Articles tagged with Droughts
Scientists used fossil pollen to augment historical records of ancient Egyptian droughts and fires, including a massive 4,200-year-old drought that contributed to the demise of Egypt's Old Kingdom. The study provides insights into the evolution of societies tied to climate variability.
A new study finds that the frequency of extreme shifts in the South Pacific rain band will almost double in the next 100 years, resulting in increased floods and droughts. The warming atmosphere and oceans will also intensify these events, causing massive droughts, severe food shortages, and coral reef mortality.
A recent study found that diverse grasslands can tolerate increased periods of drought and climate change due to the presence of drought-resistant species. This diversity allows grasslands to maintain their ecological functions, including carbon sequestration, food sources for grazing animals, and temperature regulation.
Climate scientist Chris Field testifies before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, highlighting the link between climate change and extreme weather events. He urges policymakers to take action to reduce risk, citing evidence from IPCC reports and scientific research.
Scientists warn that chronic droughts like the 2000-04 event could become more frequent and severe, leading to ecosystem damage and reduced carbon sequestration. The region's ability to absorb carbon dioxide may decline by the end of the century, exacerbating global warming.
A multi-institutional initiative seeks to improve the genetic basis of drought resistance in a grass closely related to current biofuels feedstocks and food crops. Researchers will dissect the genetic basis of drought tolerance in these plants, with the goal of developing crops that can endure harsh conditions.
Researchers at Arizona State University are developing a game-changing approach for drought monitoring using satellite detection and hydrologic models. The project aims to provide timely detection of drought events with high accuracy, enabling proactive decision-making for national water managers, irrigation districts, and policymakers.
The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center has received a five-year, $12.1 million grant to develop a new model plant system, Setaria viridis, to advance bioenergy grasses as a sustainable source of renewable fuels. The research focuses on improving drought resistance and water efficiency in these crops.
A massive die-off of pinyon pine and juniper trees in the Southwest threatens to unleash devastating soil erosion and exacerbate water scarcity in the Colorado River basin. The trees' loss is expected to lead to increased dust storms, melting snowpacks, and reduced river flows.
Fires raged in southwestern and northeastern Colorado, with the High Park Fire consuming 83,205 acres, the second-largest fire in Colorado history. The Weber Fire burned approximately 8,300 acres, while the Little Sand Fire had been burning for weeks, threatening nearly 200 people.
Research confirms long-lasting severe droughts in western US throughout history, including 200-year megadroughts in the Sierra Nevada. Scientists used advanced sonar tools and tree-ring analysis to determine precipitation levels over the past 12,000 years.
Researchers warn of rapid groundwater depletion in California's Central Valley and the High Plains, posing risks to US food production. The study suggests that unsustainable irrigation practices may lead to economic challenges for farmers, particularly in the southern High Plains.
Researchers are investigating three popular wheat varieties to understand their drought tolerance mechanisms and how they can be improved. The study aims to identify key genetic regulators of drought tolerance, which is crucial for maintaining crop yields in dryland areas affected by drought.
Researchers evaluated drought response of various radiata pine ecotypes, finding that some are more tolerant than others. The study suggests introducing new varieties with improved drought resistance will be essential to mitigate climate change impacts on forests.
A UCLA study resolves decades-old debates on plant drought tolerance, finding that saltier cell sap is key to survival. The team's discovery allows for predictions of which species can thrive in dry environments.
A new sorghum plant has been developed that can withstand drought and produce toxins without harming animals. The breakthrough is expected to provide farmers with a reliable source of food during droughts, saving hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
A new study reveals that the Indian monsoon has undergone significant changes over the last few millennia, from a steady humid monsoon to extended periods of drought. The research provides insights into the impact of the monsoon on past cultures and could help model future monsoons.
Researchers used a microbial lipid proxy to identify ancient droughts and alkaline soils on the Tibetan Plateau, associated with significant uplift nine million years ago. The study suggests that abrupt uplifts can cause enhanced aridity in central Asia.
A new study reveals that the Classic Maya Civilization's collapse was related to relatively modest rainfall reductions of 25-40% between AD 800-950. This reduction led to rapid evaporation and reduced open water availability.
A recent study published in PNAS found that droughts and heat waves affect grass growth differently across the months. Researchers analyzed over 25 years of data from Kansas prairie long-term ecological research site to identify variation in timing and magnitude of droughts and heat waves. The results highlight the importance of consid...
Researchers develop novel approach to enhance plant stress response, increasing crop yield under drought conditions. By modifying abscisic acid receptors, the team achieves prolonged activation of stress response pathways, paving the way for breeding more resilient crops.
New research by William Anderegg and colleagues reveals that carbon starvation is unlikely to be the primary cause of tree death during droughts. The study found significant losses of function in the trees' water-transportation systems, especially in the roots, resulting in a 70% loss of water conductivity.
New research suggests ancient Meso-American civilizations amplified droughts by clearing rainforests, leading to significant precipitation decline. Ancient dry spells also occurred in the Northeast, with major droughts lasting up to 500 years, hinting at a potential future of severe water shortages.
The record-breaking Texas drought has reduced groundwater levels in much of the state to their lowest levels in over 60 years. The latest maps from NASA's Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites show severely depressed groundwater levels, indicating a prolonged drying effect.
Scientists at Bangor University discover that climate-induced droughts can lead to prolonged CO2 release from peatlands, potentially lasting a decade. This has significant implications for the environment, including habitat loss, species extinction, and decreased water quality.
Researchers from the University of Arizona have discovered a long-lost megadrought in the southwestern US during the second century AD, lasting nearly 50 years. The study, using tree-ring analysis, reveals a previously unknown drought period that had significant implications for regional climate and water resources.
A massive shift in tree species is underway across the Western United States due to climate change, with many native species declining or disappearing and opportunistic newcomers replacing them. The research identifies areas where forests will change composition, with some regions shifting into grasslands or deserts.
Climate change has contributed roughly half to the increase in Mediterranean winter droughts since 1902, with sea surface temperature patterns driving this relationship. The region's dry conditions are expected to worsen, threatening food security and water scarcity.
A new insurance program is providing compensation to poor herders in northern Kenya's Marsabit District, who have lost up to a third of their animals due to drought. The program uses satellite images to track forage conditions and payouts are triggered when grazing lands deteriorate beyond 15 percent loss.
A recent study found that severe droughts and changes in water tables have pushed aquatic desert ecosystems into catastrophic regime change, resulting in the loss of some species and a shift towards smaller, shorter-lived insects.
Tropical Storm Lee caused massive rainfall across central Louisiana, Mississippi, and northern Alabama, with some areas receiving over 250 mm. The TRMM satellite's TMPA analysis showed heavy rains extending inland from the Gulf of Mexico, with Chattanooga Tennessee breaking its all-time 24-hour rainfall record.
A new NASA study disputes previous claims that droughts led to reduced global plant productivity and threatened food security. The research found that modeling errors and the use of corrupted satellite data contributed to exaggerated claims.
A study found that El Niño boosts temperatures and cuts rainfall, doubling the risk of civil wars in affected tropical countries. The research tracked ENSO from 1950 to 2004 and correlated it with onsets of conflicts, finding that El Niño may have played a role in 21% of civil wars worldwide.
A study by ILRI found that investments aimed at increasing the mobility of livestock herders can help avert future food crises in arid lands. Herding makes better economic sense than crop agriculture in many regions, and supporting mobile communities can help people cope with droughts.
Researchers at the University of Missouri College of Agriculture have completed two drought simulators designed to mimic real-world conditions. The simulators, measuring 50 feet by 100 feet, will enable in-depth testing under varying environmental conditions and improve food security for farmers.
Researchers found that Pacific Northwest conifers face significant water stress during winter due to freeze-thaw cycles, which disrupts water flow. This challenges the conventional view of summer as the most stressful season for these trees.
Researchers found that smaller leaves have more tightly packed major veins, which provides redundancy in water transport. This allows them to maintain function even during extreme drought, making them more resistant to the effects of embolism in dry soil.
Plant hormone ethylene plays a major role in shutting down growth inhibition during mild drought stress. The study shows that plants grow slower when water becomes limiting but can resume growth if the stress is temporary. By targeting this response, crop varieties can be developed to improve productivity and reduce yield losses.
A recent study published in Agricultural and Forest Meteorology found that US forests can sequester up to 40% of the nation's fossil fuel carbon emissions. However, widespread droughts can cut this amount by about 20%.
A new study using satellite data shows that the 2010 drought caused a dramatic decline in Amazon forest health, with over 2.5 million square kilometers affected. The researchers used computer models and real-time processing of massive amounts of satellite data to analyze the impact of the drought.
Reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations could increase global precipitation and prevent droughts, according to Carnegie Global Ecology scientists. The team's novel explanation shows that cutting CO2 can lead to an increase in thunderstorms and rainfall.
Researchers found that flood-tolerant rice plants with the Sub1A gene not only survive flooding but also recover well from drought, growing new shoots. This breakthrough could greatly benefit rice growers and consumers globally.
A team of researchers from Kent State University has studied the history of drought in the Pacific Northwest over the past 6,000 years. They used sediment records and tree-ring data to find that drought duration increased in response to decadal oscillations driven by marine processes.
Researchers extracted a 6,000-year climate record from Washington state's Castor Lake, revealing longer, more extreme dry spells since 1200 AD, linked to changing El Niño/La Niú patterns.
A new tree-ring chronology reconstructs the climate of pre-colonial Mexico on an annual basis for over a millennium, pinning down four ancient megadroughts to their exact years. The record provides insights into the rise and fall of pre-Hispanic civilizations, particularly the Aztecs and Mayans.
Researchers found two severe Amazon droughts in 5 years have caused widespread and severe impacts on the region's rainforests. The carbon impact of these droughts may exceed previous estimates, potentially offsetting the Amazon's ability to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere.
New research predicts increased frequency of drought in eastern Africa, exacerbating existing food shortages and population growth. Scientists link warming Indian Ocean temperatures to decreased rainfall in the region.
A Baylor University study reveals that different households in coastal communities in Belize adapt and cope with climate-related events through various behaviors and strategies. The results highlight the importance of empowerment, access to resources, and collective thinking in enhancing resilience.
Researchers evaluated five common green roof plants under various drought treatments, finding that saxifrage pink thrived despite its shallow substrate requirement. The study highlights the importance of selecting plant species suitable to rooftop conditions and substrate depth for optimal growth.
Researchers found that both the Southwest and Southeast have insufficient water resources to support human needs, leading to a reliance on imported virtual water. The study highlights the need for new strategies in water storage and conservation across the US, particularly in regions with inland metropolitan areas.
Researchers confirm that US western states' unsustainable water practices are causing long-term environmental costs, with salt usage linked to $2.5 billion in crop revenue losses and high-quality produce prices rising.
A new study suggests that a 60-year drought like the one in the 12th Century could occur in the Southwest, with devastating impacts on ecosystems and water systems. The team analyzed past temperatures and droughts to identify plausible worst-case scenarios, highlighting the need for improved water management planning.
A new study suggests that parts of Peru and Bolivia will become a desert-like setting if temperatures rise more than 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius above modern times. The change would be disastrous for the water supply and agricultural capacity of La Paz, affecting its two million inhabitants.
The University of Maryland is leading a $5 million NSF-funded research partnership to develop drought-tolerant canola crops. The project will analyze guard cells in the canola plant to understand how plants respond to drought and improve water use efficiency.
Research scientist Alessandra Giannini wins NSF CAREER award to advance understanding of climate model projections in the African Sahel. She aims to identify mechanisms attributed to natural variability, land use change, or global warming, using data from global models and atmospheric observations.
A new study predicts widespread droughts across much of the globe within decades, with most of Western Hemisphere and Eurasia at risk. Drought conditions are expected to worsen as warming temperatures lead to reduced rainfall and increased evaporation.
The study predicts that severe and prolonged droughts will affect much of the globe in the next 30 years, with dry conditions increasing substantially across Eurasia, Africa, Australia, and parts of North America. By the end of the century, densely populated regions may face extreme drought conditions.
A study of 36 rivers found that human activities such as droughts and floods alter the length of food chains, particularly eliminating top predators like large-bodied fish. Climate change will exacerbate these effects, making it crucial to factor in the fate of large-bodied fishes in water management.
Rivers and streams face threats from human activities and climate change, altering their natural flow patterns and disrupting food webs. This can lead to the disappearance of large-bodied fish species, making them more vulnerable to droughts and floods.
The Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) varieties, developed through a public-private partnership, show promising results with preliminary evidence of 24-35 percent higher yields. The project aims to test transgenic maize in confined field trials to evaluate their potential in drought conditions.