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In Brazil, 54% of native villages in the Amazon basin are subject to isolation during severe droughts. Photo: James Martins Attribution 3.0 Unported CC BY 3.0 DeedPhoto: James Martins Attribution 3.0 Unported CC BY 3.0 Deed

Indigenous communities in the forest pay the price of drought

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Drought leads to a prolonged lowering of river levels in the Amazon causing local communities to become isolated, a study by the Autonomous University of Barcelona has found. This problem affects more than 50% of indigenous villages
The researchers' hope is that by predicting drought in advance, farmers and ranchers can better plan for water management. Photo: jackoscage CC BY 2.0 DEED Attribution 2.0 Genericjackoscage CC BY 2.0 DEED Attribution 2.0 Generic

NASA follows the light and anticipates flash droughts

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Space Agency researchers have found a correlation between flash drought and the intensity of induced fluorescence. A phenomenon related to photosynthesis and observable from space
When they ecosystems do not have enough time to recover before another drought or fire they may suffer permanent damage. Photo: Russ Allison Loar CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DEED Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 GenericPhoto: Russ Allison Loar CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DEED Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic

Drought alters post-fire recovery in the U.S.

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NASA satellite data reveal how drought has hampered recovery from wildfires in the western United States, resulting in the risk of creating permanent soil damage
A good irrigation strategy is crucial as the increasing frequency of extreme events favors floods and droughts. Photo: Global Water Forum CC BY 2.0 DEED Attribution 2.0 Generic

In northern China, spring irrigation mitigates effects of heat waves

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Combination of spring and summer irrigation "reduces the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events by 6.5 days and 1°C," according to a Chinese study
In the 21st century, the share of China's grasslands subject to severe and moderate desertification fell from 52 percent to 37 percent. Photo: neverdance CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unportedneverdance CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

A new index details the decline of desertification in China

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In the 21st century, the share of China's grasslands experiencing severe and moderate desertification has dropped from 52 percent to 37 percent. This is revealed in a new survey by the Beijing Academy of Sciences
Simulations indicate that compound droughts will be more frequent in the future due to climate change Photo: Sreyasvalsan CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 InternationalSreyasvalsan CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International

Drought limits carbon uptake more than expected

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A Chinese study challenges methods for detecting compound drought events affecting vegetation. The impact of these events is likely to increase in the future
Mulching films are a potential source of microplastic pollution. Photo: François Molle/IRD CC BY 2.0 DEED Attribution 2.0 GenericFrançois Molle/IRD CC BY 2.0 DEED Attribution 2.0 Generic

Microplastics affect soil fungi according to drought conditions

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The impact of microplastics on the soil fungal community is affected by soil moisture content, a German study has found
Caribbean islands are particularly prone to flash drought. Photo: Connie Ma CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 GenericConnie Ma CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generi

A new method for measuring flash drought in the Caribbean

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Drought is increasingly threatening Caribbean islands. If we want to measure, anticipate and mitigate its effects, a U.S. study notes, we need to rely on a new index
Irrigation absorbs 88 percent of all fresh water consumed on a global scale. Photo: USDA PDM 1.0 DEED Public Domain Mark 1.0 UniversalUSDA PDM 1.0 DEED Public Domain Mark 1.0 Universal

Optimizing crop combinations can alleviate water shortages

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A study highlights how water scarcity can be solved in the U.S. six major river basins. Shifting to less water-intensive crops that still provide adequate incomes for farmers is crucial
Every year sand and dust storms bring 250 Great Pyramids of Giza into the atmosphere ©UN Photo/Blagoje Grujic ©UN Photo/Blagoje Grujic

Growing sandstorms. 25% are human-related

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UNCCD: The problem of sand and dust storms is exacerbated by poor land and water management, drought and climate change. Choosing the correct agricultural practices can stem them