scholarly journals Complex networks of marine heatwaves reveal abrupt transitions in the global ocean

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisandro Benedetti-Cecchi

AbstractUnderstanding how marine heatwaves (MHWs) unfold in space and time under anthropogenic climate change is key to anticipate future impacts on ecosystems and society. Yet, our knowledge of the spatiotemporal dynamics of MHWs is very limited. Here, I combine network theory with topological data analysis and event synchronization to high-resolution satellite data and to a set of Earth System Model simulations to reveal the dynamical organization of complex MHW networks. The analysis reveals that MHWs have already crossed a tipping point separating highly synchronized preindustrial MHWs from the more extreme, but less coherent warming events we experience today. This loose spatiotemporal organization persists under a reduced RCP 2.6 emission scenario, whereas a second abrupt transition towards a permanent state of highly synchronized MHWs is foreseen by 2075 under a business-as-usual RCP 8.5 scenario. These results highlight the risks of abrupt ocean transitions, which may dramatically affect marine life and humanity by eroding valuable time for adaptation to climate change.

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Poschlod ◽  
Florian Willkofer ◽  
Ralf Ludwig

This study assesses the change of the seasonal runoff characteristics in 98 catchments in central Europe between the reference period of 1981–2010, and in the near future (2011–2040), mid future (2041–2070) and far future (2071–2099). Therefore, a large ensemble of 50 hydrological simulations featuring the model WaSiM-ETH driven by a 50-member ensemble of the Canadian Regional Climate Model, version 5 (CRCM5) under the emission scenario Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP 8.5) is analyzed. A hierarchical cluster analysis is applied to group the runoff characteristics into six flow regime classes. In the study area, (glacio-)nival, nival (transition), nivo-pluvial and three different pluvial classes are identified. We find that the characteristics of all six regime groups are severely affected by climate change in terms of the amplitude and timing of the monthly peaks and sinks. According to our simulations, the monthly peak of nival regimes will occur earlier in the season and the relative importance of rainfall increases towards the future. Pluvial regimes will become less balanced with higher normalized monthly discharge during January to March and a strong decrease during May to October. In comparison to the reference period, 8% of catchments will shift to another regime class until 2011–2040, whereas until 2041–2070 and 2071–2099, 23% and 43% will shift to another class, respectively.


Author(s):  
O. Shevchenko ◽  
S. Snizhko

The features of the manifestation of climate change in the cities of Ukraine are investigated. It has been established that over the past decades mean annual air temperature in big cities has increased on 0.7–1.2°С, compare to the normal climatic period (1961–1990). The most significant increase in the mean monthly air temperature in the modern period in Ukrainian cities was recorded in January and in the summer months. An increase in the recurrence of tropical nights (when the air temperature did not drop below 20.0°C) and heat waves (HW) was revealed. In all studied cities located in different regions of Ukraine (with the exception of Kharkiv and Kyiv), the number of HW cases in the modern period (1991–2015) has increased two or more times compared with 1961–1990. The most vulnerable in the modern period to the effects of HW are the cities of the southern regions of Ukraine. No HW cases were recorded in Odessa during the period 1961–1990, and 14 cases have been identified in the modern period; the frequency of HW in Zaporizhzhya and Kherson increased from 3 to 22 cases. A change was found in the distribution of precipitation over the seasons and the nature of their precipitation: with a decrease in the number of cases of precipitation, their intensity increases. Based on RCP-scenarios, projections of air temperature for the studied cities were made until the end of the 21st century. According to the calculations for all scenarios, the average annual air temperature will increase gradually in all regions and cities of Ukraine and will increase on average from 2.0–2.5°C in the low-end scenario (RCP 4.5) to 5.0–6.0°C in the high-end scenario (RCP 8.5). Thus, the results of the study indicate the need to analyze the vulnerability of Ukrainian cities to climate change and can be used both to carry out such assessment and to develop measures and plans for adaptation to climate change.


Mousaion ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Elia ◽  
Stephen Mutula ◽  
Christine Stilwell

This study was part of broader PhD research which investigated how access to, and use of, information enhances adaptation to climate change and variability in the agricultural sector in semi-arid Central Tanzania. The research was carried out in two villages using Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations theory and model to assess the dissemination of this information and its use by farmers in their adaptation of their farming practices to climate change and variability. This predominantly qualitative study employed a post-positivist paradigm. Some elements of a quantitative approach were also deployed in the data collection and analysis. The principal data collection methods were interviews and focus group discussions. The study population comprised farmers, agricultural extension officers and the Climate Change Adaptation in Africa project manager. Qualitative data were subjected to content analysis whereas quantitative data were analysed to generate mostly descriptive statistics using SPSS.  Key findings of the study show that farmers perceive a problem in the dissemination and use of climate information for agricultural development. They found access to agricultural inputs to be expensive, unreliable and untimely. To mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and variability on farming effectively, the study recommends the repackaging of current and accurate information on climate change and variability, farmer education and training, and collaboration between researchers, meteorology experts, and extension officers and farmers. Moreover, a clear policy framework for disseminating information related to climate change and variability is required.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dibakar Mahanta ◽  
Jaideep Kumar Bisht ◽  
Lakshmi Kant ◽  
Arunava Pattanayak

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