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Antarctic Ice Sheets More Vulnerable to Rising Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Than Previously Thought

Results from a new climate reconstruction of how Antarctica’s ice sheets responded during the last period when atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) reached levels like those expected to occur in about 30 years, plus sediment core findings reported in a companion paper, suggest that the ice sheets are more vulnerable to rising atmospheric CO2 than previously thought.

23 Feb 2016

Warming Temperatures and Variable Precipitation Increase Severity of U.S. Forest Droughts

Forests nationwide are feeling the heat from increasing drought and climate change, according to a new study by scientists from 14 research institutions.

23 Feb 2016

Tundra Soil Study Shows Vulnerability of Permafrost Ecosystem Carbon to Climate Warming

Findings from one of the first comprehensive field studies by a collaborative team of researchers demonstrate the active layer microbiome of tundra soil was significantly altered after only 1.5 years of experimental warming—a rapid response demonstrating high sensitivity of this ecosystem to warming. Collectively, the results of this study suggest the vulnerability of permafrost ecosystem carbon to climate warming and the significance of microbial feedbacks in mediating this vulnerability.

23 Feb 2016

Study Shows Abyssal Ocean at the Equator Could Impact Climate System on Much Longer Timescales

Waves crashing on the equatorial seafloor generate centimeter-scale turbulence that is crucial for driving ocean circulation on a global scale, Stanford scientists say.

23 Feb 2016

NIST Issues New Standard Reference Materials to Ensure Accurate Measurements of Greenhouse Gases

When it comes to tallying emissions of greenhouse gases, there is no better substitute than directly measuring the atmosphere. But this important accounting can be obscured, and even confused, if measurements of the air-borne heat-trapping chemicals are inaccurate or can’t be compared from one instrument or data set to the next.

22 Feb 2016

Multi-Year Droughts Significantly Alter Structure, Composition, and Dynamics of Second-Growth Tropical Forests

New research suggests that multi-year droughts will significantly alter the structure, composition, and dynamics of second-growth tropical forests, which have re-grown after cessation of agricultural activity or a major disturbance such as fire. These second-growth forests represent the prevalent tropical forest cover today.

22 Feb 2016

New Method to Project Future Climate Scenarios at Local Level

Global climate models are essential for climate prediction and assessing the impacts of climate change across large areas, but a Dartmouth College-led team has developed a new method to project future climate scenarios at the local level.

19 Feb 2016

Biologists Develop New Method for Measuring Ecosystem Sensitivity to Climate Variability

By developing this method, the international team of researchers has been able to map which areas are most sensitive to climate variability across the world.

19 Feb 2016

UCLA Researcher Reveals Impact of Long-Term Ozone Exposure

Adults with long-term exposure to ozone face an increased risk of dying from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, a new study suggests.

18 Feb 2016

Research Demonstrates Impact of Climate Change on Treatment & Prevention of Parasite Infections

New research demonstrates how climate change and the immune reaction of the infected individual can affect the long-term and seasonal dynamics of parasite infections. The study, led by Penn State scientists, assessed the infection dynamics of two species of soil-transmitted parasites in a population of rabbits in Scotland every month for 23 years.

16 Feb 2016