A new report assesses water resources in the southern US states, finding that forestry best management practices can mitigate climate and land use effects on water quality. The study projects future scenarios of water stress due to extreme precipitation events, emphasizing the importance of adaptive management.
A Penn State research team mapped wild leek habitats in Pennsylvania to provide guidance for forest farming. The study identified suitable sites based on soil, topography, and vegetation characteristics, offering a solution to conservation challenges surrounding wild leek overharvesting.
Researchers in Lithuania have developed Forest 4.0, a smart forest data processing model that enables real-time monitoring of forest conditions, sustainable resource accounting, and transparent governance. The system uses IoT sensors and AI algorithms to detect tree diseases, illegal logging, and predict changes in forest ecosystems.
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.
The report analyzes six scenarios for the future and how each might impact the forest products markets in the South. The steepest declines are projected for the pulp and paper sector due to labor-saving technologies and reduced demand.
Researchers found that trees exhibit two distinct swaying patterns depending on wind speed, with branches absorbing energy in light winds and whole-tree sway in higher winds. The transition between patterns occurred at different wind speeds depending on forest density, shedding light on how forests respond to wind stress.
A new study reveals that external canopy structural heterogeneity has a stronger influence on species diversity-productivity relationships than internal heterogeneity. Researchers introduced a new index to quantify this external heterogeneity, which plays a key role in mediating biodiversity-forest productivity dynamics.
Research reveals climate-driven wildfires in extratropical forests are now the leading source of global fire emissions. Extratropical regions have surpassed tropical areas in contributing to fire-related carbon emissions, highlighting the urgent need for addressing emissions and safeguarding forest carbon sinks.
Forest fires globally emitted half a billion tonnes more CO2 in the last two decades, with increased severity and extent driven by climate change. The study reveals alarming shifts in forest fire patterns, posing significant challenges for global targets to combat climate change.
A recent study applied transition matrix growth models to simulate the effects of various management strategies on forest ecosystem services and multifunctionality in northeastern China. The findings highlighted the significant impact of forest management on ecosystem services, which outweighed the effects of climate scenarios alone.
Researchers developed DIAMANTE, a data-centric semantic segmentation approach to detect forest tree dieback events in satellite images. The approach trains a U-Net-like model on labelled remote-sensing datasets and achieves reasonable accuracy for early disease detection, reducing false alarms.
Pu's innovative methods enabled detailed forest health tracking, enhancing early detection of degradation and pest infestations. His interdisciplinary approach has shaped future remote sensing technology, informing policies against deforestation and climate change.
Researchers studied the effects of forest gaps on microclimate and soil biological activity in a European mixed floodplain forest. Temperature fluctuations increased in areas with gaps, but decomposition rates remained relatively stable. The study highlights complex interactions between forest structure, microclimate, and soil processes.
The number and scope of forest ecology/forestry research are expanding, with a shift towards more applied topics and the use of advanced statistical tools. Publications in eight ecology journals increased from 820 in 2010 to 2,354 in 2021.
Low- and moderate-severity forest wildfires can significantly reduce the intensity of future conflagrations, with effects lasting up to 20 years in certain climates. Researchers found that these reburns have a moderating effect on forest resilience, even during extreme weather conditions.
The UFZ forest condition monitor tracks dynamic changes in Germany's forests due to climate change extreme events. The index displays seasonal and annual maps of forest condition, highlighting areas with severe damage, such as the Harz region.
Researchers developed a new method using spectral measurements to accurately estimate forest tree leaf nutrient content, offering a faster and larger-scale alternative to traditional methods. The method improved accuracy when accounting for soil type and tree genus, showing promise for informing forest management decisions.
Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine will test a multilevel intervention, FinFit, to address financial hardship among adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. The five-year trial aims to reduce financial burden by targeting education, insurance, and financial asset levels.
A new study published by US Forest Service researchers explores the impact of leaf-eating insects on forest ecosystems worldwide. The findings suggest that warmer climates affect plant-herbivore interactions, leading to changes in carbon and nutrient cycling in broadleaved forests globally.
Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine are studying the effectiveness of non-pharmacological treatments for migraine, which affects nearly half of those with the condition and leads to significant disability. The five-year study aims to identify therapies that target long-term efficacy and safety.
The Wake Forest University School of Medicine has been awarded a $28.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries. The grant will support initiatives such as rapid response to health emergencies and the recruitment of diverse academic learning health system workforce.
The study uses spaceborne lidar to estimate canopy height, providing accurate measurements over large geographic regions. The results show promising accuracy for evergreen forests with dense canopy cover, highlighting the potential of ICESat-2 in monitoring forest recovery and detecting health issues.
A new study reveals that trees in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest are migrating uphill to escape rising temperatures, while some species are moving downhill. The research found that younger trees in high-altitude forests are growing more rapidly and moving uphill.
Researchers found that radioactive cesium moves rapidly through the soil and decreases in fine roots of cedar trees, promoting a self-cleansing effect that can aid in forest decontamination. This phenomenon has implications for developing new forest decontamination methods.
A recent study reveals that Australia's forests have declined significantly over the past 30 years, contributing to a troubling trend of deforestation and forest degradation. The country's extensive deforestation for agriculture has been a major driver of carbon emissions.
The world's forests continue to absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide, with an average of 3.5 billion metric tons per year, nearly half of global fossil fuel emissions between 1990 and 2019. Despite disruptions, certain land management practices can help preserve this critical carbon sink.
A new study reveals widespread decline in Western US forest carbon storage, likely caused by drought and fire. The research provides a framework for evaluating future changes and informing management strategies to mitigate carbon loss, highlighting the need for proactive forest management practices.
A study reveals that mixed forests store more soil organic carbon than pure forests due to higher wood debris storage. However, the quality of SOC in deep soil is better than surface soil. The findings highlight the importance of mixed forest and plant debris in maintaining forest carbon sequestration.
A new UMD-led study found that extensive areas of Indonesia's cleared old-growth forests remain idle, with over half idle for at least one year and 44% for five years. Palm oil plantations were the most common outcome, often established after a lag of at least one year.
Researchers found that reducing surface and ladder fuels through thinning, coupled with prescribed burning or pile burning, can significantly reduce future wildfire severity. The study's findings support the effectiveness of proactive ecological forest management in changing fire behavior and mitigating wildfire severity.
A collaborative research study found that frequent, low-severity fires support Mexican spotted owl habitat, while high-severity fire is detrimental. This finding suggests that restoring historic fire regimes could benefit both owl conservation and forest resilience.
Wake Forest University School of Medicine has received a $1.5 million grant to study bone microarchitecture in patients following bariatric surgery. The researchers will use high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) imaging to assess bone loss and muscle changes after weight-loss surgery.
A study by the University of Göttingen investigated regional differences in bird diversity within cocoa agroforestry systems in Peru. The research team found that biodiversity decreases with increasing distance from natural forests, with greater richness of species found in humid subtropical forests than in dry tropical forests.
A new study reveals no consistent pattern between tree diversity and forest productivity at different elevations; biodiversity can increase or decrease productivity in various regions.
Recent deadly wildfires in Greece and Hawaii highlighted the need for improved wildfire risk management. The authors propose a long-term strategy integrating forest land management with fire prevention and mitigation measures, including retrofitting buildings and limiting development in the wildland-urban interface.
A team of researchers from the University of Delaware developed a forest extent agreement map for Mexico, combining seven remote sensing products and two independent datasets to identify consensus areas of agreement. The study found high agreement in heavily forested areas and disagreement in complex ecological zones.
A 14-year study in the Brazilian savanna-like biome found that tree basal area increased while density decreased, and community diversity increased slightly. The researchers discovered that 54% of initial trees had died, replaced by new growth, highlighting the rapid degeneration of cerradão into a biodiversity-poor forest formation.
A new study uses GEDI LiDAR to accurately map tree height composition in forests, revealing nuanced details of forest structures and their implications for biodiversity and carbon sequestration. This breakthrough technology offers a fresh perspective on forest ecosystems, enhancing ecological research and forest management.
Fruit eating birds play a vital role in forest ecosystems by consuming, excreting, and spreading seeds to allow trees to grow and function. The study found that highly fragmented landscapes restrict bird movement, reducing carbon recovery potential by up to 38 percent.
A new study finds that Europe's forgotten forests have the potential to support high species diversity and resilience to climate change. The Eurasian aspen, a keystone species, is well-suited to thrive in these environments due to its ability to regenerate quickly and colonize new areas.
A new study shows that species richness is strongly correlated with forest productivity, while phylogenetic and functional diversity are negatively correlated. This finding suggests that focusing on planting more tree species can be an effective way to restore degraded ecosystems.
A recent study provides the first detailed account of global forest changes and their impact on carbon absorption. The analysis revealed a nuanced landscape of change, where losses in natural forest carbon stocks were partially offset by gains in managed forests.
Researchers developed a comprehensive methodology to extract phenotypic parameters of understory regeneration saplings using high-density airborne LiDAR data. The study demonstrated a successful application of this technology, improving detection and matching rates for tree segmentation.
Scientists monitored seedlings in North Borneo's natural and restored forests, finding low survival rates in logged areas. This suggests that different restoration approaches may have longer-term implications for forest recovery, including carbon sequestration and biodiversity.
Scientists have discovered the oldest fossilized forest on Earth, dating back 390 million years, in the Devon and Somerset coast of South West England. The fossils, known as Calamophyton, are a 'prototype' of modern trees, with characteristics such as hollow trunks and twig-like structures.
Researchers analyzed data from the Thain Family Forest in NYC, documenting changes in forest structure, diversity, and composition over a century. Despite significant changes, native species remained dominant, and the forest's canopy remained stable.
A new study by the University of Liverpool warns that reforestation initiatives can harm wildlife and ecosystems if not done properly. The research highlights issues with tree-planting in non-forest systems, such as savannas and grasslands, which are under threat from increased tree cover.
A recent study published in Nature identifies potential thresholds for stressors that could cause the Amazon forest to collapse. The research highlights the importance of understanding the most significant factors affecting the rainforest environment to develop strategies for keeping it resilient.
A study published in Perspectives in Ecology and Conservation proposes a novel methodology for projecting native tree growth and optimizing timber production in forest restoration. This approach reduces the time to harvest by 25% and increases stand density by 38%, making large-scale forest restoration more attractive to landowners.
A new analysis reveals a pronounced regional imbalance in forest productivity, with the Western U.S. experiencing a notable slowdown and the Eastern U.S. seeing slightly accelerated growth. This study highlights the urgent need for reduced global greenhouse gas emissions to restore the global carbon balance.
A comprehensive assessment reveals that roughly two-thirds of Atlantic Forest tree species are threatened with extinction, including 82% of endemic species. The study suggests that conservation efforts may need to be revised due to the high extinction risks for tropical forests worldwide.
Scientists have identified two fungi, Beauveria pseudobassiana and Metarhizium brunneum, with high insecticidal activity against the Eucalyptus snout beetle. These naturally occurring pathogenic fungi could be used to develop a bio-pesticide for controlling the beetle in forest plantations.
A team of international scientists found that Southeast Asian forests resisted 'savannisation' during the Last Glacial Maximum, maintaining a mosaic of diverse closed and open forest types. Maintaining forest diversity is key to preventing future 'savannisation' and protecting tropical rainforests in regions like South East Asia.
The EU-funded ForestPaths project gathered stakeholders to discuss forest-based policymaking and climate change mitigation. Key findings include a desire for sustainable forestry products, long-term forest considerations, and practical guidance for forest managers.
Research finds national parks and protected areas in Thailand are more prone to forest fires when located far from indigenous communities. Collaborative work with local communities reduces forest fires and air pollution, highlighting the importance of indigenous practices.
The university has received $1 million to advance wildfire risk science and train scientists to translate findings into tangible outcomes for communities. A new graduate program will combine civil engineering and forest engineering, resources and management.
Researchers enhanced the Allometric Scaling and Resource Limitations (ASRL) model to predict tree canopy height in beech-maple-birch forests. The modified model factors in known growth limitations and local meteorological datasets, achieving more realistic predictions compared to previous versions.
Forest microclimates are weakened by soil droughts, leading to hotter temperatures in forest understories. This can have devastating effects on small tree seedlings and forest biodiversity as a whole.
Oregon State University scientists used forest modeling to determine that a site's productivity is the main factor in maximizing above-ground carbon sequestration. The study found that 60-year rotations with low-intensity thinning are optimal for highly productive stands, while longer rotations of 80-120 years are better for less produ...
Recent US legislation aims to increase fire management and tree planting to reduce large destructive fires and promote carbon sequestration. Fuel reduction activities are projected to remove 194-288 million metric tons of carbon from western forests over the next decade.