Conservation

USGS researchers are studying how forests respond to disturbance and drought and evaluating how forests may respond to future climate variability.

Drought can have long-term impacts on soils and agricultural production. USGS researchers are finding new ways to monitor and adapt soils to help managers adapt to drough and future climate change.

Drought poses a serious threat to the resilience of communities and ecosystems in the United States. Over the past several years, many regions have experienced extreme drought conditions, fueled by prolonged periods of reduced precipitation and exceptionally warm temperatures. As global temperatures continue to rise, the frequency, severity, and duration of droughts are expected to increase across...