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.
Researchers used statistical methods to investigate the extent of climate support for the Eurasian forest-steppe zone's delineation. The study found that macroclimate explains a significant portion of the zone's distribution, with some regions showing strong agreement and others requiring further refinement.
A recent study by the University of Cordoba confirms that controlled burning has minimal short-term effects on soil properties, but can improve fertility and biological properties. Long-term assessments show that alterations are recovering pre-burn values.
A new spatial database created by Purdue University scientists combines data collected on-site and via satellite to provide detailed maps of planted forests in East Asia. The database lists the most common tree species growing there, such as pine and eucalyptus, and covers 87.0% of planted forest in China.
A new study identifies locations where proactive forest management can reduce carbon loss and protect communities from wildfires in the Western United States. Proactive forest management techniques like thinning, prescribed fire, and cultural burning can help keep carbon in forests and reduce wildfire 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.
A team of researchers from UC Davis has developed a tool that can predict which forests are likely to survive or die after a drought. By analyzing changes in precipitation, soil moisture, and temperature, the tool links these factors to tree growth and carbon reserves.
Researchers advocate for a forest-first approach to specifying timber species in forestry and building practices, emphasizing the need for climate-adaptive strategies. By selecting suitable tree species based on ecological and building traits, builders can create resilient forests and support functional diversity.
Climate impacts like dry summers causing tree growth reduction and increased mortality in the Black Forest. The study found a peak in tree mortality in 2019, with mortality rates exceeding 40% of sustainable annual growth.
Research found that grassland fragmentation and plant invasion support generalist arthropod species, but may harm specialist species adapted to forest steppes. Plant invasions, such as milkweed, alter microclimates and vegetation structure, affecting arthropod diversity.
Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine will conduct a multicenter randomized control trial to test the benefits of enhanced primary care (E-PRIME) in children with complex chronic conditions.
Researchers study the impact of climate change on bird populations in fragmented forests, assessing effects of microclimate variation and temperature changes on survival and reproduction. The team analyzes dietary specialization, stress, and behavioral adaptations to understand how these factors affect bird demographic responses.
The EU climate target 2040 aims to reduce emissions, and ForestPaths suggests using forests and wood products to sequester carbon. The project recommends a holistic approach to consider interactions between forest-based activities, adaptation, and other sectors.
A new study finds that fire can lock large parts of the Amazon in a treeless state, preventing 56-86% of the Amazon from regrowing. Global warming and deforestation damage the forest's moisture recycling process, enabling a self-reinforcing feedback loop of forest loss.
The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute received a $12 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund to support the GEO-TREES project, which verifies satellite monitoring of forest biomass. The system uses on-the-ground measurements and LiDAR scans to provide accurate carbon estimates.
Dr. Dave E. Calkin has been recognized with the prestigious Ember Award for his contributions to wildland fire science, including developing tools and strategies for risk management and decision-making. His work aims to improve the effectiveness of wildfire management systems, supporting the health of public lands and communities.
A new study using coupled field observations and phytoclimatic modeling shows that climate is the dominant influence on African forest and savanna ecosystems. The findings suggest that spatial variation in climate can predict the occurrence of these ecosystems at both large and fine scales, challenging traditional views.
A study by OSU researchers found that tropical forest birds with shorter, round wings are more susceptible to habitat fragmentation due to their limited dispersal abilities. This is in contrast to temperate forest birds with longer, narrower wings, which are better equipped for long-distance flight.
Anita McGahan, a professor at the University of Toronto's Rotman School, has been recognized for her outstanding service to the field of strategic management. She will receive the William D. Guth Distinguished Service Award at the Academy of Management's annual meeting in August.
Carefully planned restoration of agricultural coffee landscapes can increase crop yield by promoting pollinators' habitat, leading to long-term conservation and economic benefits. Over a 40-year period, strategically allocating land to agriculture and forest can double profits for landholders while increasing forest cover by 20%.
Researchers developed a method to detect forest disturbance by combining strengths from time-series algorithms and 2-date detection methods. The new technique facilitates more effective forest management and policy.
A new online tool predicts the potential abundance of Black-backed Woodpeckers after fire by incorporating pyrodiversity into forest management decisions. This helps balance human and wildlife needs in post-fire landscapes.
A study found that savanna species in Cerrado biome produce significantly more bark than forest species to protect against frequent fires. This adaptation enables them to survive and regenerate after burning, highlighting the importance of controlled fire management in these ecosystems.
Native bees in Oregon's Coast Range are diverse and abundant in clearcut areas within years of timber harvest, but numbers drop sharply as the forest canopy closes. Management practices that promote open conditions can enhance floral resources and promote bee diversity.
The article summarizes current status and future trends of forest understory vegetation biodiversity, regeneration, biomass, nutrient content, and interactions with overstory trees. It proposes focusing on understory-Canopy tree interactions and plant-soil mechanisms driven by climate or environmental factors.
A study by Oregon State University scientists reveals that the black-backed woodpecker can successfully breed in both burned and unburned forests, with better nestling body condition found in green forest. The research has significant implications for conservation and forest management efforts, suggesting that practices promoting pyrod...
A WCS-coauthored study reveals global mountain forests are vanishing at an accelerating rate, with 78.1 million hectares lost worldwide between 2001-2018. Protected areas played a crucial role in retaining forest habitat and conserving wildlife, but other conservation strategies must be considered to safeguard mountain forests.
Researchers report that more than 85% of world's bird, mammal, and amphibian species live in mountains, but these forests are vanishing at a faster pace. Globally, we've lost 78.1 million hectares of mountain forest since 2000, mainly in tropical biodiversity hotspots.
Warmer and drier climate conditions are making it less likely for trees to regenerate after wildfires, according to new research published in PNAS. Ecological forest management can partially offset climate-driven declines in tree regeneration by limiting fire-caused tree death, but only if action is taken quickly.
A new study by the University of Copenhagen found that private forests in Denmark have a significant impact on property values. Forest owners attribute great value to their trees and landscapes, leading to increased quality of life and financial gains.
A study by Dr. Maria M. Georgi and colleagues found that mulching times of forest meadows have a negative impact on both insect larvae and flower-visiting insects. Mulching in September was shown to protect the latter, while mulching in June had a negative effect.
Research from Binghamton University highlights the importance of ants in forest regeneration, with over 95% of New York state forests relying on them to disperse seeds. Ants take seeds with fatty rewards back to their nests, protecting them from consumption by rodents and other organisms, promoting a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Purdue University has been awarded a $10 million grant from the USDA to improve forest management in the Eastern US. The project, called PERSEUS, aims to provide digital tools and precision management to enhance forest health and promote sustainable forestry practices.
Researchers from University of Jyväskylä found that forest management has a stronger effect on the supply of ecosystem services than climate change. The study suggests that forest management planning should account for biogeographic diversity, and climate change mitigation measures are particularly suited for northern Finland.
Climate change may lead to significant declines in US forest inventories, particularly in the South, resulting in reduced timber production and increased costs. The study projects losses of up to 23% by 2100, with potential gains in some regions driven by climate-adaptive species.
A recent study published in Forest Ecology and Management found that deer browsing had relatively little long-term impact on two tree species in a northern forest. Researchers discovered that seedling survival and growth were more greatly influenced by light availability, soil nitrogen, and size attained before gaps were created.
A new study reveals that up to 38% of the remaining Amazon forest area has been affected by human disturbances, causing significant carbon emissions. The research highlights the cumulative effect of factors such as forest fire, edge effects, selective logging, and extreme drought on forest degradation.
A new study found that Indigenous communities with formal tenure rights in Brazil's Atlantic Forest reduced deforestation and improved forest cover, outperforming territories without such rights. Strengthening self-determination rights of Indigenous peoples has been shown to be crucial for forest conservation efforts globally.
A CU Boulder-led study finds that Indigenous communities with full, formal recognition of their land rights experience less deforestation and increased reforestation in the Atlantic Forest. The research supports ongoing efforts to recognize Indigenous peoples' land rights and mitigate climate change and biodiversity loss.
A recent study reveals that elephants play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and storing atmospheric carbon in African rainforests. The loss of forest elephants would lead to reduced carbon sequestration, amplifying planetary warming. With critically endangered populations, conservation efforts must prioritize protecting these...
Researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences provide panoramic view of global forest patterns, highlighting pervasive effect of human impacts on protected areas and intact forest landscapes.
Researchers from DePaul University studied small mammals in eastern Paraguay's Atlantic Forest remnants to understand biodiversity and its relation to forest edges. They found that species richness and abundance increase closer to the edge, while phylogenetic diversity is higher in interior sites.
A long-term study of forest landslides in the Pacific Northwest reveals that management history has a greater impact on landslide frequency and severity than rainfall. The research, led by Oregon State University, found that decades of road building and logging practices affected flooding, landslides, and erosion patterns.
A recent study published in Nature Sustainability reveals that Indigenous territories and protected areas play a vital role in forest conservation in the Brazilian Amazon. The study found that these areas accounted for approximately 52% of forests in the region, leading to only 5% of net forest loss and 12% of gross forest loss.
A study found bird diversity and abundance increased in areas with high-severity burns, but some species showed lower abundance. The findings suggest that managing forests to promote shrubland bird species could be beneficial. Researchers hope the results can inform forest management strategies to benefit birds.
A new study reveals that child labor plays a significant role in preserving forest cover in southwestern Ethiopia. However, the economic-environmental synergy of smallholder shade coffee production is compromised by an undesirable reliance on child labor, leading to negative effects on children's schooling.
An international team of researchers is exploring how human occupation and land use over hundreds of years affected the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, one of the world's most critically threatened tropical forests. The study aims to produce an 'atlas of human impact' using historical, archaeological, and ecological data.
An international team is creating an 'atlas of human impact' to understand how human occupation and land use have affected the Brazilian Atlantic Forest over hundreds of years. The research will inform future conservation efforts for this critically threatened tropical forest.
A new study reveals that bat diversity is highest in old deciduous forest stands on river banks in Eastern Ukraine. The research found that mature forests older than 90 years improve breeding activity and abundance of bats, with species richness increasing up to 22% of all forests in the region.
Scientists developed a first model to predict canopy water content during drought and heat waves. The model could enable fire danger forecasting models that include vegetation in their calculations, making it easier to predict the spread of fires.
A new study reveals that high ecosystem resilience is linked to high mortality risk in western US forests, contradicting previous assumptions. The research combines decades of satellite data and ground observations to show a surprising correlation between forest resilience and tree death rates.
Eastern red bats, now the most commonly detected bat in Midwestern forests, have a significant impact on tree regeneration due to their appetite for insect-damaging bugs. Forest managers can benefit from considering these bats' landscape preferences, particularly ponds and smaller forest openings.
Almost one quarter of Sweden's last unprotected old-growth forest was logged between 2003 and 2019. Rare ecosystems with rich biodiversity are being lost at a rate of 1.4% per year, posing significant threats to biodiversity and planetary stability.
Researchers from the University of Wyoming used NASA's Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) mission to collect high-resolution forest data, which improved their understanding of habitat relationships between forest carnivores and their prey species in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. The study paired GEDI data with other re...
Researchers found that protected Indigenous lands have higher forest integrity than non-protected areas in all regions analyzed, including the Americas and Africa. However, within Indigenous lands without overlap with protected areas, forest health was actually worse off than non-protected areas.
Researchers suggest that prescribed fire can help restore forest habitats less favorable to disease-carrying ticks, reducing their populations. Fire-driven forest modification can also suppress tick abundance and pathogen transmission by creating drier conditions and increasing wildlife predators of ticks.
The ForestPaths project will co-design, quantify and evaluate forest-based solutions to meet the EU’s Climate Targets for 2030 and 2050. The project will work with practitioners, policymakers, and regional authorities to determine climate- and biodiversity-smart forest management options.
A new study reveals that losing endangered fruit-eating animals in the Atlantic Forest could severely disrupt seed-dispersal networks, leaving plants without an effective means to regenerate. Nearly 55% of specialist plant species rely solely on these frugivores for seed dispersal.
Researchers highlight the importance of sustained blood pressure control in reducing fatal cardiovascular events. The study found that intensive blood pressure management was beneficial during the SPRINT trial but lost its effects after two years without continued treatment.
The HOMED project developed a full panel of scientific knowledge and practical solutions for managing emerging native and non-native forest pests and pathogens threatening European forests. The project's results include over 60 scientific publications, policy briefs, practice abstracts, educational videos, and tools.