The North American Bsal Task Force has helped keep the novel pathogen at bay by developing diagnostic techniques, a rapid response template, and a surveillance program. Thirty-five of 80 North American amphibians can be infected with Bsal, causing lethal skin disease in susceptible species.
A recent study found that climate warming is altering carbon flow and food web dynamics in Arctic tundra and boreal forest ecosystems, with fungi replacing plants as the main energy source for animals. This shift has significant implications for ecosystem function and animal responses to climate change.
Researchers used social media data to hindcast recreation visits before and after the fire, creating a complete picture of visitation changes. The approach holds promise for large, multi-ownership landscapes with inconsistent monitoring practices.
Researchers examine historical data and weather patterns to understand west-side wildfires' timing, size, and causes. They find that severe fires are normal for the region when looking at longer time scales, and conventional fire management tools may be less effective due to extreme winds.
A new study by the USDA Forest Service-led Pacific Northwest Research Station found that Alaska's Tongass and Chugach National Forests produce an average of 48 million salmon annually, worth approximately $88 million. The forest rivers and lakes support the salmon population through various life stages.
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.
A recent study suggests that dam removals can be anticipated by understanding the unique environmental conditions at each site and their impact on aquatic species recolonization, sediment flow, and water quality changes.
A study of nearly 50,000 New Zealand children found that greener neighborhoods are less likely to develop asthma, while low plant diversity is associated with a higher risk. Biodiversity conservation may provide concrete health benefits beyond its ecological significance.
A new study has found that moss can be a useful bioindicator of cadmium air pollution in urban areas. Researchers used moss to track down previously unknown pollution sources in Portland and created a fine-scale map of cadmium deposition across the city.
A new US Forest Service-led study reveals that habitat diversity is key to protecting coastal cutthroat trout from the effects of forest harvest and climate change. The study found that trout in different streams respond differently to these disturbances based on their habitat features.
A US Forest Service-led study found that 195 out of 201 bird and mammal species in northwest Alaska could face habitat loss or gain due to climate change. The research projects up to 52% of species may experience habitat expansion, while 45% will see contractions.
A new study found that post-fire logging can reduce woody fuels for up to four decades following wildfire in dry coniferous forests. Harvesting fire-killed trees also helps forest managers manage fuels, with logged stands having lower fuels than unlogged stands over time.
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.
Conservative fuel treatments reduced fire severity equally as intensive treatments in protecting homes during the 2011 Wallow Fire. The study suggests multiple paths to fuel treatment design around the WUI, with varying distances to reduction in fire severity depending on treatment intensity.
A recent study offers a tool to identify regions exposed to multiple forest threats, including wildfires, urban development, and insects and disease. The tool uses a novel analysis technique to highlight locations where threats are more concentrated.
A recent report by USDA Forest Service reveals a doubling of houses in dispersed rural settings and development on nonfederal resource lands over the past 30 years. The analysis showed that most new development was close to existing areas, with increases in housing similar across eastern and western Washington.
A new analysis by the USDA Forest Service emphasizes managing forests as consumers of water, reducing risk of water stress. This shift in thinking helps maintain resilience and health in a changing climate.
The West coast log and lumber exports from the United States decreased in the first quarter of 2013, with log exports dropping 33% to $297 million. Meanwhile, total US log exports increased by 11%, while total US lumber exports also rose by 2%.
A new study across 24 states found two-thirds of forest inventory plots contain at least one non-native plant species. Non-native, or introduced, plants can become invasive and displace native species, degrading habitats and altering ecosystem functions.
Researchers analyzed decades-long data from 22 streams in 7 experimental forests across the US, highlighting regional patterns of change in stream nitrogen concentrations. The study's findings underscore the importance of long-term monitoring in informing best management practices for protecting water resources.
Retaining moderate levels of logging debris helps increase growth rate of Douglas-fir seedlings by inhibiting competing herbaceous vegetation and preserving soil water. This leads to increased early growth in seedlings, with higher growth rates observed at 80% debris cover without herbicide treatments.
A new study by the USDA Forest Service found an association between tree loss and increased human mortality from cardiovascular and lower respiratory disease. The study analyzed data from 1,296 counties in 15 states and found that Americans living in areas infested with the emerald ash borer suffered from more deaths from these diseases.
By 2040, parts of Washington State could lose up to a third of their carbon stores due to increasing wildfire risk. This would significantly impact the region's ability to act as carbon sinks and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Log and lumber exports from Washington, Oregon, northern California, and Alaska increased by 42 percent in 2011, totaling 1,992 million board feet. The total value of exported logs increased by 54 percent to $1,297 million, while the total value of exported lumber increased by 35 percent to $687 million.
Yellow-cedar trees are dying off across large areas in Alaska and British Columbia due to root freezing caused by reduced snow and cold temperatures. The tree's shallow roots make it vulnerable to freezing injury, leading to its decline. Conservation strategies are needed to protect the species.
In the first three quarters of 2011, west coast log and lumber exports exceeded 2010 levels, primarily due to increased demand from China. The total log shipment value reached $1,036 million, while lumber export value surpassed $528 million, both surpassing previous years.
A recent report provides new ideas on the carbon and energy benefits of forests and forest products. Sustainably managed forests can store and substitute carbon, while forest biomass-based energy uses less stored carbon, reducing fossil fuel emissions.
A recent study published in the Journal of Forestry reveals that US national forests can help Americans meet guidelines for regular physical activity. The study found that activities such as hiking, walking, and fishing account for about two-thirds of all visits to national forests, resulting in annual energy expenditures equivalent to...
Researchers analyze structure and physiology of trees as they grow, revealing how older, larger trees respond to environmental changes like CO2 levels and drought. The study sheds light on how these changes affect tree species distributions as the climate shifts.
The new field guide highlights 91 nonnative invasive plant species affecting forest lands in California, Oregon, and Washington. The guide provides detailed information for identification and has significant economic implications for landowners and local governments.
Turtle populations are affected by global warming, habitat destruction and hunting, threatening nearly half of all species. The Year of the Turtle campaign aims to raise awareness and promote conservation efforts.
Researchers found that polar bear populations could decline by two-thirds by mid-century, but emissions reduction can mitigate this. Sea ice habitat won't face a catastrophic 'tipping point' under mitigation scenarios.
A new study by the US Forest Service found that certain types of city trees can reduce property and violent crime rates. Large street trees were associated with lower crime rates, while numerous small yard trees may increase crime by blocking views.
The risk of beetle outbreaks in western North America's forests is expected to increase significantly due to rising temperatures. Climate change is projected to boost spruce and mountain pine beetles' populations, leading to widespread tree mortality.
A special edition journal provides new perspectives and guidance for managing Cronartium ribicola, an introduced invasive pathogen causing serious damage to North American white pines. The collection of 12 articles synthesizes knowledge on the disease, identifies policy actions, and reviews future issues facing white pine management.
A study found that fuel treatments can reduce fire severity and protect older trees desirable for their timber, wildlife, and carbon-storage value. The results showed nearly 60% of trees survived in stands with thinning plus fuel treatment, and three-quarters of larger trees survived.
Forests have been shown to decrease blood pressure, heart rate and muscle tension in natural settings, while also reducing depression, anger and ADHD symptoms.
Researchers explore using forest biomass to develop green energy and chemicals, offering a carbon-neutral alternative to petroleum-based plastics. The potential for tree-based green chemicals to replace traditional bioplastics is significant, with eco-friendly benefits and reduced ecological impacts.
A study found that leaving logging debris behind suppresses the growth of invasive plant species like Scotch broom and blackberry, allowing native plants to thrive. This method saves costs but may increase fire risk, making it a more favorable approach for forest management.
Scott Russell Sanders' essay 'Mind in the Forest' has won the John Burroughs Award for its thought-provoking exploration of human connection with nature. The essay, written during a USDA Forest Service writers' residence, was recognized for its exceptional literary value and ability to reveal qualities of the forest previously invisibl...
A recent study by Lee Cerveny investigated the social and cultural impacts of tourism in southeast Alaska, capturing the effects of increased cruise ship travel. The research revealed more than 35 types of partnerships within the Forest Service, indicating a reliance on volunteer organizations to manage natural resources.
A study in Alaska's Gulf of Alaska has found that glacial watersheds export biologically active organic matter to marine ecosystems, supporting higher organisms. As glaciers recede, this valuable food source will decrease, potentially impacting marine productivity.
A new study predicts that tamarisk's range will expand in the Northwest US by century's end due to climate change. The invasive plant can displace native species and increase wildfire risk, with suitable habitat covering 20% of the region east of the Cascade Mountains.
The USDA Forest Service has established a new 25,000-acre experimental forest in the Tongass National Forest to investigate how climate change affects various forest resources such as timber and salmon habitat. The research aims to understand the impact of climate change on temperate rain forest ecosystems nationwide.
A study by the USDA Forest Service and university scientists found that climate plays a critical role in shaping wildfire behavior, particularly in the Western United States. Climate influences fuel production and drying, which varies among different ecosystems, leading to varying fire sizes and severities.
Two federal scientists, Martin Raphael and Eric Forsman, have won national awards for their research on the habitat and ecology of the marbled murrelet and the northern spotted owl. Their work emphasizes a strong partnership between research and management to improve the status of these bird species.
A California study reveals that shade trees on west and south sides of homes can reduce electric bills by $25 annually. Trees planted within 40-60 feet of these sides generate similar energy savings due to shadow variations.
A study published in Ecosystems reveals that elevated fire levels outweighed harvest reductions in the loss of older forests in the Pacific Northwest. The NWFP helped stabilize large-diameter forest numbers, but fire was the main reason for their decline.
A new study found that wildfires lead to significant losses of carbon and nitrogen in forest soils, with over 10 tons per acre of carbon lost and between 450-620 pounds per acre of nitrogen lost. This can negatively impact soil productivity and contribute to global warming.
Researchers found that unverifiable observations can lead to the overestimation of rare species' ranges and abundance. A 'sliding scale' of evidentiary standards was developed to help managers determine the suitability of evidence in conservation decisionmaking, prioritizing physical evidence for extinct or highly rare species.