A new study reveals that well-intentioned conservation programs in the Amazon are insufficient to offset the destruction from agriculture, timber, and mining. The researchers project devastating impacts on biodiversity, climate change, and global warming if current trends continue.
The US Department of Energy has awarded Amalgamated Research, Inc. $1.9 million to improve biomass refinery efficiency and reduce capital equipment costs in Idaho. The project aims to develop a new biomass refining system for purifying and separating biomass subcomponents, enabling the production of fuels and chemicals.
A five-year study will investigate how physical, biological and human interactions shape the ecosystems of Lake Ontario's freshwater bays and lagoons. The research team, led by Mark B. Bain, will examine internal ecosystem processes and integrate data to determine conditions for self-organization of ecosystems.
Researchers propose that wolf presence in Yellowstone reduces elk browsing, allowing aspen trees to grow and recover. Aspen groves were largely lost due to human activity, but the absence of wolves is thought to be a key factor.
A new interactive multimedia tutorial for woody plant identification has been released by Kendall/Hunt Publishing. The software includes 9,500 color photographs and scientifically tested to increase identification skills among users.
A Virginia Tech researcher's work has influenced reclamation policy, guidelines, and regulations in four Appalachian states. The study quantified the diversity, productivity, commercial value, and carbon-capture potential of 21 mined and reforested sites across a seven-state region.
A new Amazon rainforest field research facility will conduct extensive ecological studies to understand the region's impact on global change. Scientists from around the world will study logging effects, carbon exchanges, and ecosystem cycles.
A new study published in Nature magazine suggests that warmer temperatures and changing precipitation patterns are affecting the growth rates of white spruce trees in Alaska. The researchers found that drought-like conditions are inhibiting tree growth, leading to a reduced capacity for these trees to absorb carbon from the atmosphere.
Aging South Dakota windbreaks are in need of renovation, posing increased risk to agriculture from wind damage. Well-developed forested riparian areas reduce nitrogen in groundwater by up to 100% and surface runoff by up to 98%.
A study led by Colorado State University scientists reveals that human-caused global changes, such as land-use change and nitrogen deposition, are expected to drive biodiversity loss between now and 2100. The research identifies five primary drivers of global change and assesses their impact on terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems.
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 group of Oregon State University scientists emphasize the potential benefits of genetic engineering in forestry, including faster-growing trees that can reduce the burden on native forests. They argue against 'genetic extremism' and call for a more careful analysis of the issues based on science.
A study on Isle Royale National Park found that wolves' increased hunting efficiency in snowy winters led to a decline in moose populations, reducing browsing pressure on balsam fir saplings. This cascade of ecological responses highlights the potential impact of apex predators' behavioral adaptations to climate change.
Researchers at Yale University have found that healthy bullfrog tadpoles can distinguish the odors given off by infected animals and keep their distance. This ability may be widespread among animals, enabling them to avoid diseases and reducing the spread of infection.
A European beetle is expected to spread throughout Canada, posing a major threat to the forestry industry. The Introduced Pine Shoot Beetle has few natural enemies in Canada, making it a voracious insect that can feed on various pine species.
Logging in tropical forests has sparked a 'deadly second harvest' of wildlife, including gorillas and elephants, with increased access providing markets for bushmeat. The Wildlife Conservation Society estimates that annual bushmeat harvest exceeds one million metric tons.
Researchers found no link between M74 and environmental pollutants, but suspect complex interacting factors in the Baltic Sea. Precautionary treatment with Vitamin B1 reduces mortality in salmon hatcheries.
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.
Elementary students at Christiansburg Elementary School are participating in a wildlife mapping program, recording animal sightings and sending data to the state. The project uses GPS technology and bird specimens from Virginia Tech's Museum of Natural History to teach students about conservation and habitat patterns.
Researchers study old-growth forests' carbon, water, and energy exchange to understand their role in global climate change. The project aims to provide baseline information on managed ecosystems' impact on global carbon budgets.
Researchers found that global climate change could lead to dramatic increases in California wildfires and economic losses. The study analyzed the potential effects of climate change on wildfires in California and found that changes would occur despite enhanced fire suppression resources.
A study by University of Georgia and New Zealand Forest Research Institute found seven genes causing pine tree death due to inbreeding. Inbred trees suffer from slow growth, deformities, and sudden deaths before maturity.
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.
The Oregon State University-led program aims to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and public perception on environmental issues. The five-year grant-funded initiative will train 20 tenured scientists in effective communication skills, enabling them to share their expertise with local communities, media, and policymakers.
Benjamin Hasse, a forestry major at Purdue University, will spend his first semester of junior year on Antarctica helping researchers. He will gain valuable experience in harsh environments and develop skills that can benefit his future career.
A 20-acre Pennsylvania watershed was extensively measured in the 1970s, providing valuable data for calibration of runoff models. The study revealed differences in water behavior between south- and north-facing slopes, with implications for understanding small-scale hydrology.
A Virginia Tech researcher is studying the life cycles of black bears, including their mating habits and hibernation patterns. The study has revealed that bears implant embryos before denning, but the exact timing may vary from year to year.
A year-long study predicts severe impacts of global warming on North American prairies, with water shortages and habitat loss threatening migratory birds. The changing climate could lead to further ecosystem upheavals, forcing native species out as nuisance plants move in.
Industrial ecology focuses on sustainable development, encouraging recycling, reuse, and upcycling. Graedel advocates for dematerialization, reduced energy intensity, and mining residue recovery to minimize environmental impact.
Research suggests shrews can serve as an indicator of environmental health due to their high sensitivity to environmental change. In the Central African Republic, 16 species of shrews were found thriving in micro-territories, defying expectations for such limited habitats.
The Virginia Tech Center for Environmental Applications of Remote Sensing (CEARS) will provide detailed maps and spatial data to support informed development project decisions. CEARS will leverage NASA's resources and expertise to advance remote sensing research, education, and outreach.
Researchers from Michigan Technological University are studying the effects of landscape structure on plant species, habitat quality, and economic output in public forests. Their goal is to develop a computer model that can help land managers select timber harvesting methods for optimal biological diversity and economic sustainability....
Researchers are investigating how climate change affects plant community composition, whole-ecosystem carbon exchange, and energy balance in northern peatlands. The goal is to determine the mechanisms of biotic control over temperature and its impact on ecosystem processes.
Studies found that tree species' moisture preference doesn't always correlate with their growth rate during droughts. Researchers used tree rings to analyze the energy stored in trunks, revealing inconsistencies between leaf physiology and radial growth.
A recent analysis suggests that developed countries will win while underdeveloped countries lose $82 billion and $40 billion annually respectively due to global climate change. Countries such as Canada, the US, and China are expected to benefit from a shift in climate conditions.
A new avian DNA 'marker' technique has been successfully adapted to determine the sex of marbled murrelets from blood samples collected in the field. Results show a ratio of almost two males to one female, raising concerns about declining populations and logging practices.
A new research program using Arabidopsis as a model aims to improve plant branching patterns through DNA manipulation. This could lead to higher-quality wood and reduced harvesting time for eucalyptus and poplar trees, benefiting the paper and construction sectors.
A multidisciplinary team is building an experimental facility to test the effects of combined ozone and carbon dioxide on forest stands. The project aims to understand how trees will respond to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide in conjunction with other pollutants, such as tropospheric ozone.
The Next Generation Project aims to refloat the US environmental policy debate with fresh thinking and new directions. A comprehensive compendium of ideas will be released at a workshop in Yale Law School, contributing to this fall's state and federal election campaigns.
The Southern Pine Beetle is the most aggressive and destructive of five bark beetles that feed on southern pines, causing $900 million in damage to U.S. pine forests from 1960 through 1990. Forest owners and homeowners need to take control measures if they spot the beetle, as it can be a costly pest.