The US Forest Service study found that New Hampshire has the highest percent tree cover (89%) and Connecticut has the highest urban tree cover (67%). Urban forestry is essential for sustaining urban forests, which provide environmental benefits such as air pollution reduction and heat island mitigation.
Researchers at Université Laval have developed a blue light to help people working night shifts regulate their biological clocks and get quality sleep. Preliminary results show that exposure to the blue light can improve sleep duration and quality among shift workers.
A study by the USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station found that Georgia's forest land area remained stable over the past 50 years, while timber inventory more than doubled. The majority of commercial timberland is privately owned, with individual or family forests making up a significant portion.
New research warns that Asia cannot achieve its climate and poverty reduction goals unless women's rights to forest and land resources are recognized. Women continue to be marginalized and excluded from decision-making processes in resource management, leading to environmental degradation and food insecurity.
A Northwestern University study reveals that farmers and ranchers with major limb amputations struggle with durable, affordable, and adaptable prosthetics. These limitations hinder their ability to perform farm tasks, making traditional prosthetic solutions unsuitable for their unique needs.
The US Department of the Navy has initiated a project to conserve the fadang tree species in Guam, with over 90% of trees killed by invasive insects. The partnership between the Navy and University of Guam aims to develop strategies for successful cycad transplantation and conservation.
Researchers discovered commercial rodenticide in dead fishers in Humboldt County and Yosemite National Park, linked to illegal marijuana farms. The poison, anticoagulant rodenticides, can cause uncontrollable bleeding and is toxic even after a single ingestion.
Researchers at UBC's Wine Research Centre created a strain of yeast that prevents allergic reactions, producing hypoallergenic wine. The team aims to improve Canadian wines' competitiveness globally by sequencing the genome of Chardonnay grapes.
A climate model reveals that pre-industrial emissions from land use changes account for 9% of the increase in global mean temperature since the industrial revolution. Historical CO2 emissions from China and India, largely driven by population growth, continue to impact the atmosphere and climate today.
A Yale study found that traditional stoves are preferred in rural Bangladesh over modern, cleaner alternatives due to affordability concerns. The demand for non-traditional cookstoves is low and highly sensitive to price, highlighting the need for affordable, effective solutions.
A recent study found that native plant restoration alone is not enough to prevent non-native species invasion in Hawaii's tropical dry forests. Instead, long-term sustainability measures are needed to manage non-native species and ensure ecosystem resilience.
Researchers found that mesquite biomass can be a viable option for bioenergy use, with the potential to offset higher harvest and transport costs. The study estimated costs of delivered biomass at $347-561 per acre, depending on the density and harvesting scenario.
A massive die-off of pinyon pine and juniper trees in the Southwest threatens to unleash devastating soil erosion and exacerbate water scarcity in the Colorado River basin. The trees' loss is expected to lead to increased dust storms, melting snowpacks, and reduced river flows.
Conservationists hope that Cambodia's vultures can come back from the brink as a study reveals critical steps towards saving these scavengers. The creation of new feeding stations and restoration of wildlife populations represent next important steps in vulture conservation.
Research suggests that top predators play a crucial role in extinction risk, as they can amplify the effects of climate change on other species. Studying these biotic multipliers and their interactions with other species is essential to improve predictions of climate change impacts.
A Yale graduate student has developed a method for detecting an infectious pathogen driving amphibian extinctions worldwide. By analyzing preserved specimens, she found evidence of the pathogen in six older samples from Connecticut, revealing its early presence in the region.
Zacharie Tchoundjeu, a forestry conservationist in Cameroon, and Martha Ruiz Corzo, an environmental activist in Mexico, win the National Geographic/Buffett Award. They are recognized for their outstanding work in conservation and community-based management of protected areas.
Researchers found that predators can alter how microbes break down organic matter, leading to changes in soil carbon dioxide release and decomposition rates. This highlights the importance of considering animal influence on ecosystem functioning, especially in an era of biodiversity loss.
Retention forestry is a management practice that deliberately leaves selected trees standing during harvesting, reducing ecological simplification and preserving natural forest complexity. It brings benefits such as maintaining ecosystem services, increasing public acceptance, and ensuring habitat continuity.
A team from CREAF has analysed the ages of famous olive trees and found one that is 627 years old, much younger than previously thought. This study used classic dendrochronology methods and can also be useful for reconstructing climatic conditions.
Clemson University researcher Julia Frugoli has been awarded a nearly $600,000 four-year grant to study how plant roots communicate with each other to control growth. This research could lead to nitrogen-free farming methods that increase food supply and benefit agricultural production.
A global team of scientists led by Virginia Tech and the University of Tuscia has successfully traced the origin of the devastating kiwifruit pathogen Psa back to its likely source in China. The research used DNA sequencing technology to compare bacteria samples from around the world, revealing that they were nearly identical except fo...
The upcoming Sentinel-2 mission will fill the gap in research and operations, providing frequent coverage and high-resolution imagery. This will enable the monitoring of land cover, forests, agriculture, and glaciers, leading to better management of the environment and understanding of climate change.
A National Academy of Sciences study found that oil palm expansion will lead to a surge in greenhouse gas emissions, with peatlands being a critical contributor. The researchers suggest protecting forests, peatlands, and implementing sustainable practices to reduce emissions and maintain forest cover.
A historic workshop in Indonesia aimed to develop a national strategy on agroforestry research, identifying key challenges such as government partiality, land tenure insecurity, and trade-offs between conservation and development. Opportunities for agroforestry were also highlighted, including international support and knowledge sharing.
Researchers at UOG are using classical biological control with Puccinia spegazzinii to combat the aggressive climbing vine, which threatens plant biodiversity on Pacific islands. The rust fungus is highly damaging to Mikania's leaves, petioles, and stems, eliminating the need for toxic herbicides.
A new study reveals that genetically improved loblolly pines have increased carbon uptake and stem-wood production, with 17% and 13% increases respectively, over a 40-year period. This enhancement of the trees' ability to act as carbon sinks is expected to mitigate climate change.
A study by North Carolina State University has found that feral pigs in the state are exposed to Brucella suis, a harmful bacteria that can be transmitted to people through unsafe butchering and consumption of undercooked meat. The bacteria can also spread in pig populations, causing abortions in affected swine.
Research conducted by Oregon State University reveals that the loss of predators in the Northern Hemisphere has led to an increase in populations of moose, deer, and other large herbivores. This surge in population density is crippling young tree growth and reducing biodiversity, contributing to deforestation and reduced carbon sequest...
Researchers found that clear-cut logging significantly increases the risk of avalanches penetrating into forest cover. The study provides new methods and data to predict runout distances and assess risks to facilities below avalanche terrain. This knowledge is crucial for land-use planning and management of resources.
A Montana State University study found that population densities around some US national parks rose 2,000-3,100% between 1940 and 2000, while housing densities grew 11-13.6%. The study also identified unique challenges for each of the five land-use category categories, including wildland-protected and urban parks.
Modern nature conservation faces challenges in governing diverse ecosystems, with threats from human activities like forestry, agriculture, and fisheries. The study emphasizes the need for efficient governance to address these issues and halt biodiversity deterioration.
The USDA Forest Service's Eastern Forest and Western Wildland Environmental Threat Assessment Centers have unveiled a new satellite-based monitoring and assessment tool called ForWarn. This web-based tool recognizes and tracks potential forest disturbances caused by various natural or human-caused events, providing near-real-time views...
African farmers inaccurately perceive changes in climate and rainfall, highlighting the need for better climate information to improve farming practices. Researchers found variable precipitation concerns and changing seasonal patterns among survey respondents.
The Northern Forests Futures Project reports a 28% increase in forest coverage in the northern US, benefiting from carbon emissions collection and forestry jobs. However, threats to forests in the coming decades could undermine these gains due to invasive plants and diseases.
A new study found that Sumatran tigers are nearing extinction due to human activities such as forestry and agriculture. The study highlights the importance of preserving large contiguous forest blocks for tiger conservation.
The Mercyhurst research aims to assess the hemlock woolly adelgid's cold tolerance and predict its impact on Eastern US forests. The project will monitor environmental conditions across 20-25 hemlock stands in Pennsylvania, identifying factors that affect winter survival.
A study by the USDA Forest Service found that tree cover in US cities is declining at a rate of 4 million trees per year, mainly due to impervious cover and natural disasters. The greatest losses were seen in New Orleans, Houston, and Albuquerque, highlighting the need for comprehensive tree planting programs.
A study published in Nature Geoscience reveals that glaciers provide a significant source of modern organic carbon to downstream ecosystems, indicating the widespread influence of human activities on pristine environments. The findings suggest that glacier ecosystems are highly sensitive to climate warming and industrial pollution.
The biofuels industry is expected to become a commercially viable and environmentally sustainable solution for the world's growing energy demands. Researchers at the University of British Columbia are working to speed up the process of converting biomass into biofuels, making it cheaper and more efficient.
A study by Yale University researchers found that spotted salamanders breeding in contaminated roadside ponds are adapting to their toxic environments through rapid evolution. The salamanders' survival and growth rates improve in these conditions, suggesting they have developed a genetic advantage.
A study by Purdue University researchers found that greenhouse bedding plant growers can increase profits by providing cuttings with sufficient light. The study showed that plants rooted faster and were of higher quality when exposed to more light.
A complex genomic rearrangement causes a massive expansion of pigment cells in chickens, resulting in black skin and organs. Genetic studies in domestic animals have shed light on the process of evolution, with genomic rearrangements playing a significant role.
A Yale study found that removing sulfur from jet fuel has a small net cooling effect on the atmosphere. This is due to the formation of nitrate from nitrogen oxides in jet exhaust, which offsets the warming caused by sulfate particles formed by burning sulfur-laden fuel.
A new study published in Journal of Arid Environments found that climate change is causing widespread tree mortality and species loss in the Sahel region of Africa, with one in six trees dying between 1954 and 2002.
A new study using Landsat satellite data shows that Kirtland's warblers prefer young forests and forests that have been on fire. The researchers found that the age of the forest correlates strongly with its height, and that old forests with grazed underbrush provide suitable habitat for the warblers.
Researchers at Purdue University found that walnut trees are highly sensitive to certain climates and may struggle to survive in a changing environment. The trees' defense mechanisms against cold and extreme weather events could be compromised by climate change, leading to potential declines in the species.
DNA barcoding technology is being deployed to identify quack herbal medicines, reveal ancient Arctic life and expose what eats what in nature. The technique has sparked US Congressional hearings by exposing widespread 'fish fraud' and will be used to halt agricultural and forestry pests at borders.
A team of international experts has described the detailed structure of cellulose fibres in wood, crucial for developing strong, sustainable composite materials and second generation biofuels. The research reveals that enzymes can bind to specific surface areas on the cellulose fibres, making it easier to break down into glucose.
Rainfall is suspected to trigger the spread of foliar diseases, affecting agriculture and forestry. Researchers studied a single rain droplet's impact on leaves, finding two patterns of droplet ejection that lead to disease transmission. The study provides guidance for farmers on optimal plant spacing to prevent disease spread.
Researchers at UGA developed a 'super strain' of yeast that can efficiently ferment ethanol from pretreated pine, increasing ethanol production by up to 17.5% compared to previous studies. The new process has the potential to utilize forestry residues and waste, providing a sustainable alternative to traditional biofuels.
Researchers discovered a surprising link between deforestation and temperature changes, finding that areas north of 45 degrees latitude experience cooling effects due to increased albedo. However, this effect is not observed at lower latitudes, where deforestation may actually contribute to warming.
A study published in Nature found that forests are warmer than open areas north of 45 degrees latitude due to higher nighttime temperatures and sunlight absorption, but cooler south of 35 degrees latitude. Forests also have climatic benefits for maintaining or increasing forest cover in southern latitudes.
A Yale-led team found that deforestation in northern latitudes has a net cooling effect due to increased albedo from snow cover and reduced absorption of solar radiation. Temperatures decrease by an average of 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit north of Minnesota.
A University of Tennessee microbiologist is working on a biofilter to remove harmful algal toxins from water. The project aims to reduce the risk of toxins passing into water distribution systems and restore safe water resources.
A recent report provides new ideas on the carbon and energy benefits of forests and forest products. Sustainably managed forests can store and substitute carbon, while forest biomass-based energy uses less stored carbon, reducing fossil fuel emissions.
A new aerial robot system developed by University of Cincinnati researchers can provide real-time information about wildfire locations and movements, helping firefighters make informed decisions. The system, known as SIERRA, has been tested in West Virginia with a small fire and showed promising results.
A new study published in the journal Biofuels Bioproducts & Biorefinin suggests that wood-based biofuel can compete with corn ethanol for a share of the renewable fuels market. The research identifies opportunities to reduce costs and increase economic viability through technological advancements and economies-of-scale.
Ecosystem services have declined by 60% due to land conversion for food and fiber production. Experts recommend market-based solutions, such as cap-and-trade policies and certification schemes, to incentivize sustainable supply of these services.
A study by Arizona State University experts warns that some payment mechanisms for ecosystem services can be detrimental to the environment. The report highlights the need for carefully designed payment schemes to track changes in publicly owned environmental assets, similar to tracking economic indicators like GDP.