Source link : https://earth-news.info/general/like-a-creeping-mold-thats-spreading-across-the-landscape-separate-dry-areas-around-the-world-are-merging-into-mega-drying-regions-at-an-alarming-rate-study-finds-live-science/
A newly published study reveals a troubling environmental trend: isolated dry areas around the globe are expanding and merging to form vast “mega-drying” regions at an unprecedented pace. Researchers warn that these spreading arid zones, described metaphorically as “like a creeping mold,” are reshaping landscapes and ecosystems worldwide, raising serious concerns about future water scarcity, agricultural productivity, and biodiversity. The findings underscore the urgent need for global attention and action to address the accelerating impacts of climate change on the planet’s most vulnerable drylands.
Drylands Expand Rapidly Creating Vast Mega-Drying Zones Across Continents
Scientists have observed a dramatic increase in the convergence of drylands, leading to the formation of extensive mega-drying zones that span multiple continents. These expanding arid regions are no longer isolated pockets but are merging, drastically altering local climates and ecosystems. This encroachment threatens biodiversity, water availability, and agricultural productivity, impacting millions of people dependent on these landscapes. Experts liken the process to a creeping mold spreading relentlessly across fertile grounds, reducing once-thriving areas into expansive zones of drought and degradation.
Key drivers behind this alarming trend include:
- Climate change: Rising temperatures exacerbate evaporation rates and reduce precipitation.
- Land-use changes: Overgrazing and…
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Author : earthnews
Publish date : 2025-08-15 13:31:00
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