Articles tagged with Droughts
A recent study reveals that seven of eight North China PSSD events occurred when La Niña transited to El Niño with a negative NPO phase in preceding winter. This study demonstrates that ENSO phase transition from La Niña to El Niño is one of the important precursors of North China PSSD.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati discovered that female mosquitoes bite not only to get protein but also to quench their thirst during a drought. Dehydration prompted as many as 30 percent of female mosquitoes to seek a blood meal, increasing the risk of disease transmission.
Researchers estimate that airborne dust levels could increase by 10-30% due to drought conditions, resulting in a 20-130% rise in premature deaths and a 60-300% growth in hospitalizations. The US Southwest is projected to experience severe and persistent droughts by 2100, posing a substantial public health burden.
A new study suggests that a partial collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) could lead to extreme warming in European summers. This phenomenon, known as the 'cold-ocean-warm-summer' feedback, is linked to atmospheric blocking and has been observed in recent record-breaking cold ocean temperatures.
Drought regions in Europe could expand from 13% to 26% of total area with a 3-degree global warming, affecting up to 400 million people. A 1.5-degree warming limit would reduce expansion to 19%, while drought durations would increase three to four times.
A new study reveals that extreme climate variability over the last century has synchronized ecosystem behavior on the West Coast, increasing risks of extinction for marine and terrestrial organisms. This synchrony is linked to changes in winter climate patterns, such as the North Pacific High, which have become more variable over time.
Research found droughts halve overall flower numbers, reducing food for bees and other pollinators in chalk grasslands.
A team of climatologists at UC Santa Barbara's Climate Hazards Group has developed skillful predictions for droughts and famines, helping to mitigate their effects on severe food insecurity. Their work, in collaboration with various organizations, aims to make the world more food secure by anticipating climate extremes.
Researchers used tree-ring records to analyze Mongolia's 2,060-year climate history. The study found that future droughts are likely no worse than those of the past, with increased precipitation offsetting the effects of higher temperatures on semi-arid regions.
Research found that older tropical forests can access deeper soil layers during droughts, while younger forests struggle to survive due to shallower root systems. This study has implications for reforestation efforts and understanding forest responses to climate change.
A University of California study found native wildflowers stored up to 201% more seeds underground during a drought, compared to exotic grasses which decreased by 52%. This adaptive strategy helps them survive in variable climates.
Researchers found that up to 27% of annual rainfall is stored as 'rock moisture' in bedrock fractures and pores. This water can sustain trees through droughts even after soil has become parched, explaining why some tree species showed little effect from severe droughts.
Researchers at UCR discovered that tropical trees in the Amazon Rainforest have developed an unusual way to conserve and redistribute water during drought, using a layer of living cells around their xylem. This unique method may alleviate concerns about the impact of drought on these critical climate regulators.
A new study reveals that European cities will experience more frequent and severe heatwaves, droughts, and flooding due to climate change. Southern Europe will see the biggest increases in heatwave days and temperatures, while central Europe will face the greatest temperature increases during heatwaves.
A study by Portland State University found that rural ranchers in Mexico's Baja California peninsula faced significant challenges accessing water during a six-year drought. The study highlights a rural-urban divide, with those living closer to urban areas having better access to water deliveries.
A quarter of the world's land could become significantly drier if global warming reaches 2C, according to new research. This change would increase the threat of droughts and wildfires, with areas such as semi-arid regions experiencing conditions similar to arid climates.
Scientists used genetic variability to map a plant species' ability to adapt to climate change, finding that Scandinavian plants can cope with severe drought. The study suggests that relocating populations with genetic variants supporting drought adaptation could help rescue endangered species and improve crop performance.
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have developed a new satellite-based drought severity index that incorporates groundwater storage. This tool provides reliable information on drought conditions, enabling effective water management and impact assessment.
A team of Caltech engineers has developed an empirical model of the California reservoir network, allowing managers to anticipate and respond to drought conditions more effectively. The model uses statistical techniques to learn from past data and shed light on how reservoirs will respond to different climate patterns in the future.
A study published in Climate of the Past found that climate changes played a significant role in triggering immigration from Southwest Germany to North America during the 19th century. The researchers identified major migration waves linked to extreme weather events, such as the 'year without summer', and found that climate was a major...
Scientists improve drought prediction for La Niña events with two new studies, predicting a second year of drought due to the current La Niña. The research found that La Niña's impact on atmospheric circulation and southern U.S. drought becomes stronger in the second year.
MIT researchers have developed sensors that can be printed onto plant leaves to reveal when they are experiencing a water shortage. These sensors take advantage of plants' stomata and can detect even slight changes in water pressure, allowing for early warnings in agricultural settings.
A new study compares the spatiotemporal characteristics of global drylands using three different drought indices: SWI, PET_Th, and PET_PM. The researchers found that the Surface Wetness Index (SWI) yields broadly similar results to the Thornthwaite method when considering interdecadal variability of global and continental drylands.
Pinyon pine trees rely on specific microclimates to recover from drought events. Cooler and wetter climates with high tree cover, abundant juvenile trees, and mature seed-producing trees are essential for regeneration. Microsites under shaded canopies also provide favorable conditions for young pinyon pine growth.
Researchers found that European drought indices are deviating in a manner consistent with climate change simulations. The study suggests decreases in drought frequency in the north and increases in the south, driven by rising temperatures and evapotranspiration. This trend has been observed from the 1980s to present.
A Michigan State University scientist is leading a NOAA-funded project to create a three-month, automated drought outlook that will be released weekly to the public. The system aims to provide more notice of potential droughts, including flash droughts, and help policymakers and stakeholders prepare for these events.
A study published in the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management found a systematic link between droughts and riots in sub-Saharan Africa. Droughts increase the possibility of rioting by 10% in a given month, with population density playing a key role in this relationship.
A study examines the role of fungi in drought tolerance in pinyon pines, finding that parent and offspring trees share similar fungal communities and that these communities differ between drought-tolerant and intolerant trees.
The ForPAc project aims to improve drought and flood forecasting in Kenya through weather-climate forecasts and identify barriers to acting on that knowledge. The project will put in place effective early warning systems to save lives and reduce long-term progress setback due to severe droughts.
Researchers used satellite data to track groundwater levels in Silicon Valley, discovering the aquifer rebounded quickly after a severe drought due to aggressive conservation measures. The study lays groundwork for low-cost monitoring of subterranean water reserves globally.
Researchers analyzed over five decades of data to find that changes in non-extreme precipitation are more significant than previously realized. The study highlights the importance of examining precipitation in a nuanced way, as even small changes can have a substantial impact on ecosystems and resource management.
Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Research have discovered a long non-coding RNA that increases thale cress plants' resistance to drought and salt stress. Increasing the lncRNA's levels shows corresponding increases in drought and salt tolerance.
Researchers sequenced Pearl millet genome, revealing molecular properties hinting at drought resistance mechanisms. The findings provide a resource for marker-selected breeding studies to improve agronomic traits in arid environments.
A global synthesis study led by Rutgers University professor Ying Fan Reinfelder shows strong links between root depth and local soil and water conditions. Plants adapt to droughts by shifting to wetter environments through seed dispersal.
A new study published in Political Geography finds no sound evidence that global climate change sparked the Syrian civil war. The research instead suggests that economic factors and droughts may have played a more significant role in the conflict's onset.
A new study suggests that Jordan may face disastrous droughts if alternative water sources are not implemented. Climate change and water scarcity could lead to a decline in rainfall, higher temperatures, and reduced freshwater supply, making it difficult for the country to meet its water demands.
Researchers have identified a set of genes that help control early drought response in Brassica rapa, a popular global crop. The study sheds light on how plants respond to water stress throughout the day-night cycle, revealing potential mechanisms for improving drought resistance and fertilization efficiency.
A study analyzing tree-ring fire scars reveals a strong connection between drought driven by the Southern Annular Mode and regional fire activity. The research suggests that SAM-mediated droughts may drive widespread wildfire activity in southern South America during the 21st century.
A University of Kansas researcher found that well owners in Kansas use more water during droughts due to their ability to irrigate crops. Unlike non-well owners, who cut back on water usage, well owners tap into the aquifer to sustain crops during dry years.
A study found that drought recovery depends on post-drought weather conditions and location. In general, most areas recover in under six months, while high-latitude regions need up to two years. Climate models predict more frequent droughts, which could lead to a double whammy effect if ecosystems are hit before they recover.
A new study suggests that drought recovery times will increase due to climate change, potentially leading to widespread tree deaths and ecosystem disruption. The factors contributing to this increase include temperature extremes, precipitation, and carbon dioxide concentrations.
Researchers found that hydraulic failure is universal when trees die during droughts, while carbon starvation occurs roughly half the time. This study aims to improve climate change models by understanding tree mortality mechanisms.
Researchers found that droughts cause tree death by disrupting water transport (hydraulic failure) and limiting carbon supply (carbon starvation). This discovery will enhance regional-scale predictions of drought impacts on forests.
A study projects that two-thirds of Europeans will be affected by extreme weather events annually by the end of the century. Heat waves are expected to cause 99% of all future weather-related deaths, increasing from 2700 deaths/year in 1981-2010 to 151500 deaths/year in 2071-2100.
A new model developed by international scientists predicts multi-year US droughts and wildfire risks, enabling improved agricultural planning and water management. The model's success is attributed to the analysis of tropical climate variability, global climate change, and soil filtering effects.
Researchers studying aardvarks in South Africa's Kalahari Desert found that the animals are highly susceptible to warmer and drier climates, leading to severe droughts and high mortality rates. The decline of aardvarks could have indirect consequences for other animals relying on their burrows.
Researchers at Boyce Thompson Institute have received a four-year DARPA award to develop insect-vectored viruses for disease-resistant maize. The project, titled Viruses and Insects as Plant Enhancement Resources (VIPER), aims to engineer genes into maize that can help combat disease, drought, and other yield-reducing stresses.
A new study reveals that the Atlantic and Pacific ocean temperatures play a significant role in droughts and wildfires in southwestern North America. The research shows that the large-scale difference between the two oceans enhances the risk for drought and wildfire in the region.
A study analyzing sea surface temperatures from 1957-2002 found that fluctuations contributed to persistent droughts in North America and the Mediterranean. The researchers showed that increased variability in ocean temperatures correlated with more extreme land temperature anomalies, leading to prolonged droughts.
Research by Lancaster University found that remote Amazonian cities are more vulnerable to environmental pollution, contaminated water, and health risks. Experts emphasize the need for 'adaptive capacity' through improved public services and disaster response planning to mitigate these effects.
A new study reveals that heat stress concurrent with drought or water excess can explain about 40% of the changes in wheat yields from one year to another. Water excess affects wheat production more than drought in several countries, contributing to reduced yields due to increased pests and diseases.
Scientists discovered silver fir and Douglas fir are more tolerant to extreme droughts than Norway spruce in the Black Forest. Replacing spruce forests with mixed-species forests of these conifers could have a greater positive effect on biodiversity.
Researchers calculate that compound climate extremes, such as heatwaves and droughts, are more frequent than expected. This can lead to increased health risks, agricultural losses, and economic threats due to the interconnectedness of modern societies.
Researchers from the University of Utah analyzed oxygen isotope data from herbivore teeth and tusks to understand climate dynamics in the Omo-Turkana basin. The findings suggest that fluctuations in rainfall timing and interactions between plants and animals, rather than long-term drought, drove changes in the region's ecosystem.
Researchers discovered a biological pathway that allows plants to produce acetate when water is scarce, increasing drought tolerance. Vinegar treatment increased plant survival rates by over 70% in various crops, offering a promising, non-genetically modified solution.
A new study from Ohio State University suggests that capable governments are crucial in preventing food-related violence induced by climate change. The researchers found that weak political institutions, poverty, and dependence on agriculture make countries more vulnerable to such uprisings.
Scientists at the University of York found that the 1976 drought was the most devastating event for butterflies and moths in 50 years. The study measured data against extreme weather events since 1968, revealing a significant impact on over 50 species. Researchers warn that global warming may exacerbate such events in the future.
Scientists have developed a new model that predicts Sahel summer rainfall with high accuracy, enabling decision-makers to anticipate future cycles of droughts and floods. This improved understanding has the potential to help local communities become increasingly resilient to the region's variable climate.
The Ecological Society of America honored Michael J.M. McTavish with the Murray F. Buell Award for his presentation on selective granivory of exotic earthworms, while Julienne E. NeSmith received the E. Lucy Braun Award for her poster on interactive effects of soil moisture and plant invasion.
A study by UCLA and University of Houston researchers reveals significant groundwater loss in the Central Valley during two droughts, with losses totaling 16.5 cubic kilometers and 40 cubic kilometers, respectively. The increase in groundwater loss was attributed to reduced precipitation, snowmelt, and changes in crop cultivation, high...