Articles tagged with Droughts
Researchers studied how 4-year-old tree species respond to extended drought and heat, finding that different species have varying levels of drought tolerance. The study's findings can help shape forest management policy and understand future landscape changes.
Compound extreme events like heatwaves and droughts in eastern China were prolonged by land-atmosphere coupling, leading to devastating impacts on agriculture. The study highlights the crucial role of soil moisture and energy exchange in sustaining these events.
Reduced water flows and rising atmospheric temperatures will warm rivers during droughts, posing challenges for aquatic life and ecosystems. Intense solar radiation and lower water flows accelerate warming, but certain management interventions can help offset high thermal extremes.
A new study published in Conservation Physiology identifies the critical limits of plant function under stress, enabling more effective conservation strategies. By understanding these limits, conservationists can identify vulnerable species and allocate resources more wisely.
A recent study using SENTINEL-2 satellite images estimated burned areas with 96% accuracy, revealing a much larger area affected by wildfires than previously thought. This higher precision will help improve estimates of greenhouse gas emissions and inform fire management decisions.
Uncontrolled wildfires are threatening environmental progress in Brazilian Amazonia, a critical carbon sink. Deforestation rates have fallen, but fire counts remain high, driven by hotter and drier climate conditions.
Researchers from UNC Greensboro have developed new methods to predict the impact of global changes on 'grassy' ecosystems, which cover 40% of the Earth's land surface. The study aims to improve mathematical models that forecast changes in these ecosystems, including food production, pollinators, and carbon sequestration.
Researchers have developed a new method to measure the duration and severity of hydrological droughts in streams and rivers, which can persist for up to 3.5 years after drought conditions end. The study found that baseflow droughts are strongly tied to groundwater levels and can impact water management and ecosystem services.
A global study reveals that extreme events over the last thirty years had substantial impacts on water use patterns, differing per sector and region. The domestic and irrigation sectors have the highest priority for water use worldwide, but stricter measures are often taken in favor of the domestic sector during extremes.
A team of researchers analyzed ancient leaf waxes to study past rainfall and drought patterns. By comparing their data with climate models, they verified how well those models capture past climate change and improved the accuracy of future rainfall predictions.
Recent research reveals that certain soil microorganisms persist and even thrive during drought periods, influencing ecosystem balance and plant growth. A novel method using water vapor measurement indicates that specific bacterial species become more active under simulated future climatic conditions.
Re-wetting southern peatlands along the US south Atlantic coast could significantly boost carbon storage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A new Duke University study reveals that maintaining water levels between 20-30 cm below the local water table can increase CO2 storage by up to 90%.
Researchers found that climate change can cause a shift from high to low biomass fungal species, leading to simpler networks between trees. This disruption can have cascading effects on tree performance and ecosystem function. The study suggests that warming and drought may harm forest resilience by breaking down ectomycorrhizal networks.
Researchers developed an impacts-based thresholds approach to better prepare Ohio farmers for drought conditions. The method takes into account changes in soil moisture, crops, and livestock losses to provide earlier and more accurate notice of approaching droughts.
River water quality is deteriorating during extreme weather events, such as droughts, heatwaves, rainstorms, and floods. The study found that water quality tends to decline during these events due to increased contaminant transport and reduced dilution.
Research from Fudan University reveals that global droughts exhibit distinct characteristics based on their geographical location, with only 40% of coastal droughts accompanying heatwaves. The study developed a clustering algorithm to analyze drought events and found significant differences in symmetry between inland and coastal types.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma are receiving US DOE funding to explore atmospheric processes that lead to extreme weather events. The project aims to better understand blocking patterns and their impact on climate change, ultimately informing local, state, and national leaders on how to prepare for these events.
The State of the Climate report confirms record highs in greenhouse gas concentrations, global sea levels, and ocean heat content. Scientists from over 60 countries contributed to the annual review, providing a comprehensive update on Earth's climate indicators and notable weather events.
A study by the University of Leeds found that South American forests lost their ability to absorb carbon from the atmosphere during an extreme El Niño event in 2015-2016. This suggests that tropical forests may no longer be able to mitigate climate change, but conservation efforts can still protect them.
Agricultural flash droughts are anticipated to become more frequent due to climate shifts, driven by changes in temperature, relative humidity, and soil moisture levels. Hot spots for flash drought development have been identified in Europe, South America, and southern Africa.
Research found seven regional hotspots where sudden shifts from drought to heavy rains are becoming more common due to climate change. The study's discovery of land-based feedback loops can help improve predictive climate models and aid communities in preparing for extreme weather conditions.
A team of researchers from UC Davis has developed a tool that can predict which forests are likely to survive or die after a drought. By analyzing changes in precipitation, soil moisture, and temperature, the tool links these factors to tree growth and carbon reserves.
Climate impacts like dry summers causing tree growth reduction and increased mortality in the Black Forest. The study found a peak in tree mortality in 2019, with mortality rates exceeding 40% of sustainable annual growth.
A Dartmouth-led study suggests that expanded irrigation of corn and soybeans in the US could outweigh costs by mid-century. The research found that certain regions, such as North Dakota and Michigan, would benefit from irrigation due to increasing drought conditions.
The University of Cambridge team warns that Africa's lack of hydromet infrastructure will lead to a surge in climate-related disasters and deaths. The continent has just 6% of the number of radar stations as Europe and North America, making it vulnerable to floods, droughts, and heatwaves.
A new tree forensics project, Gigante, aims to investigate the deaths of large tropical trees using drone surveys and on-the-ground observations. The team expects to identify the causes of death for up to 10,000 trees over three years, shedding light on the impact of climate change on forest ecosystems.
Researchers found a pre-historic climate tipping point that explains why the Horn of Africa is getting drier despite rising temperatures. The study suggests that the region will become even drier in the future, contradicting most climate models' predictions.
Restoration of longleaf pine woodlands enhances stream flow while conserving an endangered ecosystem, addressing two pressing conservation issues. This approach promotes 17% more streamflow on average and 92% higher streamflow during droughts.
A new study from Lund University found that secondary forests in Sweden were more affected by the 2018 drought than primary forests. The research team analyzed satellite images and vegetation indexes to compare the impact of drought on both forest types.
Researchers found that prolonged droughts have led to Steamboat Geyser's dry spells by clogging pathways for trees to respire and grow. The team matched tree growth periods to regional climate records, revealing a connection between environmental conditions and reduced water supply.
Researchers found that soil microbes adapt to drought conditions over time and provide benefits to plants when grown together, even without plant signals. This challenges the long-held assumption of co-evolutionary dialogue between plants and microbes.
The Colorado River Basin has lost approximately 40 trillion liters of water between 2000 and 2021 due to climate change, equivalent to the entire storage capacity of Lake Mead. The rapid reduction in runoff is largely responsible for this water loss, with warming temperatures leading to a 10.3% decrease in flow rates.
Researchers at KAUST have isolated a desert microbial strain that enhances drought resilience in Arabidopsis and alfalfa, promoting water use efficiency without affecting crop yields. The microbes modify epigenetic status of drought stress genes and actively change plant root architecture.
Researchers evaluate three drought indices (SPEI, SZI, scPDSI) in the core zone of westerlies-dominated climatic regime. scPDSI is found to be more effective in reproducing drought events and monitoring arid regions due to its sensitivity to potential evapotranspiration changes.
Researchers found that most US forests have the potential to adapt to hotter, dryer conditions, but are not changing quickly enough. The study suggests that biodiversity can buffer the impact of climate change on forests.
Researchers investigated climate change's effect on extreme weather events like wildfires and found a 'worst-case' scenario could lead to significant increases in intensity, frequency, and duration. The study emphasizes the need for proactive measures, including emission reductions and adaptation strategies, to build resilience.
A study by University of Nebraska-Lincoln undergraduates found that drought can lower survival odds, slow growth, and even skew the ratio of female-to-male painted turtles. The team discovered a 7% decrease in female survival and a 10% decrease in male survival rates during drought periods.
The UK is investing £11 million to improve forecast accuracy for extreme weather events like storms, floods and droughts. Scientists are focusing on atmospheric turbulence to create more detailed models.
A new study found that the 2022 snow season had the highest snowpack dust concentrations of any year since observations began in 2009, accelerating snowmelt by 17 days. The dry lakebed of the Great Salt Lake contributed the highest dust emissions per surface area, threatening Utah's water supply.
A new framework defines super drought as simultaneous extreme droughts at multiple time scales, shedding light on compound dry extremes. A web service has been launched to monitor global super drought events in near-real-time, providing valuable insights for researchers and policymakers.
A new study from Tufts University predicts a significant increase in extreme temperatures affecting wheat yields in the US and China. The research warns of potentially disastrous consequences for global food supplies if crops are impacted by heat stress, which can occur at temperatures above 27.8°C.
A UC Riverside-led study reveals the Salton Sea environment is toxic, causing sulfuric smells, dust storms, chemicals, and fires that contribute to chronic health conditions like asthma and respiratory illnesses. The study's findings have important public health implications for vulnerable child populations.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma predict that global flash droughts will increase globally, with the largest increases projected across North America and Europe. The study finds that flash drought risk over cropland is expected to increase by 1.5 times in North America and 1.7 times in Europe by 2100.
China experienced its warmest year on record in 2022, with extreme heatwaves and droughts affecting the country. The report highlights a dry climate with low precipitation levels, resulting in severe weather events such as flooding and sandstorms.
Researchers at UC San Diego and Stanford University have developed a roadmap of root chemicals that are critical to plant growth, providing new insights into plant development. The study reveals that key small molecules are clustered in patches across the root, suggesting a purposeful distribution for optimal growth.
Research found that drought can increase tree growth in cold, harsh environments due to its impact on energy-limited systems. The study's results provide insights into how different tree species and ecosystems will respond to climate change, particularly in water-limited regions.
A recent study by Dartmouth researchers finds that global economic losses from El Niño can persist for several years after the event, with a significant impact on the world's poorest nations. The study projects total losses of $84 trillion for the 21st century, highlighting the need for climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Researchers at NCAR create detailed drought forecasts using statistical methods and machine learning, predicting summer drought conditions in 81-94% of cases. The technique can help manage water resources, prevent wildfires, and inform agricultural decisions.
Physicians are urging primary care teams to use data-driven approaches to prevent and mitigate climate-related health issues, dubbed "precision ecologic medicine". This approach combines patient-specific data with climate-related information to predict and support vulnerable patients.
A new study reveals that crops such as corn, sorghum, and millet have evolved by swapping genetic modules between cells to adapt to environmental changes. Researchers identified trends of gene module trading among the species, which may help scientists pinpoint genes controlling drought tolerance.
A five-year field experiment found that nitrogen addition increases biomass recovery but decreases structural recovery after drought, while annual mowing improves both biomass and structural recovery. The study highlights the importance of dominant species and plant functional groups in determining grassland stability under drought.
A new study assesses the Amazon's response to drought, identifying the regions most vulnerable to climate change. Trees in the western and southern parts of the forest are at high risk due to rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns.
Researchers identify critical drought thresholds that impact vegetation growth and nonlinear responses to soil moisture stress. The study reveals two distinct phases of vegetation response, with a well-defined threshold beyond which vegetation becomes vulnerable to drought intensification.
A recent study found that temperature and extreme drought drive movement among herds of Plains bison, posing challenges for managing the iconic species. The team analyzed GPS-backed evidence from 33 Plains bison across two sites in Oklahoma, revealing a strong link between air temperature and bison movement.
A study in Nature Communications Earth and Environment shows progress in Australia's nature-based rehabilitation efforts for sustainable environmental restoration. The research highlights the importance of adopting UN environmental goals as principles in river management to conserve river health and improve resilience.
Research finds that flash droughts are becoming more frequent due to human-caused climate change, posing a major challenge for climate adaptation. The transition to flash droughts is predicted to accelerate in a warmer future, with irreversible impacts on ecosystems.
Researchers developed a multifunctional patch that detects plant diseases and abiotic stresses like drought or salinity. The patch can detect viral infections up to a week before symptoms appear, enabling growers to take action earlier.
Increased droughts are disrupting soil microbes' ability to capture carbon, threatening plant productivity and greenhouse gas levels. Research suggests that if drought-adapted microbes outcompete carbon-sequestering microbes, it could lead to carbon-depleted soils with severe implications.
A study by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that climate change-related natural disasters have increased since 1980 and cost the US over $2 trillion in recovery costs. The analysis suggests that rising CO2 levels and temperatures will lead to more frequent and severe disasters, with exponentially increasing costs.
Research explores the complex relationship between droughts, food security, and conflict in Central America. The study finds that decreases in water availability play a major role in conflict insurgences, while stable conditions of peace are more influenced by favorable socio-economic conditions.