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A widespread trend of increasing dryness, known as aridification, is influencing ecosystems and communities around the world. This phenomenon currently impacts approximately 2.3 billion individuals and 40% of the planet’s terrestrial area, raising significant concerns for agricultural practices and water management, particularly within the United States. From the Central Valley in California to the Great Plains—regarded as a major agricultural region—farmers are grappling with critical choices regarding crop selection, irrigation methods, and strategies to cope with an uncertain water future.
The insights into this pressing issue are detailed in a publication in Nature Water, spearheaded by Narcisa Pricope, Associate Vice President and Professor at Mississippi State University, alongside an international team of researchers.
Julie Jordan, the university’s vice president for research and economic development, remarked, “Mississippi State is at the forefront of addressing global challenges, and Dr. Pricope’s research illustrates how our scientists are linking international scientific efforts with tangible solutions that influence policies and practices, thereby enhancing global resilience.”
This research was showcased at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, a vital forum where scientific findings inform policy development. During this event, Pricope and her colleagues contributed to shaping worldwide strategies to mitigate the long-term risks associated with persistent drying, moving beyond the scope of temporary drought events to address ongoing water scarcity.
“The findings have significant ramifications for Mississippi,” Pricope explained. “When agricultural lands face drying trends, it’s not just farmers that are adversely affected. Water management becomes more complex, ecosystems start to falter, and rural communities—already facing challenges—encounter even greater difficulties.”
The research emphasizes a range of adaptive measures that can bolster resilience in Mississippi and the broader U.S. Some of these strategies include implementing advanced irrigation techniques, utilizing data analytics for improved monitoring, cultivating drought-resistant crops, and rehabilitating degraded lands to enhance water retention and mitigate long-term risks.
There is a strong emphasis on shifting from a reactive approach to proactive planning, which aligns water management, land restoration, and agricultural support into a cohesive strategy.
“Aridification is not merely a distant global challenge with no impact on our lives here in Mississippi or across the U.S.,” Pricope asserted. “Immediate action is essential to safeguard our agricultural practices, forests, and the well-being of our communities.”
More information: Narcisa G. Pricope et al, Increasing aridification calls for urgent global adaptive solutions and policy action, Nature Water (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s44221-025-00432-9
Provided by Mississippi State University
Citation: New study highlights global aridification, threat to agriculture (2025, April 27) retrieved 27 April 2025 from https://phys.org/news/2025-04-highlights-global-aridification-threat-agriculture.html
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