Article
Agronomy
Zengliang Luo, Zichao Gao, Lunche Wang, Shaoqiang Wang, Lizhe Wang
Summary: Enforcing water budget closure is important for understanding water movement, but existing methods do not consider improving the performance of budget-corrected datasets. This study proposes a method for enforcing terrestrial water budget closure and improving estimation by combining measurements and error adjustment factors. The proposed method was verified in nine major basins in mainland China, showing significant improvement in performance compared to existing methods.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mengtian Huang, Panmao Zhai, Shilong Piao
Summary: The study found that the timing of drought does impact the response of ecosystem water use efficiency during extreme drought years. Negative impacts of extreme drought stress during the dry season on ecosystem WUE were more pronounced, and the impacts of drought on ecosystem carbon-water interactions varied among ecosystem types.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Yonghui Lei, Jiancheng Shi, Chuan Xiong, Dabin Ji
Summary: This study provides a preliminary assessment of the atmospheric-terrestrial water cycle over the Tibetan Plateau and its drainage basins, showing that the net water fluxes are closely tied to local dynamics and atmospheric water vapor. ERA5 and GRACE datasets show good correspondence in the long- and short-term variations over the Tibetan Plateau.
JOURNAL OF CLIMATE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
R. Abolafia-Rosenzweig, M. Pan, J. L. Zeng, B. Livneh
Summary: This study introduces a new approach to enforce water balance closure by combining remote sensing and in situ observations, generating a series of unique water balance estimates to characterize uncertainty. The study shows that residual errors vary significantly with latitude, with an overall residual error equivalent to 15% of total precipitation.
REMOTE SENSING OF ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Albenis Perez-Alarcon, Rogert Sori, Jose C. Fernandez-Alvarez, Raquel Nieto, Luis Gimeno
Summary: This study investigates the origin of precipitation associated with tropical cyclones formed over the Pacific Ocean from 1980 to 2018. It identifies the main moisture sources in the western North Pacific, central and east Pacific, and South Pacific basins. Results show that the moisture uptake per cyclone is higher during the hurricane stage compared to other stages in each basin.
JOURNAL OF CLIMATE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gautam Shirsekar, Jane Devos, Sergio M. Latorre, Andreas Blaha, Maique Queiroz Dias, Alba Gonzalez Hernando, Derek S. Lundberg, Hernan A. Burbano, Charles B. Fenster, Detlef Weigel
Summary: This study explores the population structure of North American Arabidopsis thaliana and highlights the impact of multiple introductions on genetic diversity and adaptive potential. By analyzing the genomes from different introduction sources, it reveals the potential of enhancing adaptive potential through admixture in colonizing species. The findings shed light on the mechanisms shaping genetic diversity in nonnative ranges and provide insights for further investigations into the functional significance of admixture.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Linfeng Fan, Xingxing Kuang, Dani Or, Chunmiao Zheng
Summary: The Yarlung Zangbo River (YZR) is the largest river in the northern Himalayas and plays a crucial role in providing water resources downstream. This study establishes a comprehensive hydrological model to understand the streamflow dynamics and water budget in the YZR basin. The results show that groundwater contributes significantly to the annual streamflow in the YZR, while precipitation and melt surface runoff also make significant contributions. Additionally, the study reveals a water imbalance in the basin, where a large portion of precipitation and meltwater remains unaccounted for. The excess water is hypothesized to discharge into deep fractured bedrock aquifers, supported by groundwater storage estimates.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Anthropology
H. P. Schwarcz
Summary: Hominins emerging from Africa in the Pleistocene had to find sources of vitamins other than from the flesh of herbivores due to the low concentration of vitamin C in animal muscle tissue. As they moved further north, they encountered regions where no plants were growing in mid-winter, making it difficult to obtain vitamin C. However, evidence shows that they may have fulfilled their vitamin C requirements by consuming aqueous extracts from the needles of conifers.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Liangzhi Chen, Juha Aalto, Miska Luoto
Summary: Soil-air temperature coupling is crucial for understanding biophysical and biogeochemical processes near the land surface. However, this study shows that the interannual variability of coupling has significantly decreased in northern Eurasia from 1984 to 2013. The decrease in coupling is mainly attributed to changes in air temperature during the snow-free season and snow cover retreat.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Victor Pellet, Filipe Aires, Dai Yamazaki
Summary: The companion paper discussed the integration approach of the Satellite Water Cycle dataset, emphasizing closure of the water budget at the sub-basin scale using upstream/downstream dependencies. The SAWC framework is a pure observation tool for integrating a wide range of satellite estimates, potentially facilitating their assimilation into land surface models.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Peiqiang Xu, Lin Wang, Geoffrey K. Vallis, Ruth Geen, James A. Screen, Peili Wu, Shuoyi Ding, Ping Huang, Wen Chen
Summary: The study found that extreme temperatures in northern Eurasia during summer are generally associated with amplified wave activity along the polar front jet, while months with near-average temperatures tend to have attenuated wave activity. Waveguide teleconnections are particularly amplified during extremely hot and cold summer months over eastern Europe and western Russia.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Mingzhu Cao, Weiguang Wang, Wanqiu Xing, Jia Wei, Xintao Chen, Jinxing Li, Quanxi Shao
Summary: This study examined the uncertainties in remote sensing-based ET estimation by using three different models and three meteorological reanalysis products, resulting in nine calculation schemes. The results showed significant differences in the magnitude and temporal variation of ET estimates, with uncertainties potentially caused by energy balance closure issues and spatial scale mismatch.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dmitry Plotnikov, Pavel Kolbudaev, Alexey Matveev, Andrey Proshin, Ivan Polyanskiy
Summary: This paper presents a new method for atmospheric correction of KMSS-M satellite remote sensing data and performs a quantitative assessment. The results show that the method achieves good performance under different cloudiness levels. Additionally, spatial and temporal gradients of the method are investigated, showing high accuracy in northern Eurasia.
Article
Geography, Physical
Xiaoxun Xie, Xiaodong Liu
Summary: Water vapor is the material basis of precipitation and understanding its sources is crucial for comprehending regional precipitation changes. This study used a climate model to explore the contributions of terrestrial and oceanic moisture sources to precipitation changes in the northern East Asian monsoon region. The results showed that land and Pacific Ocean were the primary sources, with land contributing 57.6% and Pacific Ocean contributing 20.9%. The orbital-scale changes in precipitation were dominated by a significant 23-kyr cycle and a weak 100-kyr cycle, which were influenced by variations in Northern Hemisphere summer insolation and global ice volume.
GLOBAL AND PLANETARY CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Priyanka Banerjee
Summary: Although the northern Indian Ocean is a highly productive region, the comprehensive understanding of how different sources of dissolved iron (DFe) can impact the upper-ocean biogeochemical dynamics is lacking. This study shows that atmospheric deposition is the most important source of DFe in the upper 100 m of the northern Indian Ocean, contributing over 50% annually. Sedimentary sources are locally important in certain areas, while increases in chlorophyll concentrations are primarily driven by diatom population. Vertical mixing is identified as the most important mechanism for DFe supply, with the importance of advection varying seasonally.
Article
Agronomy
Daniela Anghileri, Veronica Bozzini, Peter Molnar, Andrew A. J. Jamali, Justin Sheffield
Summary: In this study, we assess the best proxy indicators for rainfed maize yield in Malawi using remote sensing datasets. We find that precipitation, particularly the standardized March precipitation anomaly, has the highest correlations with maize yield. Soil moisture and NDVI do not add much value to precipitation in anticipating maize yield. We also identify key considerations for determining weather index-based insurances (WIIs) indexes.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Yang Lu, Chunzhu Wei, Matthew F. McCabe, Justin Sheffield
Summary: Accurate field-level crop modeling is crucial for yield prediction and agricultural risk mitigation. This study develops a data assimilation framework for field-level crop modeling without management or crop phenology information, suitable for remote sensing applications. The experiments show that the proposed methodology can accurately estimate planting dates, approximate biomass and yield estimates under simplified fertility stress conditions, improve yield estimation through data assimilation, and predict yield within 15% of observed values up to 3 months before harvest.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
S. H. Gebrechorkos, M. Pan, H. E. Beck, J. Sheffield
Summary: This study evaluates the precipitation forecasts from five operational climate models and compares them to a reference dataset. The results show that all models can accurately predict the climatological mean and monthly anomaly precipitation within a 1-month lead-time. However, the skill drops for longer lead-times and is particularly challenging in drier regions and seasons.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chengxiu Li, Jadunandan Dash, Moses Asamoah, Justin Sheffield, Mawuli Dzodzomenyo, Solomon Hailu Gebrechorkos, Daniela Anghileri, Jim Wright
Summary: This study developed a framework to examine the spatiotemporal pattern of floods and assess flood exposure using satellite images, participatory mapping, and socio-economic data. The results showed that the use of multi-temporal radar and optical satellite data improved flood mapping accuracy, but flood exposure estimation remained uncertain.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mohammed Basheer, Victor Nechifor, Alvaro Calzadilla, Solomon Gebrechorkos, David Pritchard, Nathan Forsythe, Jose M. Gonzalez, Justin Sheffield, Hayley J. Fowler, Julien J. Harou
Summary: The uncertainties of climate change present challenges for managing the Nile River system, given the increasing demands for river-related services and political tensions among riparian countries. Cooperative adaptive management can help alleviate these stresses and tensions.
NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Mohammed Basheer, Victor Nechifor, Alvaro Calzadilla, Solomon Gebrechorkos, David Pritchard, Nathan Forsythe, Jose M. Gonzalez, Justin Sheffield, Hayley J. Fowler, Julien J. Harou
Summary: There is high uncertainty regarding the climate change impacts on the economies and water-dependent sectors of the Nile region. Despite this, cooperative and adaptive management of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam can lead to economic and water management benefits for Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt.
NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jose M. Gonzalez, James E. Tomlinson, Eduardo A. Martinez Cesena, Mohammed Basheer, Emmanuel Obuobie, Philip T. Padi, Salifu Addo, Rasheed Baisie, Mikiyas Etichia, Anthony Hurford, Andrea Bottacin-Busolin, John Matthews, James Dalton, D. Mark Smith, Justin Sheffield, Mathaios Panteli, Julien J. Harou
Summary: A multi-objective design framework assisted by artificial intelligence is used in Ghana to explore optimized management and investment strategies for balancing hydropower, bioenergy, solar and wind energies, and their impacts. The development of renewable energy systems and improved operation play a crucial role in mitigating climate change. However, relying solely on hydropower integration to counterbalance intermittent renewables can have negative effects on aquatic ecosystems and increase water conflicts across sectors, highlighting the need for diversified investment strategies.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Water Resources
Mengru Zhang, Xiaoli Yang, Ming Pan, Linyan Zhang, Xiuqin Fang, Justin Sheffield
Summary: The characteristics of meteorological drought in different river basins in China vary spatially and temporally, and this variation is also reflected in the influence of meteorological drought in different watersheds. This study investigates the future meteorological drought risk under different emission scenarios and explores the impact of precipitation and temperature on meteorological drought in different basins in China. The study also considers the uncertainty associated with CMIP6 in different watersheds. The results show a decreasing trend in the frequency of meteorological drought events in the future, but an increase in drought intensity and duration. Precipitation plays a major role in meteorological drought, especially in the northeast and southeast basins of China.
HYDROLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Tomasz Janus, James Tomlinson, Daniela Anghileri, Justin Sheffield, Stefan Kollet, Julien J. Harou
Summary: This study investigates the impact of hydrologic-land feedbacks and a hydrologic-water management linkage on optimized land cover arrangements within a multiobjective land cover design framework. It integrates a spatially-distributed and physically-based hydrologic model with a network-based multi-sector water resources management model. Results show that trade-offs between water, food, energy, and environment objectives depend on land cover composition and spatial arrangement. The study demonstrates the added benefits of coupling distributed hydrologic models with water management simulation for multisector multicriteria land cover planning.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xing Yuan, Yumiao Wang, Peng Ji, Peili Wu, Justin Sheffield, Jason A. Otkin
Summary: Flash droughts have become increasingly common worldwide, posing challenges to drought monitoring and prediction. The intensification of droughts has accelerated over subseasonal time scales, leading to a transition towards more flash droughts in 74% of global regions over the past 64 years. This transition is linked to amplified anomalies in evapotranspiration and precipitation deficit due to human-induced climate change. In the future, this transition is expected to expand to most land areas, with greater increases under higher-emission scenarios. These findings highlight the urgency of adapting to faster-onset droughts in a warmer future.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ailish Craig, Craig Hutton, Laura A. A. Lewis, Frank B. B. Musa, Justin Sheffield
Summary: This study examines the association between typologies of social capital and household food security in Southern Malawi, with a focus on access to food. The findings show that bonding and bridging social capital are associated with better household access to food, while linking social capital is associated with lower access to food. The study also suggests that female-headed households prioritize linking social capital, while male-headed households prioritize bonding social capital.
SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tara J. Troy, Laura C. Bowling, Sadia A. Jame, Charlotte Lee, Jing Liu, Chris Perry, Brian Richter
Summary: Sustainable agricultural water systems are crucial for ensuring prosperous production, securing water resources, and supporting healthy ecosystems. However, many regions are using water unsustainably, leading to depletion and pollution. This letter defines sustainable water limits, tied to agricultural water impacts, and proposes pathways for ensuring sustainable water systems while sustaining agriculture.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Mustafa H. Alattar, Tara J. Troy
Summary: This study proposes a composite Boussinesq equation for estimating baseflow recession and storage-outflow relationship, which shows smaller errors compared to linear and nonlinear equations. The analysis of different variables reveals that nonlinearity increases in drier regions, while the relative errors of all three methods increase in wet climate regions.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Catherine Tlotlo Kerapetse, Jean-Marie Kileshye Onema, Webster Gumindoga, Cosmo Ngongondo, Justin Sheffield
Summary: The understanding of groundwater recharge occurrence in drylands is essential for water resources management. This study used Remote Sensing and GIS techniques to identify potential groundwater recharge zones and predicted crop yield. The results showed changes in land cover and suggested the existence of water resources for food security in water-scarce drylands.
PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY OF THE EARTH
(2023)
Article
Geography
Ailish Craig, Craig Hutton, Frank B. Musa, Justin Sheffield
Summary: From 2018 to 2020, 82% of Malawian's were classified as moderately or severely food insecure. The decline in social capital in sub-Saharan African countries raises questions about its effectiveness in alleviating hunger. Gender plays a role in both food security and social capital, but limited research has investigated the gender differences in social capital and food access.
JOURNAL OF RURAL STUDIES
(2023)