HOME >> BIOLOGY >> NEWS
Drought in the West linked to warmer temperatures

Severe drought in western states in recent years may be linked to climate warming trends, according to new research led by scientists from the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University to be posted October 7 on Science magazine's website, www.sciencemag.org. This research was supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Analyzing aridity in the western U.S. over the past 1,200 years, the study team, which also included scientists from the University of Arizona, University of Arkansas, and NOAA, found evidence suggesting that elevated aridity in the U.S. West may be a natural response to climate warming. "The Western United States is so vulnerable to drought, we thought it was important to understand some of the long-term causes of drought in North America," said lead author Dr. Edward R. Cook of the Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory's tree ring laboratory.

The study revealed that a 400-year-long period of elevated aridity and epic drought occurred in what is now the western U.S. during the period A.D. 900-1300. This corresponds broadly to the so-called "Medieval Warm Period," a time in which a variety of paleoclimate records indicate unusual warmth over much of the Northern Hemisphere. The authors of the new study argue that there are climate mechanisms involved that make warming climate conditions likely to lead to increased prevalence of drought in the western, interior region of North America.

Looking at implications for the future, the authors express concern. "Any trend towards warmer temperatures in the future could lead to a serious long-term increase in aridity over Western North America," they write in the paper.

Co-author Dr. David Meko of the University of Arizona tree ring lab notes that the drought that has gripped the western United States for the past four years "pales in comparison with so
'"/>

Contact: Mary Tobin
mtobin@ldeo.columbia.edu
845-365-8607
The Earth Institute at Columbia University
7-Oct-2004


Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. Drought sensitivity shapes species distribution patterns in tropical forests
2. Drought limits tropical plant distributions, scientists at the Smithsonian report
3. Drought reduces nitrogen-fixing in legumes
4. Protein chatter linked to cancer activation
5. Risk of common vaginal infection linked to preterm birth appears higher for blacks
6. Scientists show that mitochondrial DNA variants are linked to risk factors for type 2 diabetes
7. Antibody linked to MS significantly higher in spinal fluid of blacks
8. Loss of cells antenna linked to cancers development
9. Scientists identify first gene linked to scoliosis
10. Gum disease in postmenopausal women linked to oral bone loss
11. Screening approach leads to discovery of gene linked to breast cancer

Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
TAG: Drought the West linked warmer temperatures

(Date:5/18/2013)... Orlando, FL (May 18, 2013) Research presented ... for managing digestive health through diet and lifestyle. ... often plagued by reduced muscle strength, fatigue and ... even when patients are in remission. A randomized, ... time that vitamin D supplementation corresponded to significant ...
(Date:5/17/2013)... Researchers at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, ... proprietary new formulation called Visikol TM that effectively ... be used in place of chloral hydrate, which is ... but which is tightly regulated by the Drug Enforcement ... , Clearing solutions, or clearing agents, are vital for ...
(Date:5/17/2013)... The iCargo project (Intelligent Cargo in Efficient and Sustainable ... thanks to an improvement in the efficiency of intermodal ... assist decision making. It comprises 29 European organisations with ... management. It has a budget totalling 17,000,000 and a ... is working to specify and develop the semantic components ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Research examines new methods for managing digestive health 2Research examines new methods for managing digestive health 3New formula invented for microscope viewing, substitutes for federally controlled drug 2New formula invented for microscope viewing, substitutes for federally controlled drug 3New logistics services that will cut energy consumption and CO2 emissions 2
(Date:5/17/2013)... Dr. Sparano is Professor of Medicine and ... Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Associate Chairman of ... He is also Associate Director for Clinical Research ... Breast Cancer Working Group, a multidisciplinary group of physicians ... also serves as Vice Chair of the National Cancer ...
(Date:5/17/2013)... in German . ... naked eye, you can see which branch a bird is ... branches through the telephoto lens for high-magnification images requires considerable ... looking to study proteins, the active biomolecules of cells. , ... Molecular Systems Biology, and her colleagues have now come up ...
(Date:5/17/2013)... (PRWEB) May 17, 2013 •    First of ... Certified for sustainability ,     New facility will help ... , Syngenta unveiled its new crop ... the company’s RTP Innovation Center. The first of its ... to simulate any agricultural climate and precisely measure plant ...
(Date:5/17/2013)... , May 17, 2013  Yongye International, Inc. ... a leading developer, manufacturer, and distributor of crop nutrient ... , today announced that, on May 16, 2013, ... of directors (the "Board of Directors") was provided a ... Hong Kong ) Limited ("Abax") to Full ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Joseph A. Sparano, MD, Named Vice Chair of ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group 2Joseph A. Sparano, MD, Named Vice Chair of ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group 3Proteome atlas for the tuberculosis pathogen 2Proteome atlas for the tuberculosis pathogen 3Syngenta Opens Unique $72 Million Advanced Crop Lab 2Syngenta Opens Unique $72 Million Advanced Crop Lab 3Yongye International Provides Update on Status of Proposed Go Private Offer 2Yongye International Provides Update on Status of Proposed Go Private Offer 3Yongye International Provides Update on Status of Proposed Go Private Offer 4
Cached News: