Articles tagged with Forestry
A new paper by UBC researchers suggests reviving cultural burning and promoting Indigenous-led fire stewardship to achieve multiple objectives, including reducing wildfire risk and enhancing biodiversity. However, barriers such as lack of understanding and funding limitations hinder the implementation of these practices.
Researchers at the University of Georgia developed a model to prioritize land conservation in the Upper Chattahoochee Watershed, which provides drinking water to 95 cities. The model considers ecosystem services like water, carbon, and habitat, and favors higher connectivity among parcels of land.
Researchers developed nationwide maps of bird species to aid conservation efforts, providing fine-resolution data for individual counties or forests. The maps predict bird diversity based on traits such as nesting habits and environmental factors like forest cover and temperature.
A collection of policy briefs presents guidelines and possible solutions for managing invasive alien pests and pathogens in Europe. The briefs focus on topics such as biological control, classical biological control, and prevention of invasive species.
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have developed a sustainable, pollen-based 'paper' that can be printed on and reused multiple times. The paper's non-toxic properties make it an attractive alternative to conventional wood-based paper, which has a significant environmental impact.
A study by UM researchers found that online camping reservations systems can exacerbate existing inequalities in national park access. Campers from higher-income areas and predominantly white communities are more likely to secure coveted sites. The team suggests a lottery system could help balance accessibility with protection of natur...
Climate change is expected to cause a significant decline in beech forest growth in Europe, particularly in southern regions. Tree ring analyses reveal that tree growth has declined in virtually all regions over the past six decades, with the strongest contrast between northern and southern Europe.
Researchers found that tree spacing can control the likelihood of tree survival and reduce forest damage risk. Trees in forests with closer spacing are more vulnerable to strong winds due to reduced energy transfer buffering between trees.
The European Union is projected to experience increased fire-prone areas, threatening biodiversity and carbon sinks. The IPCC report highlights the need for adaptation in addressing wildfires, focusing on fire and forest management to increase ecosystem resilience.
A new study suggests that reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, forestry, and land use sectors could lead to higher food prices and potentially negative impacts on food security. The study found that a decarbonization scenario would increase international food prices by about 27%, affecting around 420 million people at ri...
Urbanization in China has led to an increase in biomass and carbon stocks, both in rural areas and recently developed cities. The country's afforestation strategy and green policy initiatives have contributed to this positive effect on its climate balance.
Researchers have developed a new algorithm to better assess forest canopy coverage using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and high-resolution cameras. The BAMOS method showed highly correlated results with visually interpreted canopy covers, revealing systematic underestimations of about 20% in widely used global maps.
The HOMED project offers policy briefs on improving forest resistance to invasive alien species through enhanced surveillance, increased tree diversity, and collaboration between pathologists and entomologists. The collection aims to promote the development of EU policies focused on forest protection from invasive alien species.
A global collaboration of scientists has estimated that there are approximately 73,300 tree species in the world today, with more than 9,000 still undiscovered. This estimate is based on a massive dataset of over 38 million trees spanning 90 countries and 100 territories.
A new study found a significant decrease in the development of forest and agricultural land from 2000 to 2015 due to rising gas prices. The research used data from the US Department of Agriculture's National Resources Inventory to analyze county-level land development patterns across the contiguous US states.
A global study using thousands of camera trap stations found that protected areas have a positive impact on mammal diversity, even when experiencing human disturbances such as recreational use and logging. The study's findings suggest that expanding protected areas could help conserve larger mammals and their critical roles in ecosystems.
A University of Arizona-led team combined tree-ring data with forest inventory measurements to predict future tree growth. The researchers found a 56-91% decline in individual tree growth, leading to less carbon sequestration by Arizona's forests.
Researchers studied Paradise, California's response to the 2018 Camp Fire. They found that community responses vary greatly due to distinct fire and demographic characteristics.
A forest geneticist has received a $1.2 million NSF CAREER grant to investigate the genomic basis of drought tolerance in Douglas fir trees. The project aims to better understand how hybridization can help these species adapt to climate change.
Researchers developed a new flexible thermoelectric device that can wrap around pipes and convert wasted heat into electricity. The project is aimed at addressing climate change by increasing private forest owners' involvement in carbon offset projects.
Researchers from National Institute for Environmental Studies identified that radiocesium accumulates primarily in organic soil layers and stagnant water, contaminating organisms. Fertilizing contaminated areas with potassium can suppress biological absorption of radiocesium.
A study found that frequent-fire forests in the Sierra Nevada have far fewer trees due to fire suppression, leading to increased competition among remaining trees. Managing for resilience involves drastically reducing densities to create low-density stands with less tree competition.
Researchers found that fungal communities play a key role in tree growth, with some species increasing tree growth rates up to a tree-fold. The study suggests that using specific fungal communities can help improve forestry and potentially absorb more carbon from the atmosphere.
The 2020 wildfires in Brazil's Pantanal wetland resulted in the deaths of an estimated 16.9 million vertebrates, including lizards, birds, and primates. The study estimates that between 13.2 million and 18.8 million small vertebrates and 691,000 to 1.2 million medium-to-large vertebrates were killed.
A recent Penn State survey found that most respondents strongly support bird conservation, but are largely unaware of the current state of bird populations in Pennsylvania. The study revealed significant misconceptions about bird populations and their decline over the past 50 years.
Researchers at UC Berkeley propose creating a market for small diameter trees and woody biomass to reduce wildfire risk while limiting carbon emissions. By investing in innovative wood products, the state can achieve both net carbon benefits and wildfire mitigation benefits.
A new study found that chronic pesticide exposure has detrimental effects on soft-shell clam growth, condition, and feeding rates. The researchers monitored clams in laboratory conditions over 90 days, exposing them to environmentally relevant concentrations of four pesticides registered for use in forest management.
Wild pigs establish home ranges along preferred habitats of bottomland hardwood swamps and are influenced by air temperature and weather conditions. Researchers at UGA's Savannah River Ecology Lab tracked 49 wild pigs with radio collars to shed light on pig movements, which can inform management decisions.
Researchers at the Global Environmental Remote Sensing Laboratory are working on improving remote sensing technology to detect subtle changes in forest ecosystems. They have developed a method called PIDS, which can adapt to specific user-targeted specific change detection, and paired it with Landsat data to monitor forest health and c...
Researchers at West Virginia University have developed a wood boiler system that improves bird health and reduces carbon dioxide emissions by drying litter and creating dry heat. The system has the potential to replace propane heating systems in poultry farms, benefiting both animal welfare and the environment.
A new Stanford analysis provides empirical evidence that wildfire is accelerating tree species range shifts toward cooler, wetter sites. The study found that two species had larger range shifts in areas burned by wildfire.
Scientists have investigated the sporulation potential of Phytophthora ramorum on common California plant species. Most species produced spores, with bay laurel and tanoak producing significantly more than others. This study helps predict disease trajectories and informs forest treatment plans.
Researchers used nationwide airborne laser scanning data and forest inventories to predict bilberry and cowberry yields in Sweden. The models indicate potential berry picking locations but do not accurately predict yields.
A team of scientists tracked individual endangered Indiana bats and northern long-eared bats to understand their foraging behaviors and habitat preferences. The results show that most timber harvest strategies are neutral or even positive for the bats, with smaller patch cuts and thinning being compatible with conservation.
A study found that Amazonian and Afrotropical communities consuming wild meat may spare up to 71 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide per year by replacing beef or poultry with wild meat. This could generate millions of dollars in carbon credit sales, but unsustainable hunting practices must be avoided.
A new study found that bigleaf maple trees are declining due to warmer, drier summers in Western Washington. The research team discovered that the trees' growth is sensitive to dry weather conditions, leading to smaller leaves and reduced overall mass.
Researchers found that complex mixtures of microbes isolated from closely related plant species increased the resistance of endangered Hawaiian plant Eugenia koolauensis to myrtle rust. This microbial treatment may be an important tool for combating disease-driven declines of endangered plants.
A new grant initiative aims to increase Tennessee's hardwood exports to Vietnam, leveraging the state's top three hardwood lumber-producing status. The project will assess market opportunities and provide trade insights, with the goal of capturing increased market share in Vietnam.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have found that pocket gophers are biofluorescent, emitting a colored glow when illuminated with ultraviolet light. The phenomenon has been documented in flying squirrels and opossums before, but this is the first time it has been observed in pocket gophers.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that tree felling is the most dangerous job in forestry and landscaping industries, with a fatal injury rate 30 times higher than all U.S. workers. The study analyzed data from 2010 to 2020 and identified poor decision-making and falls from elevation as key causes of fatalities.
Researchers analyzed past fires in Klamath Mountains, finding that weather and fuels impact non-reburns while reburn intensity mirrors previous fires. Prescribed fire and wildfire management can limit severe fire conditions, maintaining moderate weather for future fires.
A systematic review of 169 conservation projects worldwide reveals that Indigenous and local communities are crucial for successful nature conservation. The study found that equitable conservation approaches, empowering local communities, yield positive outcomes for both humans and the environment. However, complex factors such as comm...
Researchers found that invasive shrubs absorb more sunlight and lower air temperatures on the forest floor, giving them a competitive advantage. This phenomenon may explain why invasive plants negatively impact bees, butterflies, and amphibians in forest understories.
Researchers developed a new phosphorescent material inspired by wood's natural ability to faintly glow, using lignin trapped within a 3D polymer network. The material glows visibly for around one second and has potential applications in medical imaging, optical sensing, and textile industry.
Chlorophyll fluorescence tracks photosynthesis rate, providing an 'optical window' for monitoring plant health. Recent advances enable estimation and imaging of SIF at ecosystem scales, paving the way for applications in precision agriculture and ecology.
Researchers outline critical role of thinning and prescribed burning in adaptive management, as well as Indigenous fire stewardship and restoration. They propose a framework for assessing changes in landscape conditions since fire suppression began.
A new study by researchers at the University of Waterloo found that Indigenous fire stewardship increases biodiversity and ecosystem heterogeneity across all major terrestrial biomes. Cultural burning reduces risks of interface fires and has important cultural practices for resource management, community protection, and cultural purposes.
A synthesis of scientific literature provides a unified resource for managing western forests and addressing the impacts of climate change on wildfires. The report recommends approaches such as thinning dense forests, prescribed burning, and revitalizing Indigenous fire stewardship practices to make landscapes more resilient.
A Japanese research team found that residents who engage in activities like camping and hiking experience increased happiness, while ownership has no effect. The study suggests better policies for enhancing forest relationships and measuring happiness based on the types of forest happiness.
Research from Utah State University finds that large trees in western forests benefit from mycorrhizal connections to fungi, which enhance nutrient uptake and provide defense against pathogens. Diverse forest networks offer greater protection for these giant trees.
A study found that middle managers engage in 'robin hoodism,' secretly helping subordinates mistreated by senior leaders. Managers with strong moral codes are more likely to do so.
Researchers found that mobile lidar scanning consistently provided accurate structural metrics and estimates of canopy cover and landscape metrics in various forest types and configurations. The technology has the potential to monitor a variety of forest attributes at a lower cost than other platforms.
Researchers developed a new machine learning system to identify changes in biodiversity, including land clearing, despite cloud cover. The method accurately detected simulated land cover change under both clear felling and tree thinning, providing up-to-date predictions of missing data due to clouds.
New study confirms Russian forests have accumulated 40% more biomass than reported, with potential for 47% higher carbon sequestration. Close collaboration between science and policy is critical for adaptive forest management.
Scientists assembled a high-quality genome of a European olive species, identifying genes involved in oleuropein biosynthesis. The study revealed 202 genes related to oleuropein, twice as many as previously known, and found olives genetically closest to the oleaster plant.
A study found that maintaining tree diversity can prevent a significant reduction in terrestrial primary productivity, which could have social and economic benefits for communities. Countries with high carbon emissions are incentivized to mitigate climate change by preserving tree diversity.
The University of Montana-led prescribed wildfire burn aimed to restore the landscape and provide an educational experience for students. The burn, which took about two years to plan, involved a mix of 12 UM undergraduate and graduate students who received certification for experience on a prescribed burn.
A new study by Simon Fraser University finds that ancient Indigenous-managed forests, or
A research team led by Michigan State University found that restoration benefits outweigh detriments from land use history two-to-one. Despite the benefits, restoration could not erase all of farming's lasting effects. The study provides insights for ecologists to target restoration efforts effectively.
A study found that land use legacies, such as agriculture and forestry, can have lasting impacts on ecosystems, with only limited effects from restoration efforts. The researchers discovered that soil compaction, a common issue caused by agricultural use, was difficult to mitigate through restoration alone.