Articles tagged with Droughts
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A new study by McGill University researchers finds that combined dry and hot events are increasing in frequency and size, causing widespread damage. The study suggests that climate change is driving these extremes, which can be particularly devastating for agriculture and ecosystems.
A new study estimates that droughts in Italy cause losses between 0.55 and 1.75 billion euros, mainly due to agricultural productivity decline. The economic impacts of droughts extend beyond agriculture, affecting the food industry and wholesale services.
A group of water scientists from 11 countries warns that the shift to monoculture crops and tree plantations can constrain soil-plant-water systems, leading to reduced ecological resilience. The authors emphasize the importance of biodiversity in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
Researchers have identified a new kind of 'landfalling drought' that can potentially be predicted before it impacts people and ecosystems on land. These droughts form over the ocean and then migrate landward, causing larger and drier conditions than land-only droughts.
Climate data from 122 years reveal a shift from precipitation scarcity to excess heat driving concurrent droughts and heatwaves. The findings suggest bolstering risk assessment frameworks for climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.
Researchers found that drought and flood conditions in bromeliad microcosms affected the functioning of aquatic ecosystems, particularly at the bottom of the food chain. The study showed that smaller organisms suffer more from rainfall instability than larger ones.
A new study by the University of Tokyo's Institute of Industrial Science found that limiting warming to 1.5°C rather than 2°C above pre-industrial levels would significantly reduce global aridity, particularly in Mediterranean regions and western Europe. The research highlights the importance of considering regional impacts and suggest...
A new study reveals that changes in sea surface temperatures in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans impact rainfall patterns in South America, leading to severe droughts. By analyzing this correlation, scientists can predict droughts up to 18 months in advance, providing crucial time for mitigation efforts.
A study by the University of California, Davis found that high-severity wildfires in northern California have increased significantly since 1984, with area burned quadrupled during dry and hot years. The research highlights the importance of land-use planning and fuel management to reduce risk.
UMass Lowell researchers are studying the relationship between heat waves and droughts in the Northeast, using moisture-tracking techniques and computer-aided modeling. The team hopes to better understand how well they can predict these extreme weather events and their potential impact on climate change.
A 2018 European drought had devastating effects on crops, forests, and grasslands. Researchers found that plants initially benefited from the warm spring weather but suffered from lack of water during summer heatwaves.
Researchers tested using wild crop relatives in breeding programs to improve crop resilience. The results showed that these relatives provided increased resistance to heat, drought, and some diseases, making them a promising approach to address climate change adaptation. However, breeders must also consider the potential impact on indu...
Extensive measurement data reveals severe impact of heat and drought on lower-altitude ecosystems, while higher-altitude ecosystems benefited from warmer temperatures. Productivity fell by an average of 20% in mixed forest and meadows at lower altitudes.
Scientists have discovered that C3 grasses outcompete C4 grasses in hot, dry conditions due to precipitation patterns changing throughout the year. This shift has a self-fueling power, with C3 plants preemptively using soil water before C4 species become active.
Research from the University of Montana found that tropical songbirds reduce reproduction during severe droughts, but this shift actually increases their survival rates. Long-lived species experience higher survival rates during drought years than non-drought years.
During extreme drought, C3 biomass production increased five-fold in grasslands while C4 plants declined. This shift is linked to changes in seasonal precipitation patterns favorable for C3 grasses
A new study by USC researchers found that El Niño cycles are an unreliable predictor of droughts in the American West. Instead, Earth's dynamic atmosphere plays a significant role in wet and dry cycles, making drought forecasting challenging.
A new study suggests small trees can adapt better to droughts and grow into a new generation to help the rainforest survive. Researchers found that small trees increase their capacity for photosynthesis and growth despite lack of water, potentially leading to greater overall resilience in the forest.
A study reveals snow droughts globally increased in duration and intensity from the first half to the second half of 1980-2018. Changes are attributed to a combination of natural and human-induced factors, including Arctic warming.
A new UNLV study provides a 13,000-year climate history from stalagmite specimens, showing that Nevada was even hotter and drier in the past than it is today. The research warns of potential permanent aridity in the region due to human-induced Arctic and tropical Pacific warming.
Researchers reconstructed Yellow River's middle reach runoff from 1492 to 2013 CE, finding lowest natural runoff during drought 1926-1932 CE. Human activity since 1980s decreased precipitation, increased observed runoff variability.
Astrocast uses satellite imagery and machine learning to predict drought conditions, providing valuable time for farmers and pastoralists to prepare. The system has been successful in forecasting changes up to ten weeks ahead with good confidence.
A team led by Maggie Wagner will study how plants and microbes adapt to drought, focusing on genetic changes in microbial communities. The research aims to understand the impact of drought on plant growth, health, and ability to withstand water stress.
Scientists predict a 54% increase in rainfall variability in California by the end of this century due to climate change. The study found that extreme weather patterns will become more frequent and intense, with significant impacts on agriculture, flood control, and water management.
The GRACE-FO satellites measured significant water mass deficits in Central Europe during the two consecutive summer droughts of 2018 and 2019. The deficits reached 112 Gt in 2018 and 145 Gt in 2019, accounting for 73% and 94% of the average fluctuation in seasonal water storage.
Research reveals that aardvarks feeding in daylight during droughts may be starving due to lack of food. A long-term study showed that drought caused a shift from nighttime to daytime activity, which was not enough to save the aardvarks from starvation.
A Texas A&M University report warns that the state will experience drier summers and decreasing water supplies for decades to come. The researchers predict that parts of West Texas will be hit hardest by drought conditions.
The new South American Drought Atlas shows widespread, intense droughts and unusually wet periods have increased since the mid-20th century. The study suggests global warming and pollution may be contributing factors.
A study recreated 600 years of South American hydroclimate records, revealing an increase in prolonged droughts and rainfall events since the 1960s. The researchers attribute these changes to oscillations between El Niño and La Niú events, as well as wind patterns at middle southern latitudes.
Researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno have engineered thale cress to improve water-use efficiency and salinity tolerance, a trait that can be applied to other plants to address future food shortages and climate change impacts.
A study found that droughts can increase power costs and pollution linked to hydropower losses, even with increased renewable energy. The analysis of the 2012-2016 California drought revealed a moderate impact on electricity prices but also highlighted the importance of flexible generation sources during drought years.
Researchers warn that forests can be vulnerable to climate change, including fire, drought, and insect damage, which can undermine the effectiveness of forest-based natural climate solutions. Scientists must focus on assessing forest climate risks and sharing data with policymakers to inform climate strategies.
Scientists warn that forests can be risky climate investments due to risks from climate change, including droughts, wildfires, and insect damage. This paper highlights the need for a better understanding of these risks to optimize forest investments and minimize carbon storage loss.
A new University of Wyoming study reveals that drought reduces the availability of key food resources by shortening the duration of spring green-up, altering the progression of the "green wave" across the landscape. As a result, the benefits of migration for mule deer and other migratory herbivores are likely to decrease.
A new study found that a severe spring heatwave in Europe contributed to the 2018 summer drought, depleting soil moisture. The research suggests that adopting alternative land management strategies could mitigate droughts' effects.
New climate model projections indicate that droughts will become longer and more frequent globally, particularly in regions like the Amazon, Mediterranean, and southern Africa. The study's findings suggest that variability in rainfall is a key factor in predicting future drought intensity.
Researchers found that dry air drives changes in how plants drink and breathe, with global warming predicted to shift this process more than previously thought. Plants will use less water than expected during hot droughts, but plant growth and carbon uptake may suffer.
Warming temperatures are causing increased aridity across the western United States, leading to declining river flows, tree death, and agricultural stress. Climate scientists warn that this trend will continue eastward, resulting in more frequent and severe dry spells, flash droughts, and interannual droughts.
A new study finds that certain stream pools act as drought refuges for salmon, providing conditions necessary to support survival during extreme conditions. The research provides insight into the role of habitat fragmentation in threatening salmon survival and informs strategies for conservation efforts.
Researchers analyzed tree-ring reconstructions of streamflow to quantify drought severity, dating back to 800 CE. The study found the 2000-2010 drought was the driest in 1,200 years, with increased warming contributing to its extreme severity.
New research from CU Boulder suggests that as much as two-thirds of western states will lose their ability to predict seasonal drought using snowpack by mid-century. Coastal areas and regions at lower elevations will be most affected, leading to increased reliance on reservoirs and potential water supply complications.
An international team led by Princeton atmospheric scientist Meiyun Lin found that drought-stressed vegetation reduces ozone removal, worsening pollution episodes. This study highlights the need for stronger emission controls to address ozone air quality in Europe and has broader implications.
A new study by Duke University finds that US community water systems are disproportionately affected by droughts, with low-income and minority neighborhoods facing the highest risks. The analysis highlights the need for a fundamental re-evaluation of how these systems are managed and funded to ensure equal access to safe drinking water.
A new study suggests that climate change is driving a megadrought in the western United States, with warming temperatures playing a key role. The study, which analyzed modern weather observations and tree-ring data, finds that the current drought is already outdoing the worst past 19-year increments within previous episodes.
New insights into drought's impacts on social, ecological and agricultural systems are highlighted in this special issue. Research identifies vulnerabilities in water management policy and the importance of soil microbiota in crop resilience.
Researchers found that irrigation increases crop yield by 16% due to cooling effects, not just water supply. Cooling reduces temperature stress and improves plant growth.
A 900 AD human dispersal event occurred in eastern Polynesia, preceding colonization of the southern Cook Islands. Regional drought may have driven an incremental expansion into the region.
The study reveals how ancient peoples in Arabia adapted to arid conditions through mobility, water management, and economic transformation. In contrast, southeastern populations relied on coastal resources during droughts, highlighting the importance of considering regional responses to climate change.
A University of Washington study synthesizes climate change impacts on Northwest wildfires, predicting larger and more frequent fires in the region. The greatest increased risk is found for low-elevation ponderosa pine forests, with other ecosystems experiencing more frequent but less severe fires.
A recent study reveals that climate disasters increase the risk of armed conflicts in vulnerable countries, where large populations, political exclusion, and low development create instability. The research combines statistical analysis with regional case studies to demonstrate the link between disaster occurrence and conflict onsets.
Researchers found that increased CO2 levels reduced water loss and improved water use efficiency in trees during periods of drought and heat, but had no positive effect on carbon metabolism. The study suggests that the benefits of elevated CO2 are outweighed by the negative impacts of climate change.
The UK Water Resources Portal brings together up-to-date data on river flows, rainfall, soil moisture and groundwater levels, providing insights into floods and droughts. The portal also offers historical records for comparison with previous significant events.
A new satellite-based algorithm, BESS-STAIR, has achieved unprecedented accuracy in estimating crop water use in the US Corn Belt. The framework combines plant's carbon-water-energy cycles to provide high-resolution data on a daily basis, offering real-time benefits for farmers
A second Dust Bowl would severely impact global wheat stocks, with a 31% initial loss and up to 75% depletion by the end of four years. Global trade and supply chains would be affected, leading to price increases for consumers worldwide.
A new method helps scientists determine how vulnerable rivers are to drought conditions by analyzing streamflow data, identifying faster and slower components of runoff and their impact on river sensitivity.
A recent study has found that intense droughts and wildfires during the last El Niño climate phenomenon, combined with human disturbance, led to a significant decline in dung beetle numbers. The beetles, which play a crucial role in spreading nutrients and seeds, fell by more than half and took at least two years to recover.
Soil pathogens like Pythium ultimum spread more easily under heat and drought stress, causing widespread crop failure. Soils from Scotland are less resistant to these pathogens than those from Hungary.
During droughts, mountain forests and grasslands at higher elevations release more water into the air than in normal growth periods. This is due to increased metabolism promoting water uptake by vegetation. As a result, evapotranspiration rates are above average, draining rivers and streams of half their usual volume.
The 2018 Four Corners drought in the US was exacerbated by human-induced warming, with temperatures rising 2 degrees Celsius. The region's vegetation turned brown due to increased evaporation, resulting in economic losses of over $3 billion and impacts on Native American communities.
Research led by University of Arizona found simultaneous droughts in Southern California's main water sources occurred six times per century on average. Perfect droughts lasting two or more years coincide with high pressure off the northwest Pacific Coast and storm tracks shifted north.