A regional nuclear conflict would compromise global food security

A limited nuclear war between India and Pakistan could ignite fires large enough to emit more than 5 Tg of soot into the stratosphere. Climate model simulations have shown severe resulting climate perturbations with declines in global mean temperature by 1.8 °C and precipitation by 8%, for at least 5 y. Here we evaluate impacts for the global food system. Six harmonized state-of-the-art crop models show that global caloric production from maize, wheat, rice, and soybean falls by 13 (±1)%, 11 (±8)%, 3 (±5)%, and 17 (±2)% over 5 y. Total single-year losses of 12 (±4)% quadruple the largest observed historical anomaly and exceed impacts caused by historic droughts and volcanic eruptions. Colder temperatures drive losses more than changes in precipitation and solar radiation, leading to strongest impacts in temperate regions poleward of 30°N, including the United States, Europe, and China for 10 to 15 y. Integrated food trade network analyses show that domestic reserves and global trade can largely buffer the production anomaly in the first year. Persistent multiyear losses, however, would constrain domestic food availability and propagate to the Global South, especially to food-insecure countries. By year 5, maize and wheat availability would decrease by 13% globally and by more than 20% in 71 countries with a cumulative population of 1.3 billion people. In view of increasing instability in South Asia, this study shows that a regional conflict using <1% of the worldwide nuclear arsenal could have adverse consequences for global food security unmatched in modern history

A Regional Nuclear Conflict Would Compromise Global Food Security

A limited nuclear war between India and Pakistan could ignite fires large enough to emit more than 5 Tg of soot into the stratosphere. Climate model simulations have shown severe resulting climate perturbations with declines in global mean temperature by 1.8 C and precipitation by 8%, for at least 5 y. Here we evaluate impacts for the global food system. Six harmonized state-of-the-art crop models show that global caloric production from maize, wheat, rice, and soybean falls by 13 (1)%, 11 (8)%, 3 (5)%, and 17 (2)% over 5 y. Total single-year losses of 12 (4)% quadruple the largest observed historical anomaly and exceed impacts caused by historic droughts and volcanic eruptions. Colder temperatures drive losses more than changes in precipitation and solar radiation, leading to strongest impacts in temperate regions poleward of 30N, including the United States, Europe, and China for 10 to 15 y. Integrated food trade network analyses show that domestic reserves and global trade can largely buffer the production anomaly in the first year. Persistent multiyear losses, however, would constrain domestic food availability and propagate to the Global South, especially to food-insecure countries. By year 5, maize and wheat availability would decrease by 13% globally and by more than 20% in 71 countries with a cumulative population of 1.3 billion people. In view of increasing instability in South Asia, this study shows that a regional conflict using <1% of the worldwide nuclear arsenal could have adverse consequences for global food security unmatched in modern history

Food preferences of captive northern flying squirrels from the Lassen National Forest in northeastern California

Hypogeous sporocarps of mycorrhizal fungi (truffles) are a common food of northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus) and many other species of small mammals. Forest management practices and natural disturbances can affect both total amounts and species composition of truffles. We conducted cafeteria-style feeding trials to compare preferences of northern flying squirrels captured in the Lassen National Forest in northeastern California among sporocarps of 5 species of fungi (3 truffle species and 2 species of secotioid fungi), 2 species of lichens, and fir (Abies magnifica and A. concolor) seeds. Feeding trials were performed on 7 male squirrels for 4 consecutive nights. Mean proportion of food eaten varied significantly among the 3 truffle species, between the 2 species of secotioid fungi, and between the 2 lichen species. Mean proportion of food eaten was greatest for 2 of the truffle species, followed by the lichen Bryoria fremontii. These results indicate that northern flying squirrels preferred truffles over certain types of other naturally occurring foods, and that preference varied significantly among sporocarps of different fungal species. Natural disturbance and forest management that alter the species composition of fungal sporocarps are likely to affect the availability of foods preferred by northern flying squirrelsZabel and Waters "Food preferences of captive northern flying squirrels from the Lassen National Forest in northeastern California." Northwest Science. 1997; 71(2): 103-10

Associations between prey abundance, forest structure, and habitat use patterns of spotted owls in California

Volume: 27Start Page: 58End Page: 5

Diets and foraging behavior of northern Spotted Owls in Oregon

Volume: 38Start Page: 214End Page: 23