Tropical Climates
Articles tagged with Tropical Climates
FAU study finds parasites defy biodiversity rules, thriving far from the equator
Researchers found that trematode parasites are more abundant in cooler temperate waters, defying the typical pattern of higher biodiversity near the equator. Temperature and host mobility play a major role in shaping parasite distributions, with certain species thriving in areas where hosts can tolerate infections better.
Climate change threatens dung beetles in the Amazon
Rising temperatures in the Amazon are threatening dung beetle populations, with diversity and abundance highest at intermediate altitudes. The study found that temperature is the key factor limiting dung beetle diversity and abundance, while other conditions play a minor role.
'Unprecedented' wildfires in tropical peatlands during 20th century
A new study reveals a dramatic increase in wildfires in tropical peatlands during the 20th century, releasing large amounts of stored carbon into the atmosphere. Human activities, such as agriculture and deforestation, are identified as the root cause of this surge.
Climate change pushes tropical insects to their heat limit
A recent study reveals that tropical insects have limited ability to adapt to climate change, with many species unable to tolerate high temperatures. The research highlights the threat of far-reaching consequences for entire ecosystems, particularly in regions like the Amazon.
Thunderstorms don’t just appear out of thin air - scientists' key finding to improve forecasting
Researchers found interactions between soil moisture patterns and wind in the lowest atmosphere influence where storms develop, providing clues to forecasters about location. The study aims to improve certainty about upcoming storms on hot days and save lives, livestock, and property.
Researchers find promising adaptations to climate change in tropical forests
Researchers at Colorado State University found that some tropical forest plants are adapting to drought by growing longer root systems, potentially helping reduce vulnerability. The study's findings suggest flexibility under drying conditions may rescue the forest, but long-term implications remain uncertain.
Heat and drought change what forests breathe out
Researchers found that warming temperatures may actually reduce nitrogen gas emissions from forest soils in dry conditions, contradicting earlier predictions. The study's findings suggest that moisture levels, not just heat, play a crucial role in determining the fate of nitrogen in forests.
Scientists detect new climate pattern in the tropics
Researchers at ISTA and others have discovered a previously unknown cyclic climate pattern, known as TWISO, which influences weather fluctuations and seasonal changes. This finding has implications for predicting tropical storms and saving lives.
Restored mangrove forests could act as important carbon stores, per study examining Vietnamese mangrove carbon since 1900, but they might not have “normal” ecological function
A study examined Vietnamese mangrove carbon since 1900 and found restored forests to act as important carbon stores. However, the study suggests that these ecosystems might not possess 'normal' ecological functions.
Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT launches project with Global Methane Hub to develop a decision support tool for grazing management to cut livestock emissions
The Time2Graze project is developing a decision support system to help farmers in Latin America make better grazing decisions, increase productivity and reduce methane emissions. The tool will assess pasture availability and provide real-time alerts to optimize grazing intensity.
International “State of the Climate” report confirms record-high greenhouse gases, global temperatures, global sea level, and ocean heat in 2024
The State of the Climate report reveals record-high greenhouse gas concentrations, with CO2 levels reaching 422.8 parts per million, a 52% increase from pre-industrial levels. Global temperatures also reached a new high, with annual growth increasing to 2.4 ppm yr−1.
Storm ready: FAU Sensing Institute’s weather network delivers real-time forecasting
The Florida Atlantic University Sensing Institute's SEA Econet network provides accurate rainfall and flood forecasting, supporting public safety during severe weather events. With over 160 atmospheric stations and more than 30 water-level stations across Florida, the network delivers real-time data to inform forecasts and warnings.
Tropical mountain ice cores help decipher climate riddles in Earth’s history
A new study compares tropical mountain ice cores to climate model simulations, revealing discrepancies in Earth's average temperature trends. Researchers found that ice core data and computer models match for polar regions like Greenland and Antarctica, but not for tropical mountains.
Venom characteristics of a deadly snake can be predicted from local climate
A study found that temperature and rainfall partly explain regional variation in snake venom composition, with snakes in drier regions having higher protease activity. This data can be used to create maps of expected venom types across Russell's viper's range in India.
5,700-year storm archive shows rise in tropical storms and hurricanes in the Caribbean
A 30-meter sediment core from the Great Blue Hole in Belize provides the longest recorded storm frequency data for the Atlantic, with 574 storm events over 5,700 years. The research reveals a steady increase in tropical storms and hurricanes in the southwestern Caribbean due to climate change.
AMS Science Preview: Data deserts, energy costs, malaria prediction
Climate change drives large increases in electricity demand and costs in Texas due to extreme temperatures. Meanwhile, atmospheric rivers become more frequent, larger, and moister globally. Diagnostic studies also predict malaria outbreaks with five-month lead time using sea-surface temperature anomalies.
Study explores effects of climatic changes on Christmas Island’s iconic red crabs
A new study by the University of Plymouth investigated the effect of changing global climate conditions on Christmas Island's red crab embryos. The researchers found that lower salinity levels did not delay embryonic development, but emphasized the need for further research to understand the species' response to environmental stressors.
Tropical forests in the Americas are struggling to keep pace with climate change
A new study reveals that tropical forests in the Americas are not adapting quickly enough to keep pace with climate change, with some species thriving while others struggling. The research found that traits such as being deciduous and drought tolerance influence a tree's ability to survive in a changing climate.
Researchers make recommendations for promoting sustainable development in mangrove forest areas
Researchers from University of Jyväskylä recommend addressing vulnerabilities in coastal communities, such as uncontrolled shrimp farming and pollution. They suggest supporting environmentally friendly livelihoods like freshwater harvesting and agroforestry to promote sustainable development in mangrove forest areas.
Scientists discover unique microbes in Amazonian peatlands that could influence climate change
Researchers identified an unknown family of microbes uniquely adapted to tropical peatlands, with a dual role in the carbon cycle. These microbes can either stabilize or intensify climate change by releasing greenhouse gases like CO2 and methane.
Research on past hurricanes aims to reduce future risk
Researchers analyzed tropical storm-related precipitation to understand its impact on local water resources and provide insights into climate predictions. The study aims to help communities prepare for extreme storms and manage water resources before and after the storms.
Wrong trees in the wrong place can make cities hotter at night, study reveals
A University of Cambridge-led study found that urban trees can lower pedestrian-level air temperature by up to 12°C. However, the study also revealed that the introduction of trees can have varying cooling effects in different climates and tree species traits.
Lessons from Earth's hottest epoch in the last 65 million years: How global warming could shrink the tropics' rain belt
New research reveals that during the early Eocene, the rain belt's seasonal shifts weakened dramatically due to extreme warming and a reduced Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). This ancient change could offer critical warnings about the impact of modern global warming.
The largest oxygen-poor region of the ocean is more variable than previously thought
The Eastern Tropical Pacific's Oxygen Deficient Zone (ODZ) expands and contracts every ten years, driven by Pacific decadal climate variability. This dynamic process has important consequences for marine ecosystems, as ODZs could respond quickly to climate changes.
“Drowning” mangrove forests in Maldives signal global coastal threat
Researchers found that mangrove forests in the Maldives have lost over half of their cover since 2020 due to rising sea levels and climate change. The findings indicate that the Indian Ocean Dipole and accelerated sea level rise led to dieback, causing the trees to drown.
PICCOLO Campaign takes OU Atmospheric Scientists to the Atlantic
The PICCOLO project aims to improve understanding of clouds and convective storms in the tropics, with the ORCESTRA campaign utilizing sea-borne and air-borne teams to collect data. Researchers collected detailed information on precipitation, cloud microphysics, and convective dynamics.
Slowing ocean current could ease Arctic warming -- a little
A new study suggests that a slowing Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) could reduce projected Arctic warming by 2 degrees Celsius. However, this slowdown may also cause other climate disruptions, such as changes in the Intertropical Convergence Zone and sea level rise.
New temperatures in two thirds of key tropical forest
A recent study found that two-thirds of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in tropical forests are experiencing new temperature conditions. KBAs identify critical habitats for species and their ecosystems. The researchers assessed 30 years of temperature data below the forest canopy, revealing that 66% of KBAs have transitioned to new
New study reveals growing weather extremes in Indo-Pacific region driven by shifts in tropical weather patterns
A recent study finds that long-term changes in tropical weather patterns are leading to increased frequency of heatwaves and extreme rainfall in the Indo-Pacific region. Global warming is likely a contributing factor, exacerbating regional weather extremes.
Researchers link El Niño to accelerated ice loss in tropics
Researchers have confirmed that El Niño causes a drastic reduction in the snow-covered area of the Quelccaya Ice Cap in the Peruvian Andes. The study used NASA Landsat satellites to measure the ice cap's sensitivity to climate shifts, finding that it lost about 58% of its snow cover between 1985 and 2022.
Climate change likely to increase diarrheal disease hospitalizations by 2100s
A new study found that climate change may lead to a significant increase in diarrheal disease hospitalizations in Dhaka, Bangladesh, even if global warming targets are met. Hospitalization rates could rise by 4.5-7.4% due to warmer temperatures and worsening water quality.
Sea surface temperature record in the southwestern Pacific: Coral colony from Fiji reveals warmest temperatures in over 600 years
A coral colony from Fiji has provided a new record of sea surface temperatures in the southwestern Pacific, revealing that 2022 was the warmest year in over 600 years. The reconstruction uses data from the giant coral Diploastrea heliopora, which records long-term climatic and environmental changes.
New study unveils 16,000 years of climate history in the tropical Andes
Researchers at Brown University have created the first high-resolution temperature record covering 16,000 years in the tropical Andes. The study highlights the roles of carbon dioxide levels and ocean currents as key drivers of temperature fluctuations.
New research sheds light on relationships between plants and insects in forest ecosystems
A new study published by US Forest Service researchers explores the impact of leaf-eating insects on forest ecosystems worldwide. The findings suggest that warmer climates affect plant-herbivore interactions, leading to changes in carbon and nutrient cycling in broadleaved forests globally.
Climate anomalies may play a major role in driving cholera pandemics
Historical records suggest that anomalous climate conditions during El Niño events contributed to the establishment and spread of new cholera strains. Climate-facilitated emergence of novel strains is projected to increase through the end of the century due to climate change-driven increases in climate variability.
Tropical plant species are as threatened by climate change as widely feared, study confirms
A recent study by Brown University biologists reveals that even small variations in temperature and moisture can have massive impacts on tropical epiphyte species, threatening ecosystems they support. The research found that most species struggled to survive outside their native ranges in climate conditions differing from what they typ...
Early-onset El Niño means warmer winters in East Asia, and vice versa
Researchers from Kyushu University found that early-onset El Niño leads to warm winters in East Asia due to anomalous warming of the tropical Indian Ocean. Late-onset El Niño, on the other hand, results in colder winters. This study aimed to improve climate modeling and prediction during El Niño events.
Climate change to shift tropical rains northward
A study predicts that tropical rains will shift northward in the coming decades, impacting regions such as central Africa, northern South America, and Pacific island states. The shift is caused by changes in the atmosphere spurred by carbon emissions, which would have significant effects on agriculture and economies.
Enhanced decadal climate linkages discovered between Western Australia and tropical Pacific
Researchers have discovered significant interactions between sea surface temperature variations in Western Australia and the western-central tropical Pacific, driven by external forces since 1985. Warm SST anomalies in the tropical Indian Ocean drive decadal climate linkages with the two regions.
Regional differences in bird diversity in agroforestry systems
A study by the University of Göttingen investigated regional differences in bird diversity within cocoa agroforestry systems in Peru. The research team found that biodiversity decreases with increasing distance from natural forests, with greater richness of species found in humid subtropical forests than in dry tropical forests.
Record-breaking heat and humidity predicted for tropics this summer
Climate scientists predict a 7 in 10 chance of record-breaking temperatures and humidity in the tropics, threatening humanitarian aid and medical care. El Niño's impact on tropical heat and humidity is expected to compound the effects of global warming, leading to extreme humid heat stress.
Enhancing radiative cooling with aperture mirror structures
Researchers demonstrate how a simple mirror design can amplify radiative cooling processes for buildings. The mirror structure effectively guides thermal radiation towards the most transmissive portion of the atmosphere, increasing cooling power.
Going ‘back to the future’ to forecast the fate of a dead Florida coral reef
Researchers reconstructed a Late Holocene-aged subfossil coral death assemblage and compared it to modern reefs in Southeast Florida. The study reveals significant differences in coral composition between the two periods, suggesting that modern reefs may not be able to support range expansions of temperature-sensitive species.
Cloud clustering causes more extreme rain
A new study using a high-resolution global climate model found that cloud clustering causes more extreme rain in the tropics, leading to increased severity of precipitation events. The researchers also discovered that more extreme rain occurs at the cost of expansion of dry areas, further shifting towards extreme weather patterns.
Climate indices and precipitation anomalies - implications for the Middle East
A recent study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem uncovers notable correlations between the Indian Ocean and precipitation in the Middle East, which may lead to seasonal prediction of Fall precipitation. The research highlights a discernible upward trend in crucial Indian Ocean climate indices over the last four decades, indicatin...
Pusan National University researchers decode key airflow pattern impacting global climate
A recent study published in npj Climate and Atmospheric Science reveals that changes in subtropical and midlatitude eddy activity control the variation of the Hadley cell edge latitude. The researchers analyzed 41 years of data and found associations with El Niño, La Niña, and the Arctic oscillation.
Tropical ice cores offer deeper insights into Earth’s temperature record
Scientists at Ohio State University discovered that tropical ice cores can provide accurate measurements of surface global mean temperature. The study found that the temperature in the middle and upper troposphere cooled by 7.35 degrees Celsius during the Earth's glacial period, shedding light on new theories about climate dynamics.
Vampire bats make northward flight seeking stable climates
Researchers predict that vampire bats will expand their locations in search of more stable climates, potentially linked to a spillover of rabies. The team's work aims to identify and track the bats by traveling to Colombia to contain the spread.
Green spaces can save lives, according to urban big data
Researchers found that green spaces alleviate extreme heat's negative impacts on human health, while densely packed buildings increase mortality risk. Urban design strategies incorporating different types of greenery are recommended to mitigate heatwave-associated mortality.
How salt from the Caribbean affects our climate
Researchers found a cooling of about 1°C in the southern Caribbean during the Little Ice Age, coinciding with droughts and lower rainfall in the Yucatan Peninsula. The study suggests that salt movement from the Caribbean to high northern latitudes plays a crucial role in regulating global climate.
Amazon deforestation linked to long distance climate warming
A new study by researchers at the University of Leeds found that Amazon deforestation causes land surfaces up to 100km away to get warmer. The study analyzed satellite data from 2001 to 2020 and found that regions with more local and regional deforestation warmed by an average of 4.4°C.
How weather phenomena affect ocean circulation
Research investigates impact of storm fronts, tropical storms, and cyclones on ocean circulation, finding changes in atmospheric synoptic variability (ASV) slow down ocean circulation and decrease primary productivity. ASV variations also affect mixing of ocean's layers and strength of oceanic circulation systems.
Climate change brings earlier arrival of intense hurricanes
Research reveals that Category 4 and 5 hurricanes are arriving three to four days earlier with each passing decade due to climate change. This shift in seasonal cycle can lead to compounding extreme events and challenges community preparedness.
The Tibetan Plateau bridge: Remote climate effects of extratropical and tropical forcing
The Tibetan Plateau plays a crucial bridging role between mid-to-high-latitude forcing and tropical regions, influencing Asian monsoon and ENSO events. The study reveals the TP's intermediate effect on the North Atlantic tripole pattern and its impact on East Asian summer monsoons.
Long-lasting La Niña events more common over past century
A new study found that multiyear La Niña events have become more common over the last 100 years, with warming in the western Pacific Ocean being a key factor. The study suggests that long-lasting La Niñas will exacerbate adverse impacts on communities around the globe.
Fewer but more intense tropical storms predicted over the Ganges and Mekong
Climate experts predict a decline in tropical storm frequency by 50% by 2050 across the Ganges and Mekong basins, but an increase in intensity, with high-resolution models showing significant increases for intense storms. This shift could impact disaster risk mitigation and climate adaptation strategies.
Extreme El Niño weather saw South America’s forest carbon sink switch off
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.
Soils forming on the branches of trees are an overlooked forest habitat
Researchers mapped canopy soils to determine where they form and how they support biodiversity. These 'soil-in-miniature' contain abundant plant and animal life, including epiphytes and air plants.
Study: Atmospheric circulation weakens following volcanic eruptions
A new study reveals that volcanic eruptions can temporarily weaken the Pacific Walker Circulation, a major driver of global precipitation. The recent strengthening of this circulation suggests that aerosols from human activity may have an opposite effect on its behavior.