Journal: Nature Reviews Earth & Environment

Abbreviation

Nat Rev Earth Environ

Publisher

Nature

Journal Volumes

ISSN

2662-138X

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2020 - 202641
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Publications 1 - 10 of 41
  • Weather and climate extremes in a changing Arctic
    Item type: Review Article
    Zhang, Xiangdong; Vihma, Timo; Rinke, Annette; et al. (2025)
    Nature Reviews Earth & Environment
    Weather and climate extremes are increasingly occurring in the Arctic. In this Review, we evaluate historical and projected changes in rare Arctic extremes across the atmosphere, cryosphere and ocean and elucidate their driving mechanisms. Clear shifts occur in mean and extreme distributions after ~2000. For instance, pre-2000 to post-2000 observational probabilities of 1.5 standard deviation events increase by 20% for atmospheric heat waves, 76.7% for Atlantic layer warm events, 83.5% for Arctic sea ice loss and 62.9% for Greenland Ice Sheet melt extent — in many cases, low probability, rare extreme events in the early period become the norm in the latter period. These observed changes can be explained using a ‘pushing and triggering’ concept, representing interplay between external forcing and internal variability: long-term warming destabilizes the climate system and ‘pushes’ it to a new state, allowing subsequent variability associated with large-scale atmosphere–ocean–ice interactions and synoptic systems to ‘trigger’ extreme events over different timescales. Ongoing anthropogenic warming is expected to further increase the frequency and magnitude of extremes, such that simulated probabilities of 1.5 standard deviation events increase by 72.6% for atmospheric heat waves, 68.7% for Atlantic layer warm events and 93.3% for Greenland Ice Sheet melt rate between historic (1984–2014) and future (2069–2099) periods under a very high emission scenario. Future research should prioritize the development of physically based metrics, enhance high-resolution observation and modelling capabilities and improve understanding of multiscale Arctic climate drivers.
  • The residence time of water vapour in the atmosphere
    Item type: Review Article
    Gimeno, Luis; Eiras-Barca, Jorge; Durán-Quesada, Ana María; et al. (2021)
    Nature Reviews Earth & Environment
    The residence time of atmospheric water vapour has important implications for understanding hydrological processes. This Review discusses the general characteristics and changes in water vapour residence time, indicating 3-6% K-1 projected increases with warming.
  • Human amplification of secondary earthquake hazards through environmental modifications
    Item type: Journal Article
    Hill, Emma M.; McCaughey, Jamie W; Switzer, Adam D.; et al. (2024)
    Nature Reviews Earth & Environment
    Anthropogenic climate change and modification of landscapes — such as deforestation, sediment movement, irrigation and sea-level rise — can destabilize natural systems and amplify hazards from earthquake-triggered landslides, liquefaction, tsunami and coastal flooding. In this Perspective, we examine the connections and feedbacks between human environmental modifications and secondary earthquake hazards to identify steps for hazard mitigation. Destabilization of slopes by vegetation removal, agricultural activities, steepening, loading and drainage disruption can amplify landslide hazards. For example, landslides were mainly triggered on deforested slopes after the 2010 and 2021 Haiti earthquakes. Liquefaction hazards are intensified by extensive irrigation and land reclamation, as exemplified by liquefaction causing >15 m of ground displacement in irrigated areas after the 2018 Palu earthquake. Degradation or removal of primary coastal vegetation and coral reefs, destruction of sand dunes, subsidence from groundwater withdrawal, and sea-level rise can increase tsunami inland reach. Restoration of natural coastal habitats could help decrease the maximum inland reach of tsunami, but their effectiveness depends on tsunami size. Sustainable farming practices, such as mixed crop cultivation and drip irrigation, can successfully reduce the saturation of soils and the liquefaction hazard in some situations. Future research should explore the potential of such sustainable practices and nature-based solutions in reducing earthquake-related hazards, in addition to their climate and ecosystem benefits.
  • Embrace complexity to understand microplastic pollution
    Item type: Other Journal Item
    Bank, Michael S.; Mitrano, Denise Marie; Rillig, Matthias C.; et al. (2022)
    Nature Reviews Earth & Environment
  • Genesis and evolution of kimberlites
    Item type: Review Article
    Giuliani, Andrea; Schmidt, Max W.; Torsvik, Trond H.; et al. (2023)
    Nature Reviews Earth & Environment
    Kimberlites are volcanic rocks enriched in CO2 and H2O and derive from the deepest-sourced melts (up to 300 km) that reach Earth's surface. The mantle processes that generate such deep melts and allow them to traverse through thick (>= 150 km), cold lithosphere carrying dense mantle fragments, such as xenoliths and diamonds, are debated. In this Review, we explore the composition, formation and evolution of kimberlite melts and the mechanisms of their ascent. Both deep-mantle plumes and shallower convective motions linked to lithospheric extension could trigger kimberlite melting by bringing upwelling mantle rocks to depths above Fe-metal stability (similar to 160-250 km depth). Despite the CO2 enrichment in kimberlite melts, their sources are peridotites not necessarily enriched in carbon. Kimberlite primary melts are transitional between silicate and carbonate compositions and evolve towards increasing silica and lower CO2 concentrations during ascent, while concurrently interacting with the lithospheric mantle. These ascent processes promote the exsolution of CO2-H2O fluids during decompression, a prerequisite for the fast ascent (up to tens of metres per second) of kimberlite magmas. Key unresolved questions include the volatile and alkali budget of kimberlites and their mantle sources; their relationship with 'superdeep' diamonds; and their potential link to plumes from the core-mantle boundary.
  • A landscape-scale view of soil organic matter dynamics
    Item type: Review Article
    Doetterl, Sebastian; Asefaw Berhe, Asmeret; Heckman, Katherine; et al. (2025)
    Nature Reviews Earth & Environment
    Soil carbon is an important component of the terrestrial carbon cycle and could be augmented through improved soil management to mitigate climate change. However, data gaps for numerous regions and a lack of understanding of the heterogeneity of biogeochemical processes across diverse soil landscapes hinder the development of large-scale representations of soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics. In this Perspective, we outline how understanding soil formation processes and complexity at the landscape scale can inform predictions of soil organic matter (SOM) cycling and soil carbon sequestration. Long-term alterations of the soil matrix caused by weathering and soil redistribution vary across climate zones and ecosystems, but particularly with the structure of landscapes at the regional scale. Thus, oversimplified generalizations that assume that the drivers of SOM dynamics can be scaled directly from local to global regimes and vice versa leads to large uncertainties in global projections of soil C stocks. Data-driven models with enhanced coverage of underrepresented regions, particularly where soils are physicochemically distinct and environmental change is most rapid, are key to understanding C turnover and stabilization at landscape scales to better predict global soil carbon dynamics.
  • Diversity of magmatism, hydrothermal processes and microbial interactions at mid-ocean ridges
    Item type: Review Article
    Früh-Green, Gretchen L.; Kelley, Deborah S.; Lilley, Marvin D.; et al. (2022)
    Nature Reviews Earth & Environment
    Hydrothermal circulation and alteration at mid-ocean ridges and ridge flanks have a key role in regulating seawater chemistry and global chemical fluxes, and support diverse ecosystems in the absence of light. In this Review, we outline tectonic, magmatic and hydrothermal processes that govern crustal architecture, alteration and biogeochemical cycles along mid-ocean ridges with different spreading rates. In general, hydrothermal systems vary from those that are magmatic-dominated with low-pH fluids >300 degrees C to serpentinizing systems with alkaline fluids <120 degrees C. Typically, slow-spreading ridges (rates <40 mm yr(-1)) have greater variability in magmatism, lithology and vent chemistry, which are influenced by detachment faults that expose lower-crustal and serpentinized mantle rocks. Hydrothermal alteration is an important sink for magnesium, sodium, sulfate and bicarbonate, and a net source of volatiles, iron and other nutrients to the deep ocean and vent ecosystems. Magmatic hydrothermal systems sustain a vast, hot and diverse microbial biosphere that represents a deep organic carbon source to ocean carbon budgets. In contrast, high-pH serpentinizing hydrothermal systems harbour a more limited microbial community consisting primarily of methane-metabolizing archaea. Continued advances in monitoring and analytical capabilities coupled with developments in metagenomic technologies will guide future investigations and discoveries in hydrothermal systems.
  • Irrigation in the Earth system
    Item type: Review Article
    McDermid, Sonali; Lawston-Parker, Patricia; Keune, Jessica; et al. (2023)
    Nature Reviews Earth & Environment
    Irrigation accounts for ~70% of global freshwater withdrawals and ~90% of consumptive water use, driving myriad Earth system impacts. In this Review, we summarize how irrigation currently impacts key components of the Earth system. Estimates suggest that more than 3.6 million km2 of currently irrigated land, with hot spots in the intensively cultivated US High Plains, California Central Valley, Indo-Gangetic Basin and northern China. Process-based models estimate that ~2,700 ± 540 km3 irrigation water is withdrawn globally each year, broadly consistent with country-reported values despite these estimates embedding substantial uncertainties. Expansive irrigation has modified surface energy balance and biogeochemical cycling. A shift from sensible to latent heat fluxes, and resulting land–atmosphere feedbacks, generally reduce regional growing season surface temperatures by ~1–3 °C. Irrigation can ameliorate temperature extremes in some regions, but conversely exacerbates moist heat stress. Modelled precipitation responses are more varied, with some intensive cropping regions exhibiting suppressed local precipitation but enhanced precipitation downstream owing to atmospheric circulation interactions. Additionally, irrigation could enhance cropland carbon uptake; however, it can also contribute to elevated methane fluxes in rice systems and mobilize nitrogen loading to groundwater. Cross-disciplinary, integrative research efforts can help advance understanding of these irrigation–Earth system interactions, and identify and reduce uncertainties, biases and limitations.
  • Prediction and projection of heatwaves
    Item type: Review Article
    Domeisen, Daniela; Eltahir, Elfatih A.B.; Fischer, Erich; et al. (2023)
    Nature Reviews Earth & Environment
    Heatwaves constitute a major threat to human health and ecosystems. Projected increases in heatwave frequency and severity thus lead to the need for prediction to enhance preparedness and minimize adverse impacts. In this Review, we document current capabilities for heatwave prediction at daily to decadal timescales and outline projected changes under anthropogenic warming. Various local and remote drivers and feedbacks influence heatwave development. On daily timescales, extratropical atmospheric blocking and global land–atmosphere coupling are most pertinent, and on subseasonal to seasonal timescales, soil moisture and ocean surface anomalies contribute. Knowledge of these drivers allows heatwaves to be skilfully predicted at daily to weekly lead times. Predictions are challenging beyond timescales of a few weeks, but tendencies for above-average temperatures can be estimated. Further into the future, heatwaves are anticipated to become more frequent, persistent and intense in nearly all inhabited regions, with trends amplified by soil drying in some areas, especially the mid-latitudes. There is also an increased occurrence of humid heatwaves, especially in southern Asia. A better understanding of the relevant drivers and their model representation, including atmospheric dynamics, atmospheric and soil moisture, and surface cover should be prioritized to improve heatwave prediction and projection.
  • Crop traits and production under drought
    Item type: Review Article
    Vadez, Vincent; Grondin, Alexandre; Chenu, Karine; et al. (2024)
    Nature Reviews Earth & Environment
    Drought limits crop productivity and threatens global food security, with moderate drought stress - when crops grow at a reduced rate - commonly experienced. Increasing plant tolerance to moderate drought is a key target for adaptation and management, but efforts to understand and increase drought tolerance often focus on more extreme drought that causes complete crop failure and only consider crop genetics. In this Review, we discuss the influence of moderate drought on crop productivity and the role of physiological traits in drought tolerance and adaptation. Traits related to crop water use, water capture, water availability, transpiration efficiency and phenology impact drought adaptation, but their overall effect varies situationally. For example, early restrictions in transpiration, higher transpiration efficiency or altered tillering increase water availability during grain filling and can double yield in some drought scenarios. However, these same traits under less severe drought scenarios can also lead to yield penalties. To assess when and under what conditions traits will be beneficial, crop models are used to integrate the effects of genetics, the environment and management, estimating the expected yield responses under these combinations of scenarios and traits. More robust characterization of moderate drought tolerance and better integration between plant genetic information and modelling will enable the local selection of crop varieties suited to the expected drought scenarios.
Publications 1 - 10 of 41