Researchers aim to understand the genomic basis of southern pine beetle infestation behavior, predicting and controlling large-scale tree kills. The project seeks to identify genetic changes linked to outbreaks, enabling better forest management and monitoring.
A study by the USDA Forest Service and Purdue University finds that non-native invasive insects and diseases are reducing the amount of carbon stored in trees across the United States. The study estimates that 41% of live forest biomass is threatened, with certain species like emerald ash borer and gypsy moth causing significant damage.
A new study by the University of Birmingham found that large-scale tree deaths worldwide are responsible for more than a tenth of total tree deaths. The research used satellite observations and computational models to calculate the impact of these events on carbon storage, revealing that they account for 12% of global tree mortality.
Estimates suggest that non-native pests contribute to the death of approximately 5.5 TgC per year, impacting forest carbon budgets and ecosystem services worldwide. Compensatory growth of non-host trees is observed, but most pests have not yet invaded their hosts' full ranges.
Camera trap surveys reveal 28 mammal species in protected forest and 21 in fragmented habitats, including critically endangered species like Sunda pangolin and Sumatran tiger. These findings suggest conservation value for small patches of remnant forest and the importance of further research.
Researchers have uncovered the oldest fossil forest in Asia, spanning 250,000 square meters and featuring lycopsid trees with branchless trunks. The discovery provides insights into the early evolution of plants and their adaptability to coastal environments.
A recent study found that non-native insect pests and fungal pathogens pose a significant threat to global tree and forest ecosystems. The research, led by CABI, highlights the need for improved phytosanitary measures in trading tree seeds to reduce the risk of introducing harmful organisms.
A new Oregon State University study finds that West Coast forest landowners will gradually shift away from planting Douglas-fir in a warming climate. The share of Douglas-fir in the Pacific Northwest is expected to decline to 25% by the end of the century.
New research challenges long-held assumptions about whole-tree harvesting, finding it does not deplete soil and lead to weaker forest ecosystems. The study demonstrates that residue removal has few effects on forest ecology in managed stands, making biomass energy from whole trees a more sustainable option.
A University of Oklahoma-led study has generated improved annual maps of tropical forest cover in the Brazilian Amazon from 2000-2017, revealing ~15% higher estimates than existing datasets. The study also shows a renewed increase in forest area loss after 2013, driven by land use change and strong El Nino.
Research suggests that forest elephant extinction will lead to an increase in fast-growing tree species, which store less carbon than slow-growing species. This shift will reduce the forest's ability to sequester carbon, releasing more CO2 into the atmosphere.
The study found that Darien has the highest carbon stocks among nine mature forest sites across the Neotropics and second-highest tree species richness in the region. Disturbed forests maintained a high capacity to sequester carbon, challenging REDD+ exclusion policies.
Scientists at the University of Sheffield discovered how climate change and deforestation interact to disconnection natural habitats, leaving wildlife with limited escape routes from rising temperatures. The study highlights the urgent need to fund reforestation efforts and stop tropical forest loss.
The NASA-NOAA satellite captured images of four naturally caused fires in Gila National Forest, New Mexico, sparking concern for air quality and fire management. Three fires - Black Fire, South Fire, and Woodrow Fire - generated smoke plumes visible from space.
A recent study found that old-growth forests are less likely to experience high-severity fire than young-growth forests during wildfires. This suggests that old-growth forests could be used as biodiversity refuges to buffer the effects of climate change on fire regimes in the Pacific Northwest.
Researchers from the University of Granada developed a new forest treatment technique that helps trees adapt to extreme climates by reducing competition for resources. The method, based on measuring tree trunk diameters, has been shown to improve forest growth and resilience in Mediterranean areas.
A new study by University of Vermont researchers found that older forests are less vulnerable to climate change, particularly for carbon storage, timber production, and biodiversity. The research analyzed 18,500 forest plots across the eastern US and Canada, identifying priority regions for forest climate adaptation efforts.
Researchers argue that policymakers should use disturbance ecology to stabilize forest carbon and account for risks in climate change mitigation policies. This approach aims to balance immediate loss with long-term storage, promoting forest carbon sequestration.
A German research team developed a framework to classify conservation objectives, highlighting key areas of consensus and shortcomings. The study found that stakeholders agree on protecting diverse forest ecosystems and species, but there is room for improvement in abiotic resource conservation and socio-cultural considerations.
A new study from the University of Gothenburg found that forest thinning can benefit threatened wood-living beetles, with an increase of over one-third in species numbers. The research, part of the Swedish Oak Project, compared two management alternatives and showed that conservation thinning had a positive effect on these insects.
A recent study suggests that Native Americans' use of fire to manage vegetation in the Eastern United States had a more profound impact on forest composition than climate change. The researchers found that frequent and widespread human-caused fire resulted in the predominance of fire-adapted tree species, leading to changes in forest c...
A new visual tool, Visual Seveif programme, assesses economic losses from forest fires by considering tangible and intangible resources. The programme evaluates factors such as carbon fixation, tree age, and species, to estimate the true impact of forest fires on the economy.
New research shows that community forest management in Nepal has simultaneously reduced deforestation and poverty. The study found a 37% relative reduction in deforestation and a 4.3% relative reduction in poverty, benefiting over 1.36 million households.
A new study finds that hunting and defaunation can have cascading effects on forest structure and dynamics. Loss of wildlife affects the survival of tree species, potentially impacting tropical forests' carbon storage capacity.
A new study found that forest fires are causing snow to melt earlier in the season, exacerbating a cycle of fire and snowmelt. The research revealed that over 11% of Western forests experience earlier snowmelt due to fires.
Research suggests that large protected forest areas are crucial for conserving bird species, while coffee plantations can serve as habitats for migratory birds and young birds. Insectivores suffered the greatest declines, with population losses greater in smaller forest fragments.
A new study uses dendrochronology and historical survey to investigate the effects of human populations on Amazonian forests. The research reveals that pre-colonial populations left lasting imprints on the region's forest structure and resources.
New research by UCL and University of Edinburgh scientists reveals that many countries' forest restoration pledges are insufficient to meet global climate goals. Restoring natural forests is shown to capture more carbon than plantations or agroforestry, with potential to remove 42 billion tonnes of carbon by 2100.
A broad-scale study found a significant relationship between tree diversity and nonnative pest invasions. High tree diversity reduces pest invasions by creating ecological niches that make it harder for pests to find resources, while low diversity increases the risk of invasion. The study's results have important implications for fores...
A study by the USDA Forest Service reveals that more nitrogen from rain and snow reaches streams than previously believed, flowing downstream at a faster rate through US and Canadian forests. This unprocessed nitrate bypasses biological filters, contributing to forest decline and growth of nuisance vegetation.
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Health will investigate deep brain stimulation as a potential therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's disease, building on previous studies that showed significant improvements in cognitive function in young nonhuman primates. The five-year study aims to determine if DBS can improve memory and counteract...
Research in Ethiopian sacred church forests reveals that human disturbances, such as buildings and clearings, significantly reduce forest density and species richness. Culturally sensitive conservation strategies are recommended to protect these forests, including restorative planting and protection of large trees.
A new study explores the reasons behind declining northern spotted owl populations, forecasting future habitat conditions and species interactions. Researchers suggest a two-fold approach to manage spotted owl survival: short-term barred owl removal and long-term forest preservation.
Researchers propose using lichens to assess old-growth forest conservation value, offering a more nuanced approach to measuring biodiversity. This method, developed by Dr. Troy McMullin and Dr. Yolanda Wiersma, uses suites of lichen species associated with old-growth areas to develop an index of ecological continuity.
A new study reveals that secondary forests adjacent to extensive primary forests can host diverse bird communities and boost populations of forest specialist birds. The research, published in Biotropica, challenges previous assertions about the conservation potential of young secondary forests.
Research from Duke University and National University of Singapore reveals pre-natal exposure to forest fire haze leads to a 1.3-inch decrease in expected height at age 17, resulting in long-term human capital losses and permanent stunting effects on children's growth.
New research finds elk in Wyoming's Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest avoid beetle-killed areas during summer months. Elk strongly avoid these areas due to the need to expend significant amounts of energy to walk over downed logs and cool themselves.
A recent study found that elk avoid areas with extensive tree mortality due to bark-beetle epidemics. This avoidance leads to a decline in preferred habitat for elk, impacting wildlife and land managers managing populations in affected areas.
Researchers found that despite reports of big trees being more vulnerable to drought, small trees in open areas lost leaves, while shaded trees surprisingly added leaf area. This response is dependent on environmental conditions imposed by the rainforest's structure.
A study evaluating the impact of the 100-year Northwest Forest Plan found that old-growth forests are declining due to increased fires, while regenerating habitats are increasing in some regions. Despite these findings, the authors recommend continued conservation efforts for old-growth habitats.
Birds associated with older forests in the Pacific Northwest are declining faster than those in early-seral ecosystems, despite conservation efforts. The study highlights the importance of continuing to protect and restore old-growth habitats as wildfires become more frequent.
A new study by Duke University reveals that Indonesia's deforestation rate is changing, with wildfires, mining, and small-scale farming playing a larger role than previously thought. This shift highlights the need for policymakers to adjust their conservation policies and practices to account for the varied causes of forest loss.
A study of a long-protected northeastern virgin forest plot found that small forest fragments may not provide conservation benefits. Nearly half the species present at initial protection are now gone, and yearly species composition is highly dynamic. Effective management is needed to prevent degradation of habitat.
A study published in Biological Conservation found that forest cover below 40% can lead to a decline in original bird communities and the replacement of specialized species with generalists. The research suggests that highly specialized birds begin to decline significantly at forest cover levels as low as 70%.
A Tanzanian forest will be protected after major scientific discoveries revealed the need for conservation. The Magombera Forest was under threat due to charcoal production and wildlife poaching, but a conservation programme helped reduce deforestation and increase biodiversity.
Forest termites play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem function during droughts by decomposing organic matter, mixing soil nutrients, and regulating moisture. Their increased activity during drought helps buffer important soil processes critical for tropical forest survival.
A new study reveals a strong positive relationship between global extinction risk and the loss of forest intactness in bird distributions. Most global hotspots of restricted ranges now fall in degraded forests, highlighting the importance of restoring intactness to reduce extinction risk.
A study finds that resource extraction and infrastructure development lead to significant forest loss and marginalize indigenous communities. The authors suggest novel approaches balancing conservation and agroindustry goals through rigorous land use zoning and community-led resource management.
A 5-year study finds that deep-insulating snowpack loss could reduce forest carbon storage and filter pollutants by 95% in the northeastern US. This decline affects sugar maple trees, impacting industries like timber, maple syrup production, and tourism.
A study by an international research group found that diverse and old forests are best able to perform multiple ecosystem services, including regulating climate and storing carbon. Foresters should focus on specific forest attributes to promote desired services, as no single 'perfect forest' exists.
Regularly used forest trails have fewer bird species and lower numbers of birds compared to less-used areas, even with decades of human activity. This suggests that forest birds do not habituate to trail use, highlighting the need for protected areas and adherence to stay-on-trail rules.
A new study by UMBC researchers highlights the importance of taking a long-term approach to reforestation efforts. Secondary forest patches are often quickly re-cleared, but their full benefits don't kick in until they're decades old. The study found that large patches and those alongside rivers were less likely to be re-cleared.
Deforestation in Haiti has led to the loss of primary forest cover on 42 of its 50 largest mountains. This has resulted in mass extinctions among reptiles, amphibians, and other vertebrates. The study's findings suggest that over the next two decades, all of Haiti's remaining primary forest will be lost.
A new study published in Nature found that sustainable forest management can only provide modest, local benefits rather than a significant impact on the global climate. Forests themselves will need to be adapted to climate change to sustain their ecological and social services.
A large-scale forest biodiversity experiment in China found that species-rich forests stored an average of 32 tons of carbon per hectare, while monocultures averaged only 12 tons. The study suggests that a mix of tree species is necessary for optimal carbon sequestration and climate protection.
A study found that city-dwelling blue tits lay larger eggs than forest-dwelling birds, likely due to the urban environment's higher calcium availability. The researchers also observed a trade-off between egg size and clutch number, with urban birds producing fewer but larger eggs.
The Atlantic Forest's biodiversity loss is attributed to 500 years of human disturbance, with more than half of local species assemblages disappearing since the 1500s. Apex predators and large herbivores are among the groups whose numbers have suffered most due to farming, logging, and fires.
A recent study maps global forest loss and finds that commodity-driven deforestation accounts for approximately 27% of total losses. The rate of commodity-driven deforestation remained steady over a 15-year period, contradicting efforts to reduce forest loss.
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist will join nationwide clinical trial networks, NeuroNEXT and NIH StrokeNet, to develop new treatments for neurological diseases and improve stroke prevention. The institution aims to enroll patients from historically underserved groups and make meaningful contributions to both networks.
The study uses Landsat and Aster satellites to identify ecologically relevant environmental and biotic variation, and machine learning algorithms predict species distributions. The findings provide important information for forest management and conservation in the Peruvian lowland Amazonia.