Articles tagged with Evapotranspiration
Researchers optimized a key land surface parameter to reduce the wet bias of climate models for the Tibetan Plateau. The adjustments weakened land-atmosphere interactions, leading to a 16% decrease in precipitation estimates and improved accuracy at 66% of rain gauge stations.
A recent study by University of Washington researchers found that warmer, drier springs account for almost 70% of the discrepancy between predicted and actual streamflow in Colorado. The team's findings suggest that plants rely more on snowmelt during dry springs, leaving less water to flow into nearby streams.
A new AI model, DyLEMa, reduces ET prediction uncertainty by up to 30% and captures land use dynamics accurately. The model improves daily continuous ET data generation and estimation of soil erosion.
Researchers from the University of Córdoba used machine learning models to predict reference evapotranspiration in Southern Spain until 2100. The projections indicate a significant increase in water needs, with air temperature being the key factor in calculating this parameter.
A new study reveals that the protective effect of income has largely eroded in affluent neighborhoods over the past 40 years. This means that even if residents have more wealth, they won't be able to enjoy cooler temperatures as climate change worsens.
A recent KAUST study used satellite data to investigate the effects of managed vegetation on surface temperature in arid regions. The results showed that vegetation can reduce daytime temperatures by up to 4 degrees Celsius compared to bare soil, providing an extra cooling effect on hotter days.
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 University of Missouri study examines the impact of farming practices on crop resilience to climate change, focusing on water and carbon fluxes in three contrasting ecosystems. The research found that native prairie ecosystems are most resilient to extreme weather, while tilled cropping systems are more sensitive.
This study uses the EDCFM method to downscale and bias-correct six CMIP6 GCMs for China's hydrological applications. The results indicate that SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios will bring increased volatility in precipitation, evapotranspiration, and runoff. Multi-year average annual values are projected to increase under these scenarios.
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.
Research at Cornell University found that co-locating solar panels with commercial agriculture can improve power conversion efficiency and solar-panel longevity. Agrivoltaic systems offer increased passive cooling through taller panel heights, more reflective ground cover, and higher evapotranspiration rates.
A recent study at Baskett Forest found that forests reach an ecosystem wilting point between 2-4 weeks of extreme drought, requiring soaking rainfall to rejuvenate. This concept explains how whole forests respond to drought and is essential for understanding their dynamics under climate change.
The new database offers improved estimations of Potential Evapotranspiration and Aridity Index for the entire world at a high spatial resolution. This allows for a finer description of water needs in different regions, enabling better resource management and land-use planning.
Researchers found that individual urban trees, such as street trees, can capture and store rainfall at a rate of three times that of clusters or patches. The study used sap flux sensors to monitor transpiration rates in 18 mature red maple trees, revealing significantly higher transpiration rates in single trees compared to cluster trees.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Plant Science found that coastal grape growers in California can reduce irrigation levels by up to 50% during droughts without affecting crop yields or flavor profile. This reduction also leads to a decrease in water footprint and improved water use efficiency.
A recent study led by UC Santa Barbara's Marc Mayes investigates how patterns in tree water loss to the atmosphere relates to groundwater supplies. The results validate at landscape-wide scales ideas that scientists have proposed based on decades of research.
Researchers quantify water usage of landscape plants in arid environments to inform irrigation practices. The study found that mature trees become more water efficient, reducing the need for turfgrass, and that removing turfgrass can lead to significant water savings.
The METRIC model was used to simulate and evaluate surface evapotranspiration in Nepal, showing good applicability and accuracy. The study found an inverse relation between elevation and ET, highlighting its potential for irrigation management and soil moisture assessment in the country's mountainous regions.
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 satellite-based algorithm, BESS-STAIR, has achieved unprecedented accuracy in estimating crop water use in the US Corn Belt. The framework combines plant's carbon-water-energy cycles to provide high-resolution data on a daily basis, offering real-time benefits for farmers
The study reveals that even modest climate warming scenarios can lead to a significant loss of groundwater in the continental US, with the eastern region being more sensitive. As shallow groundwater storage is depleted, it can no longer buffer plant water stress, leading to dramatic changes in vegetation and surface waters.
During droughts, mountain forests and grasslands at higher elevations release more water into the air than in normal growth periods. This is due to increased metabolism promoting water uptake by vegetation. As a result, evapotranspiration rates are above average, draining rivers and streams of half their usual volume.
A new drought index, SEDI, sensitively captures biological changes in ecosystems due to drought evolution. The study assesses its effectiveness in highlighting vegetation responses to climatic fluctuations and heavy droughts.
The study used machine learning to analyze data on Hepatitis E epidemics and environmental statistics, identifying areas with high risk of transmission. The researchers hope their map will inform prevention campaigns in high-risk regions, such as northern India.
A new model predicts that Brazilian deforestation could lead to a 1.45°C increase in local surface temperature by 2050, with tropical regions experiencing the greatest warming effects. Forestation has the potential to reverse these impacts, especially in tropical and temperate regions.
Researchers created an experimental model to evaluate fire and water interactions in soil, finding low- to moderate-severity wildfires result in wetter soil. High-severity burns lead to increased surface runoff, leaving drier soils after the fire.
A University of Utah study found that LA lawns account for 70% of water loss, while trees use relatively less water. Wealthy neighborhoods lose more water due to larger lot sizes and other factors.
A recent study evaluates the regional applicability of seven drought indices in China, including PDSI, SPI, SPEI, and SWI. The results show that some indices perform well in certain regions, while others may not be suitable for specific areas due to empirical parameters or sensitivity to temperature anomalies.
A new study suggests that local human activity is altering the global water cycle, increasing evapotranspiration and decreasing water runoff. This shift has a significant impact, raising humanity's global freshwater footprint by 18% and potentially leading to unsustainable levels of consumption.
A recent study by University of Montana researchers found a significant increase in global land evapotranspiration over the past 32 years, driven by vegetation greening and rising atmosphere moisture deficits. This trend exacerbates regional drought-induced disturbances, particularly during strong El Nino events.
A recent study from Michigan State University found that perennial biofuel crops use a comparable amount of water as traditional corn crops in the Midwest. This discovery has significant implications for cellulosic biofuel production and understanding the impact of climate change on water balances.
A new study investigates the cooling and warming effects of forests at both a global scale and high spatial resolution. Researchers found that tropical forests have a strong cooling effect year-round, while boreal and temperate forests show seasonal variation in temperature.
Researchers at UC Irvine and UC Merced found that increased high-elevation plant growth fueled by climate warming could lead to a significant decrease in river flow. The study suggests that this effect could be widespread across the Sierra Nevada region.
A recent study by Dr. Paul DeLaune found that reduced tillage has no impact on cotton yields and can even increase net returns through deficit irrigation. The research suggests that conservation tillage systems can conserve water resources and reduce energy usage, making them a viable option for cotton producers in semiarid environments.
Research found a decline in global evapotranspiration, a key component of the global climate system, over the past decade, mainly in the Southern Hemisphere. The shift coincided with reduced precipitation and increased drought stress on vegetation.