Revisiting Desertification Research: Has Earth Science Progressed Since 2018?
Human ImpactDesertification is a global problem affecting more than 40% of the world’s population. It refers to the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid regions due to various factors, including climate change, deforestation, overgrazing and unsustainable land use practices. Desertification leads to soil erosion, loss of vegetation, and reduced agricultural productivity, among other
Restoring Ocean Pastures: A Viable Solution for Rapid Climate Change Mitigation?
Water BodiesClimate change is one of the most serious threats facing humanity and the planet. Increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are causing global temperatures to rise, resulting in a range of environmental, social, and economic impacts. While reducing greenhouse gas emissions is essential to addressing climate change, it is
Assessing Water Balance at Catchment Scale with ACRU4 Model: A Comprehensive Earth Science Approach
Modeling & PredictionWater is a precious resource, and understanding its distribution and availability is critical to sustainable water management. Catchment-scale water balance models, such as the ACRU4 model, provide powerful tools for predicting water availability and managing water resources. In this article, we explore catchment-scale water balance modeling with a focus on the ACRU4 model, its applications,
Calculating Relative Humidity at Single Pressure Level using ERA5 Data: An Earth Science Perspective
Weather & ForecastsThe European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is a leading provider of global weather forecasts and climate models. The fifth generation of their atmospheric reanalysis data is called ERA5 and is widely used by the scientific community for various applications. One of the most important parameters in atmospheric science is relative humidity, which is
Modeling the Impact of Flood Water from River Channels on ACRU4 Riparian Zones
Modeling & PredictionRiparian zones are ecologically important areas at the interface between land and water, particularly around rivers and streams. These zones provide habitat for a variety of plant and animal species and are critical for maintaining water quality and regulating natural processes such as nutrient cycling and sediment deposition. However, riparian zones are also highly vulnerable
The Mystery of the Bering Strait Isotherm Bulge: Winter North, Summer South
Water BodiesThe Bering Strait, located between Russia and Alaska, is a narrow passageway that connects the Pacific Ocean to the Arctic Ocean. This strait is an important gateway for ocean currents that have a significant impact on the climate of the region. One of the most intriguing phenomena associated with the Bering Strait is the bulging