public Engagement in Science Award for his outstanding contributions to popularizing climate science. His work has helped demonstrate that past regional to global climate changes occurred rapidly and significantly impacted the environment.
An international team led by UCSC biologist Barry Sinervo is investigating how climate change affects plant communities and animal populations globally. The study will evaluate the effects of changing temperatures on local populations of lizards, frogs, fish, and other vertebrates.
The Climate-Smart Agriculture Global Science Conference aims to bring together scientists and policymakers from around the world to discuss climate change impacts on agriculture. The conference will focus on science-based policies and actions to slow the effects of climate change while meeting the world's need for food and sustainability.
Researchers discovered that the area has lost many species of bees and flowering plants, but found them surprisingly resilient in the face of warmer temperatures. The study used historical data to examine plant-pollinator interactions and found mismatches between plants and their historic pollinators due to climate change.
A geoengineering coalition aims to reduce climate change by deflecting sun radiation, but new research suggests excluding non-participating countries may be counterproductive. Maintaining openness and inclusiveness in decision-making processes could be crucial for successful geoengineering efforts.
A new study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of London found that plant communities in the Arctic are more resilient to climate change when populations of caribou and musk ox remain intact. The research suggests that these large herbivores maintain plant species diversity, while warming reduces it.
A new study reveals that some turtle populations are among the least likely to recover from climate change impacts. Protecting key regional nesting beaches and areas suitable for future nesting is crucial to enhance marine turtles' resilience.
A new report from ArcticNet proposes practical solutions to enhance the well-being of Northern communities, including improved management of caribou herds, monitoring of water quality, and protection of traditional resources such as berry production areas. The recommendations aim to address the effects of climate change on these regions.
A University of Colorado Boulder-led study found significant declines in pinyon pine seed cone production due to regional warming and drought. The biggest declines were at higher elevation sites with more dramatic warming, which likely inhibits cone initiation and development.
Researchers have found a decreasing trend in intense rainfall frequency in the Ebro basin since 1955. This decrease is attributed to a general decrease in rainfall erosivity, suggesting persistent long-term climate changes.
Climate change affects human health, prompting physicians to take action; doctors can lobby governments, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and clinical waste. Immediate wise action is necessary to mitigate disastrous consequences.
Climate change is threatening US coastal communities' social, economic, and natural systems, with increased risks of sea-level rise, erosion, storms, and flooding. The report emphasizes the need for coordination and planning to ensure resilience against climate change impacts.
Climate change models predict higher temperatures and months without rainfall, doubling the risk of death in calves up to five years old. The study highlights the importance of protecting vulnerable calves from the effects of climate change.
The new research station will be equipped with modern laboratory facilities, equipment, and unmanned drones to monitor air composition. Researchers from Denmark and abroad will collaborate on interdisciplinary studies of climate change, sea ice, ecosystems, and atmosphere.
A study published in BioMed Central's open access journal Carbon Balance and Management suggests that afforestation can lead to cooler summers and wetter conditions in regions like Europe. Planting trees can provide localized benefits by making the surrounding air moister and cooler, sequestering carbon and protecting biodiversity.
A new study reveals that ozone depletion has a greater impact on the jet stream's southward shift than increasing greenhouse gases. Researchers analyzed wind patterns over a 10-day period and found that ozone depletion was associated with a poleward shift of westerlies, while greenhouse gases were linked to an equatorward shift.
A study predicts that climate change could cause financial losses of up to 50 million euros for Andorran ski resorts, mainly due to shortened seasons and reduced snow production. The study analyzed three ski resorts in the Pyrenees and found that lower altitude areas would be most affected by warmer temperatures.
A new study finds that warmer temperatures can cause soils to release more carbon dioxide, exacerbating climate change. However, this effect diminishes over the long term as soil microorganisms adapt and become more efficient.
A Norwegian study found that climate events, particularly rain-on-snow events, drive synchronized population fluctuations among high-arctic vertebrates. This synchrony affects the entire community, including species such as reindeer, rock ptarmigan, and arctic foxes.
Researchers found that record warm temperatures in 2010 and 2012 resulted in the earliest spring flowering in the eastern United States. Spring is arriving much earlier today than it has in the past, with plants flowering over three weeks earlier than when they were first observed.
A new study suggests that the current approach to addressing climate change is insufficient and requires drastic cuts in CO2 emissions. The researchers propose a more radical transformation of the global energy system, with a focus on developing new, carbon-free power sources.
A new study suggests that climate change may have a lesser impact on bird populations than previously thought, with housing development potentially causing greater harm. The research found that some species projected to expand their ranges due to climate change may actually lose ground when faced with future development.
Researchers detect volcanic carbon monoxide emissions via satellite sensors, estimating a global emission of approximately 5.5 teragrams per year. Antarctic sea ice thickness affects algae populations, with varying seasonal patterns and relationships between surface, interior, and underside layers.
A recent study published in Bioscience highlights the importance of long-term, site-specific research to understand climate change's impact on ecosystem structure and function. Climate-driven changes affect multiple components of forest ecosystems, including hydrologic variables, phenology, and plant community composition.
A recent study published in BioScience reveals surprising results on the effects of climate change on ecosystems, highlighting the value of long-term ecological research. The analysis shows how changes in temperature and precipitation affect hydrologic variables, plant and animal community composition, and ecosystem services.
Scientists from six countries emphasize the importance of collaboration between science and policy in addressing air pollution effects. Successful integration has led to significant improvements in reducing acid rain and eutrophication, but challenges persist, including nitrogen emissions and climate change.
Climate change is affecting all regions in Europe, causing a range of impacts on society and the environment. Higher temperatures, decreased precipitation in southern regions, and melting glaciers are among the key findings.
A new study reveals that climate change is altering the Northern hardwood forest ecosystem, affecting maple syrup production, wildlife health and timber resources. The research highlights the need for long-term studies to understand and manage these complex effects.
Researchers found that warmer springs are causing trees to leaf out earlier, threatening tree species like yellow birch and sugar maple. This altered landscape can lead to changes in wildlife populations, including deer replacing moose in the ecosystem.
A study by University of Hawaii researchers found that future sea level rise will double previous predictions of flooding, with low-lying coastal areas vulnerable to 'groundwater inundation.' Groundwater levels near the surface threaten coastal communities more than previously thought.
Scientists have found that Antarctic sea ice cover has increased, but with regional gains and losses offsetting each other. The changes are attributed to wind-driven changes in the Antarctic region, which affects both ice drift and air temperature.
A father-son team has developed a mathematical model to balance costs and benefits of different disaster protection strategies. The approach considers optimization techniques and helps communities make informed choices about protection measures.
A recent study found that dust's longwave radiation absorption causes more than half of the cooling effect to be countered by warming. This regional phenomenon has significant implications for understanding dust's influence on climate and moisture fluctuations.