Articles tagged with Soil Moisture
A new model refines an existing computer model to understand water movement and storage in dry desert soils. The study improves knowledge of solar farm impacts on desert hydrology, useful for soil restoration and flood risk mitigation.
Researchers at PNNL investigate the role of soil moisture and atmospheric conditions in estimating fire risk. Surprisingly, just enough humidity can boost lightning ignition, leading to wildfires. The study reveals a rising wildfire trend, with 'compound case' fires striking more frequently than others.
A new study suggests that the climate in inner East Asia has reached a tipping point, where recent hot and dry summers may be irreversible. The study used tree rings to reconstruct changes in soil moisture and frequency of heat waves, revealing that the region has not seen these conditions in over 260 years.
Recent consecutive years of record high temperatures and droughts are unprecedented in over 250 years, according to researchers. The combination of heatwaves and soil moisture loss accelerates more heatwaves, threatening the region's ecosystem.
A new study using tree-ring data found that inner East Asia experienced a unique and unprecedented rise in heatwave-drought events over the last two decades. The findings suggest a positive feedback loop between declining soil moisture and increasing surface warming, potentially leading to more frequent and severe events.
A new type of soil created by engineers at the University of Texas at Austin can pull water from the air and distribute it to plants, potentially increasing crop yields in previously inhospitable areas. The hydrogel soil retained up to 40% of its initial water quantity, outperforming sandy soils in dry areas.
Researchers at Stanford University found that US corn yields have become significantly more sensitive to drought conditions due to changes in soil moisture retention. This shift is likely driven by increased crop water needs and the adoption of drought-tolerant varieties.
A new study from Rice University shows that biochar can help farmers save money by retaining water in sandy soils, with potential irrigation savings of over 50%. The research provides formulas for farmers to estimate water-holding capacity and irrigation cost savings.
A study by Brown University researchers reveals that firefighting foams contain a complex mixture of PFAS compounds that behave differently than individual substances. The findings suggest that these foams have a greater affinity for the air-water interface, which can help predict pollution spread and inform cleanup efforts.
Researchers used PAHs to monitor pollution and track down its sources in various ecosystems, including soils, plants, and water. The team identified key factors that impact PAHs accumulation, providing a new tool for environmental monitoring and pollution analysis.
New research from University of Illinois scientists suggests that crop-relevant drought should be measured by atmospheric dryness (VPD) rather than just rainfall and soil moisture. Studies found that VPD accounts for nearly 90% of changes in crop stomatal conductance and productivity.
A study published in Soil Biology and Biochemistry found that high soil moisture content can lead to increased carbon dioxide emissions due to accelerated mineralization processes. Protecting meadowlands from bogging may help reduce CO2 emissions and slow down global warming.
A multisensor drone survey has revealed a large circular earthwork at what may be Etzanoa, an archaeological site near Wichita, Kansas. The discovery suggests that undiscovered monumental earthworks may still exist in the Great Plains, and new archaeological methods allow us to see that people made these earthworks.
Soil loss due to water runoff is projected to increase significantly by 2070, with potential losses of over 28 billion metric tons annually. Sustainable land cultivation practices can mitigate this threat and ensure food security for the world's population.
A global meta-analysis led by UNSW scientists found that biocrusts reduce water erosion by an average of 68% and increase water storage in upper layers, supporting the world's shrinking water supplies. Biocrusts are critical for fixing nitrogen and carbon, stabilizing surface soils, and providing a home for soil organisms.
Researchers from the Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries investigated water distribution in the Demnitzer Mühlenfliess sub-catchment area. They found that vegetation plays a significant role in storing and releasing water, with forests having a drier soil than grasslands due to their root depth and leaf canopy.
Fine roots in peatlands respond rapidly to warming, increasing plant nutrient and water uptake. Soils drying likely drive this increase in fine-root growth, potentially accelerating ecosystem carbon cycling.
The GRACE-FO satellites measured significant water mass deficits in Central Europe during the two consecutive summer droughts of 2018 and 2019. The deficits reached 112 Gt in 2018 and 145 Gt in 2019, accounting for 73% and 94% of the average fluctuation in seasonal water storage.
A team of scientists investigated an unusual wetland soil in California, discovering its peculiar properties that misled initial classification. By analyzing color, water content, vegetation, and chemical composition, they applied a new method to accurately classify the soil as hydric, crucial for conservation.
A joint project between TU Dresden and UNU-FLORES uses modeling to simulate observed changes in soil structure due to agricultural management, aiming to improve hydrological models. Field experiments showed that tillage had little effect on soil structure over time, while direct sowing improved water retention.
Researchers found that water rises up to 9 inches in the capillary fringe, controlling important functions like contaminant breakdown and carbon storage. The team also discovered that microbes behave differently depending on oxygen levels, requiring ideal conditions for decomposition.
Researchers found that dry air drives changes in how plants drink and breathe, with global warming predicted to shift this process more than previously thought. Plants will use less water than expected during hot droughts, but plant growth and carbon uptake may suffer.
A new study by Duke University researchers finds that reusing oilfield water in California's Kern County does not pose major health risks. The water can be safely used for irrigation if mixed with surface water, but farmers must plant boron-tolerant crops and monitor soil quality to avoid potential issues.
A new soil moisture product has been developed for mainland China, utilizing a dual-pass data assimilation system that auto-calibrates model parameters. The product provides gridded soil moisture data with a spatial resolution of 0.25° over China, showing consistent patterns with precipitation and evaporation.
New research reveals how El Niño affects soil moisture content, controlling plant growth and food supply. The study identifies areas with severe decreases in soil moisture, such as the Amazon basin and maritime Southeast Asia, which may lead to large-scale plant die-offs.
Researchers developed a two-region soil-gas diffusivity model to characterize aggregated agricultural soils. The model accurately estimates gas diffusion and provides insights into greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers studied desert soil pores and found they determine water distribution and control a key resource in arid environments. The study's findings suggest that soil texture affects pore formation and reforming after disturbance, highlighting the importance of understanding these soils.
Researchers found that on days with little atmospheric moisture, afternoon rainfall is more likely over wetter soils, while on days with high moisture, it's more likely over drier soils. Warmer morning temperatures also contribute to the likelihood of afternoon rainfall.
Researchers found that irrigation increases crop yield by 16% due to cooling effects, not just water supply. Cooling reduces temperature stress and improves plant growth.
A new study from Columbia University reveals that the balance between soil water and energy availability determines whether plant growth is limited by precipitation or temperature. This finding highlights the crucial role of precipitation in supporting plant photosynthesis, particularly during the late growing season.
Researchers find freeze-drying method yields more accurate results for measuring soil N reactive gas fluxes and total emissions. This approach could lead to revised understanding of global nitrogen cycle mechanisms.
Research by North Carolina State University's Rich McLaughlin team found that tilling and adding amendments to soil can greatly improve infiltration rates, reducing runoff and water pollution. Grasses and wildflowers also showed promise in improving infiltration, with wildflowers potentially providing additional benefits for pollinators.
A collaboration between growers and scientists has identified practices increasing soil health in West Texas cotton production, including crop rotation, cover crops, and residue management. These regenerative practices improve soil resiliency to climate extremes.
A new analysis reveals significant increases in subsurface runoff and cold season discharge due to thawing permafrost. This shift is expected to alter the Arctic water cycle, with implications for coastal ecosystems and nutrient cycling.
A new approach developed by University of Delaware researchers uses machine learning to predict soil moisture conditions in smaller areas with greater detail than standard models. This improves regional and global analysis while providing more accurate predictions even without existing data.
A new model predicts that deforestation and small-scale gold mining in the Peruvian Amazon increase mercury levels in local rivers, with effects lasting for decades. The research suggests that policies can be developed to mitigate these impacts and protect public health.
The Noah land surface model with multi-parameterization options (Noah-MP) simulates key hydrological variables across China. The model generally reproduces spatiotemporal patterns of runoff and evapotranspiration, capturing major flood and drought events.
Researchers found that combining stormwater controls with stream restoration results in improved erosion reduction. The study suggests that watershed-scale implementation of stormwater controls is essential for reducing channel erosion and pollutant loading, making it a more effective approach than individual restoration projects.
A mathematical model, EcH2o-iso, was developed to reflect the complex interplay between vegetation, soil, and water regimes. The model shows that certain types of vegetation can increase evaporation or promote groundwater recharge.
Researchers found increased rainfall reduces soil's water absorption rate, leading to more water in streams and lakes. Soil properties also affect carbon storage, potentially impacting climate models.
A Rutgers-led study suggests climate change could alter how water interacts with soil globally, affecting groundwater supplies, food security, and ecosystems. Soil changes could also influence carbon storage and greenhouse gas levels.
Researchers used satellite data to measure soil moisture and predict fire risk in Asian peatlands. The study found that drier soils up to 30 days before a fire correlated with larger burned areas.
A review of current land surface models highlights the need for more accurate infiltration predictions, which affect erosion control and water supply. The authors recommend increasing attention to soil structure, moisture, temperature, precipitation, terrain, and plants in these models.
A recent study found that water availability in soil determines the direction of carbon-climate feedback, with land carbon uptake increasing below optimal moisture levels and decreasing above them. This discovery provides new insights into the complex relationships between climate change, ecosystem dynamics, and water availability.
A West Virginia forest study found that acid rain increases soil-to-atmosphere water transfer, leading to greater plant water uptake. This effect is attributed to the leaching of calcium from soil, which signals open stomata and allows evapotranspiration to continue.
A new study by Indiana University researchers reveals that acid deposition causes plants to intensify their water use, leading to a decrease in soil water availability and increasing the risk of drought-related mortality. The mechanism works by washing out soil calcium, causing calcium deficiency in plants.
A new study by University of Arkansas researcher Linyin Cheng found that a warming climate amplifies the intensity and likelihood of heatwaves during severe droughts in the southern plains and southwest US. In regions with low soil moisture, higher temperatures create a 'feedback loop' that links the land and air, worsening droughts.
A new study suggests that extending cover crop growth periods can help alleviate soil erosion, nutrient losses, and main-crop damage in wet springs. However, the approach may also decrease crop yields in certain environments, highlighting the need for careful consideration among farmers.
Researchers found that certain plant and tree traits exacerbate drought conditions by rapidly releasing water vapor into the air. This can lead to more frequent and intense droughts in hot climates, even in regions with adapted plant species.
Plant communities in Mediterranean climates with limited underground water storage can thrive in both low-water and rainy years. They do well because the soil stores little water relative to rainfall, replenishing the supply even during dry years.
Researchers are using chemical processes and 'magic' microbes to break down insensitive high explosives, including DNAN and NTO, into environmentally benign compounds. The goal is to make the removal process simpler and more effective for groundwater remediation.
A research team at Stanford University has developed a new method to clean contaminated soils by rinsing them with a mixture of water and EDTA, a chemical that attracts heavy metals. The process involves percolating the mixture through the soil, collecting the toxic brew, and filtering it to capture the heavy metals.
Researchers identified long-term global effects on water supplies, with drying soils in North America and Eurasia, and wetter regions like the Indian subcontinent. The study suggests severe consequences for humans as warmer temperatures intensify droughts in dry regions.
A recent study published in Global Change Biology reveals that climate change primarily affects peatland CO2 gas exchange through changes in moisture conditions, rather than temperature. The research found that drying conditions led to increased photosynthesis and respiration, while warming had a minimal impact on CO2 exchange.
SNoOPI will validate remote-sensing technique called signals of opportunity to measure soil moisture from space, a crucial step towards determining water stored in snowpack and soil root zones. The mission will reuse existing telecommunications signals, eliminating the need for large antennas.
Monica Ramirez-Andreotta has received the AAAS Early Career Award for Public Engagement with Science for her innovative approaches to involve communities in scientific research. Her work on projects like Gardenroots and Project Harvest aims to address environmental health issues, particularly among underserved populations.
Gypsum, recovered from coal-fired power plants, is a rich source of calcium and sulfur, promoting better root development and reducing aluminum toxicity. Its application also improves soil structure, reducing erosion and phosphorus movement, benefiting various crops like corn and alfalfa.
A new study published in Nature reveals that the land's capacity to trap carbon may be declining due to changes in soil moisture, potentially accelerating global warming. The research highlights the urgent need for improved modeling of vegetation response to water stress and land-atmosphere coupling.
Researchers found that soil minerals can store a significant amount of carbon, which could be exploited as the world shifts its carbon economy. Wetter climates facilitate mineral formation, allowing more carbon to be stored.
Plant roots sense moisture levels in soil and adapt their architecture to optimize water uptake, enabling crops to be bred for climate resilience. This discovery could help ensure food security by developing crops with improved water efficiency.