The study reveals that southwestern forests face significant challenges due to climate change, including increased drought stress and mortality. The researchers developed a Forest Drought-Stress Index that shows a strong correlation with tree growth, death from drought, and area burned by forest fires.
Scientists predict that climate change will rehabilitate the ecosystem of around 2.5 million years ago on Bylot Island in Nunavut, Canada. The island's fossilized forest is between 2.6 and 3 million years old, with wood samples preserved in peat and permafrost.
A new analysis examines the effects of widespread forest die-offs on ecosystem processes, species diversity, and human services such as water purification and real-estate property values. The study highlights the need for a multidisciplinary approach to understand the complex consequences of climate-driven forest mortality.
New research reveals that tropical forest fragments are nearly emptied of wildlife, with many species like jaguars and lowland tapirs virtually extinct. The study emphasizes the importance of strictly protected areas to conserve biodiversity in these ecosystems.
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.
A WSU researcher finds that forest disturbances, including fires and wildfires, can help create habitats for rare plants and animals. This approach to forest management can enhance biodiversity by mimicking natural disturbances.
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.
Research suggests that active management of forest lands in high-fire-risk areas can improve forest health and reduce the threat to the northern spotted owl. The study found that over a long-term period, managing sites with high fire hazard would be more favorable for spotted owl conservation.
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.
Researchers found that acorns inside leaf litter or soil are protected from fire, while those on top of the litter are vulnerable to low-intensity surface fires. The study suggests optimal timing and conditions for prescribed burning to promote oak regeneration without harming acorns.
Fine-scale measurements can be incorporated into models to reduce wildfire hazard in the southeast, according to a new study published in Forest Ecology and Management. The research focuses on methods that incorporate hundreds of fuel observations into tools used by managers to assess wildfire potential.
A team of Indiana University biologists has shown that species diversity is maintained on a spatial scale of unparalleled scope due to the survival of tree seedlings under their own parents. This discovery highlights the role of conspecific negative density dependence in driving diversity from boreal forests to sub-tropical forests.
A new computer model developed at NC State University predicts the environmental impact of forest land-use decisions, considering factors such as plant growth and water cycles. The DRAINMOD-FOREST model will help policy makers and forest managers make informed decisions to minimize environmental harm while maintaining forest productivity.
A new study reveals that just a handful of heavyweight trees per acre are responsible for nearly half the biomass in a temperate forest, highlighting their crucial role in photosynthesis and carbon sequestration. The research found that these large trees can dominate even when dead, with snags accounting for 60% of total biomass.
A new analysis raises concerns that large-scale bioenergy production from forest biomass is unsustainable and will increase greenhouse gas emissions. The study highlights potential ecological and economic drawbacks, including depleted soil nutrients, loss of biodiversity, and higher costs for bioenergy.
A recent study by Harvard University and the Smithsonian Institution found that development in Massachusetts could reduce forest carbon storage by 18% over the next half century. However, the researchers highlight the importance of expanding support for forestland protection to mitigate climate change.
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 team of scientists created a methodology that considers timber vulnerability, harvesting value, and fire behavior to estimate potential net losses from timber production and fire survival probability. This approach helps fire managers and planners evaluate the economic impacts of wildfires on timber resources.
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...
Slugs are major crop pests in no-till field crops, with limited management options available. Integrated pest management options, including cultural, biological, and chemical controls, are suggested for common mid-Atlantic slug species.
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.
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center have identified distinct genetic patterns between cancer of the appendix and colon cancer. The study found that gene expression profiles differ significantly between the two types of cancer, suggesting a need for fresh approaches to treatment.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that past disturbances, such as logging, can obscure the effects of climate change on forest ecosystems. Researchers used decades-long data from the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest to uncover a complex legacy left by these historical events.
A team of researchers has discovered an entire fossil forest in upstate New York, revealing the oldest known tree stumps and new insights into the evolution of forests. The 385-million-year-old Gilboa fossil forest contains hundreds of large tree stumps with preserved roots, offering a glimpse into the Earth's ancient ecosystems.
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.
Researchers analyze lake sediment cores to infer past forest fire frequency and explore the success of First Nations' historical fire management strategies. They suggest a mixed approach combining controlled burning, silviculture, and aggressive fire suppression to mitigate increasing forest fires in Canada.
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center have developed a nanotube therapy that kills breast cancer stem cells by generating heat using laser treatment. The approach has shown promise in eliminating both differentiated cells and cancer stem cells, offering new hope for a cure.
A recent study examines ash tree removal and pesticide options to minimize urban forest loss due to Emerald Ash Borer infestations. The results show that insecticide treatments retain greater urban forest value, while preemptive removal without replacement is the least expensive option.
A new study published in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment found that forest thinning to prevent or reduce severe wildfires releases more carbon into the atmosphere than saved by successful fire prevention. The research analyzed the effect of fuel treatments on wildfire and carbon stocks in several scenarios, concluding that eve...
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.
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.
Research suggests climate change is increasing avian malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases in Hawaiian forests, threatening the survival of endemic bird species. Native birds have adapted to these changes by developing tolerance to malaria, allowing them to expand their ranges into previously inhospitable areas.
The US Forest Service's Northern Research Station is part of an international team sequencing 1,000 fungal genomes as part of the DOE's Community Sequencing Program. This project aims to create an encyclopedia of all fungi, which will help researchers understand their roles in ecosystems and develop new products.
The Princeton study suggests that savanna wildfires play a crucial role in maintaining the division between forests and savannas. The researchers found that regular fires prevent trees from establishing and savannas from turning into forest. However, human activities such as climate change, road construction, and fire prevention measur...
The southern pine beetle is the most destructive forest pest in the US, causing significant economic and ecological harm. The new synthesis, Southern Pine Beetle II, updates research on the insect's biology, ecology, and management, providing current state-of-the-art knowledge.
Researchers found a 60% decrease in marten detections since the 1980s due to habitat degradation. Suitable habitat for martens has decreased by 25% since the 1980s.
A comprehensive study found that biofuels produced from West Coast forests would release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than current forest management practices. The study examined various forest types and management approaches, concluding that even optimal efficiency levels would increase emissions by up to 14%.
A study by University of Leeds ecologists reveals that over 80% of ant species found in pristine forests were also present in logged areas. This finding has implications for forest conservation, suggesting that areas previously thought to have little value can still support diverse communities.
A new study reveals that the albedo effect plays a crucial role in the climatic significance of forest disturbances, with some cases providing cooling while others magnify concerns about warming. Forests can either act as carbon sinks or sources depending on the disturbance type and severity.
Despite maintaining a forest's physical appearance, its ecological, economic and cultural values can still be lost due to changes in structure and biodiversity. Researchers warn that traditional forestry practices, such as clear-cutting, can lead to the disappearance of critical forest structures and stages.
Researchers used long-term data from Coweeta Hydrological Laboratory to examine the feasibility of managing forests for water supply. The analysis revealed significant increases in temperature and extreme wet and dry years, with conversion from hardwoods to pines decreasing streamflow.
Researchers will examine how humans have responded to changes in surrounding forests over multiple centuries, focusing on New Mexico's Jemez Mountains and the intersection of climate change, drought, and forest fires. The team aims to understand how humans can live sustainably within fire-adapted ecosystems.
A recent study by the USDA Forest Service estimates that non-native forest insects, such as the emerald ash borer and Asian longhorned beetle, are causing significant economic damage to urban trees. The study reveals that homeowners and local governments are bearing the greatest share of costs associated with these insects.
A new grant-funded project from the University of Copenhagen aims to investigate how Kenya's handling of natural resources contributes to instability in the country. The researchers will focus on the Mau Forest, a region affected by violent conflicts over resource access.
Researchers found that reduced forest harvest levels led to increased carbon sequestration, making public lands a significant carbon sink. This discovery highlights the importance of forests in addressing global warming concerns.
A recent study published in the journal Carbon Management suggests that using wood products can reduce carbon emissions by up to 10 tons per ton, making them a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Sustainably managed forests are found to be essentially carbon neutral, but older forests have limited capacity to absorb carbon dioxide.
The new field guide highlights 91 nonnative invasive plant species affecting forest lands in California, Oregon, and Washington. The guide provides detailed information for identification and has significant economic implications for landowners and local governments.
A new analysis finds that most countries participating in REDD+ cite agriculture as the main cause of deforestation, but few provide details on how to address this issue. Countries pursuing food and biofuel production policies are intensifying agriculture-related pressures on forest lands.
Research suggests that urban woodlands with moderate clearance (less than 50% of understory removal) support high bird diversity while still allowing for rambling opportunities. The findings have implications for forest management to balance ecological and social values.
A new study reveals that bacteria living in mosses on tree branches contribute to nutrient dynamics, sustaining the long-term productivity of coastal temperate rainforests. Large, ancient trees provide habitat for mosses and cyanobacteria, which fix nitrogen and fertilize the forest.
A new report by US and European researchers found that world forests are becoming larger carbon sinks due to increased density, with no significant expansion of forest area. This increase in density helped maintain regional carbon levels despite deforestation, offering a way to mitigate carbon emissions through managed forestry.
A new forest simulation model helps researchers understand the effects of timber-friendly hardwood regeneration on songbird habitats in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The study found that regeneration in harvest gaps is crucial for forest managers to have choices, with sugar maple regeneration having a significant impact on bird habitat.
Researchers discovered that seeds from cones on the forest floor of lodgepole pines can provide a viable seed bank after mountain pine beetle outbreaks, with high germination capacity. However, germination capacity decreases over time, highlighting the need for fire to trigger regeneration.
Scientists at Queen Mary University of London found that oil palm plantations are driving forest fragmentation, leading to a decline in bat species and genetic diversity. Larger forest patches, over 10,000 hectares, are necessary to retain comparable levels of biodiversity and prevent local extinction.
The National Biomass and Carbon Dataset (NBCD) provides unprecedented spatial resolution of 30m, offering comprehensive assessment of forest structure and carbon stock within the lower 48 States. This dataset will advance understanding of US natural resources, biodiversity conservation, wildfire risk assessment, and timber production.
A recent study found that mangroves store up to four times more carbon per hectare than most tropical forests. The high-carbon storage capacity of mangroves can be attributed to their deep organic-rich soils and complex root systems.
The Russian boreal forest, the world's largest continuous expanse of forest, is experiencing a rapid shift in vegetation types as temperatures rise. This leads to an increase in evergreen conifers and a decline in larch trees, resulting in a northward progression of evergreens and a retreat of larch forests.
A new study finds that biodiversity can be conserved while resources are used to support local household livelihoods, especially when managed under systems that involve local forest users. The research suggests formalizing the rights of local people to contribute to forest management and governance can promote dual success.
Researchers found that forests managed by local users are more likely to have higher biodiversity and provide greater economic benefits. The study analyzed over 80 forest sites in six tropical countries and found that formal recognition of local user rights is crucial for sustainable management.
A team of scientists has developed new methods for mapping carbon in Hawaii's forests, resulting in more accurate estimates and a lower cost. The approach reveals fundamental ecological controls over carbon storage and provides valuable insights into the state and dynamics of the world's forests.