Discover How University of Idaho Research Reveals Vegetation’s Key Role in Water Storage and Boosting Drought Resilience

Moscow – A recent study from the University of Idaho reveals that ecosystems store much more water than we previously thought. This finding could change how scientists and policymakers tackle drought resilience.

Researchers used satellite data from NASA’s GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) missions. For the first time, they measured how much water is stored in the soil where plant roots grow, on a large scale. This breakthrough helps us understand how plants and water resources connect.

Water plays a vital role in both nature and society. Trees, shrubs, and grasses rely on it to grow, impacting available water resources. Yet, measuring the water storage capacity in soil has been tricky—until now.

Meng Zhao, the study’s lead author and assistant professor at the University of Idaho, explained, “Understanding how much water ecosystems can store has been difficult. Our approach uses satellite data to give a broader view than traditional methods.”

The research reported significant insights. Here are some key findings:

• Innovative Mapping: This is the first study to map root-zone water storage directly from satellite data.
• Surprising Capacities: Initial estimates of the average root-zone water storage were around 150 millimeters. This study shows it can exceed 200 millimeters, and many vegetated areas may even store over 2 meters of water.
• Drought Resilience: Knowing these capacities can greatly improve models predicting how ecosystems cope with droughts and heatwaves.

This research could aid in water management, particularly in regions like Idaho. By enhancing hydrological models, this study gives policymakers better tools to understand and prepare for droughts.

Zhao emphasized the broader implications: “By better quantifying how vegetation can store water, we can enhance our environmental strategies, predict risks of tree death and wildfires, and understand how ecosystems will adapt to climate change.”

Recent studies highlight that with increasing climate variability, understanding water storage becomes even more critical. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the frequency of extreme weather events has risen, underscoring the need for reliable data on water resources.

For deeper insights, check out the full study in Hydrology and Earth System Science, which promises to reshape how we study interactions between vegetation and water resources globally.

This research was funded by the U.S. Geological Survey, reflecting the importance of collaboration between academia and federal agencies in addressing pressing environmental issues.

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