A study found that traditional floodplain forest restoration may decrease bird diversity, with some species preferring uncommon tree species. The researchers recommend replanting floodplain forests with rare and heavy-seeded trees to support a diverse avian community.
Research finds that larger forest stands can help control caterpillar infestations by reducing the effectiveness of parasites and diseases. The study suggests that forests larger than 100 hectares are more effective in suppressing outbreaks, which could lead to increased fibre production if defoliation is reduced by just one year.
Research in tropical dry forests reveals that fragmentation decreases seedling quality, with reduced germination rates and smaller leaves. Despite the negative effects, isolated trees can still serve as genetic stepping stones for pollinating moths and gene flow between populations.
Research shows that ant diversity near forest fragments is higher in shade than sun coffee farms, and salamander abundance is higher in disturbed streams confluent with undisturbed ones. Conservation efforts may focus on making surrounding areas more conservation-friendly rather than connecting fragments.
A research team led by William Laurance found that Amazonian forest destruction rates have risen sharply since 1995, contrary to the Brazilian government's claims. Deforestation has increased due to infrastructure projects and expanding logging and mining industries.
Research reveals Amazon forest fragments are more susceptible to extinction due to overhunting, increased airborne pollutants, and heightened fire risks. Climate change may further exacerbate these effects, threatening biodiversity in fragmented landscapes.
Researchers question the efficacy of prescribed burning in reducing large, intense forest fires. They argue that this technique is not suitable for closed-canopy forests and shrublands where natural fires are more frequent and severe. This approach can also have negative ecological consequences.
A decade-long study suggests forest management can influence carbon uptake, but factors such as tree species and age confound the process. The researchers' findings validate a new method for measuring carbon dioxide levels, highlighting the need for careful consideration of forest management strategies.
The Terra satellite beams daily images of western U.S. wildfires to NASA, which are then transmitted to the Forest Service. The collaboration uses MODIS data to create Active Fire Maps that help resource allocation decisions and aid in public understanding of fire locations.
The project, initiated in 1997, incorporates multiple viewpoints from the scientific, corporate, and environmental communities to balance ecology and economics in forestry management. The team's approach has formed notable partnerships and is regarded as a model for others striving to achieve this balance.
A Duke University study found that carbon dioxide-enriched air accelerates pine tree reproduction, resulting in earlier maturation and higher seed production. This trend may have significant implications for forest regeneration and the Southeast's economy, where loblollies are a crucial forest product.
A study found that forest fragments have insufficient food for some songbirds, leading to reduced feeding visits and longer breeding cycles. The researchers believe that microclimates within small fragments may contribute to lower insect populations, affecting the birds' survival.
Riparian forest management prioritizes both water and forest health to protect essential links between land and water. The book provides site-specific guidelines for addressing fragmented ecosystems and diverse interest groups, ensuring the health of eastern riparian landscapes.
Hawaii's dry forests require more than just grazing removal to regenerate; invasive species like non-native rodents and fountain grass also play a significant role. Active management is necessary to control these invaders and reintroduce native species, say researchers.
A 10,000-year-old buried spruce forest has provided evidence of the effects of environment on vegetation at the Pleistocene/Holocene boundary. The unique preservation allows researchers to study tree growth patterns and climate change impacts in unprecedented detail.
A study led by U-M scientist Lisa Curran found that El Nino triggers the reproduction of tropical forest trees, allowing them to survive and thrive. However, human activity such as logging is destroying the ecosystem, threatening the local economy and global exports.
The Comprehensive Cancer Center at Wake Forest University has been approved to participate in a national breast cancer study evaluating the effects of sentinel node biopsy versus standard axillary dissection. The trial aims to determine if removing only the sentinel node impacts cancer control and survival.
A national research project will investigate how insulin resistance, a precursor to Type 2 diabetes and obesity, is inherited in three generations of family members. The study aims to identify specific genes responsible for these conditions.
A new watershed model, GISWA, can help predict the effects of forest practices on watersheds and wildlife habitat. The model simulates hydrologic conditions at thousands of locations within a single watershed to provide a detailed representation of water movement.
A four-decade study of a Southeastern forest found that while trees take up substantial amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide, the accumulation in soils is relatively slow. The researchers used radioactive Carbon-14 as a tracer to estimate carbon sequestration and found that only a small percentage of carbon was retained in topsoil, wi...
A recent study found that Duke Forest plots experienced a 25% growth increase over two years under high carbon-dioxide conditions. This suggests that forests could serve as a significant carbon sink, potentially offsetting half of the world's expected carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion.
The study found that public perceptions of the forest prioritize residential quality of life, community, and environmental ethics. This differs from land managers' focus on tangible aspects like water, wood, and wildlife.
A new study found that forest fragmentation allows large predators like raccoons and opossums to target ground-nesting songbirds, leading to a decline in some species. The researchers discovered that small forest fragments have a higher incidence of predation from large species, which can lead to dramatic effects on reproductive success.
A 20-year protocol developed by Dr. Charles Peters is applied to dozens of projects, combining exploitation with preservation of biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Local indigenous people in Asia, Africa, and Central/South America are empowered to manage their forests sustainably.
A computer simulation by Cornell University geologists shows that forest fires follow a fractal distribution, similar to other natural events. By analyzing data from forests and wildfires worldwide, including Yellowstone National Park, the researchers found that allowing smaller fires to burn can prevent larger ones.
A three-year study in Cameroon reveals that hornbills disperse seeds of nearly a quarter of tropical trees, playing a major role in forest regeneration. The birds' large range and seed dispersal abilities make them vital agents of biodiversity.
Precious Woods Ltd, a forestry company in Brazil, has been awarded the ESA Corporate Award for its innovative approach to sustainable forest management. The company's use of advanced planning and ecological principles has resulted in the conservation of 97% of primary forest in the State of Amazonas.
Scientists at Duke University and colleagues found that high CO2 levels can increase tree growth rates, but the effect is likely temporary. The experiment, which mimics future CO2 levels, shows a 12% increase in forest growth, but growth rates are expected to decline over time as the forest adjusts.
The Westwood-Squibb Center for Dermatology Research will examine the impact of managed care on dermatology and advance the specialty through dissemination of information and examination of ethical practices. The center aims to improve skin care and address economic, ethical, and policy issues in dermatology.
A Penn State research team has found that small-scale fires play a crucial role in shaping forest structure. By analyzing aerial photographs from 1941 and 1993, the researchers determined that topography is key to understanding natural variability and restoring diverse fire regimes in Northern California.
Scientists from Canadian Forest Services found that Canada's forests have shifted from a carbon sink to a source, primarily due to changes in disturbance regimes related to climate change. Strict carbon accounting is necessary to determine whether boreal forests can mitigate atmospheric carbon dioxide.
The paper presents an interactive introduction to SORTIE, a computer model of forest dynamics based on individual-trees. The digital output includes scores of still images and a dozen color animations, allowing readers to visualize the complexity of the model.
Researchers at Penn State discovered that forest tent caterpillars can evade trees' defense mechanisms by defoliating branches too rapidly for the tree to respond. This social eating pattern may be their protection against a tree's natural defenses, making them chemically invisible to the tree.
A new biodiversity theory suggests that protecting ecotones along rainforest periphery is crucial for preserving biodiversity. Ecotones, the transition zones between rainforests and savannas, may be integral to generating biodiversity in tropical rain forests.
A University of Washington researcher found that the US Forest Service and Wilderness Society's conflicting old-growth forest estimates in the Pacific Northwest stem from differing mapping methods, technologies, and definitions. The study highlights how cultural and financial pressures influenced the final numbers.
A comprehensive 23-year study of the Kibale rain forest in Uganda reveals that heavy logging severely reduces species diversity and hinders forest recovery. Sustainable logging is only viable if tree falls are spaced far apart, limited to large trees, and harvested with minimal machinery.
A proposed dam in northern Thailand could submerge a golden teak forest, devastating wildlife and biodiversity. The project aims to account for the ecological, social, and cultural implications of such projects.
Participants of a forest-biodiversity workshop suggest using logging as a tool to save tropical forests and their wildlife. By implementing basic techniques such as directional felling and minimizing logging roads, biodiversity can be conserved. The experts also emphasize the need to maintain suitable habitat within major forest types.
A new laser technique called Scanning Lidar Imager of Canopies by Echo Recovery (SLICER) can rapidly assess forest canopy shapes, allowing for accurate predictions of carbon storage and tree characteristics. This technology has the potential to improve our understanding of forest management and global climate change.
Researchers at San Francisco State University found a link between the African hornbill's seed dispersal pattern and rainforest regeneration. The team discovered that hornbills distribute seeds in treeless areas, critical for forest regeneration, particularly in cleared regions.