Articles tagged with Droughts
A recent study by researchers at the Universities of Exeter and Leeds found that a drought completely shut down the Amazon Basin's carbon sink, killing trees and slowing their growth. The study used long-term measurements from the RAINFOR network to examine tree responses during two large-scale droughts occurring in 2005 and 2010.
The study identified two groups of drought-resistant bean lines: 'water savers' and 'water spenders'. The former are suitable for semi-arid regions with limited moisture, while the latter have deep roots to maximize water extraction. These findings contribute to improving bean productivity in areas affected by drought.
A new study reveals that changes in wind patterns are the main driver of California droughts, rather than moisture levels. Researchers analyzed 30-year data sets to find that atmospheric circulation disturbances have a significant impact on drought frequency and severity.
A UCLA-led study predicts the Sierra Nevada snowpack will take years to recover from drought, even with above-average precipitation. The research provides unprecedented detail and precision, offering insights into water availability in other mountain ranges.
A study developed a template to determine an animal's ability to cope with climate change droughts, considering physiology and environment. The Adaptive Triquetra model assesses species' resilience to increasing aridity by evaluating traits such as temperature tolerance and food availability.
Melatonin production in plants is involved in stress memory, particularly through its regulation of sub-cellular antioxidant systems. The study found that exogenous melatonin application enhances drought priming induced cold tolerance in barley, making it a promising approach to abiotic stress tolerance.
Research reveals that giant sequoia leaves respond to environmental conditions, with upper crown leaves having more fibers and transfusion tissue. These traits enable the trees to store more carbon and water, promoting growth and resilience in drought conditions.
A new study reveals that beech trees in central Europe, particularly in southern England, are increasingly vulnerable to drought due to climate change. The research found that the region's iconic beech woods are at risk of widespread mortality during extreme dry spells.
A USGS study found historic nitrate levels in Midwest streams in 2013, with Iowa, Minnesota, and Illinois experiencing the highest concentrations. The research suggests that fertilizer application and manure are primary sources of nitrate, posing health risks to water users.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that maize is more vulnerable to drought than previously thought, with a 39.3% yield reduction at 40% water reduction compared to wheat's 20.6%. Maize sensitivity varies by region and soil texture, but overall findings can inform model interactions, productivity gains, and irrigation scheduling.
Heavy rainfall caused catastrophic flooding in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, resulting in four deaths and thousands displaced. NASA's GPM satellite data revealed intense storms with precipitation rates exceeding 300 mm/h along a line of heavy rainfall on May 8, 2016.
A study found that temporary streams suffer from a significant decline in invertebrate species during droughts, with only three species remaining after a long drought and 24 species after shorter dry spells. The research highlights the potential consequences of climate change-related increases in drought length on aquatic ecosystems.
A new study reveals that tropical ecosystems like the Amazon may be more sensitive to climate change than previously thought. The research found that the Amazon can experience large shifts in its carbon balance in response to extreme heat and drought, with these changes occurring surprisingly quickly.
Researchers developed a new mathematical model to predict how US forests will respond to climate change, finding that the Northeast's mixed forests will be unsustainable by 2050. The Tolerance Distribution Model can identify which forests are at risk and suggest measures like planting drought-tolerant seedlings to prepare.
Despite a severe drought, the contiguous United States remained a carbon sink in 2012, absorbing more carbon during warmer springs and releasing less during dry summers. The unique combination of measured data from various sources allowed researchers to calculate the carbon exchange for the entire US during this period.
A team of scientists has identified a gene, HMGA2, that explains variation in beak size among Darwin's finches. The gene contributed to a rapid shift in beak size following a severe drought, enabling the medium ground finch to adapt and survive.
A specific gene, HMGA2, has been identified as the key to the evolution of smaller beaks in medium ground finches in response to a drought-induced food shortage. The researchers found that the gene comes in two forms, with one dominant in birds with small beaks and the other in those with large beaks.
A team of researchers identified traits that best protect trees against death from drought, finding that xylem stress is a key predictor of survival. The study provides a foundation for improving predictions of drought-induced tree mortality across diverse forests.
Researchers found three tree physiological traits significantly predict drought mortality, related to hydraulics. Trees with lower hydraulic conductivity and safety margins are more susceptible to embolism and death. This study can help forecast tree deaths in drought and inform climate change mitigation strategies.
A multidisciplinary study assesses drought's effects on people and systems, going beyond economic measures to document social and environmental impacts. The research team uses machine learning and econometric techniques to estimate causal effects and identify moderators of drought's socio-environmental variables.
Recent decades have seen increased frequency of large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns associated with California's precipitation and temperature extremes. The researchers found that the 'Ridiculously Resilient Ridge' pattern, which diverts winter storms northward, has become more common, leading to increased dry conditions.
Researchers found that atmospheric circulation patterns, including the Ridiculously Resilient Ridge, are more frequent in recent decades, increasing the risk of drought. The study also showed that temperature plays a significant role in drought development.
Researchers at WSU analyzed data from 1,000+ archaeological sites and 30,000 tree-ring dates to understand the impact of droughts on Pueblo societies. They found four periods of boom and bust over five centuries, with each period marked by significant cultural changes and social upheaval.
A new study shows that storing extra surface water in underground aquifers can increase groundwater supply during droughts. Regions that actively store surface water have seen increased groundwater levels, even as surrounding areas depleted theirs.
The US Department of Agriculture has awarded over $8.5 million in grants to support research, education, and outreach on improving water resource quality and quantity, particularly in areas affected by drought. The grants will help communities develop regional systems for sustainable use, reuse, flow, and management of water.
A new NASA-Harvard University study finds that climate change has diminished the connection between droughts and wine grape harvest timing in France and Switzerland. Earlier harvests are often associated with higher-quality wines, but recent changes may impact wine production.
A study finds that global warming has largely removed drought from the centuries-old early-harvest equation, pushing French grape growers to adapt to hotter climates. As a result, some regions may no longer be suitable for traditional wine varieties, forcing vineyards to change their methods or relocate.
Researchers analyzed over 500 years of harvest records, finding that climate change has caused winegrape harvests in France to occur two weeks earlier than in the past. The trend is expected to continue due to increasing temperatures, which can negatively impact wine quality.
The University of Missouri team will investigate drought resistance in corn, which could help sustain the estimated 9 billion global population by 2050. The four-year project will build upon years of interdisciplinary research and contribute to increased food security and stability.
A new study reveals that warmer spring temperatures have a significant impact on upper Colorado River flows, reducing them more than previously recognized. This finding has implications for drought management and climate modeling, which suggests that warming temperatures will exacerbate drought conditions in the Western US.
A new NASA study reconstructs the Mediterranean's drought history using tree rings, finding that the eastern region has experienced its worst drought in 900 years. The research provides a 'fingerprint' for identifying human-induced climate change contributions and will improve computer models simulating climate change.
Nearly all US forests are vulnerable to future declines due to increasing drought and climate change, according to a new study. The effects have been most pronounced in the West, but Eastern forests are also at risk as tree populations struggle to adapt to changing conditions.
A new study finds that US forests are experiencing severe drought effects, with potentially devastating consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem services. The research highlights the urgent need for better understanding of forest responses to drought and climate change.
A study found that weather patterns typically bringing moisture to the southwestern US are becoming less frequent, leading to a drier climate. The region is already vulnerable to drought, and this shift has significant implications for water resources.
Researchers found that typical rain-bringing weather patterns in the Southwest are becoming more rare, leading to a drier climate state. The region is vulnerable to droughts due to its already arid conditions and growing population.
Researchers propose broadening drought definition to include human activities that contribute to extreme water shortages. This shift acknowledges the complex interactions between nature and society, highlighting the need for innovative methodology to analyze causes of drought.
Purdue University researchers engineered rice and Arabidopsis plants to overexpress PYL9 protein, which dramatically increased drought tolerance. The study found that the transgenic plants triggered the death of old leaves, conserving resources for seeds and buds, a survival strategy known as 'die and let live.'
A recent study found that California's drought has severely impacted native ferns in redwood forests, causing permanent dieback and limiting their ability to photosynthesize. The study reveals that these plants can recover quickly after heavy rains but are vulnerable to pests and diseases due to prolonged water stress.
A new study published in Nature found that droughts and extreme heat reduced global cereal harvests by an average of 9-10% between 1964 and 2007. The impact was greatest in North America, Europe, and Australasia, where production levels dropped by 19.9%.
A new study from Carnegie Institution reveals that up to 58 million large trees in California experienced severe canopy water loss between 2011 and today, putting them at risk. The research used advanced tools to measure the impact of the drought on forest canopies and mapped changes in canopy water content.
Research predicts 72% of Northwest Evergreen Trees will die by 2050, with nearly 100% mortality by 2100 under projected global warming scenarios. Climate models suggest a negative feedback loop could accelerate climate change.
Reduced storm activity over mid-latitude regions leads to more persistent heatwaves and droughts, while also increasing the likelihood of record-breaking cold temperatures. This study highlights the sensitivity of regional weather conditions to changes in large-scale atmosphere dynamics.
Two tree species in southwestern Colorado employ distinct strategies to cope with drought: the ponderosa pine conserves water by shutting down production, while the trembling aspen alters its physiology to continue growing. This study sheds light on how woody plants may confront twin scourges of less water and hot weather in a warmer a...
A new study suggests that global land surface temperatures will increase by an average of almost 8C by 2100 if significant efforts are not made to address climate change. This would have a devastating impact on life on Earth, posing risks from extreme temperatures, flooding, regional drought, and food shortages.
A University of California, Riverside assistant professor will lead a team studying the role of soil in crop water use and response to drought. The research aims to design management strategies based on understanding soil carbon and its microbiome.
Research finds that elevated CO2 reduces stomatal conductance, increasing water use efficiency and delaying physiological responses to drought. This study provides new insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying sorghum's resilience to climate change.
A study by the University of Edinburgh found that droughts could kill off the tallest trees in tropical rainforests as breakages in their water transport system lead to death. The research indicates smaller trees are more likely to survive long-term droughts and store less carbon.
Scientists have developed an app to monitor food security using a smartphone, combining weather and soil moisture data from satellites with crowd-sourced data on population vulnerability. The tool has shown promising results in the Central African Republic, providing valuable information for organizations like Doctors without Borders.
The new atlas uses tree rings to map severe droughts and wet periods across Europe, parts of North Africa, and the Middle East over 2,000 years. It fills a major geographic gap in climate data, helping scientists pinpoint causes of drought and extreme rainfall.
Researchers found that anthropogenic warming in the west Pacific likely contributed to the 2014 drought in East Africa. The study used a data set to show that the region is drier than ever, with eight droughts occurring over the past 15 years.
A recent study by University of Montana researchers found a significant increase in global land evapotranspiration over the past 32 years, driven by vegetation greening and rising atmosphere moisture deficits. This trend exacerbates regional drought-induced disturbances, particularly during strong El Nino events.
Pleistocene-era sediment samples contain pollen from desert plants, indicating severe droughts occurred between glacial periods. These droughts may have led to the extinction of large mammals like mammoths.
A new NASA study uses GRACE satellite data to track droughts in Brazil, revealing an average loss of 15 trillion gallons of water per year from 2012 to 2015. The findings show the worst drought in 35 years has desiccated major cities across southeastern Brazil.
A study published in Nature Communications suggests that California will experience more frequent and severe droughts and floods due to the El Nino-Southern Oscillation. The researchers found that extreme weather events are likely to increase, with droughts potentially doubling and floods tripling by 2100.
Scientists will analyze the current El Niño event using NASA's suite of orbiting Earth-observing missions, providing insights into its global impacts. The study aims to better understand the connections between El Niño and extreme weather patterns, such as fires and floods.
Low-impact development technologies, such as green roofs and rainwater tanks, can help reduce waste and protect natural stream ecosystems. Researchers propose a shift towards distributed infrastructure to capture and reuse stormwater runoff, offering a solution to California's drought and environmental challenges.
A new study projects more extreme weather in the Amazon, with frequent and extensive droughts expected to impact forest structure, biomass, and carbon emissions. The region will experience profound implications for the environment, including increased greenhouse gas emissions.
A global review of forest ecosystems found that large trees are more susceptible to drought, releasing stored carbon and disrupting the atmosphere. Understory trees fare better in response to drought, with increased growth rates in some seasonal tropical forests.
A UC Riverside botanist is studying how trees and shrubs respond to extreme drought in California. He aims to understand which species have survived past droughts and which strategies are most effective.
A new report led by University of Arizona researchers reveals the Sierra Nevada snowpack was at its lowest level in 500 years in 2015, exacerbating California's ongoing drought. The study uses tree-ring data to compare snowpack levels with temperatures, finding a strong correlation between warmer winters and lower snowpack.