The study found that only four protected areas in Côte d'Ivoire still host forest elephants, with low density. Human population size, habitat degradation, and cocoa plantation conversion significantly impact elephant presence.
A recent study by USDA Forest Service researchers found that thinning and prescribed fire can significantly reduce tree mortality and increase tree growth. The study compared two thinning methods and found both were effective in reducing tree deaths and promoting healthy forests.
A Siberian Federal University team analyzed international trade data to determine Russia's most competitive forest products. The regions in north-west Russia excel in paper and cellulose production, while Siberia and the Far East have significant advantages in raw wood and timber exports.
A significant reduction in fruit production by trees has coincided with a decline in the physical condition of fruit-eating forest elephants. The study found an 81% decline in fruit production between 1986 and 2018, alongside an 11% drop in the physical condition of fruit-dependent forest elephants since 2008.
Research suggests leaving up to 75% of naturally disturbed forest areas unlogged preserves 90% of original species richness. This guideline can help promote biodiversity in affected habitats.
Researchers found that 50% of plots showed signs of tree regeneration, and water balance projections indicate enough moisture for seedlings. Proper management can prevent severe fires, creating resilient conditions in dry forest areas.
A new study suggests that concentrating tree planting efforts on understocked forest land, particularly in western states and the Northeast, can substantially increase carbon sequestration capacity. This targeted approach could enhance ecosystem services and offset a significant portion of the country's carbon dioxide emissions.
A global assessment maps the spatial relationship between people and forests, revealing an estimated 1.6 billion individuals live near forests. The study highlights that many of these people do not rely on forest resources for their livelihoods.
Research reveals that degradation of the Brazilian Amazon forest has surpassed deforestation in terms of area affected. The study found that between 1992 and 2014, degraded forest cover increased by 29,116 square kilometers compared to the 308,311 square kilometers lost to deforestation.
Researchers analyzed the impact of a plain afforestation project in Beijing, finding that some forest patches showed worse growth due to interrupted afforestation. They also found that this project occupied fertile farmland, decreasing connectivity and compactness.
A new study highlights the critical importance of partnering with indigenous people and local communities in tropical forest restoration. The research estimates that 294.5 million people live within areas with good potential for forest restoration, and over one billion people live nearby such land.
A new study emphasizes the importance of involving local communities in global forest restoration efforts, which could provide benefits to millions of people living on lands suitable for forest restoration. The research highlights opportunities for tropical countries to remove atmospheric carbon, promote biodiversity conservation, and ...
A long-term study in Southeast Asian rainforests found that active restoration accelerates forest recovery, with areas recovering up to 50% faster than those left to regenerate naturally. However, the high cost of restoration currently limits its impact on mitigating climate change.
A new study suggests that climate change will negatively influence forest growth in semi-arid climates with reduced seasonal snowpack, but less so in wetter climates. In water-limited areas, this may lead to increased tree mortality and negative impacts on forest density.
Climate shift, forest loss and fires have led to the expansion of Amazon fires beyond flammable savannas to moist tropical forests. The fire season was initialized earlier than two decades ago due to extreme climate events making the forest more vulnerable.
Research highlights risk of ecological change as wildfires flare up across West, driving changes in forest vegetation and threatening wildlife habitats and local economies. Scientists explore strategies to adapt forests to emerging climatic conditions, including 'assisted migration' and managing wildfire for resource objectives.
A new self-powered alarm system detects forest fires by harvesting energy from moving tree branches, reducing the need for maintenance and increasing efficiency. The MC-TENG technology converts mechanical energy into electricity, enabling continuous monitoring of fire and environmental conditions.
A new study on palm oil agriculture in Borneo found that protected forest areas within oil palm plantations store up to 20% more carbon than those with no protection. These areas also boost rainforest biodiversity by conserving endangered species such as hornbill birds and dipterocarp trees.
New international research reveals that forest cover loss amplifies both gains and losses in global biodiversity. The study, spanning 150 years and over 6,000 locations, finds that forests support around 80% of all land species, with some species declining rapidly after forest loss.
A new study reveals that global forest loss is amplifying both gains and losses in species diversity, leading to changes in ecosystems. The research found that some tropical areas experience significant declines in animal species due to forest loss.
Researchers found that forests on shale bedrock store 25% more live aboveground carbon and grow 55% faster than those on sandstone bedrock, making them ideal for conservation and carbon sequestration.
A study used satellite images and machine learning to analyze forest fragment degradation and regeneration in the Atlantic Rainforest. Researchers found that certain tree species indicate forest regeneration, while others mark degraded areas.
A $260,000 award from the US Forest Service supports a two-year project led by NAU professor Han-Sup Han to develop wood products market, invest in rural economies, and increase forest restoration treatments. The goal is to create a center of expertise that can support sustainable forest land management and cluster development.
A new prediction tool developed by University of Nevada, Reno researchers can help manage forests in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The tool, designed to focus on water quantity, predicts how different approaches to thinning impact snowpack accumulation in Lake Tahoe.
New research suggests that logging of native forests significantly increases fire risk and severity, exacerbating Australia's recent catastrophic bushfires. The study highlights the importance of preventing logging in moist forests and reducing forest fragmentation to mitigate future wildfires.
A newly published study suggests that the forest elephant population size is smaller than believed, leaving the species in an even graver position. The research provides insights into a revised population count and social behavior of the forest elephants.
The discovery reveals that early human inhabitants of the Amazon tamed wild plants to grow manioc, squash and maize, creating 4,700 'forest islands' in northern Bolivia. This study confirms South West Amazonia as a center of plant domestication around 11,000 years ago.
Research reveals a significant decline in aboveground carbon storage along Malaysian Borneo's forest edges, impacting the global carbon budget. The study found that buffer zones could mitigate edge-related declines in forest carbon stocks.
Forests are shifting towards communities that can cope with greater water stress, driven by the death of less hardy trees and the growth of more resilient ones. This adaptation may buffer forests against climate change effects in the short term.
Tropical forests are losing carbon storage potential over time due to changes in structure and function at forest edges. Along these boundaries, the study found aboveground carbon storage declines of 22% up to 100 meters from the edge.
Researchers have found that Madagascar's forest cats are domestic cats from the Arabian Sea region, potentially introduced hundreds of years ago via trade ships. This discovery raises concerns about the impact on native species and ecosystems, particularly the fossa, a forest predator facing extinction.
Researchers found that smaller tropical forest fragments experienced greater losses than larger ones between 2001 and 2018. Connecting small fragments to reestablish wide-ranging tree cover is crucial in Central America, West Africa, and Southeast Asia.
A thick buildup of organic matter on the forest floor can complicate efforts to use prescribed fire as a forest management tool. Controlled burns require specific prescriptions to minimize duff smoldering and prevent mortality of large, older pines and potential ecological consequences below ground.
A recent study published in Forest Ecology and Management found that forest arthropods thrive in areas closer to river courses, with social wasps being the most affected by distance. Traditional forest management practices are essential for preserving biodiversity, including the richness of understories and chestnut tree dominance.
A new study by the USDA Forest Service-led Pacific Northwest Research Station found that Alaska's Tongass and Chugach National Forests produce an average of 48 million salmon annually, worth approximately $88 million. The forest rivers and lakes support the salmon population through various life stages.
Researchers found that secondary forest cutting has increased, but deforestation of primary forests remained stable. Secondary forests now account for 72% of overall forest loss in the Brazilian Amazon.
Forest fragmentation negatively impacts seed dispersal, leading to reduced biodiversity and ecosystem imbalance. Climate change amplifies this effect, threatening tree species that rely on animal-mediated seed dispersal.
A new study has found that deforestation is changing the way howler monkeys communicate in their natural habitats. The research, led by Laura Bolt at the University of Waterloo, reveals that howling duration and intensity vary depending on proximity to forest edges impacted by human activity.
Scientists have uncovered fossils of trees from the world's oldest forest, dating back 386 million years, in a sandstone quarry in Cairo, New York. The discovery provides new insights into the evolution of trees and their role in shaping the world we live in today.
The National Institute of Nursing Research has awarded Wake Forest Baptist a five-year grant worth $2.97 million to investigate the reasons for attrition in pediatric weight-management programs and develop a predictive model to reduce dropout rates.
Animal species from low-disturbance environments are more sensitive to modern forest fragmentation, according to a study of global datasets. The researchers found strong support for the extinction filter hypothesis, suggesting that species adapted to high disturbance areas may be more resilient to new disturbances.
A new study reveals that forest fragmentation has a greater impact on wildlife in tropical regions, where species are less adapted to disturbances. The research suggests that conserving habitat and minimizing edge creation is crucial for preserving biodiversity in these areas.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has partnered with The Nature Conservancy to manage its forested research properties under the highest standards for forest management. Through this partnership, UT will sell carbon credits to benefit society and fight climate change, while also promoting sustainable forestry practic...
Researchers suggest forest farming as a solution to unsustainable wild collection of medicinal plants, which can lead to overharvesting and loss of ecosystems. Forest farming promotes better quality products, stable income for farmers, and increased transparency in the supply chain.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that regular foot patrols in two forest reserves reduced illicit activity by over half between 2012 and 2016. The patrols led to the arrest of six poachers, destruction of hundreds of hectares of cocoa farms, and a significant decline in gunshots and snares used to capture game.
A new study predicts that wildfires in Oregon's southern Blue Mountains will become more frequent and severe due to climate change. By the end of the century, high-elevation species may be replaced by more fire-resistant ones, leading to a less resilient landscape.
Scientists at Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ developed an approach using recent satellite data to estimate Amazon forest biomass with greater precision. This enables more accurate assessments of the consequences of droughts and forest fires on the Amazon.
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Health are developing a web-based pain management program using the PainTRAINER platform to help cancer survivors manage persistent pain without opioids. The study aims to test the effectiveness of this approach in improving coping strategies and reducing pain medication use.
A new study by Ohio State University and Yale University estimates that deforestation contributes only 7% of manmade net carbon emissions, down from previous estimates of 27%. The research also highlights the importance of forest management in reducing carbon emissions.
Researchers find over 100 insect larvae in amber, providing new evidence on the ecology of Eocene-era forests. The discovery supports a warm-to-temperate seasonal humid forest ecosystem interpretation, and offers insights into the evolution of dipteran larvae.
Researchers use new mapping method to identify most vulnerable tropical forest areas, combining 45 years of satellite images with current land use data. The analysis reveals the impact of human activity, such as agriculture and infrastructure development, on deforestation and forest degradation.
Deforestation in the Amazon region has been shown to increase malaria transmission by 3.27% for every 10% increase in forest loss. This effect is more pronounced in areas with limited remaining forest, highlighting the interconnectedness of environmental and human health.
A new global database, Forest Observation System (FOS), has been established to share on-site forest aboveground biomass data. This initiative aims to link ecological and remote sensing communities and overcome existing data sharing barriers, providing critical input for climate change mitigation policies.
Research reveals that coniferous forests struggle to recover after wildfires due to limited seed availability, particularly near severe burn zones. Warm and dry conditions further impede new tree seedling establishment. Land managers are advised to concentrate reforestation efforts in cool, wet areas.
Researchers have discovered that purple martins are roosting in small forest patches as they migrate from North America to Brazil. The birds seem to be intentionally seeking out these isolated habitats, possibly due to fewer predators than in larger forest areas.
Researchers will focus on extending clinical research in cardiovascular and neurocognitive complications of cancer treatments to improve patient well-being. The team aims to protect the heart from damage caused by chemotherapy drugs and define who may be at risk.
A new statistical approach revealed that forest fires in 19th and 20th centuries were man-made, driven by changes in forest management and vegetation. This finding highlights the need for adaptive forestry practices to address climate change.
A new study by Penn State researcher Marc Abrams suggests that white-tailed deer browsing has not impacted forest canopies, but rather slowed the densification process. Forests are becoming increasingly dense due to a lack of fire and increased deer populations.
Researchers at Wake Forest University's Center for Amazonian Scientific Innovation found that biochar combined with fertilizer significantly improved height and diameter growth of tree seedlings. The treatment also increased the number of leaves developed by the seedlings.
Connected areas of high-quality forest running through oil palm plantations may help support increased levels of biodiversity and protect species like orangutans. The researchers recommend improving the quality of these set-asides to contribute to landscape connectivity.