Research on the consequences of a changing climate. Covers food and water disparities, sea-level costs, forest resilience, and shifting ecosystems.
A 10-year study found that climate change limits the amphibian's breeding habitat in high-elevation lakes, leading to population decline. The Sierra Nevada Yellow-legged frog relies on two to four years of permanent water for development, making repeated tadpole mortality from lake drying a critical threat.
A 25-year study on Welsh streams found that climate change hampers long-term recovery from acid rain effects. Despite improvements in acid levels, only four new insect species colonized the improving rivers, falling short of expected numbers.
The report warns of devastating effects on forests and communities due to climate change; adaptation measures, such as improving forest management and conserving ecosystems, are crucial to mitigate the impacts. Forests provide vital ecosystem services and income for millions of people.
Researchers used NASA satellite data to estimate the heat-trapping effect of water vapor, validating its critical component role in climate change. The study found that increasing water vapor leads to a spiraling cycle of warming and increased absorption, amplifying the warming effect of other greenhouse gases.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast trace the family tree of octopuses, revealing a link between climate change and their global distribution. The study suggests that many deep-sea species evolved from Antarctic ancestors, highlighting the impact of thermohaline circulation on marine biodiversity.
Darrel Jenerette, a UC Riverside landscape ecologist, investigates the moderating effects of vegetation on urban heat islands in Phoenix, Arizona. The research aims to guide policymakers and planners in bolstering protective measures against heat-related illnesses.
Scientists at Harvard University found that different plant families near Walden Pond have reacted to climate change in varying ways, with some facing sharp declines or local extinction due to their inability to adjust flowering times, while others remain more resilient.
A team of Arizona State University researchers is investigating human vulnerability to deadly heat exposure in the face of climate change. The study aims to guide policymakers and planners in bolstering protective measures to prevent heat-related illness and deaths.
Researchers will investigate the effects of climate change on biodiversity, wildfires, and people in the Pacific Northwest using two multi-site projects. They aim to develop policies that protect people from wildfire while conserving and protecting biodiversity.
Research on deep Japanese caldera lakes reveals rising temperatures in southern Japan's deep water, while northern lakes remain unchanged. This can lead to changes in nutrient exchange and oxygen supplies for organisms.
A new study predicts that a two-degree temperature increase could shrink kangaroo populations by 48% and lead to their possible extinction in northern Australia. Climate change is likely to affect habitats, particularly water availability, making it harder for kangaroos to adapt.
A new type of seed bank is proposed to gather wild species, capturing evolutionary responses to future changes in climate. This approach will allow detection of the results of calamitous changes and testing of evolutionary predictions.
A study by University of California, Berkeley biologists found that small mammal populations in Yosemite National Park have shifted to higher elevations in response to warmer temperatures. The study, which compared data from 1914 and 2014, also revealed changes in community composition due to climate change.
Climate change is expected to cause significant economic impacts on US states, with total costs running into billions of dollars for North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. The studies also highlight the need for quick action to mitigate these effects, as delayed action will only worsen the situation.
A study found that extreme flood events in 2002 had a significant impact on carabid beetle and mollusc populations, but not on plant species. The vegetation was the least affected by the flood, with some species benefiting from the increased water.
A recent study reveals that seabirds are a significant source of nitrogen in remote coastal ecosystems, contributing to eutrophication and acidification. The research found varying emissions between seabird species, with bare ground nesters producing more ammonia than burrow nesters.
A long-term study of mammal fossils in northern Pakistan reveals a significant decline in diversity after climate change precipitated a shift in vegetation. The research, spanning 5 million years, shows that mammals that relied on fruit and browse disappeared early, while those that ate grass adapted or went extinct.
A team of scientists has developed a new framework to better account for the impact of aerosols on precipitation in climate models. The study suggests that increased aerosol loading may lead to changes in precipitation patterns, affecting regional water resources and global climate systems.
A new study analyzing ancient DNA from 160 mammoth samples across Holarctica suggests that North American mammoths replaced dwindling Siberian populations around 50,000 to 5,000 years ago. The findings refute the notion of climate change as a direct cause of extinction, instead pointing to a complex pattern of migration and evolution.
A team of scientists found that current protection zones are ineffective in preventing coral reef collapse due to climate change. New areas need to be established to focus on escaping or recovering regions, while managing the entire system is crucial for long-term survival.
A new study suggests that grazing animals in the Arctic can reduce the expected expansion of shrub growth, which would otherwise help mitigate climate change by absorbing more carbon dioxide. The researchers found that muskoxen and caribou reduced shrub growth by 19-46% in plots with increased temperatures.
New research suggests that climate change may increase Middle East rainfall by up to 50% in the Euphrates-Tigris watershed, contrary to previous projections. This could alleviate agricultural challenges and reduce food shortages.
Aeroecology is an emerging field exploring how airborne organisms depend on the lower atmosphere closest to the Earth's surface. This research has significant implications for understanding behavioral, ecological, and evolutionary responses of organisms in complex meteorological conditions.
Researchers study aerosol particles, including soot, using advanced instruments to better understand their lifecycle and effects on climate. This knowledge is crucial for addressing climate change and related public health concerns.
A new series of reports from the University of Maryland's Center for Integrative Environmental Research projects long-term economic impacts of climate change on eight US states, with estimated costs ranging from $1 billion to billions. The studies highlight the need for state and local policy-makers to plan for additional changes ahead.
Exposure to chemical & biological contaminants can cause respiratory & neurologic symptoms, allergies, asthma, and lung cancer. Secondhand smoke & radon are major causes of lung cancer after cigarette smoking.
A new study by Syracuse University and the University of Sheffield found that certain plant species can adapt to long-term climate changes in Northern England's grasslands. The experiment, which spanned 13 years, revealed that these plants can respond to slow-paced environmental shifts, thriving in their existing location.
A new theory on nitrogen fixation in ecosystems may help scientists better predict the effects of climate change. The researchers found that temperature constraints and phosphorus acquisition abilities play a crucial role in shaping the distribution of nitrogen-fixing plants across global ecosystems.
Marine ecosystems face significant threats from climate change, including warming temperatures, nutrient supply disruptions, and ocean acidification. The paper calls for increased research funding to better assess these impacts and develop adaptation options.
Yale Environment 360, a new online magazine, covers global environmental issues with reports, analysis, and Op-Ed-style pieces. The site features original articles by leading journalists, scientists, and experts, showcasing diverse perspectives on climate change, energy policy, and more.
The TEEB report estimates that biodiversity offers $5 billion in ecosystem services per year, but loss could exacerbate global poverty and climate change. The project aims to address the economic value of biodiversity and its impact on human survival.
Researchers have found that plants regulate their own genes using small RNAs, similar to how they silence foreign viral RNA. This discovery has implications for fields such as plant pathology, cancer research, and potentially even combating climate change by understanding how plants respond to pathogens.
A new study by an international team of scientists found that around one-third of the nitrogen entering the world's oceans from the atmosphere is man-made. This has significant implications for global climate change as it leads to increased marine biological activity and CO2 uptake, producing nitrous oxide emissions.
A new analysis combining decades of data from all continents shows that human-caused warming is changing life on a global scale. The study found that physical and biological systems are being affected, including changes in tree leafing, bird migrations, and ocean plankton and fish communities.
Researchers create computer simulation that accurately predicts fish species diversity in river basins, identifying 'hot spots' for conservation. The model uses rainfall measurements and river network structure to forecast species abundance.
Research shows that tropical species are more vulnerable to climate change due to their narrow temperature range, making them more susceptible to extinction with warming of just a degree or two. This is because they live near their thermal optimum and cannot cope with temperatures beyond that range.
A study by Eric Post at Penn State has found that global warming is causing trophic mismatch in West Greenland's caribou population, where plant growth is advancing ahead of animal births. This phenomenon, linked to climate change, may hinder the species' ability to adapt and persist.
The loss of sea ice due to climate change poses a significant threat to Arctic marine mammals, including polar bears, hooded seals, and narwhals. Conservation measures may help mitigate the effects, but reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are crucial for long-term conservation.
Researchers have discovered that tiny earth tremors caused by wind-driven ocean waves can track extreme storms. Microseism signals show up as oscillations of Earth's surface and increase in amplitude with storm intensity, offering a unique way to monitor storm intensities across seasons and geographical locations.
The Lancet launches a new partnership with the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation to monitor global health trends. The journal also establishes a joint Commission with University College London to study and report on managing the health effects of climate change.
Climate change affects indigenous people through increased diseases, droughts, and extreme weather events. They face displacement, human rights violations, and loss of land and resources due to biofuel production and renewable energy projects.
Cholera outbreaks can be predicted using satellite sensors, monitoring sea surface temperature and height. This technology offers a pre-emptive approach to addressing epidemics in developing countries affected by climate change.
UK scientists identify 25 new biodiversity threats and opportunities until 2050, prioritizing research to mitigate surprise issues like GM crops. Horizon scanning aims to inform policy decisions, cutting the need for last-minute fixes on foreseeable problems.
A study by UC Davis researchers found that an ocean odor, DMSP, attracts reef fish that feed on plankton, providing insight into marine ecology. The release of DMSP also promotes cloud formation, cooling the Earth through reduced sunlight reflection.
A study published in BioScience found that a 2007 Eastern US spring freeze caused widespread damage due to unusual warmth preceding the event. This pattern of warmer winters and colder springs may become more common with global warming, posing risks to plant life.
Experts emphasize the need for global solutions to manage carbon emissions, considering the global energy system's shift and technological advancements. Accurate modeling of Earth's systems, capturing and storing CO2 are critical challenges.
Researchers suggest diversifying local ecosystems to increase resilience against climate change impacts. Local policies focus on adaptation rather than mitigation, according to Charles Perrings' research based on the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.
The Gulf of Maine's ecosystem has undergone significant changes due to fishing and climate change, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to fishery management. A new approach prioritizing ecosystem processes and tradeoffs between human activities is necessary to balance economic needs with environmental protection.
Climate change is projected to cause significant crop losses in the world's poorest regions, including Southern Africa and South Asia, with potential losses of up to 30% and 10% or more respectively. Adaptation investments are crucial to mitigate these impacts.
Researchers studied a diverted Death Valley stream to understand the effects of climate change on river flooding and erosion. The unique opportunity provided by the 1941 diversion allowed scientists to observe changes in the creek's behavior over time, revealing the impact of altered water flow on geological processes.
Recent research found California's temperatures have jumped statewide by more than 2.1 degrees Fahrenheit between 1915 and 2000, with the warming being fastest in late winter and early spring. The study suggests that natural causes alone cannot explain this trend and points to greenhouse gases and urbanization as contributing factors.
The Bering Sea's rich food web could fray as algae adapt to greenhouse conditions, affecting top predators like pollock and hake. A shift away from diatoms towards smaller phytoplankton could undermine the biological pump, making the ocean less able to soak up atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Researchers at the University of Michigan developed a new model that matches real-world measurements of saltation better than classical theory. This new knowledge helps scientists understand how aerosols are released, affecting Earth's climate by blocking and absorbing sunlight.
A new study by Stanford University researcher Mark Jacobson links increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to increased human mortality, with up to 20,000 air-pollution-related deaths worldwide per degree Celsius. The study highlights California's particularly dire situation due to its severe air pollution, which is expecte...
Coral reefs are facing extinction due to rising ocean temperatures and acidification, threatening marine biodiversity and the livelihoods of millions. Scientists call for urgent action to reduce carbon emissions and local pressures such as overfishing and pollution to save these vital ecosystems.
A new study has found that higher CO2 levels can lead to more plant litter, which in turn can boost the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere. This process, known as the 'priming effect,' was observed in a tropical forest study.
A US-French research team is creating a comprehensive inventory of all non-microbial life on Moorea, including plants, animals, and fungi. The project aims to catalog and barcode every species on the island, shedding light on ecosystem responses to climate change, invasive species, and human impact.
A study led by Purdue University predicts a significant increase in severe storms in the US, with areas like Atlanta and New York seeing more than double the chances of severe thunderstorms by the end of the century. The research used climate models to examine favorable conditions for storm formation.
Scientific reports predict that global agriculture may decline in some regions due to unconsidered complications from climate change. The authors suggest that temperature rises may lead to crop losses, disease outbreaks, and decreased livestock productivity.
The Swiss Experiment brings together experts to tackle climate change, natural hazards, and sustainable resource use with innovative data collection and analysis. The project aims to improve models predicting floods, avalanches, and landslides, while documenting environmental degradation and change.