Recent research has shed light on an important consequence of our warming climate: an increased risk of flash droughts. These are defined as rapid onset droughts, typically occurring during the growing season, with serious implications for crop yields.
According to the new study, the frequency of flash droughts is expected to increase in the coming decades as global temperatures continue to rise.
Flash droughts are often accompanied by high temperatures and high winds, leading to rapid soil moisture depletion and crop stress.
Flash drought hotspots exist over Brazil, the Sahel, the Great Rift Valley, and India, with notable local hotspots over the central United States, southwestern Russia, and northeastern China.
In fact, during the past decade, flash droughts have caused crop losses worth an estimated 12 billion dollars. The potential economic impact of future flash droughts on crop yields could be even more severe.
The study concludes that effective adaptation measures are needed to mitigate the impact of flash droughts on croplands. These measures could include improved soil moisture monitoring, planting drought-tolerant crops, and optimizing irrigation practices.
The findings also highlight the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to slow down the rate of global warming and mitigate its impact on agricultural productivity.
The frequency of flash droughts is expected to increase in a warming climate, and the impact on croplands could be severe. The need for effective adaptation measures is urgent, and the best response is to act quickly and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to prevent further warming of the planet.
Edited by Zeng Han-Jun
Written by Juliana Rodriguez
Terra Link Research 