Effects Of Climate Change Research Articles

A call to strengthen international collaboration to assess climate change effects in polar regions

A call to strengthen international collaboration to assess climate change effects in polar regions

Combining thinning and diverse plantings to adapt to climate-change-induced timber supply shortage in British Columbia

Forestry is an important component of Canada’s economy with British Columbia (BC) contributing almost half to the national roundwood production. Yet, the country’s timber supply and forest economy are threatened by climate change, with increased frequency and severity of natural disturbances and changes in forest productivity. Mountain pine beetle ( Dendroctonus ponderosae) outbreaks are endemic in BC, but the latest climate change-driven outbreak has resulted in a cumulative loss of over half of all merchantable pine, leading to a mid-term timber supply shortage. In this study, we investigate the potential of commercial thinning and alternative planting regimes based on species diversification and assisted species migration to mitigate the anticipated decrease in timber supply in BC. We simulated the long-term effects of these management options in a case study area in interior BC, using a toolbox that combines management- and research-oriented data and models. We found that combining commercial thinning and species diversification has the best potential to mitigate future timber supply shortages in BC. We discuss the limits of this toolbox approach and identify research needs and recommendations for future studies aiming at modelling cumulative effects of management, climate change, and natural disturbances on timber supply.

Modeling the Effect of Climate Change on Evapotranspiration in the Thrace Region

Modeling the Effect of Climate Change on Evapotranspiration in the Thrace Region

Plant community responses to the individual and interactive effects of warming and herbivory across multiple years.

Anthropogenic climate warming affects plant communities by changing community structure and function. Studies on climate warming have primarily focused on individual effects of warming, but the interactive effects of warming with biotic factors could be at least as important in community responses to climate change. In addition, climate change experiments spanning multiple years are necessary to capture interannual variability and detect the influence of these effects within ecological communities. Our study explores the individual and interactive effects of warming and insect herbivory on plant traits and community responses within a 7-year warming and herbivory manipulation experiment in two early successional plant communities in Michigan, USA. We find stronger support for the individual effects of both warming and herbivory on multiple plant morphological and phenological traits; only the timing of plant green-up and seed set demonstrated an interactive effect between warming and herbivory. With herbivory, warming advanced green-up, but with reduced herbivory, there was no significant effect of warming. In contrast, warming increased plant biomass, but the effect of warming on biomass did not depend upon the level of insect herbivores. We found that these treatments had stronger effects in some years than others, highlighting the need for multiyear experiments. This study demonstrates that warming and herbivory can have strong direct effects on plant communities, but that their interactive effects are limited in these early successional systems. Because the strength and direction of these effects can vary by ecological context, it is still advisable to include levels of biotic interactions, multiple traits and years, and community type when studying climate change effects on plants and their communities.

Modelling extreme precipitation projections under the effects of climate change: case study of the Caspian Sea

ABSTRACT Climate change is expected to alter climate extremes. This paper evaluates future changes in extreme precipitation events over the Caspian Sea, where the changes are noticeable due to its geographical location and remoteness from the ocean. Using bias-corrected data from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 and extreme value analysis, this study shows increased precipitation from 18.48 mm/month in 1980–2014 to 19.50–19.82 mm/month in 2015–2100, depending on the climate scenario. Additionally, extreme events in the future are projected to increase over the sea due to climatic changes, depicting the emergence of droughts/floods that could occur more frequently in the region.

The Hydrosocial Cycle and the Inequalities in Access to Water in Rural Areas of Metropolitan Region of Santiago, Chile

Water scarcity in Chile has been increasing in recent years, particularly in the central-northern region, associated with a sustained decrease in rainfall and the effects of climate change. This study characterizes the hydrosocial cycle in the Metropolitan Region of Santiago, Chile, with a focus on rural areas, examining the relationship between water availability and socioeconomic factors. For this, demographic data and data related to water demand and use, obtained from government databases, were used. In addition, geographic information systems (GIS) were used for spatial analysis and map creation. Finally, surveys were conducted in rural schools and households to obtain information on water use perceptions and practices. The results show inequalities in access to water with a moderate negative correlation between poverty and water connection/consumption. Rural areas exhibited stronger negative correlations, indicating a greater impact of poverty on water access. Water-saving practices, such as reusing washing water for irrigation, were prevalent in rural households. These results highlight the importance of the hydrosocial cycle to understand the dynamics and factors that shape water demand and consumption in a highly complex region.

Effects of Climate Change on the Future Attractiveness of Tourist Destinations in Greece

Climate change is a major challenge for the global tourism sector, affecting destinations worldwide. Greece, known for its scenery and abundant cultural history, is particularly vulnerable to these impacts. Tourism is a key driver of Greece’s economy, yet climate change threatens both natural environments and cultural sites. To evaluate the impacts of climate change on different types of Greek tourism (beach, sightseeing, winter tourism in mountainous areas), the widely used Holiday Climate Index (beach and urban versions) alongside three additional climatic indices customized for Greek climatic conditions, namely the Urban Climate Comfort Index, the Beach Utility Index, and the Mountainous Winter Climate Index were utilized for top tourist destinations of Greece. The results indicate that urban tourism may face challenges during peak summer months due to rising temperatures, but the shoulder seasons (April–May and September–October) will offer improved conditions, potentially extending the tourist season. For beach tourism, favorable conditions are expected to increase from April to October, with significant gains in June and September. Winter tourism in mountainous areas, especially snow-dependent activities like skiing, is at risk due to the declining snow availability. Overall, the study highlights both the challenges and opportunities posed by climate change for Greece’s tourism sector. It emphasizes the importance of adaptation strategies, including infrastructural improvements and promoting alternative activities, to minimize negative impacts and enhance the future attractiveness of Greek tourism.

Issues of Climate Change in Nepal

This study discusses the multifaceted impacts of climate change on Nepal's environment, economy, and society. It highlights the country's vulnerability to climate-related challenges such as erratic weather patterns, glacial melting, and the resulting socio-economic consequences for its population. The document also outlines Nepal's efforts to address these challenges through policy frameworks like the National Climate Change Policy and the National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA). Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of international cooperation, community-based adaptation initiatives, and the promotion of renewable energy as key strategies to build resilienceand mitigate the adverse effects of climate change in Nepal. The paper serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding the complexities of climate change in Nepal and the various measures being implemented to safeguard the country's future. It provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and development practitioners involved in climate action, emphasizing the need for a coordinated and multi-faceted approach to address the evolving impacts of climate change.

Three–dimensional matrices for enhanced coral settlement through design for additive manufacturing

Purpose The effects of climate change have been contributing to coral reef degradation. Artificial reefs are one method being used to counteract this destruction. However, the most common artificial approaches, such as sunken vehicles and prefabricated cement reefs, do not allow adequate coral development. This paper aims to demonstrate how designers, using additive manufacturing and computational design techniques, can create artificial reefs that better mimic natural reef structures. Design/methodology/approach This research focuses on developing three-dimensional matrices through computational design using additive manufacturing to achieve better coral settlement. A “Nature Centered Design” approach was followed, with the corals at the center of the design project. Samples with different geometries and roughness, produced using paste-based extrusion with porcelain and porcelain with oyster shell, were tested in a controlled environment to investigate the settlement preference of soft corals. Findings The rapid prototyping of samples confirmed the preference of corals to settle to complex surfaces compared to smooth surfaces. Porcelain showed comparable results to Portland cement, suggesting further testing potential. A closer resemblance to the natural and intricate forms found in coral reefs was achieved through computational design. Originality/value This paper proposes a new approach combining rapid prototyping with coral’s biological responses to enhance the understanding of their surface settlement preference. The Nature Centered Design approach, with additive manufacturing and computational design, made it possible to create an innovative working model that could be customized depending on the implementation area or intended coral species, validating the design approach as a method to support environmental conservation.

Assessment of climate change effect on environmental flows for macroinvertebrates using an integrated hydrological-hydraulic-habitat modelling

Study regionA short reach of the Jeziorka river and its upstream catchment in central Poland Study focusClimate change is expected to have significant impacts on freshwater ecosystems, particularly on temperate region streams resulting often in changes to spatiotemporal distribution of macroinvertebrate species, as well as losses in richness and aquatic biodiversity due to the loss of suitable habitat. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of climate change on the habitat suitability and environmental flow violations for the filter feeder functional group of macroinvertebrate communities in a temperate lowland river in central Poland. To achieve this, we have successfully integrated hydrological (SWAT+), hydraulic (HEC-RAS 1D and SRH-2D), and habitat (CASiMiR) models. We have forced the model cascade with GCM/RCM projections to determine changes in future habitat conditions for a selected reach of the Jeziorka river. New hydrological insights for the regionFuture habitat conditions may deteriorate, as reflected in overwhelmingly negative trends in the hydraulic habitat suitability (HHS) index. According to the projections, there will be fewer days with the necessary environmental flows for filter feeders in the future. The frequency and duration of environmental flow violations, caused by too low or too high flows, depend on the climate model scenarios and timeframes. Our findings will aid water resource planners in achieving sustainable water resource management and meeting environmental flow requirements in the face of a changing climate.

Effects of climate change on migration in Latin America and Caribbean: a scoping review

Climate change-induced natural disasters such as hurricanes, landslides, forest fires, and changes in precipitation directly affect rural sectors that depend on field production and other dimensions of everyday life. This generates the mobilization of people from their homes to safer places within the same country or across borders. There is a lack of information on the impacts of climate change on environmental migrants in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). This scoping review aims to describe the scientific evidence of the health effects of climate change on migrant in LAC. The review was conducted using databases from PubMed, Web of Science (WoS), and Google Scholar in English, Spanish and Portuguese. After screening the title, abstract, and full text of identified hits (n = 726), 31 records were finally included. Evidence indicates that climate change relates to health and healthcare, psychosocial and infrastructure dimensions among migrants in LAC. Health effects refer to limited access to healthcare, underdiagnosis, increased susceptibility to diseases and mental health conditions like stress and anxiety. Psychosocial dimensions refer to a heightened risk of sexual and gender-based violence, social marginalization, family separation, and loss of identity and culture. Infrastructure refers to environmental degradation and agricultural and urban infrastructure destruction. Multiple adaptations to these conditions are described among migrant populations in the region. Recommendations for improvements are presented. This scoping review suggests climate change’s significant health, psychosocial, and infrastructural associations with migrants in Latin America.

Widespread plant species temporal variation along environmental and microclimate gradients in Norwegian mountains in a climate change context

The effect of climate change on mountain vegetation is influenced by environmental factors and site effects. To monitor the effect of climate change we therefore need to understand species' sensitivity to microclimate and environmental gradients. The objective of this study is to study widespread plant species' temporal and spatial variation along environmental and microclimate gradients in Norwegian mountains along a coast–inland gradient. Occurrence and abundance of plant species were surveyed in 110 study plots in four mountains at two points in time, seven years apart. Of the 222 plant species registered, Salix herbacea, Phyllodoce caerulea, Carex bigelowii, Juncus trifidus, Vaccinium myrtillus, Avenella flexuosa, and Empetrum nigrum were widespread across all mountains. These species responded differently to environmental and microclimate gradients, and abundance data were more sensitive than occurrence data. During the short time span we observed some indications of response which might support the assumption that boreal species outcompete alpine species in the forest transition zone, but our data do not indicate this effect at higher altitudes. Monitoring of climate change in mountains needs to include plots along environmental and microclimate gradients as well as an abundance of a set of widespread plant species that represent regional, local environmental, and climate gradients. However, when monitoring perennial plant species, the need for long‐term monitoring projects is high because such species develop slowly over several decades.

Separation of the Urbanization Effects on Thermal Environment

Rapid urbanization leads to changes in the thermal characteristics of urban areas. Despite cities serving as natural laboratories to investigate responses to global change, it remains unclear how urbanization affects the thermal environment during global warming. Urbanization effects can be categorized as either the effect of urban climate (UCE) or land cover change (LCCE). This study proposes a conceptual framework for separating the urbanization effects on the thermal environment in 29 major Chinese cities. Results show that land surface temperature increases with impervious surface fractions in the urban area and decreases with vegetation fractions in rural areas, resulting in significant UCE and LCCE across cities, with LCCE approximately 1.3 to 5.7 times greater than UCE. These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the thermal environment change caused by urbanization. To mitigate the negative effects of urbanization on the thermal environment, reducing land cover change would be more effective.

Earth’s Interconnected Climate: Understanding Our Changing World

Have you ever thought about what causes the weather conditions that you experience where you live? Maybe you are thinking, “Sure, when there are storm clouds overhead it rains or snows, and when the sun shines strongly in the summer, we have hot weather”. This is true, but the “big” story is more complicated: the conditions you experience in your area can actually be caused by weather and climate events that occur thousands of kilometers away. These long-distance effects are called teleconnections, and they are a natural part of Earth’s climate system. In this article, we provide examples of teleconnections and describe how scientists study them using powerful computer programs. We also explain how climate change might affect these invisible forces that stretch across the Earth, and how resulting changes in teleconnections could cause extreme weather events, like powerful rainstorms or droughts, in certain areas. The more scientists understand about teleconnections, the better we can protect areas that are vulnerable to the dangerous effects of climate change.

Toward an Integrated Social-ecological Assessment of a Traditional Upland Rice-based Agroecosystem in Southern Philippines

Located in Southern Philippines, the Sarangani traditional agroecosystem currently sits at the nexus of ecological devastation, bio-cultural erosion, and pervasive modernization. Upland farms in these remote areas are inhabited predominantly by smallholder tribal households who cultivate rice landraces using traditional farming methods. Integrated agroecosystem assessment revealed Sarangani social-ecological system (SES) components, along with connections and feedback loops that underlie their interactions. DPSIR and CCA jointly identified drivers of change in Sarangani SES, revealed its key features, and investigated the whole gamut of issues impacting it. CCA, based on an Ishikawa cause and effect diagram, identified upland poverty, tribal culture and government mismanagement as root causes of intractable problems in the Sarangani SES while DPSIR successfully gauged the suitability of responses instituted by the local government. Study results can thus be used as bases for policy/programs that will resolve problem root causes in the Sarangani SES. In addition, steps must be undertaken to mitigate the effects of climate change which has proven to be utterly devastating in these vulnerable areas. Finally, for traditional agroecosystems like the Sarangani SES, interventions that uphold human well-being while conserving tribal culture/resources and preserving the environment are therefore warranted. Keywords: social-ecological systems, DPSIR, causal chain analysis, Sarangani, traditional agroecosystem

Public acceptance of beef carbon tax earmarks

The escalating effects of climate change make it important to find ways to offset the carbon burden. One way to do so is to reduce beef consumption, since cattle production creates large amounts of greenhouse gases, which contribute to global warming and climate change. In this study, we explore US consumers’ perceptions of alternative beef products. Specifically, we test the effects of three types of earmark information on consumers’ valuation of a beef carbon tax related to hamburger meat through two labeled discrete choice experiments. Our results show that earmark information can be effective in reducing the negative impact of an environmental tax on consumers’ willingness to pay for beef products. This study contributes to a better understanding of how consumers would bear environmental taxes for beef and alternative products.

Propagation from Meteorological to Hydrological Drought considering Nonstationarity in the Luanhe River Basin: Spatiotemporal Pattern and Driving Factors

Abstract Under the joint effects of climate change and human activities, the assumption of the stationarity of hydrological series has been overturned, which is of great significance in the field of hydrology. However, the current research on drought propagation is generally based on the assumption of sequence stationarity, in which related results may be biased. To this end, the Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale, and Shape (GAMLSS) model was used to construct a time-varying drought index. The seasonal propagation characteristics from meteorological to hydrological drought were examined based on conditional probability. The dynamic change of propagation characteristics was explored by utilizing the moving window, and the driving factors were revealed by using the variable importance in projection. The Luanhe River basin, which has a fragile ecological environment, was selected as a case study. The results indicated that 1) using a time-varying drought index was more reasonable than using a stationary assumption, and the latter relatively easily underestimated the propagation time, especially in summer; 2) drought propagation in summer and autumn was faster than that in spring and winter, and the propagation time showed a significant downward trend; 3) the trigger threshold (absolute value) of meteorological drought in spring was significantly higher than that in other seasons, and hydrological drought was more likely to be triggered by meteorological drought in autumn and winter; and 4) the precipitation P, decreasing runoff R, and increasing evaporation E were the main factors affecting the seasonal propagation characteristics. The findings of this study are of great significance for water resource management and further understanding of drought propagation mechanisms.

Regional R&I ventures to tackle climate change: A new geography of challenge-oriented innovation landscape

This paper analyses how EU regions have aligned their innovation and policy endeavours to tackle exposure to the effects of Climate Change at regional level. Scholars hailed the need to orienting efforts and resources to tackle societal challenges. However, we have little empirical evidence on the alignment of R&I ecosystems and policy endeavours towards tackling Climate Change. Using regression analysis, we assess the relationship between such directionality and the exposure to risk of disasters (i.e., coastal floods, river floods, and landslides) that each region faces in the short, medium, and long term due to Climate Change. Results show a positive relationship between risk projection and climate change preparedness. However, a more in-depth analysis demonstrates the complexity of such geographical "problem-solution convergence": investigating whether the EU regions most at risk of being affected by climate change are also the ones most ready to target climate change through an aligned combination of R&I and policy efforts. Findings show that more developed regions appear more ready to tackle climate change effects compared to transition and less developed regions. These findings suggest that more support is needed for less developed regions facing major Climate Change-related risks.

Assessing the Effects of Climate Change on Terrestrial and Marine Flora and Fauna: A Review

Assessing the Effects of Climate Change on Terrestrial and Marine Flora and Fauna: A Review

Деятельность российских нефтегазовых компаний в Арктике: теория и практика резильентности в эпоху декарбонизации

Addressing global climate change presents a shared challenge, particularly for the development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation (AZRF) and for industrial companies operating in the region, including oil and gas producers. Given the strategic role of hydrocarbon development in the AZRF for ensuring Russia’s energy security and the responsibility of oil and gas companies in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it is critical to examine their role in enhancing the resilience of the AZRF amidst global decarbonization efforts. This article aims to provide a theoretical and practical analysis of the relationship between organizational and territorial resilience in the context of climate change. It focuses on the measures taken by Russian oil and gas companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimize the anthropogenic impact of their operations in the AZRF. The empirical basis for this study is drawn from the corporate reports of the largest Russian oil and gas companies. Through a review of contemporary Russian and international research, key risks to the resilience of economic systems in the AZRF are identified. A conceptual framework is proposed, highlighting the role of oil and gas companies in supporting the resilience of the AZRF, particularly through decarbonization initiatives aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change, such as permafrost thawing. Content analysis has been used to categorize the environmental and industrial safety measures, as well as decarbonization efforts, undertaken by Russian oil and gas companies in the AZRF. The study concludes by outlining the various decarbonization scenarios and strategies implemented by these companies in the AZRF.