A new research synthesis suggests using tree ring data from forest inventory plots to estimate carbon sequestration in forests. This approach could provide a direct record of the carbon gained by individual trees and forests, scaling up to estimate forest-wide and continent-wide carbon savings.
SourceS.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources, Utah State University·JournalBioScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 3, 2022
Researchers found that microbes in the soils generate methane gas, which is then processed as it moves through dead trees. The findings shed light on the sources of greenhouse gas emissions from ghost forests, a growing concern due to rising sea levels.
SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalFrontiers in Environmental Science·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 2, 2022
A University of Arizona-led team combined tree-ring data with forest inventory measurements to predict future tree growth. The researchers found a 56-91% decline in individual tree growth, leading to less carbon sequestration by Arizona's forests.
SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 26, 2022
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.
A study found that frequent-fire forests in the Sierra Nevada have far fewer trees due to fire suppression, leading to increased competition among remaining trees. Managing for resilience involves drastically reducing densities to create low-density stands with less tree competition.
SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalForest Ecology and Management·TypeImaging analysis·DateJan 19, 2022
A new study by University of Helsinki researchers shows that boreal forests can mitigate climate change through aerosol formation and growth, influencing cloud properties and regional climate. The study found that aerosol particles produced by the forests alter cloud reflectivity, potentially cooling the climate.
SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeObservational study·DateJan 19, 2022
A new study by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute reduces uncertainty in predicting carbon dioxide release from deforestation scenarios. It highlights the capacity of young, regenerating or secondary forests to pull greenhouse gas from the atmosphere, suggesting that these forests can store up to 15% of Panama's national carbo...
SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalLandscape Ecology·DateJan 3, 2022
Researchers found that species-rich forests produce more wood and are less affected by extreme weather conditions. The main reason for this stability is the diversity of functional characteristics among tree species, which helps counterbalance fluctuations in climate.
SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
Research found that forests with diverse tree species exhibit higher growth stability and biomass production under fluctuating climate conditions. This is due to the diversity of species characteristics, such as asynchrony in growth patterns and drought-tolerance strategies, which counterbalance negative impacts of extreme weather events.
SourceGerman Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateDec 17, 2021
A study in Biosphere 2's Arizona facility sheds light on tropical forest responses to drought, revealing diverse drought strategies among plant species. The research, which tracked carbon, water, and VOC fluxes during a 9.5-week drought, may help improve predictions of climate change impacts on these ecosystems.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateDec 16, 2021
Research found that cacao agroforestry systems support unique bird species in tropical dry forests, while bats are more abundant in these areas than in nearby forests. This suggests that cacao farms can serve as biodiversity-friendly oases, providing food and refuge for birds and bats.
SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalAgriculture Ecosystems & Environment·TypeObservational study·DateDec 15, 2021
Tropical forests worldwide have disappeared rapidly due to deforestation. However, they can recover quickly on abandoned lands, with key forest functions rebounding within a decade. The study found that tropical forests can regain 78% of their old-growth values in just 20 years and near-total recovery occurs in less than 10 years.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateDec 9, 2021
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.
A new study published in Science of the Total Environment found that forests can reduce storm flows, but only when small-scale floods occur. In contrast, forests offer little to no protection against larger and more devastating flood events.
SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalScience of The Total Environment·DateNov 29, 2021
The Mountain Rain or Snow project collects observations of rain, snow, and mixed precipitation from across mountainous regions. Volunteers can submit their own reports via smartphone or computer to improve satellite monitoring and model predictions, leading to better weather forecasts, skiing conditions, and avalanche risk assessments.
A study by Prof. MA Keping and colleagues found that older forests with high functional diversity achieve higher productivity than those with low diversity or specific high average traits. This reliable tool helps forest managers connect restoration actions to goals, essential for mitigating climate change and biodiversity loss.
SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 5, 2021
Researchers found that during hothouse periods, Earth may have experienced cycles of dryness followed by massive rain storms. This unexpected atmospheric state sheds light on Earth's distant past and far-flung future, potentially helping to understand climates of exoplanets.
SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature·DateNov 3, 2021
A new study models changes in the world's 45 life zones from climate change, revealing potential for up to 62 million square kilometers of expansion. If left unchecked, emissions could accelerate rapidly, impacting biodiversity and human livelihoods.
SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateNov 1, 2021
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DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.
A new study reveals that deforestation in the Gran Chaco has led to the disappearance of over 20% of homesteads inhabited by forest-dependent people. The research highlights the significant social impacts of agricultural expansion on these communities, who rely on the forests for their livelihoods.
SourceMcGill University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 26, 2021
A new study reveals that incorporating lateral groundwater processes into forest models can significantly impact predictions of tree survival in drought conditions. By accounting for the sideways flow of water through soil, scientists can better understand how riparian forests will respond to future climate change.
SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateOct 19, 2021
Researchers explore human-forest interactions across space and time to understand the origins of the Anthropocene in tropical forests. The study reveals that traditional Indigenous land management has long-term significance in tropical regions, highlighting the need for fairer and more sustainable futures.
SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 27, 2021
A decade-long study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers shows how aspen stands change their genetic structure over time, adapting to environmental fluctuations. The findings suggest that exposure to various environmental changes can maintain diverse forests capable of responding to different stresses.
SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 6, 2021
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.
Scientists found that rain-borne microbes can successfully colonize plants' aboveground microbial communities, protecting them from stressors. The study suggests that rain is a potentially important reservoir for phyllosphere bacteria, which could be used to improve plant health.
SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalPhytobiomes Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 31, 2021
A new study published in Nature reveals that African tropical mountain forests store an average of 149.4 tonnes of carbon per hectare, significantly higher than previously estimated by the IPCC. This finding highlights the importance of preserving these carbon-rich ecosystems for climate protection.
SourceUniversität Bayreuth·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 26, 2021
Researchers found that African mountain forests store around 150 tonnes of carbon per hectare, similar to lowland forests. However, 0.8 million hectares have been lost in the past 20 years, emitting over 450 million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere.
A synthesis of scientific literature provides a unified resource for managing western forests and addressing the impacts of climate change on wildfires. The report recommends approaches such as thinning dense forests, prescribed burning, and revitalizing Indigenous fire stewardship practices to make landscapes more resilient.
SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalEcological Applications·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 3, 2021
Research found that tree mortality in subalpine Colorado forests more than tripled since the 1980s due to warmer and drier summer conditions. Climate change is expected to increase this trend, making it difficult for new trees to take root.
SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalJournal of Ecology·DateJul 26, 2021
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.
Researchers found that bat species native to the Northeast are highly active in newly created forest spaces, foraging for food at higher rates than in mature forests. Young forests provide an ideal environment for bats to find insects and grow, making them a crucial component of bat conservation efforts.
SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalForest Ecology and Management·DateJul 20, 2021
Researchers have developed novel approaches to resolve low-level vision in videos caused by rain and night-time conditions, as well as improve 3D human pose estimation in videos. These techniques can be used to enhance the quality of night-time videos and rain videos, addressing visibility issues during these environmental factors.
The study reveals that nearly 20 percent of intact tropical forests overlap with mining and oil concessions, posing a significant threat to these ecosystems. The total area of overlap is approximately 376,449 square miles, about the size of Egypt.
SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalFrontiers in Forests and Global Change·DateJul 16, 2021
Researchers found that roadless forests in the US West burn more frequently and severely than forested areas with roads, yet exhibit increased fire resilience. This is due to environmental factors such as elevation and moisture availability, rather than land use practices.
SourceOregon State University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJul 14, 2021
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.
Forest clearance in Southeast Asia has accelerated, with over 400 million metric tons of carbon released into the atmosphere each year. The region's mountain forests are being cleared at increasingly higher altitudes and on steeper slopes for agricultural intensification, posing a significant threat to biodiversity and climate change.
SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Sustainability·DateJul 12, 2021
A global network of over 2,500 scientists is exploring climate change's impact on forests and biodiversity. ForestPlots.net provides a unique platform for long-term monitoring and analysis, discovering how tropical forests help control carbon emissions.
SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalBiological Conservation·DateJul 2, 2021
A new study found that mangrove forests in Florida suffered unparalleled dieback after Hurricane Irma due to human-made obstacles and changes in natural topography. The research team identified potential explanations, including restricted water flow between areas, which can lead to extreme conditions and degradation of wetland vegetation.
SourceEast Carolina University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 28, 2021
New study confirms Russian forests have accumulated 40% more biomass than reported, with potential for 47% higher carbon sequestration. Close collaboration between science and policy is critical for adaptive forest management.
SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 24, 2021
A recent study published in Forest Ecology and Management found that creating deadwood in coniferous forests can promote the abundance of aboveground nesting bees. The researchers created artificial structures with standing timber in six sample plots in the Black Forest National Park, leading to an increase in wild bee populations.
SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalForest Ecology and Management·DateJun 23, 2021
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.
Researchers analyzed 20 years of fire reconstructions and US government records to show a significant increase in burnt area since 1984. High-elevation subalpine forests are experiencing record-high wildfire activity, accounting for 72% of total burnt area since 1984.
SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 14, 2021
A new University of Montana study finds high-elevation forests in the central Rocky Mountains are experiencing unprecedented fire activity, with burning now occurring every 120 years compared to historical averages of 230 years. Climate change is identified as a primary cause of this increase.
SourceThe University of Montana·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 14, 2021
A team from Alfred Wegener Institute discovered that treeless areas have more species than mountain forests due to climate change. The study's findings suggest that broader habitats lead to a wider range of settings for diverse flora and fauna.
SourceAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 20, 2021
A University of Michigan climate scientist and his colleague argue that planting trees won't curb climate change due to its inevitable effects on vegetation. Keeping existing forests healthy is key, while proactive forest management can help mitigate the crisis.
SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalScience·DateMay 20, 2021
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.
Researchers analyzed carbon loss and gain in African tropical forests between 1984 and 2017, finding no significant increase in tree mortality despite extreme climate conditions. Intact forests continued to grow biomass and remain a carbon sink, suggesting they may be more resilient to climate extremes.
SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 17, 2021
Researchers at North Carolina State University found that standing dead trees in coastal wetland forests, known as ghost forests, emit significant greenhouse gases. The study, published in Biogeochemistry, reveals that snags increase overall ecosystem GHG emissions by about 25%.
SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalBiogeochemistry·DateMay 12, 2021
A new study by UC Berkeley researchers found significant correlations between wind speed and direction and genetic diversity throughout forests globally. Tree populations connected by stronger winds tend to be more genetically similar, while those in the direction of prevailing winds have greater genetic diversity.
SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 10, 2021
New research reveals that northern forests' ability to absorb atmospheric carbon is being hindered by increasing frequency and intensity of forest fires. The study found that these fires are releasing more carbon into the atmosphere, while also altering the composition of tree species, with conifers being replaced by hardwoods.
SourceBoston University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateApr 29, 2021
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.
Research found tree plantations host significantly fewer beetle species, contributing to lower biodiversity compared to old-growth forests. Plantations' limited ability to support diverse food chains makes them less effective for forest conservation.
SourceGerman Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig·JournalForest Ecology and Management·DateApr 27, 2021
A study of oak forests in European Russia has provided new insights into the region's climate change. Researchers developed a classification system based on the Braun-Blanquet method, identifying two new associations and demonstrating the uniqueness of steppe oak forests compared to xero-mesophytic European oak forests.
SourceKazan Federal University·JournalVegetation Classification and Survey·DateApr 27, 2021
Scientists have discovered a new type of coronal rain forming along open magnetic structures on the Sun, which is facilitated by interchange magnetic reconnection between open and closed magnetic structures. This mechanism triggers thermal instability, leading to cooling and condensation of hot coronal plasma, resulting in coronal rain.
SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateApr 22, 2021
A new study published in Science shows that deciduous trees replacing burned spruce forests store more carbon and accumulate it four times faster over a 100-year fire interval. This suggests that these faster-growing forests may act as a stabilizing 'firebreak' against escalating fire patterns.
SourceNorthern Arizona University·JournalScience·DateApr 15, 2021
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GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.
Boreal forests can store nearly five times more soil carbon after severe wildfires through shifts to deciduous tree species like aspen and birch. This can provide a negative feedback to climate warming.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateApr 15, 2021
A global analysis of protected areas found that only 30% of forest loss in protected areas has been prevented, highlighting the need for improved enforcement and targeted conservation efforts. Protecting forests is crucial for sustainability, and scrutinizing protected areas across the globe can help direct efforts to the right places.
SourceMichigan State University·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateApr 13, 2021
A recent study reveals that the end-Cretaceous asteroid impact drastically restructured tropical forests, leading to a decline in plant diversity and the emergence of angiosperms. The findings suggest that the impact's long-term effects on tropical ecosystems were variable, depending on proximity to the crater and local conditions.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateApr 1, 2021
Researchers found that nearly nothing is known about the biggest trees and how they die, making them difficult to study. Climate change, severe storms, and droughts are affecting these giant trees, releasing more carbon into the atmosphere.
SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalNature Plants·DateMar 30, 2021
A new study reveals that rich countries' consumer demands for products like soybeans, cocoa, and timber lead to increased deforestation in poorer nations. The research found that different tree types have varying environmental impacts, and that policies aimed at preserving forests must also alleviate poverty.
SourceResearch Institute for Humanity and Nature·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateMar 29, 2021
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Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.
Researchers from North Carolina State University found that younger trees take up and release less water than mature trees, suggesting managers should time timber harvests to mitigate runoff. The study suggests leaving older trees alongside new growth can help mitigate effects of forest harvesting on drainage.
SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalAgricultural and Forest Meteorology·DateMar 29, 2021
A recent study found that beetle outbreaks have impacted around 40% of Colorado's forests, but the effects vary greatly due to differences in forest structures and species composition. Most affected areas still have mature trees capable of regenerating seeds.
SourceColorado State University·JournalRemote Sensing·DateMar 29, 2021
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen refute the claim that old-growth forests play a significant role in climate mitigation due to incorrectly analyzed data. However, they emphasize the importance of old-growth forest for biodiversity. The study found that the carbon storage capacity of unmanaged forests is highly overestimated.
SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalNature·DateMar 25, 2021
A UBCO researcher suggests a systematic approach to forest-water research to better understand the impact of human activities on natural filtration systems. The study highlights the need to consider multiple variables and their interactions when assessing the effects of deforestation, urbanization, and other disturbances on forest-wate...
SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalScience·DateMar 22, 2021
Researchers found that climate change and human disturbances like fire can slow down forest regrowth in the Amazon. The study suggests that protecting these forests is crucial to mitigate climate change.
SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 19, 2021
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.
Researchers have discovered four new lichen species in Kenyan cloud forests, showcasing the region's unique biodiversity. The isolated ecosystem is home to previously unknown Micarea genus species, highlighting the importance of preserving native forests.
SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalThe Lichenologist·DateMar 18, 2021
The UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals will have both positive and negative impacts on the world's forests. Positive impacts are associated with education, well-being, and social progress, while damaging impacts are linked to energy, infrastructure, and transportation.
SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalForest Policy and Economics·DateMar 10, 2021
A study published in Nature Communications found that regenerating tropical forests in Malaysian Borneo continued to grow despite high temperatures and water demand, but with limitations due to fragmentation and climate change. The researchers suggest wider buffers around riparian reserves to support forest growth and recovery.
SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 9, 2021
A study explores how a drastic reduction in kelp forests led to shifts in sea otter and sea urchin behavior, restructuring mechanisms that control the ecosystem. Following the decline, sea otters increased their consumption of energetically profitable urchins, enhancing kelp patch resistance to overgrazing.
SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 8, 2021