Research briefs

A new study published in Hydrological Processes sheds light on sources of streamflow variability and change in Alberta’s headwaters that can affect irrigated agriculture in the Prairies. This provides the knowledge base to develop improved water resource management to effectively adapt to evolving river flow conditions.

While droughts are a natural feature of the Australian environment, the Millennium drought had major social, economic and environmental impacts. A new study has sought to document what is known and unknown about drought in Australia and to establish how Australia’s scientists and engineers could best investigate those unknowns.

UT Dallas researchers and their colleagues have developed geospatial science methods to help the Egyptian government avoid flooding in a coastal mountain region. Researchers determined a variety of factors that affect flooding and by layering all the features on one map, the scientists developed a GIS model to identify the most vulnerable areas.

A new study just released found that on the current greenhouse gas emissions trajectory, global temperatures like 2015 will be the new normal by 2030. Australia’s record-breaking 2013 summer will likely be an average summer by 2035. While we still have time to delay some of these changes, others are already locked in so we must also adapt to a warmer world.

Australian cities are getting hotter due to urban densification policies, climate change and social trends, which leave less space for gardens and trees. But some residents are more exposed than others.

In Australia, the economic cost of natural disasters exceeded A$9 billion last year alone. It is forecast to rise to A$33 billion per year by 2050 - according to conservative calculations - but the government at all levels will not be able to pay for adaptation. Therefore, there is a need to review how best to promote adaptation as an opportunity for the finance sector.

As Typhoon Hagupit approached the Philippines in December 2014, over half a million people were evacuated. Still recovering from Typhoon Haiyan a year earlier, the country prepared for the worst. Despite this, thousands chose not to flee and 18 people were killed. Research conducted in the aftermath provides new insights for future disaster risk reduction strategies.

The US Geological Survey predicts that more than 2.5 million people will die from earthquakes this century. Landslides and other mass movements, such as rockfalls, are an important cause of earthquake fatalities. Research now shows deforestation may inadvertently increase rockfall hazard by removing the natural vegetative barrier that previously impeded boulder travel.