One of the more common concerns associated with global warming is that intense heat will dry out (brown) land landscapes, limit vegetation growth, and cause water shortages and even widespread droughts.
However, a new study shows that rising carbon dioxide concentrations on Earth are having the exact opposite effect in the real world.
In extensive trend analysis over the past few decades, scientists determined Rising carbon dioxide levels are the most 'dominant driver' (Relevance accounts for 45%) In assessing the association between reduced vegetation water demand and improved water use efficiency.
“…increased carbon dioxide concentrations not only promote vegetation growth through the fertilization effect, but also indirectly increase water availability [reducing drought risk] By improving water use efficiency. – Song et al., 2024
For example, compared to carbon dioxide, Temperature and precipitation play a much smaller role in influencing trends in vegetation growth and water use efficiency improvements (correlation 10-11%).
“The carbon dioxide fertilization effect is beneficial to both vegetation growth and water use efficiency (dead).
“…elevated carbon dioxide concentrations may indirectly increase water availability by improving water availability [water use efficiency]…reduce the water requirements of vegetation.
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