A new study maps deer migration patterns across Georgia, revealing peak collision times and areas for increased vigilance. By knowing these dates, drivers can be more cautious and avoid deadly accidents.
The University of Bonn study found that Brazil's 'blacklisting' policy reduced Amazon forest loss by 26% per year. The researchers used data from 2008 to 2012 and compared listed communities with comparable non-listed communities.
Consolidation of small populations and protected areas are key to saving the critically endangered species, researchers say. The study provides vital data to support a final attempt to prevent extinction, with priority forest protection zones identified as irreplaceable.
A new project promotes agroforestry in Myanmar's uplands as a sustainable alternative to shifting cultivation, which harms livelihoods and ecosystems. The project aims to reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides while boosting yields and diversifying income sources.
The world has lost 129 million hectares of forest area since 1990, with tropical forests taking the hardest hit. However, there have been positive signs, including a halving of net forest loss from 7.3 to 3.3 million hectares between 2010 and 2015.
Researchers examine differences between Southern California's summer and Santa Ana fires, which exhibit split personalities due to climate-driven conditions. Climate change increases the risk of both fire types, with non-Santa-Ana summer fires becoming more prevalent.
A species of ant, the northern hairy wood ant (Formica lugubris), is thriving in newly formed coniferous forests in the North York Moors National Park. The ant's population has expanded into these plantations, suggesting they provide a suitable habitat for this forest specialist species.
The new vegetationmap4africa version provides a smartphone application and website to help users identify tree species and their uses. It aids in agroforestry and landscape restoration by providing information on suitable tree species for specific goods and services, as well as tools for regenerating degraded land.
A Yale study reveals that suburban ponds experience a gender revolution due to elevated levels of estrogen in shrubbery and lawn areas. The research shows that female frogs outnumber males, likely caused by endocrine disruption from phytoestrogens produced by plants commonly found in lawns.
The study estimates that there are over 3 trillion trees on Earth, with the total number of trees having plummeted by roughly 46% since the start of human civilization. The research provides new insights into tree populations worldwide and offers improvements to modeling large-scale systems, including carbon cycling and climate change.
Scientists at Australian National University discovered three previously undiscovered fungi causing the disease, which affects Southern Queensland and South Australia's wheat crops. The finding provides growers with confidence in managing the disease, crucial for a $6 billion industry.
The world's boreal forests are under pressure from global warming, with rising temperatures and changing conditions threatening their resilience and productivity. The forests play a crucial role in the Earth's climate system, but may switch from being carbon sinks to sources of greenhouse gas emissions if not managed adaptively.
Researchers at UGA's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory found toxic chemical Aroclor 1268 in egg and tissue samples of least terns across coastal Georgia, causing adverse effects. The contaminant has spread beyond the Superfund site via the food web, posing a risk to bird populations.
Researchers found that species with varying color drawing are generally more numerous and fluctuate less in number from year to year. This could help explain why some insect species cause substantial damage in agriculture and forestry, as their population fluctuations were not synchronised among different species.
The Suomi NPP satellite captured a stunning night-time image of the Jerusalem Fire in California, revealing its massive size and location. The fire has covered over 12,000 acres and is being managed by Cal Fire.
The collaboration uses G-LiHT to measure signs and symptoms of forest health, detecting changes in leaf pigments and spotting infested trees with thermal infrared cameras. This technology helps track emerald ash borer and southern pine beetle populations, informing post-infestation control measures.
Two new Hoya species, H. ruthiae and H. bakoensis, have been discovered in Borneo, showcasing the island's rich plant diversity. The study highlights their unique characteristics, such as H. ruthiae's lack of colored sap and H. bakoensis' epiphytic growth habit.
UGA researchers analyzed growth data from thousands of pine tree plots across the Southeast and found that 'southern pine decline' isn't happening on a large scale. The study suggests standard management practices are working just fine, with environmental factors like site conditions, drought, and climate change affecting tree health.
The likelihood of food shortages looms due to rising fossil-fuel energy costs and transportation infrastructure breakdowns. Researchers warn that new sustainable technologies are needed to preserve, store, and transport food products effectively, as the capacity of microorganisms grows exponentially with temperature increases.
A study found that anthropogenic factors, such as cultivation, played a more important role in plant invasiveness than previously thought. The research analyzed Central European plants introduced to North America and found that residence time in the invaded range and habitats occupied in native ranges were key drivers of invasion.
Three new eriophyoid mite species were found in Xinjiang, China, infesting the undersurface of rose family plants without causing damage. The discovery adds to over 1000 previously identified eriophyoid mites in China.
The formation of the ASEAN Economic Community will likely lead to more deforestation, large-scale commercial monoculture crops, and environmental degradation if nations fail to address gaps in policies and enforcement. The region's agricultural land covers 1.26 million hectares, with forests covering 50% of ASEAN's total area.
Researchers at UGA have successfully edited the genome of a tree species using CRISPR/Cas technology, reducing lignin and condensed tannin concentrations by 20% and 50%, respectively. This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for rapid and reliable gene editing in plants.
A new study shows that diverse soil communities can limit the effects of climate change by regulating microbial activity and controlling carbon emissions. Small animals like insects and worms play a crucial role in this process, feeding on microbes that can trigger increased carbon emissions.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have found that Tokay geckos harbor bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics, posing a risk to pet owners. The study highlights the importance of pathogen screening in the pet trade to prevent antibiotic-resistant bacteria from entering households.
A study found that rhino horn is more valuable by weight than gold, diamonds, or cocaine, posing a devastating threat to the world's largest herbivores. The loss of these animals would have drastic implications for ecosystems and human societies, with some species expected to become extinct in as little as 80-100 years.
Louisiana Tech University is part of a national team leading the FAA's Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems research, education, and training. The university will focus on developing UAS communication and control technologies with applications in forestry, precision agriculture, and oil and gas.
The Yale Journal of Industrial Ecology explores how integrating complexity science can improve sustainability studies. Researchers apply complexity science to various topics, including urban systems, energy efficiency, and eco-industrial parks.
Duke University scientists have discovered a previously unknown dual mechanism that slows peat decay and reduces CO2 emissions from peatlands. The naturally occurring mechanism was found in 5,000-year-old pocosin bogs and may occur in other regions as well.
The world's largest herbivores are declining due to habitat change and hunting, leading to a 'empty landscape' in diverse ecosystems. This loss of species poses significant ecological, social, and economic costs, including reduced food for large carnivores and altered nutrient cycles.
Research reveals that selectively-logged tropical forests, which account for 30% of global rainforests, contain up to 64% dead wood, leading to increased carbon emissions. This study suggests that a large proportion of forests worldwide are less sinks and more sources of carbon dioxide.
Researchers have identified a never-before-seen tick-borne illness transmitted by the taiga tick, which may be common in areas where the tick resides. The new species of bacteria, Anaplasma capra, causes symptoms like fever and muscle aches and can be successfully treated with antibiotics.
Scientists study the spread of diseases in plant communities by analyzing relationships between plant species and estimating individual numbers. This approach allows for community-level predictions, shedding light on why some species are more vulnerable to disease.
A new study investigates the cooling and warming effects of forests at both a global scale and high spatial resolution. Researchers found that tropical forests have a strong cooling effect year-round, while boreal and temperate forests show seasonal variation in temperature.
A Dartmouth College and US Forest Service study reveals that mild winters are not fuelling mountain pine beetle outbreaks in the coldest areas of the western United States. Instead, warming winters have allowed beetles to survive in historically unfavorable regions, leading to more severe outbreaks.
A Yale study assesses the criticality of all 62 metals, identifying those at risk due to supply shortages and environmental concerns. The researchers found that some metals used in emerging technologies like smartphones and medical imaging may become difficult to obtain.
The Tasmanian swift parrot is facing a severe population collapse, with its numbers projected to halve every four years. The research emphasizes the need for urgent protection measures to preserve the bird's forest habitat and prevent its potential extinction within 16 years.
A new US county-by-county map shows diverse land use patterns, with green counties operating efficiently and red counties consuming more land per capita. The study integrates satellite data with census population information to identify socio-economic patterns linked to land consumption.
A new study reveals that climate change is affecting male and female yaks differently, with females shifting to steeper terrain in search of snow for milk production. The research team analyzed historical data and recent observations to find that females are 20 times more likely to be found near snow patches than males.
Researchers identified 18 genetic variants associated with maritime pine tree survival under climate stress, improving forecasts of forest growth and reforestation efforts. These findings demonstrate the importance of genetic data in managing biodiversity and commercial forestry amid a changing climate.
Forest scientists at UBC have discovered the root cause of a deadly tree fungus: extra genes that produce a toxic toxin. The fungus, Mycosphaerella populorum, threatens poplar trees in plantations and eastern North America.
Researchers at Oregon State University found that tropical plants like Heliconia tortuosa recognize specific hummingbird species by their nectar-sipping behavior. The plants respond by allowing high-quality pollen germination, increasing the chances of successful seed formation.
A recent study by Washington State University researchers found that adding more natural buffers to farm landscapes can not only slow soil erosion but also create more visually appealing fields and valleys. The study surveyed residents in the Palouse region of eastern Washington State, who preferred landscapes with more nature and fewe...
Researchers observe orangutans walking on newly constructed logging roads in East Kalimantan's Wehea Forest, suggesting a potential adaptive strategy for survival. The finding highlights the rapid loss of Borneo's forest habitats and underscores the need to protect remaining forests.
A study by University of Toronto researchers highlights areas requiring further conservation due to human impact on freshwater resources. The Canadian watershed regions with the most risk from declining biodiversity are prioritized for monitoring and management.
A Yale-led study suggests that only 27-34% of world's wood fuel is unsustainable, highlighting the need for nuanced, local-specific climate and forest policies in developing nations. The research also identifies 'hotspots' where deforestation exceeds sustainable yields, primarily in South Asia and East Africa.
Researchers combined traditional ecological knowledge and scientific methods to identify forest conditions preferred by beargrass harvesters. Key findings include differences in coarse woody debris, tree density, and beargrass leaf color between 'good' and 'poor' sites.
A new study by international researchers highlights China's booming economy is exacerbating water stress for poorer regions through virtual water transfers. The efforts only partially alleviate water stress and are likely to be insufficient to offset increased demand due to economic growth.
A study finds that frozen ground has declined by an average of two to three weeks since 1948, impacting logging operations. The decline is linked to climate change, causing uncertainty in winter harvests and increased costs for equipment and insurance.
Forest carbon projects offer benefits beyond carbon storage, including cooling effects and biophysical feedbacks. Deciduous broadleaf trees provide stronger cooling benefits than evergreen needleleaf trees in temperate ecosystems.
The inaugural survey of American attitudes about the environment reveals a complex picture of public opinion. While most Americans believe the US should take a leading role in combating global warming, they tend to prioritize other environmental concerns. The poll also found that Americans are adopting environmentally friendly lifestyl...
A meta-analysis of studies on reduced-impact logging (RIL) and conventional logging found that RIL causes smaller shifts in species abundance and less harm to birds, arthropods, mammals, and bats. RIL certified timber can support the diverse benefits of tropical forests and promote sustainable forestry practices.
Researchers found afforestation and intense pasturing to be effective ways to increase environmental and economic value of abandoned farmlands. Afforestation with native Andean alder had a positive impact on climate and water balance, while intense pasturing scored higher on ecological scale.
Researchers analyzed thousands of newspaper articles to reveal a significant decline in Queensland's pink snapper fishery catch rates, from hundreds of fish per hour to just one-ninth of historical levels. This study provides unparalleled insights into the history of the fishery and helps understand changes over time.
Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered a microbe that enhances plant tolerance to industrial pollutants like phenanthrene. The approach uses probiotic microbes to supplement plant defenses, allowing plants to take up to 25-40% more of the pollutant than untreated plants.
Researchers found high genetic diversity in thousand cankers disease fungus, making it harder to control. The fungus is native to the US and has mutated readily, leading to an explosion in its impact on host trees.
Scientists at SUNY-ESF have successfully created blight-resistant American chestnut trees through genetic engineering, powered by a single gene from wheat. The trees, which can co-exist with the invasive fungus that devastated the species, are being prepared for potential reforestation efforts.
A Concordia University study reveals that hybrid fish become genetically robust like their purely wild counterparts within a few generations, providing hope for conservation efforts. This finding has implications beyond fish, with similar conclusions drawn about wolf species previously exposed to hybridization.
Researchers at NEIKER felled pine trees and attached sensors to measure the force exerted on them, recording the degree of tilt to determine the roots' resistance and trunk strength. The study aims to provide forestry experts with tools to manage woodlands better and mitigate wind damage risks.
A new policy paper emphasizes the importance of collaboration between scientists and policymakers for effective biodiversity conservation. The paper highlights the HCV approach's potential in protecting tropical biodiversity through sustainable land management schemes.