Articles tagged with Climate Change Effects
Climate change is affecting the world's food supply by altering temperature patterns and causing extreme weather events like droughts and heavy rains. As a result, crops are being wiped out, leading to higher prices and health issues.
The University of Idaho will lead a five-year, $20 million USDA-funded project to study the impacts of climate change on Pacific Northwest wheat and barley production. The team will focus on cereal production systems and create a region-wide research, outreach, and education network to address complex issues raised by changing climate.
Aeroecology is a new discipline that focuses on the aerosphere and its influence on airborne organisms. Organisms such as bats, birds, and insects rely on this aerial environment for their existence, but are also affected by human-altered landscapes and climate change.
NIFA awards $20 million each to three research teams to study climate change effects, develop adaptation methods, and train professionals. The projects will monitor soil carbon, greenhouse gas emissions, and crop management practices to inform agricultural decisions.
Scientists discovered an 'atmospheric imprint' in insects, revealing where they can survive under climate change. By analyzing oxygen isotopes, researchers determined the type of atmosphere each insect needs to thrive.
A new analysis of sulfur emissions found global emissions rose after a decade of decline, driven by international shipping and China's growing economy. The study also estimated the accuracy of emissions data, with regional values potentially off by up to 30%.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia estimate that Arctic fisheries catches totaled 950,000 tonnes from 1950 to 2006, significantly higher than previously reported. The study reveals a lack of accurate data on small-scale fisheries and their impact on biodiversity in the region.
Biologists at UC Berkeley have developed a new 'reverse-ecology' tool that analyzes genomes to identify an organism's adaptive traits. The study, using Neurospora crassa bread mold, found variations in two genome regions linked to natural selection and cold tolerance.
Researchers at Hebrew U. warn that climate change may cause many tree species with wind-dispersed seeds to become extinct due to reduced wind speed and increased seed production. This could lead to a slower spread of trees than expected, making them vulnerable to extinction.
Research suggests that organic milk has higher levels of nutritionally beneficial fatty acids compared to conventional milk, regardless of the time of year or weather conditions. This could help farmers adapt to changing climates by improving milk quality.
A recent study found that red deer on the Isle of Rum are rutting earlier in the year, with their calving seasons now up to two weeks earlier than 30 years ago. This change is attributed to warmer spring and summer temperatures, providing rare evidence of climate change's impact on large mammals.
Researchers estimate that marginal land around the globe can produce grass crops for biofuels with minimal impact on agriculture or the environment. The study suggests that low-impact high-diversity perennial grasses could produce bioenergy while maintaining grassland's natural land cover.
Researchers project a catastrophic climate collapse by 3000 due to unstoppable CO2 effects. Zero-emissions scenarios suggest the Northern Hemisphere will recover faster than the South.
Woolly mammoths living north of the Arctic Circle began weaning infants up to three years later than modern African elephants, potentially contributing to their eventual extinction. This adaptation to harsher environment and prolonged nursing may have made them more vulnerable to climate change and human hunting.
A new study will examine the impacts of climate change on biodiversity in the tropical Andes, focusing on four countries: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The research aims to provide a standard methodology for estimating local climate change risks and inform decision-making, adaptation measures, and conservation planning.
A new study by Dr Ole Peters from Imperial College London finds that the use of flawed risk assessment methods can lead to excessive leveraging and market volatility. Time averaging provides a more accurate prediction for real-world investment outcomes, highlighting the need for better risk management strategies.
A 50-year study confirms an increase in jellyfish <i>Pelagia noctiluca</i> size and intensity due to warming winters and over-fishing. This proliferation affects fisheries, fish farming, and tourism with toxic effects from their tentacles.
Climate scientist Lonnie Thompson warns of impending environmental, societal, and economic consequences of climate change. He cites evidence of glacier retreat, rising sea levels, and diminished ice cover as indicators of the urgent need for action to forestall global warming's effects.
The fire disaster in the Carmel Mountains near Haifa is a typical example of climate change effect and a taste of the future, says Dr. Guy Pe'er. The frequency, intensity, and extent of the fires would increase due to prolonged droughts, increased water evaporation, and intense heat waves.
A Yale University study found that the risk of dying from a heat wave is highest when they occur early in the summer and are hotter and longer than usual. The average daily risk of non-accidental death increased by an average of 3.74 percent during heat waves.
Swiss researchers found that mountain ranges offer habitat diversity that may be crucial for species survival under changing climate conditions. The study suggests that these regions are 'safer' places to live, with only a small percentage of temperature conditions disappearing.
A 20,000-year-old reversal of the Atlantic Ocean's circulation occurred during an ice age, influenced by changes in salt balance and deep convection. The new study's findings offer valuable insights for calibrating ocean and climate models to predict future changes.
A study by Lisette Cantú-Salazar and Kevin J. Gaston found that large protected areas are crucial for preserving natural species assemblages, while also being vulnerable to inadequate management and human activities such as logging and mining. The researchers suggest that these areas should be prioritized for conservation efforts
A new study reveals climate change impacts low-elevation mountain plants more significantly than expected, with increased drought stress observed in forests below 4,000 feet. The findings inform local conservation strategies by predicting biological responses to climate change.
The University of California, Davis is part of a consortium co-hosting the new Southwest Climate Science Center. Researchers say signs of climate change are prevalent in the region, including rising temperatures, earlier snowmelt, and increasing precipitation intensity.
A new study finds that car travel has a higher long-term impact on global warming than plane travel, with a fourfold increase in temperature rise over time. In contrast, air travel has a more significant short-term effect due to its high-altitude emissions.
Researchers found that while some plant populations show stable responses to climate change, others experience rapid declines in survival and growth when warmed above a certain threshold. Long-term studies are crucial for understanding these complex effects.
Researchers will analyze climate change and human-driven changes in hydrology's effects on agricultural production and land use in Asia. The study aims to estimate how climate change affects downstream water resources and food production.
Researchers will investigate microbial community diversity, structure, and responses to climate change in two ecosystems. The studies could inform U.S. policy on climate change and advance the field of microbial ecology.
A new study published in Nature found that a decline in the Sun's activity may cause the Earth to become warmer, contrary to previous expectations. The research suggests that an increase in solar activity may actually cool the planet, rather than warm it.
The University of Nottingham leads a new knowledge exchange network focusing on Earth observation technology for various scientific applications. The cluster aims to develop and promote cutting-edge technologies to monitor environmental changes and their implications.
The £40 million Ecosystems Services for Poverty Alleviation programme aims to benefit developing countries by adapting to climate change. Experts from these nations will be trained in new farming techniques and infrastructure development.
A WCS study found that higher temperatures and rainfall in Argentina result in more parasitic fly larvae, leading to increased mortality and impaired growth for chicks. The researchers also found a positive correlation between climate variables and parasite loads on nestlings.
Researchers found that 150-year-old pressed plants tell the same story about warmer springs and earlier flowering as field-based observations. The study provides first direct proof that pressed plants in herbarium collections can be used to study relationships between phenology and climate change.
Researchers found that pristine rainforests in the Amazon produce aerosol particles that act as seeds for cloud formation and precipitation. These particles are formed from organic molecules emitted by trees and other biological matter, and play a crucial role in sustaining the hydrological cycle.
The risk of beetle outbreaks in western North America's forests is expected to increase significantly due to rising temperatures. Climate change is projected to boost spruce and mountain pine beetles' populations, leading to widespread tree mortality.
Scientists found that irrigation can have a significant cooling effect on regional temperatures, with some areas experiencing up to 3 degrees C cooling. However, the study also warns of impending water scarcity due to overuse of groundwater aquifers, which could exacerbate food shortages and temperature increases.
Research at Collier Glacier has found a significant decline of over 20% in size since the late 1980s, consistent with global glacial retreat. The glacier's mass has shrunk to about half its peak size in the 1850s, and studies suggest it will continue to lose mass, particularly during El Nino events.
Despite evidence of ecosystem decline, global well-being shows improvement due to past food production increases and technological innovations. However, time lags and potential future effects on food production and personal security suggest that complacency is unwarranted.
Researchers discovered a nearly complete jaw from the hyena-like animal, Palaeonictis wingi, which evolved to half its ancestors' size during a 200,000-year period of global warming. The study suggests other factors may have played a critical role in its evolution.
Engineers at the University of Edinburgh have developed a forecasting method to predict damage caused by weather to historic and modern masonry buildings. This allows conservationists to estimate the impact of long-term climate change on stonework and brickwork, determining the most suitable preservation plan.
Researchers at NC State will use high-performance computing and data analytics to develop new approaches for predicting Atlantic hurricanes and precipitation patterns. The goal is to improve the accuracy and detail of climate forecasts, enabling better decision-making for climate researchers.
Researchers have developed new maps of the Chesapeake Bay's forested wetlands, increasing accuracy by 30% compared to existing maps. The combined data from LiDAR and SAR sensors reveals previously unknown connections between wetlands, drainage ditches, and ponds.
A £1m project will investigate giant desert storms of the Sahara, which can affect weather systems and climate change. The study aims to improve climate prediction models and reduce uncertainties in predicting climate and weather impacts on human health.
A new study finds that traveling by car increases global temperatures more significantly than flying over the long term due to higher carbon dioxide emissions. In contrast, air travel has a greater adverse climate impact in the short run due to its effects on high-altitude ozone and clouds.
A team of scientists mapped global diversity patterns for over 11,000 marine species, finding temperature strongly linked to biodiversity and high overlap between areas of human impact and diversity hotspots. The study suggests ocean warming may greatly affect the distribution of life in the sea.
The Sandia study projects the net effect of climate change on US states' agricultural and industrial bases, with some states like California, Pacific Northwest, and Colorado benefiting from reduced water availability. The study concludes that uncertainty in climate change validates the need to act protectively and proactively.
A recent study reveals that a warming climate may cause African apes to lose up to 50% of their habitats due to increased time spent resting. Researchers found that climate change alone can lead to significant habitat loss, making it crucial to ensure safe havens for conservation efforts.
A 33-year study found that climate change is causing yellow-bellied marmots to grow fatter and healthier due to longer summers. This shift allows them to reproduce earlier and survive the winter, leading to an increase in population size.
Researchers found that ferns in the northern end of the redwood forest ecosystem are better equipped to absorb fog water than those in the southern region. This has important implications for the structure of plant communities and how ecosystems function during drought periods. The study suggests that native ferns may be able to acclim...
A study by ISU researcher Diane Debinski found that drought conditions could lead to a shift from flowering plants to shrubs in montane meadows. This change could impact wildlife populations, including elk, bison, and pollinators like butterflies. Medium-moisture meadows may be particularly vulnerable to climate change.
A new study published in Energy Policy suggests that reducing electricity consumption can have a significant impact on carbon dioxide emissions from power stations, with some studies showing rates as high as 0.69 kilograms of CO2 per kilowatt hour, 60% higher than the current estimated figure.
Researchers found that eliminating soot pollution from diesel engines and coal sources would provide the world with an additional eight years to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. This study aimed to standardize estimates of soot's contribution to global warming, emphasizing the need for further research.
Researchers recommend using water conservatively and developing ways to harness energy from the sun, wind, and Earth to cope with projected climate changes in the West and Southwest. The region is expected to experience widespread drought, wildfires, and decreasing snowpack.
A comprehensive synthesis on climate change's effects on global ocean functions has revealed dramatic changes at an unprecedented rate. The report highlights the urgent need for world leaders to limit greenhouse gas growth and reduce the risk of ecological disasters.
Researchers have discovered that coral ecosystems facing pressure from human activities and climate change may find survival clues in their fringed areas. These areas are critical for coral evolution, hybridization, and adaptation, highlighting the need to rethink protection strategies.
A WHOI scientist's comprehensive report evaluates the impact of human activities on ocean chemistry, revealing widespread changes in seawater acidity, oxygen levels, and mercury pollution. The research highlights the need for deeper understanding and coordination to address these issues.
Research led by the University of Exeter finds that climate change is increasing hazard risks in mountainous regions, including glacier loss and rock-fall activity. The study's findings highlight the need for increased public awareness and preparedness to mitigate the impacts of climate-related hazards.
Researchers explored how prolonged droughts may affect California's water supply system. The study also revealed the first images of Saturn lightning, providing new insights into the planet's atmosphere. These findings suggest improved water management strategies could mitigate the effects of severe droughts on ecosystems and economies.
The Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean at the University of Washington will focus on 10 critical areas, including climate change, ocean acidification, and marine ecosystems. The institute aims to expand its research efforts with a potential $100 million award over five years.