[MCN] Can heat cause drying of the land surface?

[Lance Olsen]

Google AI Overview

Yes, heat is a primary driver of land surface drying. High temperatures increase the atmosphere's "thirst" for moisture. This causes water in soil, vegetation, and streams to evaporate at much faster rates through a process called evapotranspiration. [1 <https://www.climatesignals.org/climate-signals/land-surface-drying-increase>, 2 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnoqzm5-MXw>]

This creates a self-amplifying cycle: as the land surface dries out, the sun's energy is no longer used to evaporate water, causing local air temperatures to rise even further. [1 <https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/17720/noaa_17720_DS1.pdf>]


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"Direct effects of climatic warming can be understood through fatal decrements in an organism's performance in growth, reproduction, foraging, immune competence, behaviors and competitiveness.”


Portner and Farrell. Physiology and Climate Change. Science  October 31 2008

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