A new study indicates that extreme heat and drought conditions, like those experienced during the 2023-24 El Niño, may become annual norms for tropical forests within 20 years. This would have severe consequences for the forests' ability to recover between extreme weather events and for the communities that rely on them for food and li...
A new study reveals that North Carolina's coastal forests have lost over 20% of their landmass between 1985 and 2021, with the rate of loss accelerating after 2010. Sea level rise and extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and droughts, have contributed to the widespread conversion of forests to ghost forests, shrubs, and marshes.
Researchers found that Swiss forests are no longer shielded from the worst effects of summer droughts, despite growing at high altitudes. The study, published in Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, reveals that the number of trees per stand is reduced due to drought, causing a progressive decline of these precious forests.
Old-growth forests in Northern Europe are vital for biodiversity, climate regulation, and cultural heritage, but face threats from logging and habitat destruction. A new review provides science-based indicators for identifying and protecting these ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of considering the forest as a whole.
Cocoa farmers in West Africa face a new climate threat: excessive rainfall. Scientists at Harvard University discovered that predicting extreme rains could help protect harvests. The study found that heavy rain during the wet season and dry season can damage cocoa crops, leading to price volatility and reduced production.
Europe's forests are losing their ability to recover due to increased damage from drought, storms, wildfires, and insect outbreaks. A new policy brief calls for forest resilience to become a measurable objective of European policy, underpinned by long-term ecosystem observation and monitoring.
Seaweed forests globally are experiencing rapid declines due to climate change, with an estimated 25 million hectares lost by 2050. Restoration efforts may not be enough to compensate for these losses, with tens of thousands of projects needed at a significant cost. The study highlights the need to focus on preventing habitat loss as a...
A new study concludes that periodical cicadas could be heading toward extinction due to the historical loss of old-growth forests, which are their sole food source. The insects are unable to adapt to new habitats, making it unlikely for them to recolonize restored forests.
A new study found that forests with greater tree species diversity show smaller declines in productivity during compound climate extremes and recover more effectively afterwards. Biodiversity acts as a form of biological insurance, helping forests maintain stability in an increasingly unpredictable climate.
A UBC-led study finds that insects pose a more immediate threat to North American forests, with over 60% of areas projected to experience 30% more insect pressure by mid-century. Climate change and pests could jeopardize critical carbon sinks and air quality, costing billions of dollars in economic losses.
Researchers found that maintaining old-growth forest bird populations requires a forest rotation period of at least 90 years or 10% clearcutting threshold. The study provides a concrete target for ecologically sustainable forest management, reconciling forest use with biodiversity protection.
A new study reveals that the loss of kelp forests has a significant impact on microbial levels, leading to changes in ecosystem functioning and potentially affecting human services such as nutrient retention and carbon storage. The research highlights the importance of considering the microbial component in understanding ecosystem change.
A new study finds that rain falling through wildfire smoke can deliver unusually large bursts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to ecosystems in the United States. The nutrient pulses could become an increasingly important ecological consequence of fire as wildfires become more frequent.
Scientists warn that Canada's boreal forests absorb enough heat to offset 6-20% of their climate benefit, due to their dark surface reflecting winter sunlight. Mixed forests with deciduous trees and moderate densities outperform dense evergreen monocultures in delivering climate cooling.
Prolonged greenhouse warming during the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum caused rapid forest thinning, reshaped plant communities, and reduced vegetation carbon storage. Modern forests may lose capacity to store carbon, accelerating climate change.
A study by Colorado State University and others found that fast-moving forest fires burn more area severely, leaving fewer trees to reseed the landscape. This can lead to long-term ecological change rather than recovery.
A recent study published in Nature analyzed satellite estimates of biomass from tropical forests in the Amazon, Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia. The research found that temperature, aridity, soil nutrients, and other environmental variables affect forest biomass differently across regions.
A recent study found that tropical tree species exhibit substantial variation in their hydraulic traits to match local water availability, making them more drought-resistant. This adaptation could sharpen our understanding of forest resilience and carbon storage.
The study reveals a sharp increase in biomass losses due to climate change-related events, with Central European forests being particularly impacted. The findings raise concerns about the European Union's ability to meet its climate goals, highlighting the need for adapted forest management practices.
Research from the University of Reading shows that cutting air pollution globally can strengthen the Indian monsoon, increasing rainfall by 0.28 millimetres a day across the country. The study found that regional action alone can have the opposite effect, reducing rainfall in parts of India.
New research reveals altitude-dependent carbon storage mechanisms in diverse forest ecosystems. High-altitude conifer forests excel at storing carbon in biomass, while lower-elevation mixed broadleaf forests stabilize soil carbon. Effective forest management requires altitude-specific approaches to conserve biomass and enhance soil org...
Researchers found that taller trees have an advantage in younger forests due to increased light capture, but shade-tolerant species thrive under tall canopies in older forests. This study reveals a mechanistic explanation for forest succession and offers insights into climate modeling and forest management.
A new pantropical carbon database synthesizes data from 146 studies to better understand the impact of forest degradation and regeneration on the global carbon cycle. The study reveals that degraded forests recover faster than fully cleared land, while preserving forest structure enhances carbon recovery.
A new pantropical carbon database synthesizes data from 146 studies to better understand the effects of forest degradation and regeneration on the global carbon cycle. The study reveals that degraded forests recover faster than fully cleared land, accumulating more above-ground carbon over time.
Planted forests in China experience more frequent flash droughts than natural forests, averaging 7.05 events every five years. In contrast, natural forests face more slow droughts, with a 12% lower risk of prolonged droughts.
Researchers at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) have successfully addressed an airflow anomaly caused by heavy rain, thanks to data-driven decisions and advanced airflow sensors. By analyzing this phenomenon, they've gained valuable insights for underground operations worldwide.
A new study based on global airborne surveys found that forests in the tropics take up less carbon than predicted, and models struggle to simulate carbon dioxide uptake in forests north and south of the tropics. Regular airborne missions could narrow uncertainty further.
Global review of kelp conservation found strongest restoration programs built on unlikely partnerships. Communities have a direct stake in outcome for kelp forests to thrive.
A new tool, utilizing hourly soil moisture data from the SNOTEL Network, provides unprecedented insight into storm impacts on mountain snowpacks. This enables water managers to optimize reservoir operations and reduce uncertainty around flooding events.
Research reveals US forests face significant risk of carbon loss due to wildfires, droughts, and insects. Current carbon-credit systems fail to account for these risks, but the study provides a solution by proposing larger buffer pools to mitigate losses.
A study finds that US forests are at risk of releasing stored carbon due to droughts, pests, and fires exacerbated by climate change. The researchers recommend increasing buffer pools in carbon-credit systems to account for these risks.
Researchers from Colorado State University are investigating the effects of rain falling on snow in the Arctic, which can influence animal behavior and habitat quality. They aim to develop a snow modeling tool to better predict changes to the environment and support decision-making for communities that rely on wildlife.
Researchers found that convective storms exert a stronger influence on biomass carbon turnover time in Amazonian forests than drought stress-related indicators. The study projects a decline of up to 15% in biomass carbon turnover time by the end of this century under high-emissions scenarios.
A study by Ohio State University found that certain tree species, such as red maple and northern catalpa, are more resilient to heat and water stress. Urban forests can provide natural cooling, reducing summer electricity usage, but require careful management and investment in irrigation systems.
A major analysis found that four in five REDD+ projects successfully protected forests. Many projects have slowed deforestation despite over-crediting; 'bad credits' do not necessarily mean bad projects.
MIT researchers found plants respond to sound waves generated by raindrops, stimulating germination. Seeds exposed to rain sounds germinated 30-40% faster than those not exposed.
A study by University of California, Davis found that California's conifer forests have lost between 6% and 11% of their area over the past three decades due to wildfires. Reforestation efforts are not keeping pace with the losses, with only about 1% of deforested Forest Service lands being replanted between 2016 and 2023.
Researchers found a significant reduction in tree-ring growth after major hurricanes, but these trees can recover quickly within two years. Coastal forests in the Northeastern US are vulnerable to sea-level rise and stand dead or dying trees, posing a threat to densely populated communities.
A new book by Dr. Suzanne Simard outlines a different approach to forest stewardship, emphasizing the importance of retaining mature trees and protecting soils, biodiversity, and underground fungal networks. The research shows that intact and lightly harvested forests store more carbon and support stronger recovery over time.
Experiment with 195 students in Germany found that local forest soundscapes had stronger positive effects on mental wellbeing, especially when participants felt familiar with the sounds. The study revealed that perceived animal diversity and familiarity played a significant role in triggering feelings of awe and restoration.
A new study reveals that tropical trees have more positive interactions with their neighbors, leading to increased diversity and richness in these ecosystems. This finding may help explain why tropical forests are home to so many tree species.
A large regional species pool, driven by favorable climates, varied habitats, and stable historical climates, supports both high diversity and many rare trees. Forests with larger species pools require prioritized protection to preserve forest diversity and save rare and endemic species from human disturbance.
A recent study by the University of Eastern Finland found that young translocal forest owners in Finland often compromise on their values due to financial incentives and limited information on alternative methods. Sentimental value was identified as a key factor, with forests holding emotional significance for many owners.
Researchers studying ghost forests along the mid-Atlantic coastline found that changes in stemflow chemistry affect carbon cycling and microbial communities. The team's findings suggest that understanding these processes can help predict which forests are most vulnerable to sea level rise.
A new field study reveals that biochar can significantly restore soil health and nitrogen availability in forests affected by acid rain. Biochar triggers major biological changes in the soil, enhancing microbial biomass and increasing nitrogen use efficiency.
A new study from Lund University reveals that old-growth forests in Sweden store 78-89% more carbon than managed forests, mainly due to large carbon stocks in the soil. The study's findings have significant implications for climate change mitigation and forest management.
A new study reveals that old-growth forests in Sweden store 72% more carbon per acre than managed forests, with a significant gap due to soil losses. Restoring primary forests could keep nearly 8 billion tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
A new study in Sweden reveals that primary forests store up to 72% more carbon than managed secondary forests. Soils account for the largest carbon store and convertion may have a greater climate impact than previously thought.
A study monitored 60 carcasses in tropical dry forests, finding that better-preserved forests host more diverse scavenger communities with up to 11 species detected. In contrast, degraded environments have simplified communities dominated by opportunistic species, leading to faster carcass consumption.
A pilot initiative led by University College London is using highly detailed 3D scans to estimate tree structure, volume, and stored carbon in tropical rainforests. This data helps scientists better understand how much biomass forests contain, essential for tracking climate change.
Researchers from the University of British Columbia argue that forests can alter the frequency and probability of floods, including major events. They call for a shift in how flood impacts are evaluated, moving away from single event comparisons and toward assessing how forests affect flood risk over time.
A study found that forest conversion harm dung beetles by increasing temperatures and drying out the ground, making it hostile for them. The key species, Anoplotrupes stercorosus, is particularly affected, with its population declining as temperatures rise.
A new study estimates that each hectare of tropical forest generates 2.4 million litres of rain annually, enough to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool. This process is known as evapotranspiration, where the sun's energy is used to transfer moisture from the leaves into the atmosphere.
Global study finds that nitrogen pollution causes forests to follow two distinct patterns in response to added nutrients, with some experiencing a boost and others collapsing. The findings highlight the importance of reducing nitrogen levels to stabilize forest soil carbon pools and maintain natural respiration rhythms.
A University of Stirling professor has warned that tree-planting may not be as effective at reducing climate change as previously assumed due to potential soil carbon losses. The study found that deep soils in forests may lose more carbon over time than expected, which could reduce the net climate benefits of tree planting.
The study highlights the impact of fire exclusion on mature and old-growth forests, which are culturally, economically, and ecologically significant. Researchers estimate that fire refugia could reduce the overall risk of severe fire by up to 20% in western Oregon, Washington, and California.
The world's forests are becoming homogenized, with fast-growing tree species dominating landscapes. Biodiversity is declining as slow-growing, specialized species disappear, compromising ecosystem stability and carbon storage. Active ecosystem management is essential to halt the loss of these threatened species.
Research reveals significant shifts in tree diversity among tropical forests driven by global change, with some areas experiencing declines in species richness while others gain species.
A new study found that US forests have stored more carbon in the past two decades than at any time in the last century. Natural forces such as temperature, precipitation, and carbon fertilization are among the largest contributors to carbon gains, while human drivers like tree-planting and forest management also play a role.
Research found that deciduous tree dominance reduces wildfire carbon losses in boreal forests, storing more carbon above ground and releasing less in deep organic soils. This shift could help slow climate warming by reducing carbon emissions per unit area burned.