Articles tagged with Droughts
Researchers identify OsFeSOD3 gene that supports chloroplast health while enhancing plant survival under drought conditions. This discovery could help overcome crop yield limitations and improve climate-resilient crops.
New degradable sensors developed by Lancaster University researchers track biological activity in soil using a biodegradable substrate nibbled on by microbes. This technology offers insights into soil's response to climate events and storage of carbon, providing a better understanding of soil health and microbial processes.
A Stanford-led team has identified the molecular basis of Hechtian structures, which maintain plant cell membranes connected to the wall during water loss. Plants with more Hechtian structures recover better once water returns.
A new study from the University of Oxford found that drought exposure is associated with increased risk of sexual, emotional and physical violence among adolescents in Southern Africa. Girls and young women face the highest risk of violence during drought conditions.
A new study suggests that a strengthened and southward-shifted westerly jet may partly offset drying in Asian drylands. The research found that the Eurasian Subtropical Westerly Jet is projected to strengthen and shift southward during summer, enhancing moisture advection into Central Asia.
Recent studies indicate an extension of dry seasons and changes in rainfall patterns in the Amazon, with some predictions surpassing decades' projections. Climate models show intensified water deficits, particularly in southwestern regions under high greenhouse gas emission scenarios.
A new study led by the University of Michigan found that drought conditions in the Southwest have reduced the suitable habitat for herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores by at least 10%. The analysis of 12 years of data from GPS collars on mule deer, black bears, and cougars showed that drought is negatively impacting life across Utah a...
Research reveals US forests face significant risk of carbon loss due to wildfires, droughts, and insects. Current carbon-credit systems fail to account for these risks, but the study provides a solution by proposing larger buffer pools to mitigate losses.
A study finds that US forests are at risk of releasing stored carbon due to droughts, pests, and fires exacerbated by climate change. The researchers recommend increasing buffer pools in carbon-credit systems to account for these risks.
Researchers found that even in degraded forests, tree species can regenerate quickly, but vulnerable species are replaced by more resilient generalists, leading to a loss of diversity. The recovered areas are vulnerable to extreme events and climate change impacts, highlighting the need for forest conservation strategies.
A new study finds that warmer winters will lead to faster water transit times in the western United States, negatively impacting summer water levels and quality. The research focuses on the Naches River basin, where snowpack declines have already resulted in earlier spring discharges.
New research from the American Meteorological Society explores AI forecasting limits, the impact of climate change on hurricane trends, and simplifies the heat index. The studies find that machine learning can outperform numerical physics-based models in certain conditions, but not universally.
A new study finds that when droughts strike, Europe's hydropower and renewables aren't enough to meet energy demand, forcing countries to rely on fossil fuels and increasing CO2 emissions by 180 TWh. The study also reveals that power production from fossil fuels in the EU increased by 7% of total generation in 2022.
Fungal endophytes from cacti have been found to boost drought tolerance in cacao plants by controlling stomatal conductance and retaining more water. These microbes could provide a novel strategy for addressing climate change's impact on cacao production.
Researchers project that 28% of the global population will face heightened exposure to hot-dry extremes by the 2090s, concentrated in low-income, tropical nations. Limiting emissions could avert a lot of risk, with about 18% of the population facing this level of exposure under current climate action plans.
Researchers from the University of Tokyo have discovered a link between tropical volcanic eruptions and droughts in Asia. The study found that large eruptions can suppress monsoon convection, leading to reduced precipitation and droughts.
Researchers identified a mechanism allowing plants to rapidly slow growth in response to extreme stress. By limiting growth-related compounds, plants pause development and cope with stress. The finding has practical applications for developing more resilient crops.
Researchers found a more reliable way to track seasonal productivity and drought stress in dryland ecosystems by combining multiple optical signals. This approach could improve drought monitoring and carbon-cycle modeling, supporting climate forecasting and ecosystem management.
Salk Institute scientists created a high-resolution atlas showing how droughts affect plant cells. They identified a gene, Ferric Reduction Oxidase 6 (FRO6), that could be targeted to create more resilient crops. FRO6 expression in mesophyll cells partially maintained leaf growth under drought stress.
Researchers investigated the Mississippi River's hydrological trends, ocean carbon storage, and gender dynamics in flood mortality. A study found that precipitation increases, but soil moisture decreases, while high-resolution models reveal stronger Southern Ocean carbon absorption. Additionally, data showed men are overrepresented in ...
A new study finds that Pune's reservoirs will likely dry up and groundwater levels will plummet by the middle of this century if the city maintains current policies. However, the research shows these outcomes can be avoided with certain policy interventions.
Microbial community shifts from biotic to abiotic drivers under drought, with legacy effects persisting upon rehydration. Soil properties dominate recovery stages, highlighting dual focus on biology and abiotic factors for ecosystem resilience.
A new study found that Northwest China's precipitation increase since the late 1990s is largely driven by local sources, including enhanced evapotranspiration. The region's humidification trend is fueled by warming temperatures, vegetation recovery, and increased meltwater from glaciers and snowpack.
Researchers found that removing typhoon-induced precipitation leads to sharply declining soil moisture and more severe drought conditions worldwide. The effect of typhoons varies by region, acting as a condition that exacerbates drought in some areas, while mitigating it in others.
A research team analyzed 2.2 million thunderstorm events to identify a physical explanation for their formation. The study found that differences in soil moisture generate near-surface winds, leading to intense thunderstorms. High-resolution satellite measurements of soil moisture were crucial for this analysis.
A team from Universitat Jaume I creates a biostimulant composition using proline particles encapsulated in silica, enhancing plant tolerance to drought, high temperatures and salinity. The new compound's production process is scalable, cost-effective and reproducible, with potential for industrial-level application.
Researchers have shown that ocean temperature patterns limit the global spread of droughts, with synchronised droughts affecting only 1.8% to 6.5% of global land. The study identified 'drought hubs' in regions like Australia, South America, and southern Africa.
Research found that oak tree microbiomes are resilient to environmental stressors like drought and disease, with subtle changes in root microbiota after prolonged drought. The study suggests a potential role for beneficial bacteria in supporting tree resilience and stability.
Researchers found that bison hunters stopped using a kill site in central Montana around 1,100 years ago due to severe droughts. The team's study suggests that environmental stressors, social and economic pressures, and the need for larger hunting operations drove the abandonment of the site.
A study by Chungnam National University finds that climate adaptation can significantly reduce migration from drought and armed conflict in Africa. Countries with stronger adaptive capacity experience lower migration levels during crisis conditions, highlighting the importance of policies addressing environmental and security threats.
Climate change is projected to exacerbate agricultural droughts in Europe and western North America, even in areas with increasing rainfall. Soils will dry out faster than water can replenish them, leading to more frequent and severe crop droughts.
Researchers have found that El Niño and La Niña are driving total water storage extremes globally, with a synchronizing effect on water storage across continents. The study uses gravity data from NASA's GRACE and GRACE Follow-On satellites to track water extremes and their connections.
Knocking out the OsDT5 gene boosts drought resistance in rice, corn, and wheat, as well as the bryophyte Physcomitrium patens. The study provides a unified mechanistic framework for drought adaptation in terrestrial plants.
Research identified regional and global changes in hot droughts across timescales, with increased frequency and spatial extent observed globally. Human influence was found to play a significant role in driving these changes.
Global climate change intensifies extreme weather events like heatwaves and droughts, altering wildfire patterns worldwide. The study quantifies the impact of 'hot drought' on 2025 LA wildfires, showing an increased risk by up to 210%. Additionally, strong Santa Ana winds played a significant role in fire spread.
Recent research reveals that volcanic eruptions can cause unpredictable weather patterns, including volcanic rain, dust storms, and unstable Antarctic air. The study also found that the Antarctic surface atmosphere has become less stable and more prone to gravity waves since the 1950s.
The report debunks the 'climate war' theory, revealing that Syria's civil war was rooted in policy and socioeconomic failures. The agricultural sector rebounded quickly after a severe drought, with satellite imagery showing cropland activity returned to near-record levels just before the war began.
The Amazon is shifting to a hotter, drier climate with more intense droughts, stressing trees and increasing mortality rates. By 2100, hot drought conditions could occur up to 150 days per year, affecting tree species that are vulnerable to heat stress.
A study published in Science Advances found that unusually large particles of wildfire smoke had a significant cooling effect on the region they were observed in, increasing outgoing radiation by 30-36% compared to smaller smoke particles. This effect has not been included in current climate models.
Researchers at Colorado State University found that some tropical forest plants are adapting to drought by growing longer root systems, potentially helping reduce vulnerability. The study's findings suggest flexibility under drying conditions may rescue the forest, but long-term implications remain uncertain.
A new study reveals that plant gas emissions are triggered by rapid changes in weather, not just dry conditions. The research shows that vegetation responds immediately to shifts in humidity and temperature, changing the rate of emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) into the air.
A study suggests that prolonged droughts lasting over 85 years contributed to the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization. The civilization, which existed around 5,000-3,500 years ago, was characterized by advanced cities and sophisticated water management systems.
Researchers investigate how adjacent cities exacerbate each other's heat island effects. A study also highlights the need for improved hindcasting infrastructure in climate science. Additionally, a campaign monitors pinned clouds over industrial sources of heat and finds that trees are more reliable against heat stress than buildings.
A new study found the Rio Grande basin is severely depleted, with only half of used water being replenished by natural processes. The primary cause of overconsumption is irrigated agriculture, particularly cattle-feed crops like alfalfa and grass hay.
Researchers project that Chile's glaciers will only be able to contribute half of today's runoff meltwater during extreme dry summer months. They call for effective water management strategies and coordinated global climate policies to mitigate future megadroughts.
A recent study published in Global Change Biology found that functional diversity helps keep forest growth stable during prolonged periods of drought. Trees with different water-use strategies show stronger growth in drought years than those with opposite strategies.
A recent paper in the journal Science investigates the impact of drought on grasslands, finding that moderate droughts do not lead to long-term losses. In contrast, extreme droughts can cause significant species loss and reduced plant life. The study's results have implications for global carbon and climate modeling.
The Lancet Countdown report links climate change to violence and community health, emphasizing the need for social and economic changes to prevent conflict. Strengthening food systems and ensuring emergency responses can reduce grievances and protect healthcare workers.
Researchers studied the genetic response of umbrella acacia and splendid thorn acacia to drought stress. The study found that umbrella acacias prioritize continued growth over water conservation when water is scarce, using up all accessible water to survive severe droughts. In contrast, splendid thorn acacias invest in water conservati...
A new report published in BioScience reveals Earth's climate crisis is accelerating at an alarming rate, with 22 of 34 planetary vital signs now at record levels. The study emphasizes that climate change mitigation strategies are available and urgently needed to limit warming.
Researchers identified AMO as key driver of compound hot drought events in Northern East Asia, with periods of weakening and strengthening linked to changes in climate. The study provides a new physical perspective for understanding variability in the region's hot droughts and offers insights for improving decadal climate prediction.
A new review highlights how exogenous phytohormones can strengthen sugarcane's ability to cope with both drought and waterlogging. Emerging technologies like robotic systems and nanotechnology are being developed to deliver hormones precisely when and where they are needed.
Research reveals that even native ecosystems can't adapt to extreme drought conditions, leading to significant impacts on plant growth and productivity. Productivity declines by up to 77% in four years under consecutive extreme droughts.
A global research effort by Colorado State University reveals that extreme, prolonged droughts in grasslands and shrublands result in more than twice the loss of plant productivity compared to moderate droughts. The study suggests that these ecosystems lose their ability to recover over time under prolonged dry conditions.
Researchers found a strong link between compound droughts and wildfires in California, leading to increased fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations. The study shows that severe droughts can substantially raise wildfire risk, with PM2.5 levels increasing by 9.5·m³ under extreme conditions.
A recent study found that UK heatwaves have led to unseasonable drying of vegetation, bypassing natural ecological processes that limit the spread of wildfires. The extreme heat conditions increased the risk of wildfire incidents, with a 500% increase in 999 calls and 14 major incidents during the 2022 heatwave.
Researchers found compound drought-heatwave events rippling and persisting through the night, exacerbating heat-related health risks. Soil dryness plays a key role in triggering these extreme events, which can affect crops, wildfires, and daily life.
Recent research from the American Meteorological Society reveals a false global heat record, suggests that severe weather events are increasing in frequency, and predicts an expansion of fire-prone areas. The study also examines the impact of cold wakes on tropical cyclone rainfall and finds that they intensify with global warming.
A new study found that historic droughts could become common for Gatún Lake, the main source of water for the Panama Canal locks. The study projects that water levels will decrease and increase evaporation under high-emissions scenarios.