A new study by Yale researchers found that maintaining a diverse collection of species in fungal communities not only safeguards weaker species but also protects the genetic diversity of the larger community. This phenomenon, known as biodiversity begetting biodiversity, can help protect threatened ecosystems like coral reefs.
The USDA is providing funding to help private forestland owners and ranchers make informed decisions about their natural resources. NIFA investments will enhance the sustainability of forest and rangeland resources through education programs, supporting well-managed forests and rural economic development.
A recent study utilizing genomic big data analyzed the silver birch genome, uncovering population bottlenecks and speciation events that shaped the species' current form. The research also identified genes under natural selection, which have contributed to birch's cold tolerance and rapid growth.
In Los Angeles, single-family home add-ons and paved property features led to a 14-55% loss of green cover. Urban forests' benefits, such as reduced energy use and improved health, were compromised.
Scientists have created a global map measuring the cooling effect of forests by regulating water and energy exchange between the Earth's surface and atmosphere. This new statistical model allows communities to pinpoint ideal locations for forest protection or reforestation efforts.
A new statistical model has been developed to help guide forest management decisions under climate change. The model uses future climate scenarios to produce more accurate predictions than previous methods, allowing for the design of strategies that mitigate climate change impacts on loblolly pine plantations.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture has announced $6.3 million in available funding for projects supporting resilient agriculture and forestry production systems. These investments will help producers, land managers, and decision-makers develop valuable tools to address climate-related challenges.
A 68-year study found that frequent burning of forests can lead to diverse ecosystems with small trees and herbaceous plants, while annual burning creates tall canopy trees with wide spaces. The study suggests land managers should plan fire use strategically based on forest goals.
A new Yale study finds that Lyme disease causes people in the Northeast to forego 1 billion fewer trips per year, costing them about 9 hours of outdoor time annually. The total cost is estimated to be between $2.8 and $5 billion due to the large number of affected individuals.
A seven-year study reveals that mangrove conversion to agricultural uses results in a land-use carbon footprint of 1,440-1,603 pounds of CO2 for beef and shrimp production, respectively. This amounts to approximately the same greenhouse gas emissions as driving a fuel-efficient automobile from Los Angeles to New York City.
A study from the University of Vermont found that imitating old-growth forests enhances carbon storage in managed forestland. The new technique, called structural complexity enhancement, showed higher levels of carbon storage than conventional forestry methods.
A new Yale-led study reveals a connection between drought exposure and adverse human health among older adults in the US. Researchers found that severe drought conditions increase the risk of mortality among adults 65 or over, as well as cardiovascular disease risk, particularly in areas where droughts are rare.
The Environmental Leadership & Training Initiative (ELTI) has received a $4.9 million grant from Arcadia to continue its work empowering leaders in tropical landscapes through field-based training, leadership support, and innovative online instruction. The program has reached over 5,000 individuals since 2006.
Researchers found that short-duration heat waves can prevent coffee plants from producing flowers and fruit. Younger leaves are particularly vulnerable to heat stress, which can exacerbate the effects of drought.
Researchers have identified approximately 30 terpene synthase genes that contribute to diverse flavors in cannabis. These genes play a role in producing natural products like limonene, myrcene, and pinene, which are responsible for the plant's characteristic aromas.
A new Yale-led study reveals significant market potential for renewable thermals in Connecticut, with the technology able to competitively serve 19% of thermal demand. To realize this potential, public policy and financing tools are needed to spur consumer demand.
A new project led by UTIA faculty will recruit 14 undergraduate Research and Extension Fellows to explore agro-ecological farming in western Belize. The team will work with local partners to empower forest and wildlife stewardship while increasing the students' skills to become leaders in agricultural and conservation efforts globally.
The study highlights the importance of civil society organizations in Laos' REDD+ and FLEGT programs, emphasizing their potential to bring valuable local insight and enhance fairness and transparency. However, limitations pose a challenge, including a restricted political system that hinders independent civic society.
Researchers from the University of Limerick are leading a €4.9m project to produce carbon fiber from forestry by-products, aiming to halve its CO2 footprint. The LIBRE project expects to reduce production costs by 30% and bring down the environmental impact of carbon fiber manufacturing.
Researchers created a potentially safer alternative to common hair dye ingredient PPD by mimicking melanin using polydopamine. The new dye lasts through multiple wash cycles without causing noticeable side effects.
A recent study found that 90% of village communities in tropical regions have reported declining availability of forest resources, including timber and firewood. The researchers attribute this decline to excessive consumption and clearance by large companies and local populations.
Scientists call for transparent and credible data to track the real mitigation potential of forests. Forests are expected to contribute up to 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions reductions by 2030.
A study found that the average distance from any point in the United States to the nearest forest increased by 14% between 1990 and 2000. This increase is more pronounced in rural areas than in urban settings, posing challenges for wildlife and broad effects on ecosystems.
Forest losses in western US and rural areas led to a 2.96% decline in national forest cover, equivalent to the size of Maine. This study highlights the importance of proactive conservation management to address habitat losses and species declines.
Researchers used 'resurrection ecology' to revive and study Daphnia, a freshwater crustacean. They found that sensitivity to copper and cadmium increased as heavy metal levels rose in lakes, challenging evolutionary theory.
The UTIA project used aerial acoustic recordings to track at-risk avian species on DoD facilities, improving compliance with environmental regulations. The project was recognized as the DoD's Project of the Year for 2016 for resource conservation and resiliency.
Researchers examine how native grass management can enhance soil health and agricultural productivity in the eastern US. They focus on optimizing fertility and cover crop strategies for nutrient-efficient species like switchgrass and big bluestem, which produce extensive root systems that support micro-invertebrate communities.
Researchers have mapped how plant cells determine size and adjust growth to achieve homogeneous cell sizes over time. This breakthrough overturns previous theories in the field, providing insights into factors determining plant size and fruit production.
Researchers have identified two promising sites in Kazakhstan where Amur tigers could be reintroduced to Central Asia. The Ili River delta and adjacent southern coast of Balkhash Lake are considered suitable habitats, covering approximately 7,000 square kilometers. To ensure a sustainable future for both tigers and local communities, a...
A new study reveals that soil fungi play a crucial role in protecting tree seedlings from pathogens, with different fungal groups offering varying levels of protection. This has significant implications for forest community patterns and overall biodiversity.
A new study suggests that carbon finance is not a one-size-fits-all solution to climate change, as its effectiveness varies widely depending on the region. Peat forests in Indonesia are found to be crucial for reducing carbon emissions, with potential rewards of $3.5 billion over 30 years.
The study identifies seven scenarios of pathogen movement and disease epidemics, posing significant threats to economically important eucalypt plantations and native ecosystems. Biosecurity failures are linked to poorly controlled germplasm movement, underscoring the need for enhanced surveillance and regulation.
A team of researchers developed a non-invasive method to detect and quantify wood decay in living trees, which can help understand global carbon pools and tree health. The sonic tomography technology uses sound waves to image the trunk, allowing for the creation of color-coded images of decaying wood.
A new type of activated carbon, cellular activated carbon, has been produced with a bimodal structure featuring both micro and mesopores. The material exhibits high adsorption kinetics due to its larger pores, making it suitable for various industries such as energy storage and catalysis.
A study by Oregon State University economists found that using residual forest biomass for rural development faces significant economic challenges. The researchers estimated costs of collecting, transporting, and processing biomass, concluding that targeted subsidies or support are needed to make facilities viable in remote communities.
A new study by the University of Colorado Boulder suggests that empowering local governments with forestry decisions can significantly reduce deforestation. By engaging local users in the decision-making process, policymakers can develop more effective and sustainable forest governance strategies.
A new study predicts that global warming will drive the loss of at least 55 trillion kilograms of carbon from soils by mid-century, more than double projected human-related emissions. This loss is expected to be greatest in high latitudes, where cold conditions have allowed massive carbon stocks to build up over thousands of years.
Research found road salt reduces female frogs by 10%, affecting population viability, while maple leaf litter has no impact. The study suggests a masculinizing effect of sodium in salt on tadpoles, potentially triggering sex reversal during development.
GFlow is a computational software that makes wildlife habitat connectivity modeling vastly faster, more efficient and superior in quality and scope. It can solve ecological problems spanning large landscapes and predict the spread of diseases like Zika.
A study reveals Ottawa as a biodiversity hotspot for Microgastrinae wasps, with 158 species recorded. This surpasses the total number of species found in Canada and Ontario, showcasing the region's unique habitats and diversity.
A group of conservation scientists and policy makers are calling for global action to stamp out illegal timber trade. The trade, worth US$30-100 billion annually, accounts for between 15-30% of the global timber market and contributes to forest degradation and loss of biodiversity.
The USDA has granted $20.2 million to 34 small businesses for innovative research and development projects in food production, food safety, and forest management. The funding will support feasibility studies and project implementation through the Small Business Innovation Research program.
Researchers found that geotagged social media photos on Instagram, Flickr, and Panoramio provide valuable data for predictive models to guide land use decisions worldwide. The study shows that landscapes with mountainous areas, rivers, lakes, and population centers are most valued by society.
A study using geolocation technology tracked the 10,000-kilometer migration of Great Reed Warblers from Turkey to sub-Saharan Africa, revealing key regions of importance for the species. The research highlights the lack of protection many of these regions receive, posing a threat to bird populations.
A new study by the University of Missouri identifies effective ways for states to partner and share resources to boost renewable energy production through woody biomass. By working together, states can maximize energy output and reduce carbon emissions, providing policymakers with flexible options for meeting emission reduction targets.
Yale researchers argue that most climate change ecology research focuses on single variables and trophic levels, leading to incomplete and inaccurate predictions. A more complex, integrative approach is needed to explore interactions between food web components and accurately predict ecosystem responses to climate change.
Researchers have uncovered the mechanism by which cryptochrome 2, a key photoreceptor, is switched on and off in plants. This desensitization mechanism allows plants to maintain homeostasis of their blue light responsiveness in fluctuating light environments.
Researchers found that reducing timber revenues can increase biodiversity indicators and improve landscape multifunctionality. Combining forest growth simulations with multiobjective optimization, they concluded that diversified forest management planning is necessary to resolve conflicts between objectives.
Researchers found that golden eagles killed at a wind farm in California came from up to hundreds of miles away, posing a threat to global populations. The study's findings suggest that environmental assessments should consider bird populations across entire regions, not just local areas.
Researchers have found that snotty gobble can kill gorse, blackberry, and Scotch broom without damaging native shrubs. The study suggests snotty gobble could be an effective native biocontrol agent for major invasive shrubs in Australia.
The University of Illinois-led project aims to calculate the economic benefits of urban forestry on health care costs. It will use Kaiser Permanente data to examine the relationship between green spaces and health expenditures among over 4 million members.
A scientist at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry has discovered that a dip in beer can sedate and immobilize tiny snails before a terminal dunk in ethyl alcohol, reducing physical distress. This humane method is similar to those used with domestic animals.
A new study estimates that invasive insects globally incur at least US$70 billion in annual costs to goods and services, while also resulting in significant health expenses. The researchers stress that these figures are likely underestimates due to the lack of research on the topic in many regions.
A new large-scale analysis found that logged forests in Central Africa may contain nearly twice as much deadwood as unlogged forests, and up to 3.8 times more than previous estimates. This underestimation has broad implications for regional forestry practices and global carbon emissions.
Research on the southern pied babbler reveals that dominant males preferentially treat their biological sons, while alienating their stepsons, which may have evolved as a survival strategy. This behavior has significant impacts on group dynamics and cooperative breeding habits.
A Yale-led study found that haze in China significantly drives the urban heat island effect, unlike in the US where vegetation plays a key role. The research highlights the paradoxical impact of smaller aerosol particles, which cool surfaces but larger ones radiate heat.
A global analysis reveals one-sixth of Earth's land is vulnerable to invasive species, with most countries having limited capacity to respond. Developed countries will face new invaders due to climate change and globalization.
A new Yale-led study estimates that by mid-century, over 82 million people will experience 'smoke waves,' or consecutive days with high air pollution related to fires. The regions likely to receive the highest exposure include northern California, western Oregon, and the Great Plains.
A study published in the journal mSphere found that a deadly bat fungus in Washington state is genetically similar to strains found in the eastern United States, suggesting it did not originate in Eurasia. The findings have implications for resource managers battling white-nose syndrome in North American bats.
The Center for Leadership in Disability at Georgia State University is conducting a three-year study on the impact of tree canopy on symptoms of children with autism. The research aims to investigate the relationship between nature walks, memory, and stress responses in children with autism.