Deforestation
Articles tagged with Deforestation
Deforestation lowers threshold for Amazon degradation to below 2°C warming
Deforestation reduces Amazon's resilience to global warming, with around two-thirds of the forest at risk of degradation at 1.5-1.9°C of warming. Haltting deforestation and restoring forests can strengthen the Amazon's ability to withstand climate change.
Carbon credits have enabled vital protection of tropical forests, despite being oversold tenfold
A major analysis found that four in five REDD+ projects successfully protected forests. Many projects have slowed deforestation despite over-crediting; 'bad credits' do not necessarily mean bad projects.
Deforestation policies are failing to protect against a potentially bigger threat to the Brazilian Amazon
A study found that policies reducing deforestation in Brazil have failed to stop forest degradation, a slower and more dangerous form of destruction. Forests are becoming increasingly fragile due to fires, logging, and other human activities.
Fires, droughts, and windstorms reduce the diversity of Amazonian vegetation
Researchers found that even in degraded forests, tree species can regenerate quickly, but vulnerable species are replaced by more resilient generalists, leading to a loss of diversity. The recovered areas are vulnerable to extreme events and climate change impacts, highlighting the need for forest conservation strategies.
Wildfire-driven deforestation rates in California among highest in world
A study by University of California, Davis found that California's conifer forests have lost between 6% and 11% of their area over the past three decades due to wildfires. Reforestation efforts are not keeping pace with the losses, with only about 1% of deforested Forest Service lands being replanted between 2016 and 2023.
Why treelines don’t simply rise with the climate
A global study reveals treelines shift upslope in 42% of cases, retreating in 25%, due to complex interactions between temperature and human interventions like land use changes. Treeline dynamics also influenced by natural disturbances like fires.
The forest for the trees: Why mass planting doesn't always lock away soil carbon
A 50-year study in Kerala, India found that expanding tree plantations can result in zero net carbon gains underground. The research highlights the importance of considering the type of plantation and historical soil profile when designing climate mitigation strategies.
The food commodities driving deforestation globally
A comprehensive study reveals that staple crops such as maize, rice, and cassava are responsible for about 11% of all agriculture-driven deforestation globally. In contrast, major export-oriented commodities like cocoa, coffee, and rubber cause less than 5% of deforestation.
Forest damage could double: How fires, storms, and bark beetles will shape the future of Europe’s forests
A study predicts that forest damage in Europe will more than double by 2100 due to increased wildfires, storms, and bark beetle activity. The team used AI-based simulation models to estimate the impact of global warming on forest ecosystems.
Deforestation in the Amazon raises the surface temperature by 3 °C during the dry season
A study using satellite data found that deforestation in the Amazon increases surface temperature by 3°C during the dry season, with a 25% decrease in rainfall. This leads to greater forest degradation, increased tree mortality, and susceptibility to forest fires, threatening biodiversity.
Changing land use can increase threat of animal‑to‑human disease spread, Stirling study reveals
A University of Stirling-led study finds that deforestation, farming, and urbanization can heighten the risk of zoonotic diseases like Covid-19 and malaria. The research highlights the need for careful land-use planning to protect both human health and nature.
New research highlights deforestation and economic traps created by flue-cured tobacco in Zimbabwe
A new study reveals the devastating impacts of flue-cured Virginia tobacco production on the environment and farmers' lives in Zimbabwe. The research highlights the destruction of 60,000 hectares of Miombo woodland each year and an economic context that prevents farmers from diversifying into less damaging crops.
Technology & Forestry: EU project SWIFTT’s results are presented in hybrid seminar
The SWIFTT project presents a hybrid seminar to showcase its platform that helps foresters detect and prevent insect outbreaks, analyse windthrow and fire damage. The event features live demos and presentations from the project team, highlighting the platform's benefits for sustainable forest management.
Africa’s forests have switched from absorbing to emitting carbon, new study finds
A new study by the University of Leicester reveals that Africa's forests have switched from absorbing to emitting carbon, with approximately 106 billion kilograms lost per year between 2010 and 2017. This alarming shift underscores the urgent need for stronger global action to protect forests.
Ancient and colonial legacies still shaping the Amazon’s forests
A new study reveals that the Amazon rainforest still bears deep ecological imprints from both pre-Columbian Indigenous communities and European colonists, which have shaped tree species distribution and biodiversity. The research highlights the importance of recognizing these legacies to improve conservation and climate models.
Rats played major role in Easter Island’s deforestation, study reveals
Researchers found that rats contributed significantly to Rapa Nui's deforestation by consuming palm nuts, preventing trees from regrowing. The islanders cleared land for agriculture and used slash-and-burn practices, but the slow-growing palm trees made them vulnerable to rat predation.
Anthropogenic changes threaten survival of Eastern Himalayan birds
A new study found that insectivorous birds in the Eastern Himalayas are declining in survival rates and body mass due to changes in forest microclimates after selective logging. The team suggests conserving primary forests and creating shade covers or supplementing water sources to support vulnerable species.
New study finds gaps in REDD+ forest carbon offsets with most overstating climate impacts
A new study analyzes 52 REDD+ initiatives certified under Verra's Verified Carbon Standard, finding widespread over-crediting of projects and only a minority meeting their reported emissions targets. However, the research suggests that even underperforming projects can deliver partial climate gains when implemented carefully.
Record-breaking 2024 Amazon fires drive unprecedented carbon emissions and ecosystem degradation
The Amazon rainforest experienced its most devastating forest fire season in over two decades, releasing 791 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The study highlights the growing ecological fragility of the region, driven by climate change, deforestation, and land-use mismanagement.
Diversity in forest management promotes biodiversity
Researchers found that species diversity is highest in landscapes with 60% unmanaged forests and 40% intensively managed forests. Extensively managed forests contribute little to support species richness, but improving their ecological performance can help maintain forest biodiversity.
How could AI help (and hurt) forestry?
Forestry professionals express concerns about AI's impact on land-management decisions and policy, citing 'black box' problems and data quality issues. However, they see potential for AI to support tasks like data analysis and task automation.
Deforestation reduces rainfall by 74% and increases temperatures by 16% in the Amazon during the dry season, study says
Researchers found that deforestation is responsible for a significant reduction in rainfall and increase in temperature in the Amazon during the dry season. The study quantifies the impact of forest loss and global climate change on the biome, highlighting the importance of preserving standing forests to maintain climate resilience.
Land use severely reduces global carbon in plants and soils
A new study reveals that human influence has reduced global natural land carbon stocks by 24%, equivalent to 344 billion metric tons of carbon, mainly due to expanded pasture and croplands, as well as forest management.
For nature-based climate solutions to work, they must be restructured
New research highlights four components where nature-based climate actions have fallen short, including inadequate accounting for albedo and carbon leakage. The study proposes reforms to improve the performance and scalability of these strategies.
Exploring the economic promise and environmental costs of mining in Brazil
A new study by researchers from IIASA found that Brazil's mining industry does not deliver sustained economic benefits and instead contributes to deforestation, particularly in the Amazon. Informal mining is a major driver of forest loss, while industrial mining has no strong connection to forest damage.
320 million trees are killed by lightning each year — Considerable biomass loss
Researchers estimate that lightning kills around 320 million trees each year, resulting in significant biomass loss. This equates to an annual emission of 0.77-1.09 billion tons of CO₂, comparable to the emissions from wildfires.
New research: Deforestation rates on recognized Afro-descendant lands in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Suriname are as much as 55% lower than the norm
Afro-descendant peoples in four Amazon countries show remarkable achievements in environmental stewardship, according to new research. Their lands significantly exceeded the norm for conservation value, with 56% being top 5% globally for biodiversity.
Clearing rainforest for cattle farming is far worse for nature than previously thought, finds landmark bird survey
Researchers conducted the world's biggest bird survey in Colombia, recording 971 species and finding that clearing rainforest for cattle pasture causes a 60% greater biodiversity loss than previously thought. The study highlights the need for policymakers to consider the larger-scale impact of deforestation on biodiversity.
Carbon credits: Enhanced credibility through better impact measurements
A new approach suggests using quasi-experimental methods to estimate project impacts, reducing overestimated emissions reductions and increasing the effectiveness of carbon offsets. This could involve mechanisms like risk sharing along the value chain to overcome implementation hurdles.
AI meets Forestry: EU Project SWIFTT webinar explores insect damage detection in European forests
The SWIFTT project will explore practical and technical challenges of using AI and satellite data to monitor bark beetle outbreaks. Forest professionals, researchers, and remote sensing experts will discuss the interplay between remote sensing, machine learning, and traditional forestry knowledge.
Why Brazil’s quilombola communities are still fighting for the land they’re owed
Quilombolas, descendants of enslaved Africans, have deep ties to their ancestral territories but face a broken process for securing formal land rights. The lack of research on quilombolas and Brazil's convoluted land tenure process contributes to systemic issues.
Why forests aren’t coming back after gold mining in the Amazon
Gold mining in the Amazon depletes land of its water, creating harsh conditions where replanted seedlings can't survive. Researchers suggest flattening sand piles and filling in ponds could improve moisture retention and boost regrowth.
Beef production emits more than twice the greenhouse gas targets
Researchers found that Brazil's beef production, if left unchecked, would exceed the country's limit for meeting its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target by up to 63GtCO2e by 2030. The study suggests that adopting emission reduction practices could prevent losses of up to $42.6 billion and ensure greater competitiveness.
Difficult and costly energy transition unless the EU invests in biomass
Biomass is crucial for Europe's ability to reach its climate targets, providing both energy and negative emissions. Excluding biomass from the European energy system would increase costs by 169 billion Euros per year.
First ever assessment reveals accuracy of key maps cocoa companies rely on for environmental compliance
The World Cocoa Foundation and Alliance of Bioversity International assessed the accuracy of key maps for deforestation, tree planting, and greenhouse gas emissions monitoring. The study found that open access global maps are not accurate enough for cocoa analyses in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire.
Losing forest carbon stocks could put climate goals out of reach
A new study from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research finds that failing to account for declining forest carbon storage capacity could make reaching Paris agreement targets impossible and costly. Immediate action is recommended to safeguard carbon stocks, prevent escalating costs, and promote sustainable land use practices.
After 80 years stumping scientists, strange Philippine frog unmasked as hybrid
A team of researchers from the University of Kansas has confirmed that the Leyte Chorus Frog is a hybrid of two species with overlapping ranges whose intermingling was driven by deforestation. The discovery sheds new light on the impact of human activities on the environment and highlights the importance of conservation efforts.
Emotive marketing for sustainable consumption?
Researchers found that emotional social media posts increase short-term willingness to pay for sustainable chocolate, but this effect diminishes within two weeks. The study suggests that emotional content can be an effective way to promote sustainable consumption in the short term.
Research uncovers high extinction risk for many Amazonian tree species
Research found that 14% of Ecuadorian Amazon tree species are critically endangered, while 47% are endangered, primarily due to declines in animal species that disperse their fruits. The study highlights the importance of incorporating ecological traits into extinction risk estimates.
Human disruption is driving ‘winner’ and ‘loser’ tree species shifts across Brazilian forests
Fast-growing tree species are dominating Brazilian forests in regions with high levels of deforestation, threatening ecosystem services and biodiversity. The study highlights the urgent need to conserve and restore tropical forests to preserve these vital ecosystems.
Rainforest protection reduces the number of respiratory diseases
A study by the University of Bonn and Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais shows that forest protection measures significantly reduce particulate matter in the air, leading to a decrease in hospital stays and deaths due to respiratory diseases. Protective measures are estimated to save around 680 human lives per year.
Fossil fuel CO2 emissions increase again in 2024
The 2024 Global Carbon Budget projects fossil CO2 emissions of 37.4 billion tonnes, up 0.8% from 2023, despite urgent calls to cut emissions to slow climate change. The report finds that overall emissions are roughly level over the last decade, but both fossil and land-use change CO2 emissions are set to rise in 2024.
Human actions cause insect color change
A new study by the University of Otago found that New Zealand's native stoneflies have evolved to change color in response to deforestation, a clear example of animal evolution caused by human actions. This adaptation allows the species to overcome the loss of its original warning colors, which were lost due to forest removal.
Declines in plant resilience threaten carbon storage in the Arctic
A new study reveals that the southern boreal forests' ability to recover from climate shocks has significantly decreased over time, threatening Arctic carbon storage. The resilience of many plant communities in these regions is thought to have increased in most of the Arctic tundra, but this may not be sustainable in the long term.
The picture book that doesn't exist
A new study reveals that bais, vast treeless clearings in the Congo Basin, are home to numerous endangered species, including Western lowland gorillas and African forest elephants. The researchers found over 2,000 distinct bais, covering less than 0.2% of the national park's landscape.
The environmental impacts of genetically modified crops
New research on genetically modified crops reveals potential environmental impacts, including increased pesticide use, deforestation, and greenhouse gas emissions. The study highlights the need for further research to support sustainable agriculture practices.
Deforestation in the Amazon is driven more by domestic demand than by the export market
A study by University of São Paulo shows that expansion of cattle ranching to meet growing domestic demand has contributed more than any other driver to Amazon's original vegetation degradation. Domestic markets exert far greater pressure on deforestation, according to the study.
Forest loss intensifies climate change by increasing temperatures and cloud level, which leads to decrease of water
Research reveals that deforestation in Africa's montane forests has induced a higher warming and cloud level rise than climate change alone, leading to decreased water supply. The study found that air temperature increased by 1.4°C and cloud levels rose by 230 meters over the last 20 years.
Timber plantations near urbanized areas support the movement of small and medium-sized terrestrial mammals between patches of natural forest
Researchers found 16 native species of mammals using timber plantations as corridors and refuges in Central Panama. However, teak monocultures showed the lowest records of species, highlighting the importance of restoring natural habitats for comprehensive wildlife conservation.
Trees reveal climate surprise – bark removes methane from the atmosphere
A new study found that tree bark surfaces absorb methane gas from the atmosphere, making trees 10% more beneficial for climate than previously thought. This discovery adds a new layer of importance to tree planting and reducing deforestation as part of efforts to cut methane emissions.
Study proposes changes to simplify legislation on Atlantic Rainforest biome and enhance conservation
A study proposes changes to simplify licensing for landowners in the Atlantic Rainforest biome, making conservation policy more effective. The current legislation allows for the destruction of valuable forests due to its subjective and imprecise criteria.
Forests endure as carbon sink despite regional pressures
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.
Forests endure as carbon sink despite regional pressures
A new study reveals that global forests have consistently absorbed carbon dioxide for the past three decades, with tropical forests experiencing a decline in their ability to absorb carbon due to deforestation. However, temperate forests have shown an increase in their carbon sink capacity, largely due to extensive reforestation efforts.
Study highlights Australia’s troubling role in global forest carbon decline
A recent study reveals that Australia's forests have declined significantly over the past 30 years, contributing to a troubling trend of deforestation and forest degradation. The country's extensive deforestation for agriculture has been a major driver of carbon emissions.
Foreign direct investments may fuel tropical deforestation
Researchers found that foreign direct investments and urbanization drove tree cover loss ahead of GDP growth in 40 countries. The study suggests addressing the full extent of FDI's link to deforestation by improving the entire food system.
When in drought: Researchers map which parts of the Amazon are most vulnerable to climate change
The study reveals regional differences in Amazon drought response due to local environments and tree properties. The southern Amazon, with shallow water tables, is more vulnerable to drought, while the northern region, with deeper roots and less fertile soil, is more resilient.
For sustainable livestock farming bordering the Amazon Rainforest, look to the women
Research finds that women in southern Colombia are more likely to adopt silvopastoral systems, which integrate nature into livestock farming, and are motivated by environmental reasons and a desire for future generations. These systems offer numerous benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions and increased farm income.
Decarbonization dynamics: new analysis unveils shifting trends in the voluntary carbon offset market
A worldwide analysis of voluntary carbon offset programs identified trends in renewable energy, forestry, and other technologies. Forestry and land management projects initially increased due to REDD+ programs, but shifted towards nature-positive solutions after 2016.
Wildfires in wet African forests have doubled in recent decades
The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, found that active fires in west and central Africa's wet, tropical forests increased by up to 400% over 18 years, primarily caused by hot and dry conditions and human impact on forests.