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.
Coastal forests face uncertain future as sea levels rise, with trees more vulnerable to saltwater flooding than marshes. Tree ring analysis reveals nuanced effects of flooding, temperature, and precipitation on tree growth, highlighting species- and site-specific factors.
Researchers developed a novel approach to map planted and natural forests globally at 30-m spatial resolution, enabling accurate tracking of forest changes. By analyzing frequency of disturbance on satellite images, the team distinguished between established natural forests and planted forests.
A new study from the University of Leicester found that trees in logged tropical forests produce more carbon dioxide per unit area than those in unlogged forests. The researchers measured respiration in tree stems and estimated values for all trees in a one-hectare plot, showing higher carbon release levels in logged forests.
Researchers found that regrowing tropical forests on pastureland can reduce soil carbon emissions by nearly two-fold, offering a quick win in the fight against climate change. This unexpected finding is attributed to warmer temperatures experienced by soils in pastureland, which may explain higher carbon dioxide emissions.
Research shows ozone gas reduces tropical forest growth by 5.1% on average, impacting carbon capture and global warming. This effect is stronger in some regions, including Asia's tropical forests, which lose 10.9% of new growth.
A new study reveals that risks to global water security are significantly higher when considering the environmental conditions and governability of areas where moisture evaporates before falling as rain. This approach identifies regions with high water scarcity risk, including those dependent on neighboring countries for upwind moisture.
A WVU team investigates how different management practices affect Appalachian forest life and carbon sequestration capabilities. Preliminary data reveals changes in species distribution and ecosystem resilience to climate change.
Researchers used tree regeneration patterns to predict changes in US forests' carbon stocks, finding that 29% will lose and 55% will replace carbon. This study identifies vulnerable areas and prioritizes strategies for resilient forest management.
A new model reveals that phosphorus limitation reduces tropical forest productivity responses to rising CO2 concentrations. The study found that combined nitrogen and phosphorus limitations diminish CO2 fertilization effect on gross primary production and net ecosystem production by significant margins.
Researchers found that turbulent movements of air in clouds play a key role in the growth of droplets and initiation of rain. Simulations with turbulence showed rain formed around 20 minutes earlier and with seven times more rainwater than simulations without turbulence.
A study by Duke University researchers suggests that a mixed approach to reforestation, combining both planted and naturally regenerated forests, can sequester more carbon than either method alone. This approach can remove up to 10 times more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere at lower cost.
Researchers found that forests with less than 29% biomass loss retain high biodiversity and ecological value. Above 68% removal, serious conservation is needed to maintain biodiversity.
A new study reveals that global forests have consistently absorbed carbon dioxide for the past three decades, with tropical forests experiencing a decline in their ability to absorb carbon due to deforestation. However, temperate forests have shown an increase in their carbon sink capacity, largely due to extensive reforestation efforts.
A study analyzing 127 studies reveals 'thresholds' for logged rainforests to sustain themselves. Beyond a certain threshold, serious proactive conservation is needed to maintain biodiversity; otherwise, the forests rapidly lose their ecological value. The findings expand the scope of which forests are considered worth conserving.
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.
Kelp forests in southern Maine have collapsed due to warming, while northern regions continue to provide key ecosystem services. The study highlights regional differences in forest health and the importance of targeted management to preserve these ecosystems.
A new study suggests that tropical forests can overcome the challenge of scarce nutrients by adjusting their strategies for acquiring phosphorus. Forests of different ages respond differently to nutrient additions, with younger forests investing in nitrogen-based strategies and older forests relying on phosphatase to access phosphorus.
A recent study using satellite remote sensing data reveals that Asian forests have shown excellent resilience to disturbances from climate change and human activities. Despite 20% of forests experiencing disturbances between 2000 and 2022, 95% recovered within a few decades.
The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, found that active fires in west and central Africa's wet, tropical forests increased by up to 400% over 18 years, primarily caused by hot and dry conditions and human impact on forests.
A recent study by the University of Vienna found that only a few tree species can survive a century of rapid climate change. Mixed forests are essential for forest ecosystem stability, but limited species options pose a challenge. The selected set of future-proof trees averages three properties, such as carbon storage and animal habitats.
A recent study by an international group found that forests with higher trait diversity adapt better to climate change and thrive. Higher productivity levels were maintained in diverse trees compared to monoculture forests.
Researchers studied how climate change impacts boreal forests' carbon absorption after fires. They found that regrowth is influenced by the partnership between plants and soil microbes, which weakens with climate change.
A new report by a team of experts outlines an approach that combines Indigenous knowledge with Western science to develop more resilient forest management practices. The 'braided' approach aims to promote the health and diversity of forests, which are increasingly threatened by climate change.
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.
Researchers found that forests in Japan's Quercus serrata trees trap approximately 420 trillion airborne microplastics per year, acting as a terrestrial sink. The study used alkaline extraction to detect microplastics adhering to leaf surfaces, revealing a higher number than previously estimated.
A study by Yale University researchers found that Sri Lankan rainforests are losing their ability to act as carbon sinks due to climate change, with some slow-growing tree species declining in biomass over a 40-year period.
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.
International research led by CSU suggests studying root function in tropical forests can improve climate change predictions. Tropical forests contain 30% of global soil carbon, with roots acting as 'carbon banks' that can help mitigate climate change.
Mangrove forests in regions like southern India and eastern Australia are affected by human development, leading to a decline in global mangrove carbon stocks. The study predicts an annual rate of carbon emissions from mangrove loss will rise to 3,392 Teragrams by the end of the century.
A new study sheds light on the complex relationship between forests and the climate system, highlighting the impact of forest emissions on cloud formation and global temperatures. Researchers emphasize the need for improved climate models to accurately represent these interactions.
A recent Monterey Bay Aquarium study found that denser and more sheltered kelp forests can withstand severe stressors from warming ocean temperatures. The research also showed that persistent kelp forests are better equipped to handle multiple stressors, including sea urchin outbreaks and marine heatwaves.
Research by INRAE reveals that European forests with greater tree species diversity and slow-growing oak trees are better equipped to withstand storm damage. The study's findings suggest that monocultures of fast-growing pine trees are more susceptible to storm damage.
A new study provides detailed maps of temperatures inside tropical forests, enabling ecologists to better predict how species will respond to climate change. The research reveals significant variability in forest temperatures, with some areas experiencing temperature differences up to 4 degrees from the surrounding environment.
A new study by Monterey Bay Aquarium researchers found that sea otter population growth during the last century enhanced kelp forest resilience in California, increasing coverage by 56% along the central coast. However, kelp forests declined dramatically in northern and southern regions due to climate change.
New study reveals that kelp forests off the Pacific Coast were thriving 32 million years ago, with fossilized holdfasts showing evidence of ancient marine mammals and invertebrates. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of kelp ecosystems and highlights the importance of fossil hunting by amateur collectors.
A major international collaboration of scientists found that just 2.2% of tree species make up 50% of the total number of trees in tropical forests across Africa, Amazon, and Southeast Asia. The study estimated that 1,053 species account for half of the planet's 800 billion tropical forest trees.
Researchers found that logged forests have higher average temperatures and lower humidity, hastening the transition of bird species to higher elevations. Small bird species colonize logged forests better due to temperature tolerance, while larger species remain in primary forests.
Researchers found that mixed tree species in coastal forests can withstand tsunami impacts with less damage than monoculture forests made of black pine. The study analyzed satellite images and aerial photographs before and after the Great East Japan Earthquake tsunami on 11 March 2011.
A new study finds that building solar farms in arid regions can effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions, making it a more viable solution for addressing the climate crisis. By contrast, natural forests have a limited impact on carbon dioxide absorption due to their low albedo and high energy absorption rates.
A recent study analyzing tree ring measurements from 122 species found that trees in wetter forests are more vulnerable to drought than those in drier regions. This suggests that land management policies focused solely on drier regions overestimate the resilience of forests in wetter areas.
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.
Researchers found that the coastline produces up to five times more giant sea salt aerosols than the open ocean, affecting cloud formation and rainfall around the Hawaiian Islands. The study's findings can improve numerical weather prediction of nearshore cloud formation and rainfall patterns.
A recent study estimates that healthy forests could absorb up to 328 billion tons of carbon, with a significant portion of this potential achievable through sustainable forest management. By protecting existing forests and reconnecting fragmented landscapes, we can sequester an additional 139 Gt of carbon.
New research reveals that secondary forests in the Amazon cover over 190,000 km² but connect more than 2 million isolated fragments of old-growth forest, crucial for biodiversity conservation. These forests also act as a buffer zone, shielding old-growth edges from negative effects like hotter temperatures and wind.
Research reveals that lightning ignitions account for 77% of burned areas in intact extratropical forests, which store vast quantities of carbon. Climate change is projected to increase lightning frequency, posing a significant threat to these forests and the planet's carbon storage.
A new study found that mixed forests with four species have the highest carbon stocks relative to monocultures, increasing above ground carbon stocks by at least 70%. The results demonstrate the potential of diversification in planted forests to enhance carbon storage and support biodiversity.
A team of experts identified 15 over-looked issues that could impact UK forests, including catastrophic ecosystem collapse, competition for water resources, and tree viral diseases. The research calls for urgent action to increase forest resilience.
A new European forest damage database has been created to harmonize records of disturbances caused by insects and diseases. The database contains over 650,000 records mapping insect and disease occurrences in European forests from 1963 to 2021.
The study highlights the importance of protecting the Tongass and Chugach national forests in Southern Alaska, which provide habitat for iconic species like bald eagles, brown bears, and gray wolves. Increased protections for these forests are seen as key to mitigating climate change and preserving biodiversity.
A new method estimates the benefit of carbon stored because of forest conservation, enabling direct comparison of projects. The technique generates incentives for safeguarding forests long after credits have been issued.
Researchers at West Virginia University are studying the effects of acid rain on forests and watersheds, a project involving middle school students. The team aims to understand how ecosystems respond to chronic changes in environmental conditions, including the recovery phase after acid rain stops falling.
A new study using satellite imagery found that fires in boreal forests shift from coniferous to deciduous trees, but these changes are reversible over time. The study's findings suggest that continued climate warming and increased wildfire activity could lead to pronounced changes in forest composition.
Researchers found that subalpine forests in the Northern Rockies consistently recovered from wildfires over 4,800 years, with lake sediment cores providing a detailed record of past ecosystem responses. The study suggests that these forests are resilient to fire now, but future climate change may alter this resilience.
A new isotope database has been created to provide a baseline for hydrological, ecological, archeological and paleoclimate studies in Mexico. The database includes 608 monthly rain samples from 21 monitoring stations across the country.
Researchers mapped annual changes in global forest biomass between 2010 and 2019, finding that boreal and temperate forests are the largest carbon sinks. Carbon stocks increased by 500 million tonnes per year, primarily due to young trees in these forests.
Climate change is altering Italian mountain forests, with trees potentially shifting uphill and species disappearing. The study found that some species, like the European larch and Turkey oak, may thrive in a warmer future, while others, such as the silver fir and European beech, are at risk.
A study by Oregon State University found that forest thinning is enhancing native biodiversity and improving the resilience of older trees on federal lands in eastern Oregon. The research, led by James Johnston, involved long-term monitoring and partnerships between OSU, the US Forest Service, and local groups.
Research finds that smaller farms with varied crop types and forest patches support many bird species typically found in forests, even as populations decline in forests. Diversified farming can be crucial for preserving biodiversity and its benefits, including ecosystem services such as pest control and pollination.
A study by the University of Leeds found that South American forests lost their ability to absorb carbon from the atmosphere during an extreme El Niño event in 2015-2016. This suggests that tropical forests may no longer be able to mitigate climate change, but conservation efforts can still protect them.