New research from the University of Montana suggests that climate-change driven increases in rainfall in warm, wet forests will cause increased plant growth. This is a positive outcome for reducing global carbon dioxide levels, as it removes CO2 from the atmosphere through plant growth.
Scientists have created a global map measuring the cooling effect of forests by regulating water and energy exchange between the Earth's surface and atmosphere. This new statistical model allows communities to pinpoint ideal locations for forest protection or reforestation efforts.
A new study reveals that tropical forest fragmentation leads to increased carbon emissions by a third, with edges releasing more CO2 due to unfavourable micro-climates. Researchers used satellite images and developed software to map forest fragments worldwide.
Research highlights trees' crucial role in retaining water and producing cooling moisture, enhancing food security and climate change adaptation. The study suggests a new perspective on the relationship between trees and water in addressing climate change.
Researchers found that light rain can disperse up to several thousand bacteria from the soil into the air, where they can travel long distances before settling back on the ground. Global precipitation may be responsible for releasing 1.6 to 25 percent of total bacteria emissions from land.
A new study suggests that ancient peoples domesticated tree species thousands of years ago, which are now more common in mature upland forests. The research found that a quarter of these domesticated species dominate large expanses of forest and are vital for the livelihood and economy of Amazonian peoples.
Scientists call for transparent and credible data to track the real mitigation potential of forests. Forests are expected to contribute up to 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions reductions by 2030.
Researchers found that tree death due to drought is consistent across environments worldwide, with denser wood and smaller leaves providing better resistance. Climate change implications include increased tree mortality and future global warming.
A new study found that Colorado's wildfire-stricken forests are not regenerating as expected, with only 2-38% of plots showing abundant regeneration. Climate change is expected to hinder further recovery, particularly in hotter and drier areas.
Researchers used remote sensing data to identify 36 forest functional classes and 6 groups, revealing conservation hotspots. The study found that 32-46% of each group is currently protected, with opportunities for protection in highly threatened forests.
New research suggests climate-protection policies focusing on tree diversity and carbon stocks could imperil the world's most biodiverse tropical forests. The study found that African forests store high levels of carbon but are species-poor, while Amazon and Asian forests have higher biodiversity but less carbon stored per hectare.
A series of moisture-laden storms has affected the western US, including California and the Pacific Northwest, causing extreme rain events and blanketeting the region in snow. The National Weather Service is forecasting heavy snows and periods of rain with potential flooding or flash flooding along the West Coast.
Researchers mapped carbon recovery in Amazonian forests after logging activities, finding highest potential in the Guiana Shield and western regions. Surviving trees may be more reliable for storing carbon than newly recruited juveniles.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that large fires create a diverse landscape, making it difficult for bark beetles to launch widespread attacks. This variability protects forests from future outbreaks, as trees take decades to reach their preferred size.
Researchers reconstructed ancient atmospheric carbon dioxide record and found fluctuations projected for the 21st century. The study highlights the potential impact of losing tropical forests on climate, with potential thresholds leading to rapid and irreversible biological change.
Scholars studied archaeological and paleoenvironmental records to understand the intensification of agriculture in northern China, revealing a significant impact on fire frequency and natural environments. The findings suggest that millet cultivation played a crucial role in the emergence of ancient Chinese civilization.
A recent study found that mixed-severity fires, also known as 'Goldilocks fires,' can increase biodiversity of birds in California forests over time. The research suggests that forest managers should prioritize managing forests to promote a mixture of intensities, resulting in a mosaic of patches with different burn severities.
A new large-scale analysis found that logged forests in Central Africa may contain nearly twice as much deadwood as unlogged forests, and up to 3.8 times more than previous estimates. This underestimation has broad implications for regional forestry practices and global carbon emissions.
A new study finds China's Grain-for-Green Program, the world's largest reforestation effort, has planted mostly monoculture forests with limited biodiversity benefits. Researchers recommend restoring native or mixed forests to protect wildlife and mitigate climate change.
Researchers found rapid tree growth in eastern Tibetan forests due to increased soil nutrients and water from thawing permafrost. The study's results suggest that under specific conditions, forests can respond positively to human-induced climate changes.
A framework has been developed to help scientists predict when forests will be resilient enough to recover from fires, and when they will be drastically altered. The framework considers factors such as ecological memory, material legacies, and the impact of changing climate conditions on forest recovery.
A recent study suggests that the arrival of browsing medium-sized antelopes in Africa was a key factor in replacing ancient forests with open savannas. The researchers found that thorn trees evolved around the same time as antelope, coinciding with the diversification of spiny plants and the opening up of forests to grass invaders.
A new study found that thunderstorms in the southern United States transport significant amounts of mercury to the ground, with concentrations 50% higher than other rain events. Researchers matched rain samples to weather data and used radar and satellite data to examine storm clouds.
Gaston became a hurricane on Aug. 25 with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, but heavy rain rates of around 50 mm/h were occurring near the center due to southwesterly wind shear. The storm's trajectory is expected to shift northwestward over the next several days as it battles strong environmental wind shear.
Researchers found that logged forests can retain high levels of mammal diversity, especially for small mammals, and should be better protected. However, oil palm plantations show significant losses in diversity for both large and small mammals.
Researchers found that logging roads and landing areas lead to dense soil with slower water infiltration, causing erosion and affecting forest regeneration. This study highlights the need for treatment of impacted areas to prevent long-term effects on forest health.
A new species of rain frog, named Sleeping beauty rain frog, has been discovered in the Peruvian central Andes. The frog features bright red coloration on its groins, shanks, and thighs, distinguishing it from other related frogs.
Hurricane Earl caused extreme rain in southern Mexico, with some areas receiving up to 43.3 inches of rain. The remnants of the storm interacted with another weather system, forming Tropical Storm Javier.
New research from North Carolina State University and USGS reveals that meeting bioenergy demands involves trade-offs regarding wildlife habitats. The specific mix of biomass sources used can shape ecosystems, especially in forests with high biodiversity.
A recent study reveals that a marine heatwave off the western coast of Australia has led to the dramatic loss of kelp forests, covering over 963 km2. The transition has resulted in a shift towards subtropical and tropical marine ecosystems, with significant changes in species composition.
A new study published in Fire Ecology chronicles the history of forest fires in Oklahoma and Tennessee to determine their importance in maintaining forest health. Researchers found that forest fires are vital for maintaining healthy ecosystems, with some areas experiencing higher fire frequency than others.
The Bavarian Alps have seen a 14% decline in topsoil organic matter over the past three decades, primarily caused by climate warming. Implementing humus-promoting forest management can help mitigate floods and preserve soil fertility, water balance, and nutrient supply.
A Harvard University study forecasts that boreal forests in far-northern latitudes may act as a climate refuge for black spruce trees due to higher rainfall. The research also suggests that the region's growing season will expand by 3 weeks, but drought stress could overwhelm trees south of the 49th parallel.
A new study reveals that beech trees in central Europe, particularly in southern England, are increasingly vulnerable to drought due to climate change. The research found that the region's iconic beech woods are at risk of widespread mortality during extreme dry spells.
A new rain frog species, Pristimantis pluvialis, has been described from Amazonian Peru and the Amazonian foothills of the Andes. The discovery highlights the need for continued study of tropical regions to uncover new species.
A new study by the 2ndFOR Network found that natural processes in Latin American tropical forests can provide a solution to excess carbon dioxide threatening the planet. Regrowth forests increase above-ground carbon storage over time, depending on climate and landscape features.
A developing tropical storm in the Bay of Bengal has caused massive landslides in south central Sri Lanka, burying three villages. The storm's heavy rainfall and intense rain bands have led to widespread flooding and mudslides, with hundreds feared buried.
A study by the University of Connecticut team reveals that natural forest regrowth can store significant amounts of carbon, doubling in young second-growth forests and increasing by 120% in intermediate age forests. This approach offers a low-cost alternative to tree planting for reaching carbon mitigation targets.
Research suggests that protecting natural forest regrowth in secondary tropical forests can significantly reduce carbon emissions. These young and middle-aged forests have the potential to capture equivalent amounts of carbon as Latin America and the Caribbean between 1993 and 2014. If left alone for 40 years, they could play a substan...
Scientists discovered that up to 60% of airborne particles after a rainstorm come from the soil, releasing organic matter into the atmosphere. This finding has significant implications for understanding the planet's climate and will be integrated into atmospheric models.
Severe spring thunderstorms spawned over 67 tornadoes across the US, with intense rainfall totals reported in states including Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska. Heavy flooding caused six fatalities in Palestine, Texas, while six inches of rain were recorded in southern Mississippi.
Tropical forests store vast amounts of carbon through photosynthesis, but the impact of large animals on seed dispersal affects this process. A study found that tree species dependent on large animals for seed dispersal have higher carbon storage potential than those with smaller seeds.
Researchers developed a new mathematical model to predict how US forests will respond to climate change, finding that the Northeast's mixed forests will be unsustainable by 2050. The Tolerance Distribution Model can identify which forests are at risk and suggest measures like planting drought-tolerant seedlings to prepare.
Tropical forests depend on animals for seed dispersal to store carbon, but this role differs across regions. Large animal losses lead to fewer large trees and increased carbon loss in some forests.
Researchers found that old-growth forests can reduce maximum spring and summer air temperatures by as much as 2.5 degrees Celsius compared to plantation forests. This cooling effect is due to the dense canopy and complex understory vegetation of old-growth forests, which create microclimates for temperature-sensitive species.
A team of researchers identified traits that best protect trees against death from drought, finding that xylem stress is a key predictor of survival. The study provides a foundation for improving predictions of drought-induced tree mortality across diverse forests.
University of Missouri researchers analyzed historical forest surveys from the 1800s to gain insights into how natural disturbances and human actions shape forest conditions. They found that historical forests had more total biomass, likely sequestering more carbon than current forests.
A CU study found that large fires in the West followed by drought conditions are affecting high-elevation forests, leading to lower tree densities and increased patchiness. The research team measured tree species, numbers, sizes, and ages of post-fire seedlings in nearly 200 forest plots.
A new study published in Global Ecology and Biogeography finds that drought following wildfires hinders forest recovery in the Rocky Mountains. The research shows that forests are not adapting quickly enough to climate change, with subalpine tree species being negatively impacted by warm, dry conditions.
China's sweeping program to restore forests has seen significant gains in tree cover, with nearly 61,000 square miles of land recovering, while 14,400 square miles experienced loss. The recovery is encouraging, but researchers emphasize the need for further research on the broader impacts of forest degradation and recovery worldwide.
A University of Queensland-led study assesses the amount of carbon stored in tropical forests recovering after land-clearing practices in the Philippines. Regenerating secondary forests are substantial carbon sinks, increasing their capacity to store carbon with abandonment age.
A study of 200 European forests across six countries found that species-rich forests provide a higher number and variety of services, including air filtration, carbon sequestration, and water supply. The researchers recommend transforming forests into mixed stands to increase biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.
Heaviest rainfall in the southern US was reported over 24 inches in Monroe, Louisiana, with over 4,958 homes damaged by flooding. NASA's TMPA analysis revealed a merged satellite rainfall image showing heavy rain stretching from northern Louisiana to south central Arkansas.
Researchers found Eastern US forests are changing, with drought-sensitive tree species dominating and fire-resistant ones declining. This shift, known as mesophication, makes forests more vulnerable to future climate change and droughts.
Researchers discovered that Amazon forests' annual increase in photosynthesis is caused by synchronization of old leaf loss and new leaf growth, contradicting assumptions about constant canopy greenness. This finding will help improve predictions of forest responses to climate change.
Researchers are collecting measurements of plant mass, tree distribution and diversity of species from Gabon's rainforest, wetlands and savanna. The data will help prepare for upcoming spaceborne missions to better gauge the role of forests in Earth's carbon cycle.
Scientists create a computer simulation that grows realistic forests down to individual trees to predict how climate-related changes will affect fire rates, plant growth, and forest recovery in Quebec hardwood forests. The 'LES' model can help identify necessary species for reestablishing forests after wildfires and other disturbances.
A new study reveals that certain fungi associated with tree roots can alter the fate of tropical forests, boosting plant diversity or giving one tree species a distinct advantage. The research found that these fungi, particularly ectomycorrhizas, make nitrogen unavailable to competing species, allowing dominant trees to thrive.
Nearly all US forests are vulnerable to future declines due to increasing drought and climate change, according to a new study. The effects have been most pronounced in the West, but Eastern forests are also at risk as tree populations struggle to adapt to changing conditions.
A new study finds that US forests are experiencing severe drought effects, with potentially devastating consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem services. The research highlights the urgent need for better understanding of forest responses to drought and climate change.