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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Northern California kelp forest ecosystem has collapsed due to an abrupt loss of a key predator, the sunflower sea star, which was wiped out by sea star wasting disease. The area covered by kelp forests has dropped by over 95%, with only isolated patches remaining.
More than half of Europe's forests are at risk from climate-driven disturbances, with large trees and old trees particularly vulnerable to extreme weather conditions and insect infestations. Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and severity of these events, posing significant threats to European forest ecosystems.
Researchers from WMG, University of Warwick found that LiDAR sensors' effectiveness decreases in heavy rain, hindering object detection. The study simulated real-world roads and weather using the WMG 3xD simulator to test LiDAR sensor performance.
Researchers found that species diversity in mangrove forests enhances biomass production and soil carbon storage, leading to higher carbon storage capacities. Increasing mangrove diversity through restoration and conservation projects is crucial for mitigating climate change.
A new study finds that eastern forests are more responsive to climate change, with younger trees increasing their seed production. In contrast, older western trees have been less responsive, which could limit their ability to regenerate after diebacks. The study reveals a continental divide in forest responses to climate change.
A new study published in Frontiers in Earth Science uses citizen science data to identify the temperature cutoff between rain and snow in winter storms in the Lake Tahoe region of the Sierra Nevada. The results show that a warmer temperature threshold of 39.5°F may be more accurate for predicting precipitation in this region.
A mathematical model reveals how two radically different communities coexist beneath California's iconic kelp forests. The model accounts for the growth rate and mortality of algae and invertebrates, as well as the lifecycle of giant kelp and sunlight availability. This dynamic foundation species allows competing groups to dominate at ...
A study by WVU biologists found that trees globally are consuming more carbon dioxide than previously reported, making forests crucial in regulating the Earth's atmosphere. The research shows that increased photosynthesis is the main driver of this increase, contradicting previous studies.
A new study finds that severe spruce beetle outbreaks followed by wildfires can lead to permanent damage in high-elevation forests. Aspen trees, however, have a higher chance of regrowing from their root systems and may dominate these forests.
A study led by the University of Göttingen analyzed global forest structures and found that precipitation patterns drive diversity in these complex ecosystems. The research team created maps showing regional variability in structural complexity, highlighting the importance of water availability for tree species coexistence.
A new study published in the International Journal of Wildland Fire found that forests with diverse tree sizes and small clearings slow down wildland fire growth. The research used a 3D analysis to examine how forest structure affects fire behavior and revealed that varying tree sizes and shapes can significantly impact fire spread.
A study published in Nature Climate Change finds that climate change will alter the position of the Earth's tropical rain belt, with a northward shift expected in the Eastern Hemisphere and a southward shift in the Western Hemisphere. This shift may lead to increased drought stress in some regions and intensified flooding in others.
Scientists from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute synthesize patterns of tropical forest productivity and carbon storage, finding that warm, wet forests with moderately fertile soils store more carbon. The study's findings reveal consistent relationships across regions, influenced by climate and soil conditions.
A three-year study in Del Mar, California has uncovered the relationship between wave impacts and coastal cliff erosion, with waves affecting the base of cliffs and rain impacting the upper region. The findings provide a new opportunity to improve forecasts and predict cliff retreat.
An international research team proposes a 'glocal' approach to better predict and prevent flooding disasters by combining global forecasting with local observations. The proposed system, GHS-F, aims to provide highly detailed and consistent rain-flood information, which could help avoid some flooding damage.
A new UCPH study highlights significant trends affecting the world's forests, including drought, viral outbreaks, and vast infrastructure expansions. These trends pose severe consequences on forests and humans alike, emphasizing the need for prioritized forest conservation strategies.
Researchers at KAUST developed a high-frequency rainfall model using new rain gauges that measure rainfall drop by drop, providing unprecedented insight into minute-to-minute rainfall dynamics. The model captures the 'skewness' of high-frequency precipitation data and generates synthetic precipitation data for water management.
A new study reveals that only 10% of remaining tropical forest cover remains fire-resistant, while the rest has been fragmented or degraded. Tropical forests play a crucial role in preventing catastrophic fires, emphasizing the need for preservation and regeneration.
A new predictive mapping tool, POCSCRPT, aids forest managers in determining which areas of western US forests will naturally regrow following wildfires. The tool's accuracy is enhanced by incorporating climate and seed production data.
A new global measure found that only 17.4 million square kilometres of Earth's remaining forests - or 40 per cent - are considered to have high integrity. High integrity forests contain high levels of biodiversity and provide ecosystem services, but many have been heavily impacted by human activities.
A new study identifies five large-scale 'megatrends' impacting forests globally, including droughts, urbanization, consumer demand, digital technologies, and infrastructure development. These megatrends are likely to have both positive and negative effects on forest ecosystems, biodiversity, and human livelihoods.
New observational study shows that certain Amazon rainforest regions increase photosynthesis in response to limited water stress, contradicting Earth system models. This discovery suggests the current models overestimate carbon losses in the Amazon rainforest due to climate change.
A new study finds that infrastructure and mining projects in tropical forests will destroy forests and increase development, harming wildlife and people. The report highlights the urgent need to factor in forest value and protect critical habitats.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that species diversity is optimal for equatorial and tropical rainforests, while abundance of trees is key to carbon storage in colder regions. The findings have substantial practical relevance for climate change mitigation strategies.
A new study found that community forest management policies often result in weakened rights and less access to forests for local populations. Despite positive outcomes in some cases, the overall results show a series of trade-offs between people and the environment. The research highlights the need for governments to ensure that commun...
A study led by Brazil's National Institute for Space Research found that regenerated forests in the Brazilian Amazon can offset 12% of carbon emissions due to deforestation. The study created 131 benchmark maps for Brazil and showed that secondary forests absorb a larger amount of carbon than they release.
Research in Colorado's mountain forests found that wildfires accelerate climate-driven species changes by compounding regional warming trends. In contrast, canopy loss due to beetles resulted in slight cooling, suggesting a type of forest resilience.
A new global assessment report finds that forests and trees can alleviate poverty, but benefits are unevenly distributed among communities. Agroforestry systems, community forest management, ecotourism, and forest producer organizations show promise in reducing poverty, while protected areas can exacerbate local income inequalities.
Researchers found significant increases in floral abundance and wild bee diversity in spruce beetle-affected forests, compared to similar, undisturbed forests. This is good news for wild bee communities, which have been declining in recent years.
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 new study published in Nature Plants suggests that tropical forests like the one at Biosphere 2 may be more resilient to predicted temperature increases than previously thought. The rainforest's ability to photosynthesize steadily even at high temperatures, up to 38C, challenges current climate change predictions for the Amazon.
Despite high hopes, the Amazon's regrowing forests have been found to absorb less than 10% of the carbon dioxide released from widespread deforestation. Secondary forests, which form a key part of climate policies, are also subject to repeated deforestation, limiting their effectiveness as carbon stores.
A new study found that the spread of ghost forests across North Carolina's coastline can lead to significant losses in carbon stored in plants and trees above ground. Researchers discovered ways landowners can offset these losses, including tree plantings and proper drainage management.
A study in Borneo found that degraded tropical forests have a high conservation value for 28 tropical mammal species. Mammals tend to avoid heavily degraded areas with open canopies and reduced vegetation density, highlighting the importance of maintaining good quality forest habitat.
Climate change is causing more frequent and severe wildfires in the Cascade Range, reshaping forests. Historically, fires occurred every 50-200 years, but climate-driven changes have led to increased fire frequency, with some areas burning within 12 years of each other.
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.
A new study reveals that many primary forests in Europe are not protected and are at risk of being destroyed. The researchers found that only a small percentage of the forest types they assessed had more than half of their old growth strictly protected, highlighting the need for strict conservation protections to be put in place.