A study found that China's reforestation programs failed to protect native forests, with overall tree cover growing mainly from monoculture plantations. Researchers advocate for stronger incentives to prioritize native forest restoration.
A new analysis of the 2013 Douglas Complex fire reveals that young plantation forests experienced higher severity fires than nearby public forests. Daily weather was the most significant driver, but ownership, forest age, and topography also played critical roles.
A recent study by University of Guam researcher Ann Marie Gawel suggests that feral pigs might be an unlikely forest ally in regenerating native plant species on the island. Pigs were found to have a positive impact on seed dispersal in limestone karst forests, whereas deer had negative effects.
New research finds that thinning forests due to wildfires can reduce water stress and save up to 17 billion gallons of water annually. This approach may help offset the costs of forest restoration, which could increase water flow from Sierra Nevada watersheds by as much as 10 percent.
A new study finds that maintaining a forest's natural shape is crucial in preventing its collapse. The research uses high-resolution satellite data to show that the shape of forests follows a predictable mathematical relationship between perimeter and area, which can help predict stability.
The use of wood pellets for clean energy is limited by the loss of carbon sequestration in forests and the impact on biodiversity. The process also requires fossil fuels during manufacturing and overseas shipping, negating any potential carbon neutrality.
Climate change is altering eastern US forests, leading to shifts in tree species composition and reduced biomass, which affects carbon storage. Drought-tolerant trees are slower-growing, making forests more responsive to drying or wetting, amplifying the effects of climate change.
A new map by University of Colorado Boulder researchers shows wide variability in how and why different areas receive snow or rain. Coastal areas have a cooler threshold for rain, while inland and mountainous areas are more likely to see flurries even above freezing temperatures.
Researchers are monitoring kelp forests in the Gulf of Maine to establish a baseline for future change. They believe a lack of sea urchin predators has contributed to their return, particularly in Midcoast and Down East regions.
A recent study found that soil fungi can impact the ability of forests to adapt to climate change. Soil carbon-to-nitrogen ratios increase with ECM dominance and are more associated with low soil nitrogen levels. This suggests that mycorrhizal guilds may be emerging functional traits that define species in terms of their ecological roles.
A USDA Forest Service study projects that urban land will more than double between 2010 and 2060, affecting forest and agricultural lands. Urban forests are expected to provide billions of dollars in benefits through improved air quality, climate change mitigation, and reduced energy use.
A Duke University study found that reduced forest elephant populations will lead to significant changes in tree species composition and structure, as well as understory density and nutrient availability. Without intervention, up to 96% of Central Africa's forests may undergo major transformations.
Tropical Cyclone Dumazile brought extremely heavy rainfall to Madagascar, with over 210 mm of precipitation reported along the northeastern coast. The GPM satellite detected intense bands of rain and storms dropping rain at rates of up to 160 mm/hour, causing widespread flooding.
Research found that older tropical forests can access deeper soil layers during droughts, while younger forests struggle to survive due to shallower root systems. This study has implications for reforestation efforts and understanding forest responses to climate change.
A University of East Anglia study finds that current payment schemes for forest carbon credits are insufficient to compete with the financial benefits of logging and converting forests to rubber plantations. To effectively protect tropical forests, payment amounts must be significantly increased.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission captured intense rainfall rates exceeding 5.1 inches per hour in southwestern Arkansas. Life-threatening flood conditions resulted from over 10 inches of rain, with storm tops reaching heights above 5.6 miles.
A study using landscape genetics identified a decline in the endangered maple Acer miyabei's population due to habitat loss and fragmentation. The research highlights the importance of preserving forests along rivers and surrounding them to maintain gene flow, ensuring the long-term survival of this unique species.
Intact forests are crucial for addressing climate change and protecting wildlife, critical watersheds, indigenous cultures, and human health. The study recommends prioritizing forest conservation based on their relative values, highlighting the need for global policy interventions to safeguard remaining intact forests.
Researchers combined fieldwork and computational models with satellite images to shed light on seasonal patterns in the Amazon. They found that biological processes, such as leaf growth and shedding, are more complex than previously thought, influencing canopy greenness.
A new study found that declines in specific Amazonian tree communities are linked to the loss of large vertebrate populations. The research, published in the Journal of Ecology, suggests that defaunation may not lead to massive biomass losses, but further on-the-ground research is needed to understand its long-term impact.
A recent study by Oregon State University researchers found that old-growth forests in Costa Rica's Coto Brus region have a greater variety of bird species compared to second-growth forests. This suggests that maintaining large areas of primary forest is crucial for conservation efforts.
Researchers have discovered a new role for large-scale fires and high nitrogen deposition in the ecology and biogeochemistry of Central African forests. The findings suggest that massive tracts of biomass from savannas are swept up into the atmosphere and deposited on the forests, stimulating growth in certain species.
Researchers classify world's tropical forests by evolutionary history, uncovering five major regions and finding surprising similarities between African and South American forests. The study aims to inform conservation efforts by predicting region-specific vulnerability to global environmental changes.
NASA and Japan's GPM core satellite tracked heavy rainfall from Tropical Cyclone Fehi's remnants in New Zealand. Rainfall rates exceeded 268 mm/h, with some areas experiencing intense storms that dropped over 10 inches of rain in just 12 hours.
A recent study by FSU researchers found that high carbon dioxide levels stimulate flower production in tropical forests. The findings suggest that these forests may be more sensitive to climate change than expected.
Research on turbulent broadening of cloud droplet size distributions and warm rain initiation has made significant progress in recent years. The study highlights the effects of turbulence on spectral broadening and collision-coalescence processes, with Chinese scientists playing a key role.
A new study found significant decreases in tree regeneration following 21st century wildfires, highlighting the loss of forest resilience. The research team analyzed data from over 1,500 sites across five states, measuring seedlings growing in areas burned by wildfires during the past three decades.
A new study estimates that sustainability certification significantly reduced deforestation in Indonesian plantations, saving 21 square kilometers of forests from destruction. However, the actual area conserved was surprisingly small, and more robust protection is necessary to effectively conserve tropical forests.
Researchers found significant decreases in tree regeneration following wildfires in the early 21st century, a period marked by hotter and drier conditions. This decline in forest resilience will take much longer to recover after a wildfire, with some areas showing no seedlings growing.
Researchers at Yale University have reestimated African deforestation, finding a 21.7% loss of closed-canopy forests since 1900. The study highlights the importance of focusing conservation efforts in areas with actual deforestation rather than incorrectly labelled savannas.
New research shows that decades-old logging restrictions have failed to reverse population declines of spotted owls in US national forests due to a 'tree deficit', requiring longer-term restoration efforts. The study found stable owl populations in nearby national parks with intact habitats.
Researchers found that tigers are clinging to survival in low-density populations due to habitat loss and fragmentation. The study revealed that primary forests are 47% more abundant than degraded forests, and extensive clearing has disproportionately reduced tiger numbers.
A new study using remote sensing and satellite mapping has identified 40% of northern Malaysian Borneo's carbon stocks in unprotected forests. The Carnegie Airborne Observatory mapped carbon stocks, guiding conservation efforts and suggesting that doubling carbon stocks could be achieved by allowing previously logged forests to regener...
Heavy downpours caused schools and universities to close in Jeddah, with GPM's radar measuring precipitation at rates of over 115.5 mm/h and 90 mm/h. A 3-D view of the storms was created using data from NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement Mission.
A new study found that higher biodiversity in forests leads to faster tree growth, increased carbon storage, and improved pest resistance. Forest managers can simultaneously improve multiple ecosystem functions without negatively affecting each other.
Researchers found that young, managed forests cause higher stress levels and lower survival rates in willow tits due to reduced food availability and increased predation risks. About 92% of the birds sheltering in older trees survived the winter, compared to nearly 73% in younger plantations.
A set of fundamental tactics can be used to combat the challenges brought on by pests in rapidly changing forests. Eight general tactics for improved pest management include growth of practical theory, improved biosecurity, and management plans that anticipate continuing change.
Researchers found that poison-ivy can co-exist with knotweed, supporting native understory plant species and tree seedlings. This unexpected partnership could help restore degraded forest ecosystems threatened by knotweed invasion.
A new study reveals that logged rainforests in Borneo retain their ability to support biodiversity, with temperatures comparable to pristine forests. This discovery highlights the resilience of these ecosystems and underscores their importance for conservation efforts.
A new study reveals that Amazonian communities with access to healthy fish stocks and large areas of intact forest do not empty their forests through sustainable subsistence hunting. However, large-bodied species and those forming large groups are depleted near communities, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts.
A new study reveals that tropical forests are now a net source of carbon to the atmosphere, emitting nearly 425 teragrams annually. Despite gains from forest growth, losses due to degradation and disturbance account for most emissions, with Latin America bearing the brunt of loss.
Researchers found that indigenous groups intentionally used fire to manage plant-life in temperate rain forests, leaving trees alive and keeping the forest open. The study suggests that this practice has been ongoing for centuries, contradicting traditional views of these forests as 'pristine' and 'untouched'.
NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite provided a thermal image of Hurricane Maria, revealing the strongest sides of the storm. The National Weather Service reported heavy rain causing flooding in eastern Puerto Rico, with flood warnings issued until 5:45 p.m. EDT.
Researchers found that tree species with drought tolerance traits and soil amendments like rice hulls and hydrogel improved seedling survival. The study provides a general approach to screen native tree species for restoration, offering hope for restoring tropical dry forests.
Irma dropped extremely heavy rain, up to 20 inches, across Cuba and Florida, causing severe flooding. The post-tropical cyclone weakened over Georgia, but its remnants produced additional 1-3 inch rain accumulations across the southeastern US.
NASA's GPM satellite detected strengthening in Tropical Storm Jose, indicating towering thunderstorms and heavy rain rates of over 5.3 inches per hour. The storm intensified into a hurricane on September 6, 2017, with maximum sustained winds near 90 mph.
Tens of thousands of years of human impact on tropical forests have had significant consequences, including extinctions, soil erosion, and reduced biodiversity. However, indigenous agricultural strategies can minimize environmental damage when implemented sustainably.
A new study by ICRAF and Princeton University proposes payment schemes for rural communities to protect and restore China's native forests on collectively owned land. The researchers argue that existing policies neglect these lands and fail to promote biodiversity and ecosystem health.
A study by University of Missouri researchers found that conservation payment programs in Ecuador's Amazon Basin forests reduced deforestation and maintained biodiversity. The protected areas had twice the number of species of commercial timber value and at risk of extinction compared to non-protected forests.
Heavy rain caused significant flooding in the US Midwest from July 7 to 14, 2017. NASA's satellite data showed parts of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio received over 6 inches of rain.
Tropical Storm Nanmadol caused severe flooding and one death in southwestern Japan. The GPM satellite measured intense precipitation bands, with rain falling at a rate of over 3.3 inches per hour in an area near the Korea Strait.
A global study reveals that tropical forests' unique self-suppression mechanism favors rare tree species, contributing to their diversity. In temperate forests, this effect is weaker, allowing common species to dominate.
Research found that tropical trees have fewer neighbors to compete with, allowing for more space for rare species. This phenomenon, CNDD, contributes to the higher biodiversity in tropical forests compared to temperate regions.
NASA tracked Tropical Storm Merbok's rainfall rates and 3D structure before it made landfall east of Hong Kong. The storm showed intense precipitation patterns, with rain falling at a rate of over 57 millimeters per hour in one of its rain bands.
Researchers found that forest biomass had a major peak at altitudes of 2400-3100m, where forests struggle to reach more than 15m tall. This discovery challenges the assumption that tall mountains make small trees and reveals unique climate conditions on mountain tops of PNG.
A new study by scientists from the Universities of Oxford, Montana, and the US Forest Service highlights novel approaches to tackling deforestation. The team built a multi-scale model of deforestation on Borneo's island using machine learning algorithms, predicting future deforestation risk faced by remaining forests.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that Myanmar's intact forest cover declined by 11% between 2002 and 2014, with a significant loss of 2 million hectares. The researchers suggest prioritizing protection of intact forests and exploring alternative sustainable forest management practices.
Researchers found that heavy rainfall on early Mars carved out river-like channels and altered impact craters, similar to Earth's effects. The study used physics principles to understand the relationship between Martian atmosphere pressure, raindrop size, and rainfall intensity.
A UC Berkeley study has found significant flaws in research used to challenge the US Forest Service's plan to restore Sierra Nevada forests. The study, published in Ecological Applications, uses historic field data to estimate forest density and finds two major methodological flaws.
A new study found that tropical forests will accelerate their growth in response to increased rainfall, which could lead to greater carbon sequestration. However, the authors caution that climate change still poses a threat to these ecosystems in the short term.