The world's forests continue to absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide, with an average of 3.5 billion metric tons per year, nearly half of global fossil fuel emissions between 1990 and 2019. Despite disruptions, certain land management practices can help preserve this critical carbon sink.
A recent USDA study analyzed two centuries of alien species discoveries to estimate the rate of new insect arrivals and potential future invasions. The research found that efforts to reduce biological hitchhiking on live plant imports have been successful, but a significant number of Hemiptera insects remain undetected.
A new study found that householders' landscaping and management decisions can increase wild bird habitat and influence bird biodiversity in their yard and at the neighborhood and city scale. Yards certified as wildlife habitat support a wider variety of bird species compared to traditional yards.
A new contaminant prioritization tool could increase the effectiveness of environmental approaches to landfill clean-up by matching tree species with specific contaminants. The tool allows site managers to prioritize the most hazardous contaminants or customize it to address local concerns.
A decline in black cherry regeneration is reported, suggesting that environmental changes might impact other tree species in mixed forests. An increase in pathogens and reduced nitrogen deposition in soil are identified as key factors contributing to this decline.
The USDA Forest Service has established a new urban long-term ecological research site in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, focusing on the dynamics of urban nature and social systems. The project aims to improve environmental outcomes for all city residents, addressing disparities in access to urban benefits.
A new study predicts a 36% global increase in invasive insect species by 2050, with Europe and Asia experiencing the strongest invasions. This research provides a baseline for assessing future biological invasions, enabling proactive measures to contain their spread.
Scientists study tree rings to reveal how Arctic dimming kills trees and limits growth due to reduced sunlight from industrial pollution. The research found massive tree mortality associated with the Norilsk mining complex in northern Siberia.
A new study suggests that concentrating tree planting efforts on understocked forest land, particularly in western states and the Northeast, can substantially increase carbon sequestration capacity. This targeted approach could enhance ecosystem services and offset a significant portion of the country's carbon dioxide emissions.
The program results in continued improvements in lot condition and care over a 5-year period, with residents gaining a stronger sense of place and belonging. The study develops a practical monitoring tool to assess the progress of vacant lot repurposing programs.
A study by the USDA Forest Service found that increasing tree canopy in Philadelphia could prevent between 271 and 400 premature deaths annually. The research suggests that even modest increases in tree canopy cover can lead to significant reductions in mortality rates, particularly in areas with lower socioeconomic status.
A new study found that half of all buildings destroyed by wildfire in California are located in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) area, which has less grasses and trees to fuel fires. The WUI accounts for 82% of all building losses, with 50% occurring in the interface portion.
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 study by Lerman and D'Amico found that less frequent lawn mowing in suburban areas has no detectable effect on blacklegged tick populations. In fact, the researchers documented 111 bee species across 16 lawns, highlighting a viable habitat for native bees.
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 aim to combat white-nose syndrome, a deadly fungus affecting bat populations, by exploring the use of ultra-violet light to clean cave environments. The study, funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, could potentially enhance bat survival rates, supporting critical ecosystem services.
The USDA Forest Service introduces the Hot-Dry-Windy Index (HDW) to predict wildland fire danger, leveraging temperature, moisture, and wind variables. Researchers tested HDW against existing indexes and found promising results, with potential applications worldwide.
A study published by the USDA Forest Service found that tweets from California during the 2015 wildfire season could predict air quality impacts from smoke. The research combined ground-based monitoring with a topic model mapping citizens' tweets to improve models for predicting smoke dispersion.
Researchers predict Acadian flycatcher populations will decline substantially due to reduced breeding productivity and increased nest predation under severe warming projections. Climate change poses a significant risk of quasi-extinction to this common Midwestern songbird species by the twenty-first century.
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.
The study found that between 2009 and 2014, tree cover in urban areas declined by 0.7 percent, resulting in the loss of 36 million trees. This decline has significant impacts on air quality, energy costs, noise reduction, and human health. The annual benefits derived from US urban forests are estimated at $18 billion.
A USDA Forest Service study projects that urban land will more than double between 2010 and 2060, affecting forest and agricultural lands. Urban forests are expected to provide billions of dollars in benefits through improved air quality, climate change mitigation, and reduced energy use.
The study reveals that new WUI area expanded by over 46 million acres, with significant growth in the East region. The expansion poses broad challenges for natural resource management and wildfire management, highlighting the need for effective planning and policy to reduce risk.
A study by the USDA Forest Service found that mowing lawns less frequently can significantly improve pollinator habitat, increasing flower growth and diversity of bee species. This practice is estimated to benefit an estimated 40 million acres of lawn in the US, promoting native bee populations.
Researchers have identified a weakness in the lethal fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans that causes white-nose syndrome. The fungus is highly sensitive to UV light, making it susceptible to novel treatments that could save bat populations.
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.
A new study reveals that bat wing prints can be used to identify individual bats with high accuracy, similar to fingerprint identification. The technique involves analyzing the unique patterns of collagen-elastin bundles in wing tissue, which remain intact even when wings are damaged.
Research shows prairie strips reduce soil and nutrient loss from steep ground, providing habitat for wildlife. Integrating prairie strips with rowcrops increases biodiversity and ecosystem services, with minimal impacts on crop production.
A study published in the journal mSphere found that a deadly bat fungus in Washington state is genetically similar to strains found in the eastern United States, suggesting it did not originate in Eurasia. The findings have implications for resource managers battling white-nose syndrome in North American bats.
Family forest owners prioritize natural values over financial gain, controlling 286 million acres of US forestland. Limited written forest management plans and professional forestry advice are prevalent among owners.
A dynamic model focusing on site scale conservation helps answer questions about how small white lady's slipper orchid habitats will change with climate change. The model provides information on management strategies specific to the location and plant itself, benefiting rare species with limited ranges.
Scientists create artificial ice storm to study its effects on northern hardwood forests, including tree growth, pest and pathogen impacts, and nutrient cycling. The research aims to improve understanding of climate change's role in shaping forest ecosystems.
A study by the USDA Forest Service's Northern Research Station found that institutions influence the demographic composition of scientists. The research reveals initiatives have narrowed the gender gap over the past 30 years, with women comprising 26% of scientists in R&D.
A study by the USDA Forest Service found that landscapes with 50-60% forest land use had statistically the same sink strength as those with 90-100% forest. This suggests that land use change is a substantial component of the forest carbon sink in the Eastern United States, and new approaches like establishing new forests may help seque...
Researchers at the Marcell Experimental Forest in Minnesota are conducting unprecedented whole-ecosystem manipulation to study peatlands' response to increased temperature and elevated carbon dioxide. The goal is to understand how peatlands react to various warming conditions and their impact on the global carbon cycle.
The USDA Forest Service's online Waterviz tool will be strengthened by a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, enabling it to reach more students and educators. The tool, which combines environmental sensors, music, and digital art, aims to increase understanding of science and data literacy.
A recent study found that installing functional doors and windows in abandoned buildings can lead to a significant decrease in crime rates. Over a 2-year period, the study revealed an estimated 8 fewer assaults, 10 fewer gun assaults, and 5 fewer nuisance crimes in areas with improved building facades.
A US forest service research team has released bats treated for White-nose Syndrome (WNS), a deadly fungus that has killed an estimated 5-6 million bats. The treatment, developed with native soil bacteria, showed promising results in field trials and could potentially reduce mortality of bats affected by the disease.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that Thousand Cankers Disease (TCD) is a native disease that has gone rogue, threatening the health of black walnut trees. The fungus, Geosmithia morbida, and its long-time host beetle have co-evolved, creating a complex that can spread rapidly across landscapes.
The US Forest Service advocates for a holistic approach to managing wildfires, considering both ecological and human dimensions. Strategies include adopting land use regulations, developing locally appropriate vegetation management strategies, and improving evacuation planning and household plans.
Two research projects receive grants to develop tools to control Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the fungus causing White-Nose Syndrome. A naturally produced treatment using native soil bacteria and gene silencing technology are being tested.
A new study reveals that trees are saving more than 850 human lives a year and preventing 670,000 instances of acute respiratory symptoms by removing pollutants. The study found that tree cover in urban areas has substantially greater impacts on human health due to their proximity to people.
A new international standard for wood packaging material has significantly reduced insect stowaways, with a 52% drop in infestation rates. The International Phytosanitary Standard ISPM 15 has achieved near-100% reduction in insect stowaways in some countries.
A US Forest Service study reveals that five anthropogenic factors, including urbanization, invasive species, and lack of forest management, will significantly alter northern forests over the next 50 years. The report highlights the need for proactive conservation efforts to ensure resilient and healthy forests.
Research reveals disparate fertilizer and irrigation practices among different age groups, socioeconomic statuses, and climates in urban, suburban and rural areas. The study found that lawncare varies more within a city than expected, suggesting that one sustainability message may not fit all.
Despite devastating effects of the invasive insect in southern Appalachians, increasing tree density associated with reforestation and succession may have offset negative impacts at a regional scale. Hemlock trees do not have natural defenses against hemlock woolly adelgid, resulting in high levels of tree mortality.
Scientists discovered a surprising rebound in red spruce growth in New England, with trees growing at rates almost twice the average for the last 100 years. The study suggests that reductions in pollution made possible by the Clean Air Act of 1990 may be contributing to this turn-around.
A recent study reveals that the emerald ash borer invasion has fueled a population boom for four species of birds in the Detroit area. The four species considered in the study include three woodpeckers and a white-breasted nuthatch, which are all benefiting from the abundant food source provided by EAB-infested ash trees.
Researchers recommend incorporating automated quality control procedures to minimize sensor failures and ensure accurate event characterization. By implementing standardized protocols, scientists can improve the reliability of sensor networks and support land management planning decisions.
Researchers identified non-disease causing fungal relatives of WNS-causing fungus, which live in bat hibernation sites and on bats. This discovery may aid in understanding the molecular toolbox used by the deadly fungus to kill bats.