WVU researcher studying worst western US megadrought in 1,200 years
WVU researcher studying worst western US mega EurekAlert
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Drylands in Western United States Experiencing 23-Year Megadrought
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A West Virginia University researcher is working to gain a better understanding of the 23-year megadrought that is affecting drylands in the western United States. The megadrought is an ongoing climate crisis for natural ecosystems, agricultural systems and human water resources, but researchers have a limited understanding of the phenomenon.
Credit: WVU Photo
Drylands in the western United States are currently in the grips of a 23-year “megadrought,” and one West Virginia University researcher is working to gain a better understanding of this extreme climate event.
Researcher’s Efforts
Steve Kannenberg, assistant professor of biology at the WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, is using observations from existing networks of scientific instrument stations across the region to inch toward that goal.
Importance of Understanding the Megadrought
The megadrought is an ongoing climate crisis for natural ecosystems, agricultural systems, and human water resources, but researchers have a limited understanding of the phenomenon.
Funding and Objectives
With joint National Science Foundation funding from Ecosystem Science Cluster and the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), Kannenberg is seeking to identify where this drought has been most severe. The data collected should reveal where the conditions have depleted groundwater and soil moisture and identify which dryland plants have been most affected.
Definition of Drylands
The term “drylands” refers to areas where water availability limits the health of ecosystems.
Data Collection Methods
Data on the west’s climatological history can be obtained by studying tree growth rings in drylands. Using tree rings, researchers have found that the current 23-year drought period is the most severe over the last 1,200 years. Kannenberg will pair tree ring data with measurements of soil moisture, groundwater, and ecosystem fluxes via eddy covariance flux towers. These towers can measure how much water is coming in via rain, how much goes out through plants to the atmosphere, and how much evaporates from the soil surface.
Impact of Megadroughts
Globally, megadroughts are projected to increase in frequency and severity in the coming decades. Kannenberg’s synthesized data may help inform researchers about other dryland and non-dryland biomes.
Focus on Carbon Capture
Kannenberg is also focused on carbon capture. The photosynthetic rate of vegetation across drylands affects their ability to store carbon. However, trees can only photosynthesize when there’s sufficient water available. This process is fairly consistent in eastern forests but difficult to predict in drylands.
Management Actions and Future Drought Events
Kannenberg said there are various management actions available to help mitigate some of the current impacts and prepare for those to come, as the planet gets hotter and the atmosphere gets drier. In many regions, like the southwestern U.S., which are already very dry, feedback loops warm the air and dry the atmosphere, accelerating future drought events.
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.
- Indicator 6.4.2: Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources.
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SDG 13: Climate Action
- Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
- Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
-
SDG 15: Life on Land
- Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.
- Indicator 15.1.2: Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type.
Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets identified are:
– Target 6.4: Increase water-use efficiency and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.
– Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
– Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
– Indicator 6.4.2: Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources.
– Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
– Indicator 15.1.2: Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity. | Indicator 6.4.2: Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements. | Indicator 15.1.2: Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type. |
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Source: eurekalert.org
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