A new study reveals that climate change could lead to declines of underwater kelp forests, impacting fisheries and potentially affecting food security. The research found that ocean warming and acidification can cause disease-like symptoms in kelp, leading to degradation and photosynthesis impairment.
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.
GEDI, a NASA instrument, is collecting data on forests using its waveform-based measurement technique to analyze the shape of returned light signals. This allows scientists to obtain three-dimensional structure information, useful for mapping wildlife habitats and biodiversity.
A new study by Graziano Ceddia reveals that greater inequality increases deforestation in Latin America, while less inequality better protects forests. Increasing agricultural productivity can help reduce pressure on remaining forests, but it also incentivizes the conversion of more forests to cropland.
A landmark study found forest soils need several decades to recover from bushfires and logging. Soils recovered very slowly over many years from these events.
A team of researchers has successfully detected rain over the ocean using GNSS Reflectometry, a technique that measures sea surface roughness to infer precipitation. This innovation could provide unprecedented temporal resolution and spatial coverage for monitoring atmospheric precipitation.
A West Virginia University researcher suggests that forests are experiencing declining health due to climate change, leading to unbalanced growth and increased risk of disease. To restore a balanced diet, researchers recommend severely cutting back or ending fossil fuel use.
Researchers found that warmer winters mean more ice on the ground due to increased winter rain, posing challenges for Arctic wildlife and ecosystems. The formation of basal ice can kill plants and starve animals, while rain-on-snow events can lead to avalanches.
A study by Yale scientists reveals that native species dominate New York City's natural areas, containing over 5 million trees, rather than just street trees. This finding highlights the need for conservation policies and management strategies focused on these spaces to manage biodiversity and ecosystem services.
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.
The HOMED project aims to develop a full panel of scientific knowledge and practical solutions for managing emerging native and non-native pests and pathogens threatening European forests. Forest health will be considered broadly, including trees in forests, nurseries, urban, and rural areas.
Forests in the Pacific Northwest are less vulnerable to drought and fire due to climate conditions. Modeling suggests water-limited forests in the Rockies will be most affected by future drought-related mortality.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that heavy rainfall in the Atacama Desert wiped out most microbe species, contradicting expectations of floral blooms. The research has implications for our understanding of microbial life on Mars and suggests that sudden water exposure can be lethal to microorganisms.
Researchers found that streamside forests store an average of 168-390 tons of carbon per acre in mature trees, while soil carbon can triple with restoration. Actively restoring forests jump-starts the process, gaining more than twice the rate of naturally regenerating forests over the first ten years.
A Yale-led study finds that fragmentation weakens impact of fungal pathogens and insect herbivores, enabling some tree species to thrive near edges. Researchers tested the effect of natural enemies on seedling diversity in fragmented forests, finding that suppression of these enemies led to biodiversity decline.
A recent study found that frequent disturbances to kelp forests can significantly impact marine life, leading to a decrease in commercially desirable fish and shellfish. The experiment suggests that increasing storm frequency could dramatically alter the ratios and types of sea life along the California coastline.
A research collaboration found that Haiti has lost over 99% of its primary forests, triggering an ongoing mass extinction of reptiles, amphibians, and other species. The country is expected to lose all remaining primary forest cover in less than two decades, resulting in the disappearance of most endemic species.
Super Typhoon Yutu made landfall as the strongest storm to hit any part of the US this year, with peak rain rates of up to 269 mm/hr. The GPM satellite revealed an almost perfect ring of heavy to intense rain, indicative of an extremely powerful storm.
A University of Oklahoma meteorologist predicts severe droughts and intense rainfall events will become more frequent and long-lasting worldwide. The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, uses standardized rainfall indices to compare event characteristics between regions and seasons.
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 new study found that primary tropical forests contain more biodiversity and carbon than even mature regenerating forests. Secondary forests, on the other hand, can still play a vital role in biodiversity conservation and carbon storage, with some areas recovering to over 80% of levels found in undisturbed primary forests.
A recent study found that secondary forests in southern Costa Rica last an average of 20 years before being converted to another land use, preventing them from providing habitat for many forest species and absorbing large amounts of carbon.
Tropical Storm Kirk brought intense rain to the Leeward Islands on September 28, with the heaviest downpours recorded near its center. The Global Precipitation Measurement mission detected hourly rainfall rates of up to 4 inches per hour, posing a risk of life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.
Research by University of Utah biologist William Anderegg and colleagues found that diverse forests are more resilient to droughts due to a variety of hydraulic traits in tree species. Forests with multiple types of trees and diverse water use patterns showed less impact from droughts, with satellite data confirming the findings.
A 10-year study found that bird diversity in Honduras cloud forests is moving higher in elevation, driven by globally rising temperatures and land protection limitations.
Hurricane Lane is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 10 to 20 inches, with localized amounts up to 40 inches possible over Hawaiian Islands. The slow movement of the storm increases the threat for prolonged heavy rainfall and extreme rainfall totals.
Warm-water kelps alter ecosystem functioning, with faster food production and processing, but may reduce biodiversity. Kelp forests are expected to survive, unlike in other regions where they are disappearing.
A Montana State University-led team discovered that low humidity, high winds, and extreme temperatures contribute to Chile's massive fires. The researchers found that Chile replaced native forests with more flammable tree plantations, which facilitated the spread of fires.
A new study by the University of Leeds found that forests emit volatile gases, forming particles in the atmosphere that increase diffuse light. This enhanced diffuse sunlight boosts photosynthesis by up to 10% globally, mirroring 10% of global fossil fuel emissions.
A new study found that seed rain, canopy gaps, and soil disturbances contribute to the establishment of invasive plants. Proximity to seed sources was a significant predictor for wine raspberry, Japanese barberry, and Japanese stiltgrass.
A new study found that frequent fires in eastern US forests make droughts harder for young trees to survive, even in wet areas. The research shows that fire can promote warmer, drier conditions and reduce nitrogen availability, leading to increased drought stress.
A global study reveals that children living near forests have better nutrition due to increased dietary diversity from forest products and reduced micronutrient deficiencies. Forests promote health through multiple pathways, including access to a range of foods and income for food purchases.
A University of Arizona study resolves controversy over rain's relationship to soil moisture, revealing morning soil moisture can impact afternoon rainfall in the region. Drier soils enhance rain on days with limited wind-borne moisture, while wetter soils increase rain when winds bring more moisture.
A recent study by the University of Exeter suggests that replacing forests with crops for bioenergy power stations could increase CO2 in the atmosphere, while protecting and regenerating forests may be a more sensible option. The research highlights the importance of land use changes in mitigating climate change.
Climate change is projected to double rain-on-snow flood risk in the Sierra Nevada, Colorado River headwaters, and Canadian Rocky Mountains by the end of this century. This could lead to a 200% increase in localized flood risk and strain existing infrastructure.
A new study reveals that animal and fungal species have a significant impact on forest performance, including carbon storage and climate regulation. The research, conducted over ten years in subtropical forests, found that biodiversity must be considered as a whole to maintain forest health.
A landmark study by Newcastle University researchers finds that heavy, short rain storms are intensifying rapidly in Australia, leading to increased flash flood and urban flooding risks. The study, published in Nature Climate Change, shows that these extreme events are substantially larger than expected under climate change.
Researchers found tropical forests' gross primary productivity increases with warming temperatures but slows down at optimal range of 28-29 degrees Celsius, before declining at high temperatures.
Current tropical forests' capacity to absorb carbon dioxide is being compromised by deforestation and climate change, threatening global temperature rise goals. Researchers estimate that forests are currently absorbing as much CO2 as they generate through deforestation and degradation.
A study found that protecting tropical forest carbon stocks is ineffective for biodiversity in ecologically valuable forests. In fact, up to 77% of species protected through carbon conservation were not saved in these areas. The researchers suggest focusing on both carbon and biodiversity conservation efforts to safeguard unique wildlife.
Researchers have calculated the capacity of North American forests to sequester carbon, finding that they have reached 78% of their potential and will only gain 22% more in the next 60 years. This is a critical finding with implications for forest management, climate scientists, and policymakers.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission gathered important rainfall data on Hurricane Beryl's remnants as it passed through the Windward Islands and Puerto Rico. Strong convective storms were dropping rain at rates of over 75 mm per hour, with intense storms measured in a small area along Puerto Rico's southeastern coast.
A study published in BMC Evolutionary Biology found that Bale monkeys living in different habitats have distinct mitochondrial DNA profiles. The researchers discovered that populations from fragmented forests were more closely related to vervet and grivet monkeys than those from continuous forests, suggesting hybridization had occurred.
A University of California, Davis study found that grasslands are more resilient carbon sinks than forests in 21st century California, especially when considering the impacts of droughts and wildfires. Grasslands store most of their carbon underground, making them a viable option for carbon offset efforts.
Researchers found that over 80% of natural vegetation began growing in response to pre-rain green-up signals, with woodlands leading the way. The study challenges traditional assumptions about rainfall's role in African plant growth and highlights the need for further research into environmental cues driving this phenomenon.
The new journal publishes cutting-edge research on forest science disciplines, including ecophysiology, atmosphere, fire, and growth, to inform sustainable forest management. It aims to place forests at the forefront of global attention and provide a centralized source of high-quality research.
A tropical disturbance brought extremely heavy rainfall to southern Texas, resulting in record-breaking flood levels. Over 15 inches of rain fell in Hidalgo County, with IMERG estimates indicating 21 inches fell in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico.
NASA's Terra satellite captured an infrared image of Tropical Depression 08W revealing concentrated areas of strong storms near Taiwan. The storm is forecast to move northeast and exit Taiwan on June 15, affecting several regions with heavy rain and strong winds.
A £374,000 UK Government grant will support Ethiopian communities in developing sustainable natural resource management systems, resulting in reduced deforestation rates. The project aims to market valuable forest products, such as cardamom and wild chillies, to improve villagers' livelihoods.
Tropical Storm Aletta was found to have intense rain bands with rainfall rates over 187 mm, and storm top heights of over 12 km. The Global Precipitation Measurement mission revealed these findings using GPM precipitation measurements.
New research by the USDA Forest Service suggests that reduced acid rain and warmer temperatures are behind the resurgence of red spruce. The study found that over 75% of red spruce trees exhibited increasing growth since 2001, indicating a positive response to recent climate shifts.
A global study found that Leguminosae trees are twice as common in dry compared with wet secondary forests during the first three decades of natural forest regeneration. These trees have high drought tolerance and can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere, making them essential for tropical forest regrowth in dry regions.
New research reveals tall Amazonian forests are more resilient to drought, with older trees having deeper root systems that access deeper soil moisture. This finding has implications for the future ability of rainforests to store carbon and withstand climate change.
A new study has mapped over 3.4 million acres of Europe's last wild forests, revealing that primary forests are widely distributed throughout the continent. The study highlights the importance of preserving these remaining fragments of primary forest, which provide exceptional ecological values and habitat for biodiversity.
A new study reveals that the asteroid impact that wiped out dinosaurs also caused a mass extinction of forests, leading to the demise of tree-dwelling birds. The research team analyzed fossil records and pollen evidence to conclude that the temporary loss of forests after the impact made it impossible for arboreal birds to survive.
A new study reveals that ancient communities in South America, particularly the Southern Jê people, played a significant role in expanding the critically endangered Araucaria forests between 1,410 and 900 years ago. The forests, which date back to the time of dinosaurs, were initially established on grasslands and expanded into highlan...
A meta-analysis of 126 case studies from five continents reveals mixed-species forest stands are more ecologically valuable and resilient. These forests also exhibit greater productivity, particularly in areas with favorable water supplies.
The largest 1% of trees in mature forests worldwide comprise 50% of forest biomass, according to a global study. The size of the largest trees is crucial for forest structure and carbon storage, with big trees providing unique habitat and strongly influencing their surroundings.
The Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation - GEDI is a first-of-its-kind laser instrument designed to map the world's forests in high resolution and three dimensions. It will gather height information about everything in its path, but is specifically designed to measure forests.