The Carnegie Institution's Department of Global Ecology is developing a database of plant chemical and remote sensing signatures for tropical forest species with a $1.8 million MacArthur grant. This 'Spectranomics Project' will enable large-scale inventory and tracking of rainforest vegetation globally, enhancing satellite observations.
University of Michigan researchers are accelerating the natural process of succession by removing mature aspen and birch trees to measure future carbon uptake in a large-scale experiment. This will help determine how much heat-trapping carbon dioxide forests of the Upper Midwest can remove from the air in coming decades.
Researchers found a signature to detect rain-on-snow events in satellite microwave imagery, which can prevent mass starvation of native people's livestock. The method could provide a realistic chance of getting food to herds affected by the devastating weather event.
A group of stakeholders, including forest wood-product businesses, environmental groups and public land agencies, worked with scientists to identify the potential volume of wood resources available from more than 2 million acres of Arizona forests. The analysis estimates a potential supply of up to 850 million cubic feet of wood and 8 ...
A study by UC Irvine ecologists finds that excess nitrogen in tropical forests increases plant growth by an average of 20 percent. This boost in plant growth suggests the tropics will take in more carbon dioxide than previously thought.
New seismic images of the Chicxulub crater suggest the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs landed in deeper water than previously thought. This led to a larger release of water vapor into the atmosphere, which could have exacerbated the effects of acid rain and climate change.
Scientists found that rising carbon dioxide levels can delay autumnal senescence, allowing forests to stay greener longer, and potentially increasing productivity. However, other factors such as ozone levels may negate these benefits.
A new study by the University of Helsinki finds that EU forests are expanding and absorbing large amounts of carbon, with an average annual absorption of 126 teragrams between 1990 and 2005. The expansion of forests in certain countries, such as Finland and Lithuania, has even more than offset national emissions.
A NASA study found that Hurricane Katrina killed or severely damaged 320 million trees in Gulf Coast forests, weakening their ability to store carbon from the atmosphere. This has led to these forests releasing large quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, potentially amplifying climate warming.
Hurricane Katrina's impact on Gulf Coast forests can cancel out a year's worth of new tree growth in other parts of the country. The study found that 320 million trees were killed or severely damaged, releasing significant amounts of carbon into the atmosphere.
The first 'State of the Carbon Cycle Report' reveals a troubling imbalance in North America's carbon budget, largely driven by human-caused emissions. The continent's natural sinks, such as forests and soils, may be unable to compensate for increasing carbon dioxide emissions.
A new study reveals that parasites play a pivotal role in the decline of species in fragmented forests. Red colobus monkeys were found to be infected with more human or livestock parasites than their black-and-white cousins, due to their varied diet and increased travel range.
ISU study reveals forests in Upper Midwest have lost tree species diversity and structural complexity since the mid-1800s. Deciduous trees like aspen and birch have replaced conifers, while smaller trees dominate modern forests.
A research team has discovered forests of endangered tropical kelp in deep waters near the Galapagos Islands. The find suggests that marine ecosystems may be more resilient to climate change than initially thought, with kelp forests potentially harboring unique biodiversity.
A new analysis by Oregon State University and U.S. Geological Survey suggests that dense conifer forests may be harming dozens of animal species dependent on shrubs, herbs, and broad-leaf trees. At least 78 vertebrate species have been documented to require non-coniferous vegetation, which is often scarce in managed forests.
Research suggests human activities are amplifying the impact of Sudden Oak Death, a forest-destroying disease caused by an invasive water mold. The study found that connected forests with high host species abundance have higher pathogen loads, while smaller, isolated forests have lower disease levels.
A regional study of Peru's Amazon found that land-use policies have kept large-scale rain forest damage in check, but recent disturbances increased near roads, with forests protected by the government being more secure than those without conservation designations.
New research findings suggest tropical insects can be consistently found across hundreds of miles, eating a broader menu of foliage. This challenges the notion that plant-eating insects are picky eaters that stay close to home.
A new study reveals a significant increase in creeping vines in southeastern US forests, with up to a 10-fold growth in just two decades. The vines' adhesive roots and tendrils are changing the forest's makeup, leading to a decrease in small tree density.
Researchers can now predict where tropical storms and hurricanes will dump the most rain — even days after — and hundreds of miles away from landfall. The new tools, developed by Corene Matyas, use geographical information systems (GIS) to model rainfall patterns based on storm intensity, distance inland, and landscape topography.
A new study suggests that human-caused nitrogen deposition is indirectly fertilizing forests, increasing their growth and sequestering major amounts of carbon. The findings reveal a more complex view of the carbon cycle in forests, heavily influenced by human activities.
New research by CSIRO Australia confirms deforestation is a critical climate change role, releasing 1.5 billion tonnes of carbon annually. Preserving tropical forests as carbon sinks can help stabilize atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations.
The study reveals that areas with well-defined property rights show substantial forest regeneration, while insecure property rights lead to deforestation. The research highlights the complex relationship between human population density and deforestation in Madagascan tropical forests.
New study suggests tropical forests are efficient at cooling the planet due to their ability to store large amounts of carbon and produce reflective clouds. In contrast, forests in snowy areas can warm the Earth by absorbing sunlight that would otherwise be reflected back into space.
Researchers found that trees can't increase wood growth from elevated CO2 without sufficient leaf area, which is limited by soil nutrition. With adequate soil nutrients, forests can sequester more carbon in woody biomass under increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations.
A long-term ecological study of stream chemistry in Appalachians shows unexpected changes due to reduced sulfur emissions from acid rain. Researchers are seeing rising amounts of dissolved carbon dioxide in streams, which could impact the forest ecosystem and carbon balance.
Researchers found that lightning fires in Appalachian forests can deter the encroachment of shade-tolerant hardwoods, such as red maples. This natural mechanism can aid in the regeneration of oak forests, which are approaching extinction due to human alterations and fire suppression.
A British drug discovery company is teaming up with a Brazilian firm to search for new medicines in the Amazonian and Atlantic rain forests. The partnership aims to combat diseases such as tuberculosis, avian flu, and tropical illnesses like hepatitis C and Chagas disease.
Research by Andreas Hemp reveals a host of rare plants in Kilimanjaro's forests, contrary to previous thought, and explains the mountain's unique bamboo zone absence due to elephant lack. The complex links between plants and animals are showcased, highlighting human impact on forest diversity.
A recent study published in Science found that the number of tree species consumed by rainforest insects is comparable to those in temperate forests. The research, led by University of Minnesota plant biologist George Weiblen, rejects the notion that tropical insects are picky eaters who prefer fewer host plants.
A study by UCLA physicists reveals a connection between water vapor in the atmosphere and intense rainfall, using statistical properties similar to those found in magnets. This finding may lead to more accurate climate models and improved precipitation prediction under global warming.
A University of Colorado study found that adding phosphorus and nitrogen to tropical forest soils in Costa Rica increases CO2 emissions by 20%. The study highlights the impact of human activities on nutrient availability in ecosystems, with potential implications for climate change.
A recent study by Cornell University researchers found that acid rain is causing a decline in sugar maple trees due to its acidic effects on the soil. The study used a test plot to replicate favorable soil conditions prior to industrial pollution and found that sugar maples rebounded dramatically when calcium levels were restored.
The ITTO report reveals that sustainably managed tropical forests have expanded from 2.4 million acres in 1988 to at least 87 million acres in 2005. However, the majority of forest land being managed sustainably comprises less than 5% of total surveyed areas.
Researchers find tropical forests lose significant amounts of nitrogen to the atmosphere, primarily due to denitrifying bacteria. The study reveals that in dry climates, these bacteria consume nitrate, while in wetter climates, they convert it back into gas.
By analyzing cloud height and rainfall patterns, NASA scientists can estimate whether a hurricane's surface winds will strengthen or weaken. Rainfall from clouds extending up to 9 miles high indicates stronger winds.
A recent study challenges metabolic ecology models, which failed to explain tropical forest structure and dynamics. Instead, researchers found that environmental conditions and species traits play a crucial role in shaping these ecosystems.
Researchers discovered that rats and mongooses rarely penetrate forest interior due to poorer habitats for reproduction, making natural forests ideal refuges for threatened island species. Conservation efforts should prioritize protecting remaining large blocks of natural forests on Pacific islands.
Researchers suggest that productive kelp forests in the Pacific Rim may have facilitated human coastal migrations around 35,000 to 15,000 years ago. This theory is supported by findings of kelp forests near earliest coastal archaeological sites in the Americas.
Researchers found that rain gardens significantly reduced concentrations of nitrates, ammonias, phosphorous and other pollutants reaching storm drains. Design tweaks allowed bacteria in the soil to convert harmful nitrates into nitrogen gas, preventing them from entering groundwater.
A recent study found that biodiversity arises from the same underlying processes in tropical rainforests and Minnesota prairies. Rare trees may have an advantage due to reduced vulnerability to predators and resource competition.
Research from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Carnegie Institution suggests that planting trees in the US could cool the Earth for a few decades, but lead to planetary warming in the long term. Tropical forests, however, can help keep global temperatures cool by evaporating water and absorbing carbon dioxide.
A new study published in Geophysical Research Letters found that northern temperate forests can contribute to global warming by absorbing a lot of sunlight without losing much moisture. In contrast, tropical forests help keep the Earth cool by evaporating large amounts of water. The research suggests that planting forests at certain la...
A study found that poor forest management practices in the early 20th century have reduced the amount of carbon that modern forests can store by half. The researchers measured the carbon stored in several forested plots that were harvested and burned, finding that they stored only half as much carbon as adjacent control plots.
The Tropical Dry Forest Research Network (TROPI-DRY) aims to translate research into policies to save these ecosystems. With over $175 million in environmental services fees paid by Costa Rica since the late 1990s, private conservation offers a promising solution.
A new study reveals that warmer oceans and atmosphere will cause more intense precipitation worldwide, especially in tropical regions. Heavier rain will fall in areas such as North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, while the Mediterranean and US Southwest may experience decreased average precipitation due to longer dry periods.
A new weather model, ARW, uses high-resolution data to predict hurricane intensity and location of fine-scale rain bands. This enables better warning systems for floods, power outages, and road blockage.
A study analyzing government census data finds that housing growth in and around US national forests is threatening biodiversity and ecosystem health. The number of housing units within national forest boundaries increased from 500,000 to 1.5 million between 1950 and 2000, largely due to private land ownership.
A USGS study reveals that the world's most productive forests, which add new growth each year, have lower birth and death rates. However, if these rates suddenly stop or double, tree numbers would halve in just 30 years. The study suggests that environmental changes considered beneficial to forests may bring about unexpected changes.
Research reveals a parallel between global forest productivity patterns and tree birth and death rates. In contrast, highly productive tropical forests undergo rapid tree replacement cycles.
A recent study found that acid rain can severely degrade forest soils, leading to poor tree growth rates and potentially high mortality rates. The research, conducted near St. Petersburg, Russia, tracked tree growth for the first time with changes in soil from acid rain, highlighting the need for recovery strategies beyond surface waters.
Uganda's forests generate significant income from forest products like charcoal and firewood, contributing up to 36% of annual income for local people. The report concludes that conserving these forests is crucial in alleviating poverty, but current efforts face funding constraints.
Acid rain suppresses methane emissions from wetlands, but only for a short time. The effect of acid rain on methane emissions is more than enough to compensate for the expected increase due to climate change.
A new study by the U.S. National Science Foundation highlights the vital importance of streamside forests in maintaining clean water and healthy ecosystems. The research, funded jointly by NSF and EPA, shows that these forests help filter pollutants from streams, enhance ecosystem processes, and support biodiversity.
A recent BioScience article highlights that decades of fire suppression may have been overly criticized, and climate has a significant impact on fire spread in high-elevation forests. The studies also reveal how invasive alien plants can dramatically alter fire regimes, proposing a scheme for evaluating the dangers of these invasions.
Research reveals that forests in six locations worldwide struggle with nutrient availability, particularly phosphorus, when soils age. Without disturbances like forest fires or volcanic activity, forests will slowly become impoverished over thousands of years.
Researchers found that under drought conditions, tropical forests and desert ecosystems have similar maximum rain-use efficiency, a measure of total plant growth per unit of precipitation. This discovery indicates an upper limit to ecosystem productivity, which may impact climate change scenarios.
A research team led by University of Maine scientists has documented that treating a watershed with additional acids accelerates the loss of critical nutrients calcium and magnesium. The experimentally induced nutrient depletion highlights the impact of acid rain on Maine's forests.
A NASA study suggests that warming temperatures will lead to more warm rain, which accounts for 31% of global rainfall. The increase in precipitation efficiency could make the air lighter and rise faster, creating updrafts producing more cold rain.
A study found that ponderosa pine and Douglas fir needles can reduce water flow erosion by up to 60% and rain-induced erosion by up to 80%. Researchers used artificial rain laboratory experiments to test the effectiveness of needle cover in preventing post-fire soil erosion.