Articles tagged with Soil Moisture
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.
Researchers confirm termites as cause of Namib Desert fairy circles, refuting the self-regulation hypothesis. The study found that sand termites eliminate plants in sandy soils, enabling long-lasting water storage after infrequent rainfall.
A new study reveals that soil moisture stress has a more significant impact on vegetation growth in Eurasian drylands than atmospheric vapor pressure deficit. The research provides crucial insights for effective ecosystem management and drought mitigation in the region.
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 new Dartmouth study examines how changes in precipitation and temperature due to global warming affect streamflow and flooding in the Northeast. The research finds that a warmer climate will lead to increased streamflow and higher flood risk, particularly if soils become wetter and more prone to heavy rainfall events.
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.
The study found that heat domes over Western North America contributed 50% of the observed high temperatures in 2021-like heatwaves. The intensities of these extreme heat events are projected to increase by 40-fold by the end of the century, emphasizing the need for climate mitigation and adaptation activities.
A North Carolina State University study found that cover crop adoption can reduce crop insurance losses due to prevented planting in the US Midwest. Longer term use of cover crops also leads to larger reductions in prevented-planting risk, with a 1% increase translating to nearly $40 million in reduced indemnities.
Researchers from Pusan National University studied compound extreme weather events in northern East Asia and found that a lack of soil moisture led to increased evaporative stress, amplifying heatwaves and triggering compound droughts and heatwaves. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for societal safety.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a rapid and sensitive soil moisture sensor using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to optimize water usage in agriculture. The MOF-based sensor shows high sensitivity and selectivity for water even in the presence of metal ions, enabling precise irrigation management.
A recent study found that agricultural droughts in Central Asia will continue to worsen due to human-induced warming and natural climate variability. The researchers used ensemble simulations and observations to project future changes in agricultural droughts across the region, indicating a worsening trend in the coming century.
A joint research team from China has discovered high concentrations of hydrogen and low deuterium/hydrogen ratios in lunar soil grain rims consistent with solar wind origin. This finding suggests that the bulk water content in Chang'e-5 lunar soils is around 46 ppm, which could be higher in polar regions.
Researchers have discovered a new height-reducing gene, Rht13, which enables reduced-height wheat varieties to be planted deeper in dry conditions without seedling emergence issues. This breakthrough could lead to more climate-resilient wheat and improved yields.
Stanford researchers found that dams could store over 50% of water needed for crop irrigation, but emphasize alternatives like small dams and recharged groundwater systems as more environmentally friendly options. The study aims to increase food security without depleting water stocks or harming nature.
The researchers designed a chemical system inspired by soil that can respond to external stimuli and modulate gut microbiota abundance and dysregulated microbes. This system shows promise for treating gastrointestinal disorders and may have implications for human health and agro-ecosystems.
A new study has found that soil moisture content is the main factor controlling how far and at what concentration natural gas spreads from a leaked pipeline underground. The research team looked at over 300 soil samples and found that methane gas leaking from a pipeline does not spread as far when the soil moisture content increases.
Researchers found that models using soil moisture explain 30-120% more year-to-year variation in yield than those relying on rainfall, revealing a critical link between temperature and water supply for crops. Extreme heat is less damaging to crop yields than previously estimated, while drought and flooding sensitivity increases.
Researchers found that the Southern cattail plant can scavenge up to 34 times more manganese from contaminated soil than other plants. The study suggests its potential for sustainable rehabilitation of areas affected by iron mine tailings, demonstrating its high efficiency in phytoremediation.
A new study by Rice University biologist Tom Miller explores the role of fungi in determining the range limits of plants in Texas. The research reveals that fungal partnerships improve drought tolerance and could potentially extend the range of grasses in response to climate change.
Researchers at UMaine have developed a novel AI-based method for monitoring soil moisture in forests, using wireless sensor networks and machine learning to optimize energy efficiency. This approach could enable more efficient tracking of forest health, reducing costs and increasing reliability.
Researchers discover alfalfa plants can enrich Martian soil with nutrients, allowing for plant growth. Meanwhile, marine cyanobacteria effectively remove excess salt from water, enabling the production of fresh water and a foundation for future food cultivation.
Researchers developed a wireless system called Contactless Moisture Estimation (CoMEt) that estimates soil moisture in agricultural fields at multiple depths using radio signals. CoMEt can assess soil moisture without requiring in-ground sensors, making it more cost-effective and convenient for farmers.
The study explores the relationship between cohesion and erosion, revealing a scaling law that can predict erosion thresholds for different grain sizes. This understanding could improve modeling of erosion in various applications, such as soil stability and dust removal from solar panels.
A new methodology predicts soil recovery after wildfires by analyzing the impact of microbes and nutrients on soil regeneration. The study found that including uncommon soil microbiota was critical to predicting water quality and terrestrial ecosystem recovery.
A new study reveals how large-scale groundwater exploitation by local farmers led to the desiccation of sandy soils and decimation of wildlife populations in Spain's Doñana National Park. The lack of effective oversight created an economically and environmentally unsustainable situation, destroying a protected natural space.
A new study analyzing 30 years of data on four major U.S. crops reveals that soil water-holding capacity is a key factor in managing heat stress due to climate change. Farmers can improve soil health by adding organic matter or using mulch to reduce evaporation.
Researchers explore the emergence of antibiotic resistance genes in bioaerosols, including sources and detection strategies. The study highlights the need for monitoring and understanding the relationship between human, animal, and environmental microbiomes to counter the spread of AR.
A team from KAUST has developed a low-cost system for imaging plant growth dynamics noninvasively and at high throughput. The Mutiple XL ab system combines computer vision and pattern recognition technologies with machine learning to analyze and quantify root growth dynamics.
West Virginia University researchers are exploring the symbiotic relationship between Miscanthus x giganteus and its microbes to improve the crop's resilience in unpredictable climates. The goal is to determine the best way to manage the plant on marginal soil, which could help restore damaged soils and mitigate climate change.
A new study proposes designing permeable pavements to reduce flood impacts in Australia, with the potential to store up to 50% of rainfall and reduce urban flooding by up to 50%. The proposed system takes into account local soil types and rainfall intensity, and has been tested on 107 towns and cities across Australia.
Researchers have identified a cork-like substance called suberin that helps protect rice roots from floods and drought. By understanding how suberin is produced, they hope to use gene editing or selective breeding to make the crop more resilient to climate change.
The European drought event from 2018 to 2020 was the most intense in over 250 years, affecting approximately one third of the land area. The drought's total duration was unusually long, starting in April 2018 and ending in December 2020.
Researchers at North Carolina State University found that soils in the Walnut Creek watershed can absorb over 99% of precipitation events, contradicting previous studies. The study suggests that urban planners address flooding problems by considering the amount and location of paved surfaces rather than soil composition.
A new study predicts that agricultural water scarcity will worsen in up to 84% of croplands globally by 2050, with green water availability changing under climate change. Effective solutions include conserving agricultural water through mulching, no-till farming, and improving irrigation infrastructure.
The UN Convention to Combat Desertification's Global Land Outlook 2 report warns that up to 40% of the planet's land is degraded, threatening half of humanity and roughly 1/2 of world GDP. The report offers hundreds of practical ways to restore land and ecosystem health.
The study reveals that carbon storage in soil depends on the spatial distribution of pores, with a higher concentration of carbon found near pores. The researchers used X-ray CT to visualize pore systems and found that microbial activity decreases with increasing distance from the pores.
Researchers have developed a simple, biodegradable ground cover that keeps soil wet longer and increases crop yields. The wax-coated sand barrier decreased soil moisture loss by up to 50-80% and improved plant growth, including increased fruit and grain production.
Researchers at Skoltech have developed a new method to monitor soil freezing, enabling the creation of safer and more stable structures in permafrost regions. The water potential method is fast, inexpensive, and applicable to various soil types, providing accurate estimates of freezing point and unfrozen water content.
A new study by Tel Aviv University researchers found that microplastics absorb and concentrate toxic organic substances, increasing their toxicity by a factor of 10. This may lead to severe impact on human health due to contaminated food and drink.
Researchers discover Amazon basin as main mechanism for precipitation in Atacama Desert, accounting for 40-80% of total precipitation. The findings reveal a new pathway of water supply for the driest region on Earth, aside from summer rain, through moist easterly winds and winter storms.
The Chang'E-5 lander has made the first onsite detection of water on the Moon, providing evidence of hydroxyl and/or H2O presence. The discovery was made using reflectance spectral data from the lunar surface acquired by the lander.
Researchers at West Virginia University aim to develop more precise predictions about the role of individual soil microorganisms in the carbon cycle. They will use stable isotope probing to track carbon uptake and characterize the function of microbes in their natural communities.
Researchers at Skoltech developed an algorithm that aggregates and maps environmental data to predict and visually map the quality of water, soil, or air. The solution uses interpolation to fill gaps in data and produces detailed maps with high resolution.
A study by University of Tennessee researchers found two soybean genotypes, 'Ellis' and 'USG Allen', that outperformed others under drought conditions. These varieties showed improved yields and reduced wilting, making them suitable for water-limited areas.
Groundwater recovery time varies by region and human activity, with some areas taking up to 15 years to recharge. Excessive pumping can cause land subsidence, contaminant mobilization, and decreased water quality.
Researchers found that trees are tapping into bedrock for water, a phenomenon previously thought to be rare. The study, led by Erica McCormick at UT Austin, suggests that bedrock is a significant source of water for trees, with rock moisture outdoing soil as a water source in many cases.
Researchers combined VOD with remote sensing data from optical satellites to analyze the effects of fire on Amazon canopy dynamics. The study found that VOD provided a more accurate picture of photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic biomass changes, and that rainfall was close to average during the fire season.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin tracked water storage in 14 major US aquifers over 15 years, finding that irrigation habits can be managed more effectively in humid regions. The study highlights the importance of surface water in replenishing groundwater, which helps dampen the impacts of irrigation.
The new LHASA Version 2 model analyzes terrain, rock characteristics, weather, and climate to produce customizable nowcasts of potential landslide activity in near-real time. The model factors in soil moisture and snow mass data to improve accuracy.
A recent study by Desert Research Institute found that cold wildfire smoke can make soil surfaces hydrophobic, leading to severe water repellency and increased erosion. The research used sand samples treated with both hot and cold smoke, showing similar results in terms of water absorption time.
Researchers in Spain found rock humidity in dehesas can sustain vegetation during droughts by providing an alternative source of water. Soil moisture levels varied between slopes, with the north-facing slope having higher biomass and NDVI values, indicating improved plant growth due to increased water storage capacity.
Researchers developed a way to fuse high-resolution satellite data into one integrated product to track soil and plant conditions. The technology aims to redefine drought based on plant-centric metrics and provide precision irrigation with high accuracy, addressing farmer adoption challenges.
Researchers developed a cost-effective method to monitor soil moisture using a standard digital camera and machine learning technology. The system accurately determines soil moisture levels under various conditions, enabling precise irrigation and supporting sustainable agriculture.
A two-year study in Brazil found that fertilizing a grass cover crop with potassium improved cotton fiber quality, leading to higher market value. The technique also reduced production cost by optimizing operational logistics and conserving water.
A new study aims to predict the size and hazard potential of shallow landslides using airborne laser mapping and hillside physics. The model identifies factors affecting landslide size that can't be determined from aerial data, highlighting the need for ground-based assessments.
Researchers at Princeton University developed a platform to visualize hydrogels' hidden workings in soils, revealing that the amount of water stored is controlled by a balance between swelling force and soil pressure. This study provides guidelines for designing hydrogels that can optimally absorb water depending on soil conditions.
Researchers have developed a three-step method to reverse significant reforestation side effects, including rapid soil water loss due to fast-growing species. The approach involves reconstructing slopes and planting slow-growing tree species alongside fast-growing species to increase soil water content.
Researchers studying soil conditions at US military installations along coasts aim to understand the effects of sea level rise and flooding. They will collect data through intensive monitoring and laboratory experiments to develop geospatial modeling tools.
A study of 251 FLUXNET sites revealed that vegetation and soil characteristics control transpiration to evapotranspiration ratio, with a trade-off between precipitation interception and soil evaporation. The results provide new insights into the role of plants in global water and carbon cycles during climate change.
A new study finds that soil moisture exerts a negative feedback on surface water availability in drylands, offsetting some of the expected decline. This means that as soil moisture decreases, it can reduce evapotranspiration and enhance surface warming, leading to more frequent droughts and floods.