Articles tagged with Droughts
Research from Utah State University finds that large trees in western forests benefit from mycorrhizal connections to fungi, which enhance nutrient uptake and provide defense against pathogens. Diverse forest networks offer greater protection for these giant trees.
Research finds that drought changes the community of microbes living in rice plant roots, allowing them to tap deeper water sources after dry spells. This 'memory' of drought enables plants to grow more resilient roots, reducing crop losses in a changing climate.
Researchers from the University of Chicago have made a groundbreaking discovery in plant biology, using RNA manipulation to increase crop yields by 50% and boost drought tolerance. The breakthrough has potential applications beyond food production, including engineering plants to withstand climate change and other environmental pressures.
A major drought and forest fires in the Amazon rainforest killed billions of trees and plants, emitting 495 million tonnes of CO2 and turning a carbon sink into a big polluter. The damage lasted for multiple years, with only a third of emissions re-absorbed by plant growth.
The study found that El Niño led to higher plant mortality rates in forests with a history of human disturbance, resulting in significant carbon dioxide emissions. Plant growth was only able to offset 37% of the emissions three years after the start of El Niño.
A team of researchers from Penn State and Northern Arizona University developed a statistical risk model linking supply chain diversity to the probability of a city experiencing food shocks. The study found that higher diversity in the supply chain leads to lower probabilities of food shock, highlighting the importance of diversifying ...
A new study finds that the microbiome of grasses plays a crucial role in their ability to withstand drought. Healthy bacteria in grasses can provide nutrients, protect against pathogens and UV radiation, and help manage drought. However, under severe drought conditions, the bacterial communities become less diverse and more harmful.
Floods affect plant photosynthesis nearly as often as droughts, with extreme wet events impacting soil carbon storage. The study emphasizes the need to rethink flood impacts on vegetation dynamics and soil carbon storage in a warming world.
A new study using fecal stanols found that the Maya population in Itzan declined due to both droughts and wet periods, showing a link between climate extremes and population changes. The research provides insights into how ancient civilizations adapted to environmental issues like soil degradation and nutrient loss.
The study reveals a decline of over 1,200 km2 in California's blue oak range due to prolonged droughts and warmer temperatures. This loss is accompanied by conditional change, indicating health, productivity, and susceptibility issues.
A new study predicts severe drying of the Amazon forest, threatening its viability and biodiversity. The eastern part of the Amazon is expected to face extreme drought by the end of the century, with reduced rainfall comparable to major droughts in 2005 and 2010.
A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that plant species vulnerable to climate change may lead to bigger problems than previously thought. The research, led by Amelia Wolf and Erika Zavaleta, suggests that losing biodiversity can have significant impacts on ecosystems, particularly during droughts.
A study published in Geophysical Research Letters found that anthropogenic forcing has increased drought risk in Southeast Asia, with more frequent and widespread droughts over the past six decades. The region's biodiversity is also threatened due to water scarcity issues exacerbated by climate change.
A KIT research team developed a new statistical method to improve global forecasts, enabling more accurate seasonal meteorological forecasts on the regional level. This can help mitigate local consequences of climate change, such as droughts and floods, by providing early warning of wet or dry periods.
Researchers investigated plant competition under dual stressors of extreme drought and invasive species, finding dynamic interactions that amplify or buffer each other. Cork oak trees surprisingly recover better than expected after extreme drought when the invasive gum rockrose is also affected.
Researchers will use accurate weather forecasts to anticipate food shortages, poaching, and other threats to elephants, allowing conservation groups to take action weeks or months in advance. The project aims to reduce human-elephant conflict and help at-risk species withstand climate change.
The study reveals that the 2019-20 drought was caused by a meteorological phenomenon, atmospheric blocking, which prevented raincloud formation. The Pantanal's severe drought had devastating effects on the biome due to high temperatures, low humidity, and exacerbated by human activities like deliberate burning of vegetation.
A new study using tree ring samples found that Yellowstone's summers have been the hottest in the past 1,250 years, with the past 20 years being particularly extreme. The research provides crucial data for understanding the relationships between increasing temperatures and environmental factors.
Researchers have uncovered genes that enable plants to make three key things: transport water and nutrients via xylem, produce lignin and suberin for drought protection, and regulate root meristem growth. These findings can be applied to crops like tomatoes and rice, potentially increasing their drought tolerance.
A study by the University of Córdoba has identified holm oak trees that exhibit greater resistance and tolerance to drought stress, root rot, and high temperatures. These 'elite' specimens may be used as molecular markers for drought-tolerant trees in reforestation programs.
A UCI study shows that human-sourced greenhouse gas and aerosol pollution is lengthening and intensifying droughts globally. Drought hotspots in the Americas, Africa, and Asia have seen significant shifts due to anthropogenic forcing.
A recent study found that African tropical rainforests removed 1.1 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide per year during the 2015-2016 El Niño event, equivalent to three times the UK's carbon emissions in 2019. The forests continued to function as a carbon sink, with only modest impacts from extreme heat and drought.
A new study from Monash University finds that some Victoria water catchments still behave like they're in a drought even after nearly eight years without rain. The research, published in Science, challenges the common view that rivers and underground water supplies eventually replenish following periods of severe drought or flood.
A new study found that over a third of Australian watersheds had not recovered from the Millennium Drought seven years later. The findings suggest that hydrological droughts can persist indefinitely, highlighting challenges to sustainable water use under climate change.
In 2020, China experienced a warm and wet climate, with floods and droughts being the most prevalent types of disasters. The mean air temperature was 0.7°C above normal, and annual rainfall was 10.3% above average.
Researchers found that Pueblo farmers persevered through droughts, but when social tensions were increasing, even modest droughts could end an era of development. The study suggests that societies with internal divisions are more susceptible to climate challenges, and warns of the relevance of this finding in today's world.
Researchers from Basel and Würzburg investigated spruce trees' reaction to extreme heat and drought, finding a sudden collapse of the water-conducting system leading to tree death. The study reveals that dehydration occurs abruptly after exceeding a species-specific threshold value, causing trees to be unable to recover.
Researchers at UNIST propose a new drought monitoring method using Vector Projection Analysis (VPA), which can comprehensively investigate drought disasters. The approach captures varied climate and environmental characteristics, showing good agreement with surface-based indices and drought references across continental scales.
A new study from the University of Illinois finds that US interstate trade can reduce the economic impact of climate change on crop profit, with potential benefits worth up to $14.5 billion by 2050. This approach shifts the paradigm compared to current forecasts, which only consider local drought impacts.
A new book from Cornell University Press explores how climate change will alter the world's dinner plate. Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns threaten staple crops like rice, avocados, and bananas, with some varieties facing yields reduced by up to 80%.
Researchers discovered that trees experience a sudden collapse in their hydraulic systems during drought, leading to rapid death. The study found that this collapse occurs much sooner than previously thought, highlighting the importance of understanding tree water relations.
A new study suggests that dengue outbreaks in Brazil are more likely after extreme droughts due to improvised water containers housing mosquitoes. The research recommends timing interventions accordingly and investing in local infrastructure for permanent water supply.
Across most of the western US, dry periods between rainstorms have become longer and annual rainfall has become more erratic over the last 50 years. This is according to a new study that used actual rainfall data from 337 weather stations, revealing changes in drought length and rainfall patterns.
The Bureau of Reclamation released final technical reports supporting the Water Reliability in the West - 2021 SECURE Water Act Report, assessing climate change impacts on 17 western states. The reports provide detailed information on adaptation strategies to increase water supply reliability.
Plants recall drought conditions through GABA signalling, affecting leaf pore width for water conservation. This unique mechanism allows drought-tolerant plants to survive longer without water.
Research on grass blade sizes reveals that smaller leaves with more veins provide better tolerance to dry and cold conditions. This discovery can aid scientists in conserving grass species under climate change and breeding crops for cold climates.
A recent study reveals that droughts over the southwestern Tibetan Plateau are triggered by ocean warming in the eastern Pacific, approximately 18,000 km away. The researchers found that anomalous advection of moist enthalpy and suppressed rainfall contribute to this phenomenon.
A recent analysis of climate data from the last millennium reveals that megadroughts in Central Europe were characterised by a weak or negative phase of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation and reduced solar radiation.
The Three Gorges project has affected local climate, with a warmer spring and autumn and drier fall in the region. Climate extremes, such as heat waves and flooding, are linked to larger Yangtze River Basin weather patterns.
A recent study found that European summer droughts since 2015 exceed anything in the past 2,100 years, with climate change and jet stream changes likely causing this anomaly. The researchers analyzed tree-ring stable isotopes to reconstruct summer climate conditions over 2,110 years.
Researchers have discovered genes in peach's wild relatives that enable them to withstand stressful conditions, including cold, drought, and ultraviolet radiation. These genetic adaptations could help improve the resilience of domesticated peaches, making them better equipped to cope with climate change.
A new study from Michigan State University suggests that Midwest corn farmers may not need to rely on more water due to climate change. Instead, adapting through regenerative soil practices and technology can make crops more resilient and adaptable to changing weather patterns.
A SUTD study found that big droughts in the Greater Mekong region reduce hydropower production, leading to increased fossil fuel use and higher carbon emissions. The researchers suggest using mathematical models to coordinate water-energy operations and prepare contingency plans for droughts.
A new study predicts that the Southeastern United States is at high risk of extreme drought, which could expose its water-supply infrastructure to stress beyond its design limit. The researchers used short-term climate modeling forecasts to highlight the urgency of drought risk and inform policymakers' actions.
Researchers led by Eliza Harris and Michael Bahn studied N2O emissions under environmental impacts, finding denitrification dominates production in dry soils. This process was previously thought to occur primarily in moist soils, leading to increased atmospheric emissions during drought.
A study by University of New South Wales found that kangaroo overgrazing is having a detrimental impact on soil health and vegetation biodiversity, even more so than rabbits. The research suggests that conservation reserves need to rethink their management strategies to address the issue.
A delayed rainy season onset can signal a higher likelihood of seasonal drought and food insecurity in regions prone to these conditions. Analysis reveals that a 10-day delay is associated with a significantly higher risk of drought in the most vulnerable areas.
A new study predicts that the number of people suffering extreme droughts will more than double by the late 21st century due to climate change. Global land area and population facing extreme droughts could increase from 3% to 7-8%, posing significant threats to food security and human migration.
A regional study from Dartmouth College found increases in extreme streamflow events across the US and Canada, including more frequent floods and droughts. The research analyzed records dating back to 1910 and identified significant changes in precipitation levels on river systems.
A recent study found that Hawai'i drought is only associated with Eastern Pacific El Niño, while Central Pacific El Niño events result in deficient rainfall in Hawaii only 60% of the time. This new information has significant implications for water resource management and planning in Hawai'i.
Researchers identified a severe drought period in 1302-07 Europe, which shares similarities with the 2018 weather anomaly and recent climate trends. The study suggests that transitional phases in the climate are characterized by stable weather patterns, contributing to extreme events like the Great Famine of 1315-21.
Researchers used tree rings to reconstruct river discharge histories, finding that Asian rivers behave in a coherent pattern with large droughts and pluvial periods often occurring simultaneously. The study's findings have important implications for water management, particularly in countries with multiple river basins.
A new UCPH study highlights significant trends affecting the world's forests, including drought, viral outbreaks, and vast infrastructure expansions. These trends pose severe consequences on forests and humans alike, emphasizing the need for prioritized forest conservation strategies.
UC Riverside is receiving $6.3 million to combat the deadly fungus Laurel Wilt and other challenges threatening American avocado production. The university will develop next-generation technologies to manage diseases like Phytophthora root rot and soil salinity, which can severely reduce fruit yield and quality.
Certain bacteria living in sorghum roots work together with the plant to reduce drought stress, leading to overall plant success. The microbiome plays a critical role in determining crop productivity, and manipulating it may hold the key to developing crops that can thrive in harsh conditions.
A study by Alfred Wegener Institute reveals that warm and dry Aprils in Central Europe increase the risk of summer droughts. The team found that a blocking high-pressure system over the North Sea and parts of Germany is to blame for these conditions.
New research from Lehigh University explores the link between drought, food insecurity, and HIV among women in less-developed countries. The study finds that drought escalates food insecurity, leading to reduced access to education, healthcare, and autonomy, ultimately increasing the percentage of HIV cases among women.
A QUT-led study reveals jaguars in the Amazon can cope with drought and flood, but repeated exposure leads to rapid decline. The species' long-term survival is threatened by climate change and food scarcity, with predictions suggesting a potential population crash in 30 years.
Researchers used marine controlled-source electromagnetic imaging to map a pattern of alternating ash/soil and basalt layers that trap fresh groundwater while forcing out seawater. This discovery suggests a novel mechanism for transporting freshwater offshore to the submarine flank of the island.
A new study predicts climate change will lead to more extreme wildfires and multi-year droughts in Nevada and California. Warmer temperatures will cause faster drying of soil moisture and vegetation, increasing fire danger and severity.