A new study reveals that tropical forests can regrow up to 95% faster when given sufficient nitrogen, allowing them to absorb more carbon dioxide. This finding suggests that targeting nitrogen pollution from farms and factories may be crucial in helping young forests recover and act as natural climate solutions.
A new study found that popular AI tools for predicting river flow often misinterpret how heat and evaporation affect water, raising concerns for flood and drought planning. The researchers developed a hydrology-specific 'explainable AI' framework to uncover these issues.
The Eva Mayr-Stihl Foundation is funding a new tenure track endowed professorship for silviculture and climate change adaptation, an international research laboratory, and an incubator fund. The initiative aims to adapt forests to global change while securing their ecological and social functions.
China's urban forests have grown significantly since 2010, increasing by 16.07 × 10^4 km² and storing up to 522.7 Tg C by 2060. The carbon sequestration rate peaked in 2015-2020, with a range of 1.92-22.8 Tg C/year.
Marine Animal Forests are complex habitats that provide essential ecological services, including biodiversity hotspots, nursery areas, and carbon cycling. Scientists urge immediate action to protect these ecosystems from destructive fishing practices, pollution, and climate change.
A new study by the University of Leicester reveals that Africa's forests have switched from absorbing to emitting carbon, with approximately 106 billion kilograms lost per year between 2010 and 2017. This alarming shift underscores the urgent need for stronger global action to protect forests.
A new study found that acid rain can destabilize soil microbiomes, making it easier for disease-causing microbes like E. coli O157:H7 to invade and persist. The researchers discovered that acid rain accelerates the evolution of high-risk pathogens, which can lead to severe foodborne illness and increased mortality rates in animals.
Researchers found that tropical forests may be less sensitive to climate change than thought. They discovered that dead leaves cool nearby leaves by reflecting more sun energy, reducing heat buildup.
A new study reveals that human disturbances, such as logging and wildfires, are profoundly impacting the Amazon rainforest's ecological functions and evolutionary history. The researchers found that even sustainable management practices, like selective logging, have significant negative impacts on tree diversity.
A new rain correction approach using dual-frequency measurements from the WindRAD instrument aboard the FY-3E satellite significantly improves wind measurement accuracy during moderate rainfall. The method reduces wind speed root-mean-square errors by approximately 0.2 m s−1 and wind direction errors by about 1.6°.
An international team is calling for a US $14 billion investment to protect and restore one million hectares of kelp forests by 2040. The funding would help achieve the Kelp Forest Challenge, a global mission to conserve and restore three million hectares of kelp forests, which fringe nearly a third of the world's coastlines.
A long-term study in the White Mountains of New Hampshire found that recovering forests are using roots to mine minerals for nutrients, leading to improved stream pH but depleted soil fertility. This process enhances mineral weathering, which can make forests more vulnerable to future pollution.
Research from the University of Eastern Finland identifies three dimensions of Forest Happiness: a bond with natural-like forests, happiness from activities like berry picking, and forest management. The study found that damage to forests, such as clearcutting and biodiversity loss, negatively impacts perceived happiness.
Research at the University of Jyväskylä found that intensive forest management leads to habitat loss and reduced biodiversity in Finland. Harvesting still occurs in forests with high biodiversity values, highlighting the need for better protection.
Scientists at University of Hawaii's Institute for Astronomy have discovered a new explanation for the formation of solar rain in the Sun's corona. By allowing elemental abundances to change over time, their models finally match observed phenomena, providing fresh insights into coronal heating and the Sun's behavior during flares.
A groundbreaking study found that mosses, often overlooked as mere background scenery, play a crucial role in storing carbon and stabilizing soil in subtropical forests. By including bryophytes in ecosystem assessments, scientists can identify cost-effective, nature-based solutions for climate change.
Researchers found that species diversity is highest in landscapes with 60% unmanaged forests and 40% intensively managed forests. Extensively managed forests contribute little to support species richness, but improving their ecological performance can help maintain forest biodiversity.
A new international study shows that increasing tree species diversity does not necessarily make forests more resilient to prolonged droughts. The study found that the effects of diversity on tree growth can shift from beneficial to negative as droughts drag on, with some mixes even strengthening forest stress and competition for water.
Researchers found that kelp forests support nearby beaches with high biodiversity due to nutrient subsidies. The connectivity between kelp and beach ecosystems is a local process, with the strongest benefit within 10 kilometers of kelp forests.
Research reveals that municipalities near healthy forests face lower risk from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The study, led by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, found that Indigenous forests bring health benefits to millions and can prevent millions of cases of respiratory and cardiovascular infections each...
A new study found that proactive forest management can significantly reduce the risk of high-severity wildfires by 88% and stabilize carbon stocks. The research analyzed over 200 fuel reduction projects in California's Central Sierra and found that treated forests stored carbon more durably, even after extreme droughts.
A new study has developed advanced, non-destructive models to measure the aboveground biomass and volume of Populus euphratica, a keystone tree in desert riparian forests. These models reduce errors by nearly half compared to traditional equations, providing new tools for forest conservation and carbon storage assessment.
A new high-resolution global forest age dataset has revealed that forests are ageing naturally at a slower rate than before, while disturbances such as wildfires and deforestation are causing younger stands to rapidly grow. This study highlights the pivotal role forests play in regulating the Earth's climate.
Heat-stressed Australian mountain ash forests are losing a quarter of their trees by 2080 due to global warming. The natural thinning response to temperature stress may decline large-scale tree-planting initiatives to reduce atmospheric carbon levels.
Research led by the University of Utah found that industrial private land has nearly one-and-a-half times higher odds of high-severity wildfire compared to publicly owned forests. Reducing tree density can mitigate megafire risk even in extreme weather conditions.
A new study found that kelp forests within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) recover more quickly after marine heatwaves, particularly in southern California. This suggests that MPAs can support ecosystem resilience to climate events like marine heatwaves.
A recent MIT study found that decreases in seed-dispersing animals can lead to a major reduction in forest carbon absorption. The researchers analyzed data from thousands of vegetation plots and found that healthy populations of seed-dispersing animals can absorb up to four times more carbon than similar forests with fewer animals.
Research found that high-elevation tropical forests in the Colombian Andes store significant amounts of pyrogenic carbon (PyC) due to past fires. The study analyzed soil samples from different elevations and land-use types, revealing PyC stocks nine to ten times higher in High Andean forests than in warmer regions.
A study reveals that planted forests store significantly more seeds than their natural counterparts, providing a vital boost to reforestation initiatives. Soil nutrients and forest characteristics play a crucial role in shaping seed bank dynamics, with soil attributes emerging as the dominant drivers of seed storage.
A study by University of Göttingen researchers found that mixed deciduous-conifer forests promote coexistence between red squirrels and dormice. The team observed both species living side by side in these forests, suggesting a potential role for mixed forest management in supporting biodiversity.
Researchers discovered that young secondary forests, aged between 20 and 40 years, exhibit the highest rates of carbon removal – locking away up to eight times more carbon per hectare than newly regenerating forests. Protecting existing young secondary forests offers immediate substantial carbon removal benefits.
A new study reveals that thunderstorms are a major cause of tree death in tropical forests, explaining patterns of mortality and carbon storage. The research highlights the growing threat of storms to trees and the planet's carbon stores.
Researchers estimate that burying wood debris from managed forests can capture between 770 and 937 gigatons of carbon dioxide, resulting in a reduction of global temperatures by up to 0.42 degrees Celsius. This method is considered low-tech, sustainable, and relatively simple.
Researchers found large differences in species communities among old-growth, managed, and clearcut forests in boreal Europe. Species richness increases with forest age, especially in full-canopy forests.
Record-breaking wildfires are rapidly transforming forests from carbon sinks to super-emitters due to warming and drought conditions. Planting trees can even increase wildfire risk in some cases.
New research reveals that turf algae in warming Gulf of Maine waters are chemically inhibiting the recovery of kelp forests, threatening these crucial marine ecosystems. Laboratory experiments show that turf-derived compounds inhibit early growth stages of kelp, altering the chemical ecology and preventing re-establishment.
A new study suggests that termites can be slow to recover in regenerating forests, hindering growth and health. Scientists propose transplanting deadwood logs or termite mounds into replanted rainforests to boost decomposer abundance and diversity.
A recent study reveals that tropical forests are home to an incredible diversity of chemical compounds, including terpenoids and alkaloids, which could have practical implications for human health. The researchers found that tree species in higher elevations tend to use similar chemicals to protect themselves from enemies.
Researchers found over half of residential rain barrels in Champaign County had at least one mosquito-positive barrel. Effective prevention methods include mesh coverings, approved insecticides like Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, and treating the water with chlorine or predators of mosquito larvae.
A new study from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research finds that failing to account for declining forest carbon storage capacity could make reaching Paris agreement targets impossible and costly. Immediate action is recommended to safeguard carbon stocks, prevent escalating costs, and promote sustainable land use practices.
Researchers evaluate traditional precipitation phase partitioning methods and machine learning models, revealing near-freezing temperatures create inherent limitations in distinguishing between rain and snow. Accurate identification is critical for weather forecasting, hydrologic modeling, and climate research.
A study led by the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research found that tree diversity significantly enhances forest temperature buffering, particularly during heat peaks. Species-rich forests showed a greater cooling effect, up to 4.4°C stronger than single-species forests.
Forest age significantly affects bamboo forests' phytolith carbon sequestration, with mature forests accumulating more soil PhytOC. Karst bedrock enhances PhytOC accumulation in bamboo forests due to its high Si content and weak alkalinity. Soil available Si is a crucial factor influencing PhytOC accumulation.
Researchers from UGA's Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources found that forest management efforts are supporting healthy bat populations. Bats rely on semi-open forest stands with varied stand structure for efficient flying and feeding, and a diverse mix of vegetation supports their survival.
Researchers have employed artificial intelligence and data analysis to improve forest protection, enabling real-time monitoring and predictive analysis. The innovative forest regeneration model forecasts how forests will grow and change over time, identifying best-suited tree species for different environments.
A new study reveals that tropical forests in the Americas are not adapting quickly enough to keep pace with climate change, with some species thriving while others struggling. The research found that traits such as being deciduous and drought tolerance influence a tree's ability to survive in a changing climate.
Researchers analyzed satellite data from the Sentinel-2 satellites to predict variations in tree traits and map functional diversity. They found significant differences in forest function across continents, with American tropical forests showing greater functional richness than African and Asian forests.
New CU Boulder research reveals sea otters play a vital role in kelp forest recovery, with their influence varying by region. The study found that sea otters in Southern California had a slower impact on kelp forests due to complex web interactions with other species.
A new study estimates China's natural forests will continue to capture carbon, but at a slowing rate. The research reveals significant regional differences in carbon storage potential, with younger forests showing the largest increase.
Researchers discovered a novel spatial mechanism underlying the coexistence of tree species in forests, with mechanisms such as seed dispersal driving patterns in tropical forests and mycorrhizal fungi shaping patterns in temperate forests. This finding has implications for understanding biodiversity stability and species coexistence.
A study published in Global Change Biology found that forests with multiple tree species store significantly more carbon than those with only one species. The Sardinilla experiment in Panama revealed that mixed-species forests sequester up to 57% more carbon in aboveground tree biomass.
A recent report by Colorado State University reveals that the state's forests are emitting more carbon than they absorb, primarily due to insect and disease impacts. The study estimated that Colorado's forests stored 1,558 teragrams of carbon between 2010 and 2019.
A new study investigates how soil organic carbon is distributed across different latitudes and soil depths in tropical, subtropical, and temperate forests. Forests are critical carbon sinks, and understanding how carbon is stored in soil is essential for climate action.
Fast-growing tree species are dominating Brazilian forests in regions with high levels of deforestation, threatening ecosystem services and biodiversity. The study highlights the urgent need to conserve and restore tropical forests to preserve these vital ecosystems.
Fossil evidence from Australia and South America challenges prevailing narrative that eucalypt forests are under siege from expanding rainforests. The study suggests that fire became a feature of these vegetation interactions in Australia around five million years ago, making large-scale fire interventions unnecessary.
A new study by Umea University researchers found that mixed forests with multiple tree species are less prone to damage from fungi, insects, and fires. The results suggest that increasing the number of tree species in production forests could reduce forest damage risk and financial losses.
Research led by the University of Göttingen found enriching beech forests with commercially valuable native and non-native conifer species can enhance biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and economic performance. The study showed that mixing beech with Douglas fir resulted in positive gains, particularly for biodiversity and economic ...
A new study reveals that European forests before modern humans arrived were dominated by light woodland and open vegetation. Hazel, oak, and yew thrived in these dynamic ecosystems, providing a diverse mix of habitats.
A global convection-permitting model developed by a team from USTC accurately predicted the 2020 plum rain event in Japan, capturing its intensity and location. The model improved forecast accuracy at high resolutions, aligning well with observational data.
Researchers have successfully established new sacred fir forests on a nearby volcano to serve as overwintering sites for monarch butterflies, which are projected to disappear from their current habitats due to global warming.