Much of the world’s rainfall is triggered by the transport of moisture along corridors high up in the atmosphere. Through fresh analysis of historical climate data, Luis Gimeno-Sotelo and colleagues at the University of Vigo have shown for the first time how the causes of certain droughts can be directly linked with a lack of moisture being transported along these corridors. Their results could help climate scientists to better predict when and where droughts will occur in the future.

Forests are more than just a collection of trees; they are dynamic ecosystems that depend on a variety of factors to thrive. One of the most crucial yet often overlooked components of these ecosystems is the soil. Far from being just a passive foundation, soil is an active, living system that plays a vital role in determining the health and productivity of forests. A recent study by emeritus Professor James Moore of the University of Idaho and his colleagues offers a deep dive into how the geological origins of soil influence its chemical properties, shedding light on the intricate relationships between soil, vegetation, and forest management in the Inland Northwest region of the United States.

The Arctic is warming at a rate of three to four times faster than the global average; a phenomenon known as Arctic amplification. This is, in large part, a result of warming atmospheric temperatures causing a decline in snow and ice cover at high latitudes. This, in turn, increases the amount of solar energy absorbed by marine and terrestrial surfaces. As a result, near surface temperatures continue to increase, resulting in a further reduction of snow and ice. This represents a positive feedback where increased temperatures are coupled with a decline in snow and ice cover.