WVU Today | WVU researcher studying worst western US megadrought in 1,200 years

Drylands in the Western United States Facing a 23-Year Megadrought

Introduction

Drylands in the western United States are currently experiencing a 23-year “megadrought,” a severe climate event that has significant implications for natural ecosystems, agricultural systems, and human water resources. To gain a better understanding of this phenomenon, Steve Kannenberg, an assistant professor of biology at West Virginia University’s Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, is utilizing observations from existing networks of scientific instrument stations across the region.

Identifying the Severity of the Megadrought

With joint funding from the National Science Foundation’s Ecosystem Science Cluster and the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), Kannenberg aims to identify the areas where the drought has been most severe. By analyzing data on groundwater depletion, soil moisture, and the impact on dryland plants, researchers can gain insights into the extent of the drought’s impact.

The Significance of Drylands

Drylands are areas where water availability limits the health of ecosystems. While West Virginia has abundant water resources, regions like Utah face extreme heat and aridity. The health of vegetation in these areas is determined by the amount of water present in the soil and air.

Data Collection Methods

Tree growth rings in drylands provide valuable information about the region’s climatological history. By studying these rings, researchers have determined that the current 23-year drought period is the most severe in the past 1,200 years. Kannenberg plans to combine tree ring data with measurements of soil moisture, groundwater levels, and ecosystem fluxes using eddy covariance flux towers. These towers act as advanced weather stations, measuring carbon exchange between the vegetation and the atmosphere, as well as water inputs and outputs.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Megadroughts are projected to increase in frequency and severity globally in the coming decades. Kannenberg’s research on the western United States’ megadrought can provide valuable insights into other dryland and non-dryland biomes, contributing to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Carbon Capture and Storage

Kannenberg is also focused on understanding carbon capture in drylands. The ability of vegetation to store carbon is influenced by its photosynthetic rate, which is dependent on water availability. While eastern forests have consistent photosynthetic rates, drylands experience unpredictable water availability, resulting in varying carbon uptake. Understanding this process is crucial for assessing the role of dryland ecosystems in global carbon storage.

Management Actions and Future Impacts

Kannenberg emphasizes the importance of implementing management actions to mitigate the current impacts of the megadrought and prepare for future events. As the planet gets hotter, feedback loops in already dry regions like the southwestern U.S. will further warm the air and dry the atmosphere, exacerbating drought conditions. The increasing frequency and severity of megadroughts highlight the urgency of addressing climate change and its impacts.

Conclusion

The ongoing 23-year megadrought in the western United States poses significant challenges for ecosystems, agriculture, and water resources. Through his research, Kannenberg aims to deepen our understanding of this extreme climate event and its implications for sustainable development. By analyzing data from scientific instrument stations and tree growth rings, he hopes to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs and inform future management strategies.

Contact Information

For media inquiries, please contact Laura Jackson, Research Writer at WVU Research Communications: 304-215-1019; Laura.Jackson@mail.wvu.edu.

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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land

The article discusses the ongoing megadrought in the western United States, which has implications for water resources, ecosystems, and climate. SDG 6 focuses on ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. SDG 13 addresses the need to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. SDG 15 aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.
• SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
• SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.

The article highlights the need to understand the severity of the drought and its impact on groundwater and soil moisture. This aligns with the target of increasing water-use efficiency and addressing water scarcity (SDG 6.4). The focus on climate-related hazards and the projected increase in megadroughts relates to the target of strengthening resilience to climate-related hazards (SDG 13.1). Additionally, the research on dryland ecosystems and carbon storage aligns with the target of conserving and restoring terrestrial ecosystems (SDG 15.1).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Water-use efficiency
• Groundwater and soil moisture levels
• Carbon storage in dryland vegetation

The article mentions the need to understand water availability in drylands and its impact on vegetation health, which can be measured through indicators such as water-use efficiency, groundwater levels, and soil moisture. The research also focuses on carbon storage in dryland vegetation, which can serve as an indicator of the conservation and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: wvutoday.wvu.edu

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