The researcher will create computer models to evaluate national and regional forest management policies and their impact on ecology, economy, and society. The goal is to provide information for improved forest stewardship in a changing world.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded $8 million to establish a new center for research into alcohol addiction. The Wake Forest Translational Alcohol Research Center will study behavioral and neurobiological factors associated with vulnerability and resilience to alcohol use disorder.
A study by Nanyang Technological University found that oil palm production in Malaysia leads to a surge in wild boar population, damaging forest trees and preventing regeneration. The researchers suggest larger buffer areas around forest reserves to limit wildlife access to oil palm fruits.
Researchers found that old-growth forests with diverse tree sizes and species can buffer the effects of warming temperatures on birds. The study suggests that large trees function as heat sinks during warm periods and multiple canopy layers provide climate buffering effects, supporting stable populations of some bird species.
Researchers propose a revised cancer staging approach that incorporates liquid biopsy to improve diagnosis and treatment accuracy. The new system has shown promising results in guiding cancer care, particularly in detecting early-stage cancer and tracking treatment response.
A team led by ecologist Lindsey Rustad sprays water over a portion of forest during an ice storm, simulating the event and studying its effects on forest health. They find that light icing can be beneficial for forests, thinning out branches and allowing new growth.
A new study suggests that dominant forest tree mycorrhizal type affects understory plant invasions, with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) forests more vulnerable to invasive species. This research helps explain the establishment and spread of invasive plants in forests.
Despite losing some 108 square kilometers of forest between 2001-2014, Mozambique's Niassa National Reserve has the potential to support large elephant populations. The reserve supports tens of thousands of elephants and 1,000 lions, making it one of the few places remaining on the planet with large wildlife populations.
The USDA has awarded grants to promote sustainable forest and rangeland management through innovative projects addressing emerging issues in the Western Gulf region and beyond. These projects aim to empower landowners and managers with science-based decision-making tools and resources to achieve conservation and economic goals.
Researchers developed a new remote-sensing method to map functional diversity of forests from small to large scales, independent of predefined vegetation units or species information. This allows for the assessment of forest health, resource use efficiency, and adaptation to environmental conditions.
New research reveals that 85% of forest vertebrates are impacted by fragmentation, with some species flourishing at the edge and others disappearing due to habitat loss. The study highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect species dependent on intact forest core areas.
A new study reveals that protected areas of tropical forest are reducing carbon emissions by a third, and slowing the rate of global warming. The research found that these protected areas prevent the release of three times as much carbon into the atmosphere as the UK emits each year.
A recent study warns of the increasing threat of forest fires in Europe and their impact on air quality. The JRC's annual report confirms longer and more intense fire seasons, with severe health implications for humans, particularly during prolonged fire seasons.
Scientists at Wake Forest Baptist will use a $9.2 million grant to develop new molecularly targeted drugs and drug delivery systems for aggressive brain cancer glioblastoma. The goal is to directly attack tumor mass and cells in surrounding areas, increasing therapeutic efficacy.
A recent study published in Geoderma suggests that high-intensity forest land use like grazing can counteract the positive effect of tree planting on reducing flood risk. Researchers found that infiltration rates were higher under trees when the forest was undisturbed, but decreased when sheep grazed underneath
A new study using DNA metabarcoding technology is helping to improve the monitoring of Canada's vital boreal forest. The approach enables quick and accurate detection of aquatic organisms, providing valuable insights into ecosystem health.
A study led by University of California, Davis found that spotted owls prefer forests with tall trees (over 105 feet) and high canopy cover, rather than dense understory. This discovery could resolve the management dilemma of balancing owl habitat with forest resilience to wildfires and droughts.
A new study reveals that tropical forests are now a net source of carbon to the atmosphere, emitting nearly 425 teragrams annually. Despite gains from forest growth, losses due to degradation and disturbance account for most emissions, with Latin America bearing the brunt of loss.
The rehabilitated forest in Drabo harbours about 600 plant species and serves as a sanctuary for many animals. The restoration project has increased West-African forest species while declining pantropical weedy species.
A 30-year forest regeneration experiment in Interior Alaska shows that planting white spruce seedlings is the most effective method to produce a spruce-dominated stand, with broadcast seeding as the next best option. The study's findings provide valuable insights for forest landowners and reforestation practices.
The Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve in Kuala Lumpur still retains important biodiversity, with 425 plant species recorded, including 159 new species. The reserve's diversity was confirmed through surveys conducted between April 2015 and May 2016.
A University of Utah-led study finds that targeted forest regeneration can increase the survival time of bird communities up to 56-fold in two biodiversity hotspots. The cost of regeneration is estimated between $21 and $49 million dollars, offering a high return on investment for biodiversity conservation.
A decade-long study in Southeast Brazil's Atlantic Forest reveals reduced biodiversity and diminishing ecosystem services due to cattle farming and expanding agricultural land areas. Key findings include the importance of trees larger than 20 cm in diameter for biomass accumulation.
Tens of thousands of years of human impact on tropical forests have had significant consequences, including extinctions, soil erosion, and reduced biodiversity. However, indigenous agricultural strategies can minimize environmental damage when implemented sustainably.
A new Northwestern University study suggests that paying people to conserve their trees could be a highly cost-effective way to reduce deforestation and carbon emissions. The program, known as Payments for Ecosystems, was found to have large impacts on forest cover in western Uganda.
A new global analysis shows that species most at risk live in areas just beginning to see the impacts of human activities. Intact forest landscapes deserve higher priority for conservation dollars than heavily impacted areas, according to researchers.
Research found that leaf-litter frog has twice the bacterial richness in continuous forest than in fragments, while others show no variation by forest type, highlighting individual species' unique habitats as key factors.
A new global map offers detailed insights into certified forest areas, enabling policymakers and users to make informed decisions on sustainable resource use. The map combines country-level statistics with remote sensing products and crowdsourcing, providing a basis for a global pathway towards sustainability.
A study by researchers from the USDA Forest Service and the University of Minnesota found that controlled burns did not lead to increased mercury levels in yellow perch, contradicting previous mixed results. The research also showed no significant disruption to watershed food webs.
A new study from the University of Helsinki suggests that climate change may increase the damage caused by a naturally circulating fungal disease in Norway spruce trees. The researchers found that future climate changes can alter the impact of forest pathogens, highlighting the need for further research on this topic.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that Myanmar's intact forest cover declined by 11% between 2002 and 2014, with a significant loss of 2 million hectares. The researchers suggest prioritizing protection of intact forests and exploring alternative sustainable forest management practices.
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 new estimate suggests that dryland forests, which cover 40% of the Earth's land surface, are more extensive than previously thought, with an additional 467 million hectares reported. This increase in forest area increases current estimates of global forest cover by at least 9%
A Duke University study reveals that larger patches of tropical forest are being lost worldwide due to industrial-scale agricultural expansion. The trend is most pronounced in Southeast Asia and South America, where clearings for large-scale agriculture account for more than half of all observed forest loss between 2000 and 2012.
A UC Berkeley study has found significant flaws in research used to challenge the US Forest Service's plan to restore Sierra Nevada forests. The study, published in Ecological Applications, uses historic field data to estimate forest density and finds two major methodological flaws.
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.
Researchers found that shale-gas development leads to significant forest fragmentation, particularly on private land. To mitigate this, they recommend placing new well pads near pre-existing pipelines and consolidating infrastructure.
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.
Seasonally inundated areas in the Amazon heart may be weak spot to climate-induced collapse and fires, spreading to surrounding forests. Fire-related savannas dominate flooded parts when rainfall drops below 1500 mm/year.
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.
A study by Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research finds that human-caused climate change can trigger a vicious circle of drought and forest loss in the Amazon. The risk is heightened if there are fewer tree species in a forest patch, but diversity can help forests survive dry seasons.
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.
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.
The study found that Central Africa's forest elephant population has dropped by over 80% in a decade, mainly due to illegal poaching. The researchers emphasize the need to reduce demand for ivory and recognize forest elephants as a distinct species to save them from extinction.
A new study found that 28 of South Africa's 57 forest-dwelling bird species are declining in range, while 22 species are increasing. The data from the Southern African Bird Atlas Project indicates a link between deforestation and habitat loss, with smaller bird species more vulnerable to extinction.
Researchers found that areas with high deer numbers tend to have fewer birds that rely on forest shrubs for nesting and hunting. This is because white-tailed deer eat away at these plants, leading to a decline in songbird populations such as the Hooded Warbler and Prairie Warbler.
Remote sensing maps reveal new regions for conservation effort in Peruvian forests, identifying previously unknown assemblages and assessing the effectiveness of current protections. The approach links biodiversity and functional diversity, providing a roadmap for detecting critical omissions in regional networks.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that current Australian nature reserves are unsuitable for the critically endangered Leadbeater's Possum but may compromise on habitat for other forest-dependent species. Expanded reserve systems could provide higher habitat suitability values, but at a cost to other species.
The study reveals three new species of land flatworms from the Brazilian Araucaria forest, contributing to the region's high biodiversity. The discovery sheds light on the importance of these organisms as bioindicators for habitat impact assessment.
A study in California found that high-severity wildfires hinder natural conifer regeneration, with only 60% of plots showing seedling growth five to seven years after fire. A new tool developed by researchers can help foresters prioritize which lands to replant and when.
A recent study found that fragmented forest edges in New England absorb more carbon than expected due to increased growth rates, but also experience more heat stress. This mixed outcome suggests that while forests may be valuable carbon sinks, they are also sensitive to climate change.
New research published in the Journal of Economic Theory highlights a fundamental contradiction in the policy of making land owners paid more than it costs them to conserve forests. This market inefficiency leads to stalemate and makes forest protection unfeasible through logging with some chance or gradual logging to secure funding.
A study led by the University of Washington found that large forest die-offs can alter global climate patterns and affect vegetation on the other side of the world. Removing trees in western North America causes cooling in Siberia, while forests in South America benefit from increased precipitation.
Canadian and European boreal forests have distinct differences in terms of dominant shrubs, animal cycles, and predator-prey dynamics. The research found that climate is the primary factor driving these differences.
A five-year study in Harvard and Duke forests found that adding warmth predicted in climate-change models destabilized forest ant communities. The loss of stability makes communities less resilient and slower to rebound when disturbed, with relative abundance of thermophilic species growing while heat-intolerant species declining.
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.
A team of 90 institutions from 44 countries found that forests with many tree species are more productive than those with few, providing an estimated USD$166-490 billion in annual economic benefits. This discovery highlights the need for a re-assessment of biodiversity values and conservation priorities.
A new study by researchers at the University of Idaho and Columbia University finds that human-caused climate change has nearly doubled the amount of land burned in western US forest fires over the past three decades. The study estimates that human-caused climate change caused an additional 16,000 square miles of western forest lands t...
A $1.7 million grant will study climate change impacts on the Menominee Nation's forest, informing decision-making about forest management. The project aims to understand how tribal values inform forest management decisions in a changing climate.
A recent study found that mixed-severity fires, also known as 'Goldilocks fires,' can increase biodiversity of birds in California forests over time. The research suggests that forest managers should prioritize managing forests to promote a mixture of intensities, resulting in a mosaic of patches with different burn severities.