Drought is a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water that significantly impacts ecosystems, agriculture, and water supply. It differs from other natural disasters like floods or hurricanes in that it develops slowly and can persist for months or even years, causing widespread damage and hardship. There are several types of drought: meteorological (lack of precipitation), agricultural (lack of moisture affecting crop yields), hydrological (reduced water levels in rivers and lakes), and socioeconomic (when water shortage affects people’s daily lives and the economy). The effects of drought can be severe, including crop failure, soil degradation, reduced drinking water supply, and increased risk of wildfires. Drought conditions can also lead to long-term economic loss in agricultural communities, forced migration, and conflicts over water resources. Addressing drought effectively requires integrated water management and proactive policies aimed at conservation and sustainable use, as well as improving resilience to climate change impacts.
A research team discovered that the Amazon rainforest’s drought response varies regionally, influenced by local environments and tree traits. Southern Amazon trees with shallow water…
Mexico’s severe drought since 2023 has led to critical water shortages, especially in Mexico City, with drastically lowered reservoir and groundwater levels, though seasonal rains…
A study from the University of São Paulo indicates the Cerrado is experiencing its most severe drought in centuries due to rising temperatures and disrupted…
An unusual surge in plant productivity may signal impending severe soil water loss. NASA satellites track this subtle glow, offering early warnings of potential flash…
One of the driest growing seasons in decades has decimated crops and left millions hungry. A prolonged dry spell in southern Africa in early 2024…
New modeling predicts Australia may experience megadroughts lasting 20 years or more, exacerbated by climate change, posing severe risks to the environment and agriculture. Australia…
Study indicates that changes in rainfall patterns, rather than shifts in temperature, account for trends in soil moisture. Soil moisture levels play a crucial role…
Scientists at Tufts University state that soil, which contains 80 percent of the Earth’s carbon, emits more greenhouse gases as droughts cause soils to crack…
Peatlands experience greater impacts from drought than previously anticipated, raising concerns due to their crucial role in combating climate change. Prolonged drought conditions significantly reduce…
Yield losses intensify when groundwater dwindles, data shows. Three decades of data have informed a new Nebraska-led study that shows how the depletion of groundwater…
Research by UC Davis shows that exodermal suberin is crucial for tomato plants’ drought tolerance, paving the way for developing more resilient crops. Plants have…
UNCCD launches ‘Global Drought Snapshot’ report at COP28 in collaboration with International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA). Recent drought-related data based on research in the past…
A wet winter in western states provided a short-term reprieve to the decades-long drought in the reservoir. After falling to record lows in early 2023,…
A few years after a fresh influx of water raised its levels, Lake Urmia has nearly gone dry. After rapidly growing in volume just a…
Rising global population and more frequent extreme weather events are putting our water resources at risk. However, there’s a limited understanding of how different sectors…
In September, low water levels made it more challenging to ship goods down the river and allowed a wedge of saltwater to move upstream. Months…
A new method for measuring carbon uptake in trees highlights the potential vulnerability of large trees to drought conditions. Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Rule of Trees’…
Researchers conduct a cost-benefit analysis of expanded irrigation of corn and soybeans under future climate. With climate change, irrigating more crops in the United States…