A recent study published in Biology Letters indicates that giant pandas are associated with old-growth forests more than any other ecological variable besides bamboo. This finding suggests that conserving both bamboo and old-growth forests is crucial to protect this critically endangered bear species.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that satellite data can significantly improve forecast accuracy for thunderstorms, which can bring intense rain, hail, lightning, and tornadoes. By incorporating upper atmosphere conditions into storm prediction models, scientists can better anticipate severe weather events.
Research reveals that early settlers rapidly cleared New Zealand forests with fires within 200 years of initial colonization, replacing native forests with grasslands and shrublands. The findings support the idea that human activity was the main cause of these fires, which were not related to unusual climate conditions.
A study by the US Forest Service and University of California, Santa Barbara found that warmer temperatures and reduced precipitation lead to lower tree fitness in southwestern US forests. This weakening of forest health has resulted in higher mortality rates from wildfires and bark beetle attacks.
A team of scientists predicts continued death of forests in the southwestern US due to climate change, with more severe fire events, higher tree mortality rates, and insect infestation. The study finds that warmer temperatures are negatively impacting tree growth, particularly in the spring and summer months.
Researchers are improving rain gardens to reduce runoff and filter pollutants, keeping toxic metals out of storm drains. Scientists have found that biochar-activated carbons can attract heavy metals, leading to more effective filtration.
A five-year study funded by DOD aims to assess the ability of longleaf pine ecosystems to absorb climate-changing carbon dioxide. Researchers will analyze data from Fort Polk, Fort Benning, and Camp Lejeune to develop biologically based models for managing these forests.
A new study finds that crop productivity improvements and carbon emission limits can work together to prevent tropical deforestation over the next 100 years. The research suggests that increasing crop yields while implementing economic incentives to store carbon in forests can help preserve tropical forests and even increase their extent.
Tropical Storm Nicole brought heavy rain and flooding to the US East Coast, with rainfall totals reaching up to 550 mm in Jamaica and 500 mm in North Carolina. The storm caused significant damage and loss of life, with 4 deaths reported in North Carolina and 12 in Jamaica.
The study found that over 80% of new farmland created in the tropics between 1980 and 2000 came from felling forests, with significant implications for global warming. The research suggests that the rate of deforestation may be slowing, but the demand for agricultural production is expected to continue growing.
Scientists have created the most comprehensive map of the Earth's mangrove forest distribution, revealing a 12.3% decline in forest coverage compared to earlier estimates. The map shows that approximately 75% of remaining forests are found in just 15 countries, with only ~6.9% protected under existing networks.
A new study examining the effects of drought in the Amazon found that relatively undisturbed forests are tolerant of seasonal drought. The research used remote sensing and field-based studies to demonstrate this resilience and identified potential mechanisms controlling vegetation productivity across the Amazon Basin.
Scientists have created a first-of-its-kind map detailing the height of the world's forests using satellite data. The map provides insights into how much carbon the world's forests store and how it cycles through ecosystems, helping to explain the 'missing' 2 billion tons of carbon annually.
Researchers at University of California - Berkeley have identified four distinct species of the secretive Hemidactylus fasciatus gecko in West African rain forests. The discovery was made using new DNA analysis techniques that distinguish different species even when they appear similar.
Scientists found that reforestation can decrease the ability of forests to combat climate change by reducing carbon stock. The study suggests implementing forest management practices, such as site preparation without burning, to minimize negative effects on ecosystems.
Scientists review eight strategies to increase forest carbon storage, including afforestation, urban forestry, and biomass energy, while acknowledging the need for cost-effective methods and regulation. The current carbon offset of 12-19% in US forests is not permanent but has potential to increase with careful management.
The reports examine the implications of producing biofuels from various sources, including forests, grasslands, and agricultural systems. Sustainable biofuels are based on production that does not negatively affect ecosystem health, and options include thermochemical, biochemical, and direct combustion methods.
Cyclone Paul intensified slowly and became a Category 2 cyclone with wind gusts of up to 140 kph. TRMM data showed a deep convective tower penetrating up to 9 miles high, associated with intense rain in the northwestern eyewall.
Scientists at UC Berkeley propose helium rain as explanation for neon depletion in Jupiter's atmosphere, with helium droplets forming around 10,000 km below the surface and releasing heat that explains Saturn's excess brightness.
Researchers argue that biologically diverse plantations can alleviate social, economic and ecological pressures on natural forests. These plantations can sequester carbon, mitigate climate change and restore ecological services. Well-planned plantations can help preserve high diversity old-growth forests.
Researchers found that semi-arid forests can counteract global warming by absorbing and retaining heat, but this effect may be cancelled out by other processes. The 'air cooling' system in these forests efficiently reduces infrared radiation, leading to a net warming effect.
A study by the University of Helsinki found that northern forests are unable to adapt to changing environmental conditions, with established trees' mortality promoting evolutionary adaptation. This means older trees will survive in a warmer climate but prevent genetically better adapted individuals from thriving.
A new University of Colorado at Boulder study finds that warmer climates may reduce the ability of subalpine forests to absorb carbon dioxide. The research suggests that these forests, which store an estimated 70% of the western United States' carbon sink, will be less effective in converting CO2 into biomass due to declining snowpacks.
The USGS estimates that the nation's forests and soils could store an additional 3-7 billion metric tons of carbon, equivalent to 2-4 years of US CO2 emissions. This potential is achieved by using agricultural lands for planting forests.
A new scientific organization is proposed to utilize satellite images to monitor the world's forests and track changes in deforestation rates. Currently, only half of tropical countries have conducted two recent forest surveys needed to construct a deforestation trend.
A new UN climate treaty may inadvertently increase the risk of extinction for some species as governments prioritize reducing deforestation in high-carbon forests. The REDD scheme aims to curb carbon emissions by financially rewarding tropical countries that reduce forest clearance.
A new study suggests that global warming may lead to increased productivity in high-elevation forests of the Pacific Northwest, with potential increases of up to 500% in Washington. However, lower-elevation forests are expected to decline in growth due to drought stress and limited moisture.
A new study suggests that China's efforts to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions may not mitigate the effects of acid rain if nitrogen emissions are not addressed. The research highlights the importance of integrating measures to reduce sulfur, nitrogen, and particulate matter in order to effectively control pollution.
Researchers found that exotic eucalyptus and tropical ash plantations used significantly more water than native ohia trees, with rates of up to 2.5 times higher. The study emphasizes the need for land management plans to consider the water use of different ecosystems.
For the first time, a NASA study has mapped Africa's coastal mangrove forests, showing widespread destruction due to pollution, deforestation, and real estate development. The maps provide detailed information on forest area, height, biomass, and structure, enabling scientists and officials to monitor and conserve these vital ecosystems.
Air pollution in eastern China has reduced the amount of light rainfall and decreased days of light rain by 23 percent, affecting crop growth and health. Researchers found that smaller water droplets created by aerosols impede rain cloud formation.
New research from Oregon State University finds that fuel reduction treatments in Pacific Northwest forests may reduce carbon sequestration and worsen greenhouse warming. The study suggests that these efforts could lead to a net loss of carbon storage, even if biofuels are used to produce energy.
Scientists at Oregon State University found that Pacific Northwest forests have significant potential to increase carbon storage, with estimated increases of 15% if all forest stands were allowed to increase in age by 50 years. This region accounts for 14% of the live biomass in the entire US and has already sequestered 30-50% of emiss...
The tropical rain band is shifting north at an average rate of 1.4 kilometers per year, which could lead to droughts in Pacific islands and reduced freshwater supplies by mid-century or sooner. The shift is attributed to the warming world, with greenhouse gases potentially accelerating this process.
The USDA Forest Service has established a new 25,000-acre experimental forest in the Tongass National Forest to investigate how climate change affects various forest resources such as timber and salmon habitat. The research aims to understand the impact of climate change on temperate rain forest ecosystems nationwide.
Scientists have compiled the first ever growth ring chronology from tropical Australia, revealing that tree growth depends mainly on annual precipitation. The analysis suggests that growth rings are a more suitable proxy data for registering precipitation dynamics in Australia than current methods based on ENSO and IPO.
A new study from the University of Washington found that people's understanding of rainy weather forecasts is hindered by misconceptions about probability and uncertainty. Researchers tested over 450 college students and found that many incorrectly assumed deterministic forecasts, leading to unnecessary precautions.
A new study reveals that biofuels could hasten climate change due to the destruction of tropical rainforests. The study found that it will take over 75 years for carbon emissions saved through biofuel use to compensate for the carbon lost when these forests are converted into plantations.
Researchers discovered that African forests are increasing in tree carbon stocks by an amount equal to the weight of a small car each year. This suggests that extra carbon dioxide in the atmosphere could be acting as fertilizer, but other factors like human occupation and past disturbance may also be at play.
Researchers found that tropical trees in undisturbed forests absorb 4.8 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, including an unknown carbon sink in Africa. This massive carbon sink has significant implications for climate change, with the potential to buffer global warming by substantially reducing atmospheric CO2 levels.
In the Pacific Northwest, tree mortality rates have doubled in 17 years, with older forests experiencing a faster rate of decline than younger forests. This increase is attributed to warming temperatures, which reduce snowpack, prolong droughts, and enable insects and diseases to flourish.
Scientists estimate that roughly 1.4% of tropical humid forests were deforested between 2000 and 2005, with more than half containing 50% or less tree cover. New remote-sensing technologies are required to monitor the changes caused by selective logging and forest regeneration.
A new approach, High-fidelity Imaging Spectroscopy (HiFIS), can determine the chemical and structural properties of rain forests in unprecedented detail over broad swaths. The technology has received a $5.2-million grant to advance its development, enabling detailed chemical mapping of species.
A new study by Cardiff University found that climate change is hindering the long-term recovery of rivers from the effects of acid rain. The research, which took place over a 25-year period, showed that up to 40% of improvements made in reducing acid rain have been canceled out due to climatic effects.
The Carnegie Institution's Department of Global Ecology has received a $1.6-million grant to improve and expand CLASLite, a user-friendly method for mapping tropical forests from desktops. The technology will help rainforest nations monitor their changing carbon budgets and advance deforestation and degradation mapping in Latin America.
A 25-year study on Welsh streams found that climate change hampers long-term recovery from acid rain effects. Despite improvements in acid levels, only four new insect species colonized the improving rivers, falling short of expected numbers.
A recent study found that biofuel plantations in tropical forests release more carbon into the atmosphere than they save, harming both climate change and biodiversity. The study suggests that preserving existing forests is a better way to combat climate change.
The report warns of devastating effects on forests and communities due to climate change; adaptation measures, such as improving forest management and conserving ecosystems, are crucial to mitigate the impacts. Forests provide vital ecosystem services and income for millions of people.
A study published in Ecosystems reveals that elevated fire levels outweighed harvest reductions in the loss of older forests in the Pacific Northwest. The NWFP helped stabilize large-diameter forest numbers, but fire was the main reason for their decline.
A new study by UC Irvine finds that fungi in dry spruce forests produce less carbon dioxide when soil is warmed, potentially slowing climate change. This discovery could influence global climate change predictions and policy.
Researchers studied the 'living fossil' tree species Symphonia globulifera, which contains genetic imprints of rain forests under climate change. The study reveals patterns in genetic diversity that suggest tropical forests responded differently to past climate conditions, with some populations persisting despite forest changes.
The Indonesian government and World Wildlife Fund announce a commitment to protect Sumatra's forests and critical ecosystems, home to endangered species. The agreement aims to restore ecosystems and promote sustainable development on the island.
A new analysis suggests that old growth forests, often considered irrelevant to climate change mitigation, may account for up to 10% of global net carbon uptake. These forests continue to absorb carbon dioxide and store it in woody tissues, storing more than they release for centuries.
Researchers estimate that forests in the upper Midwest can store an average of 1,300 pounds of carbon per acre per year, with some regions storing over 350,000 tons annually. Effective forest management can sustain or increase this capacity for future generations.
Researchers have identified a unique molecule essential to breaking down pollutants in the atmosphere, including acid rain. This breakthrough discovery will help scientists model pollutant reactions and predict potential outcomes.
Researchers found that active fire suppression may have reduced carbon storage in western US forests, while a new tracking method revealed the paths of giant volcanic clouds. Additionally, scientists warn of increased frost risks to plants due to changes in temperature fluctuations and average temperatures in a warming climate.
The American Society for Horticultural Science reports that Borneo is home to 2500-3000 orchid species, but many are endangered due to habitat destruction and over-exploitation. A recent study has identified 197 species of orchids in West Borneo, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to protect these rare species.
Forests provide natural filtration and storage systems that process nearly two-thirds of the U.S. water supply. Preserving and managing forests may help sustain water supplies, but forest management is unlikely to increase water yields.
Scientists say conserving biodiversity must consider reducing greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation. A plan to protect forests could shift land use to low-carbon forests and harm other ecosystems important for biodiversity. Conservation efforts may need to focus on less valuable but biodiverse forests and non-forest ecosystems.
Researchers emphasize the importance of forest dynamics in understanding and predicting climate change, citing a need for improved forest modeling. New studies suggest that realistic forest models can significantly improve predictions of environmental change and help manage the world's forests.