Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Biology: Microbiology Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Nature Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Fungal-rich soil may improve green roofs      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Green roofs have become increasingly popular thanks to their benefits related to climate adaptation, mitigation, and urban biodiversity management. But, in the U.S., green roofs are typically planted with non-native plants in sterile soils, and their effectiveness declines over time. A new study finds that managing green roof soil microbes boosts healthy urban soil development, which is a methodology that could be applied to support climate resilience in cities.

Environmental: Water Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Compounding risks of atmospheric river storms      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

When storms hit back-to-back, the flooding -- and economic damages -- are even worse than expected.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Energy: Technology Environmental: General Geoscience: Oceanography Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Self-powered movable seawall for tsunami protection and emergency power generation      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A movable seawall system, capable of generating sufficient electricity to raise gates and protect ports against tsunamis, has been proposed by researchers. The system has been found feasible in areas prone to Nankai Trough earthquake tsunamis. Additionally, it can generate surplus energy to supply emergency power to ports during power outages that commonly occur in natural disasters. This innovative system integrates disaster prevention with the use of renewable energy.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Oceanography Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Global warming has a bigger effect on compact, fast-moving typhoons      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A group has found that larger, slow-moving typhoons are more likely to be resilient to the effects of global warming. However, more compact, fast-moving storms are more likely to be sensitive. These findings suggest an improved method for projecting the strength of typhoons under global warming conditions.

Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Paper provides a clearer picture of severe hydro hazards      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new study now provides a global examination of drought-pluvial volatility -- or the tendency to shift from one weather extreme to another.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Oceanography Geoscience: Severe Weather Paleontology: Climate
Published

New tool predicts flood risk from hurricanes in a warming climate      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new method predicts how much flooding a coastal community is likely to experience as hurricanes evolve due to climate change. Using New York as a test case, the model predicts Hurricane Sandy-level flooding will occur roughly every 30 years by 2099.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Links discovered between weather patterns and power outages could help UK protect itself from disruptive weather      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The behavior of specific weather patterns and their impact on power faults could be used to develop a weather pattern - conditioned fault forecasting system for power system operators.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Wobbling particles in the sky      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Tiny particles such as ice crystals or ash particles tend to oscillate as they settle through the atmosphere. In their experiments, the scientists were able to track non-spherical particles of size smaller than 1 millimeter with unprecedented accuracy. Their observations gave rise to a model which can help to refine prediction on air pollutants or weather forecasts.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Climate change linked to spread of diarrheal illness      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Temperature, day length and humidity have been found to be linked to the increased spread of a diarrheal illness a new study reveals. The findings could help predict further outbreaks of the illness, potentially leading to better preparedness within health services.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Geoscience: Severe Weather Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Butterflies could lose spots as climate warms      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Female meadow brown butterflies have fewer spots if they develop in warmer weather -- so climate change could make them less spotty, new research shows.

Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Climate change isn't producing expected increase in atmospheric moisture over dry regions      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The warming climate has not lead to an expected increase in atmospheric moisture over arid and semi-arid regions of the world. The finding, which has surprised scientists, indicates that some regions may be even more vulnerable to future wildfires and extreme heat than projected.

Geoscience: Severe Weather Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General
Published

Pain-based weather forecasts could influence actions      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

For individuals who experience chronic pain, weather can be a significant factor in their day-to-day plans. In a recent study, about 70 percent of respondents said they would alter their behavior based on weather-based pain forecasts.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Ecology: Animals Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Extinction Ecology: Nature Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Thermal vision shows endangered numbats feel the heat of warming climate      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Research using thermal imaging of numbats in Western Australia has found that during hot weather the endangered animals are limited to as little as ten minutes of activity in the sun before they overheat to a body temperature of greater than 40 C.

Biology: Biochemistry Ecology: General Ecology: Nature Ecology: Research Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

'Carbon vault' peat suffers greatly from drought      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Peatlands are affected more by drought than expected. This is concerning, as these ecosystems are an important ally in the fight against climate change. Following long periods of drought, peat is able to absorb little to no extra carbon (CO2). Increasing biodiversity also does little to make peat more drought-resilient.

Biology: Biochemistry Ecology: General Ecology: Nature Ecology: Research Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Global study of extreme drought impacts on grasslands and shrublands      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A global study shows that the effects of extreme drought -- which is expected to increase in frequency with climate change -- has been greatly underestimated for grasslands and shrublands. The findings quantify the impact of extreme short-term drought on grassland and shrubland ecosystems across six continents with a level of detail that was not previously possible. It is the first time an experiment this extensive has been undertaken to generate a baseline understanding of the potential losses of plant productivity in these vital ecosystems.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Geoscience: Oceanography Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Path-following performance of autonomous ships      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

With recent requirements for reducing greenhouse gas emissions of autonomous ships, an emerging body of research is focused on assessing the path-following performance of maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS) at low speeds under adverse weather conditions. To combat the poor accuracy of traditional methods, in a new study, researchers investigated the path-following performance of MASS using a free-running computational fluid dynamics model. Their findings can help ensure safer autonomous navigation with reduced propulsion power.

Chemistry: General Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Unraveling the mysteries of fog in complex terrain      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

While fog presents a major hazard to transportation safety, meteorologists have yet to figure out how to forecast it with the precision they have achieved for precipitation, wind and other stormy events. This is because the physical processes resulting in fog formation are extremely complex, Now researchers report their findings from an intensive study centered on a northern Utah basin and conceived to investigate the life cycle of cold fog in mountain valleys.

Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Finding new ways to adapt to a growing weather threat      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Research reveals a steady increase in the number of people at risk from tropical cyclones and the number of days per year these potentially catastrophic storms threaten health and livelihoods. The findings could help relief agencies, development banks, and other organizations plan more effective strategies for mitigating extreme weather impacts.