Articles tagged with Deforestation
A new study published in Science reveals that protecting existing forests from disturbances, such as wildfires and selective logging, can provide the most significant benefits for biodiversity and carbon stocks. This approach is more cost-effective than restoration, particularly in regions where most of the original forest has already ...
A recent international study identifies the importance of integrating different land use initiatives, involving various social groups, and continuously refining measures to prevent wildfires. The researchers advocate a long-term, preventive approach to shaping resilient landscapes that combine ecological, economic, and social objectives.
Scientists warn that Canada's boreal forests absorb enough heat to offset 6-20% of their climate benefit, due to their dark surface reflecting winter sunlight. Mixed forests with deciduous trees and moderate densities outperform dense evergreen monocultures in delivering climate cooling.
Researchers at University of São Paulo develop tool using isotopes to track origin of Amazon timber, identify regions where logging is most intense. The methodology involves analyzing ratios of different isotopes in wood cellulose to pinpoint harvesting location.
A new study found that prescribed burns reduced giant sequoia mortality by 77% and increased survival chances fourfold during the 2020 and 2021 Sierra Nevada wildfires. The research integrated remote sensing data to quantify pre-fire fuel structures and estimate wildfire outcomes for over 26,400 trees.
A new pantropical carbon database synthesizes data from 146 studies to better understand the impact of forest degradation and regeneration on the global carbon cycle. The study reveals that degraded forests recover faster than fully cleared land, while preserving forest structure enhances carbon recovery.
Researchers unveil a rigorous framework to fix global forest carbon credit systems, addressing methodological defects and promoting biodiversity conservation. The new standards aim to produce high-integrity climate assets while safeguarding community interests.
Researchers found that Brazilian savanna wetlands can store significantly more carbon than previously thought, with an average storage capacity of 1,200 tons per hectare. This is due to the slow accumulation process favored by oxygen-poor water-saturated soils, with some areas storing carbon for up to 20,000 years.
A new UN report details the environmental costs of artificial intelligence, including its burgeoning electricity use, carbon emissions, water footprint, and land occupation. The investigation finds that AI's expansion involves significant energy consumption, leading to substantial CO2, water, and land footprints.
Global wildfire activity in 2025 resulted in destructive and deadly fire events, with 335 million hectares burned globally - 16% below the long-term average. The fires accounted for 38% of all insured natural hazard losses, with Canada experiencing its third consecutive year of extreme fire activity.
Recent studies indicate an extension of dry seasons and changes in rainfall patterns in the Amazon, with some predictions surpassing decades' projections. Climate models show intensified water deficits, particularly in southwestern regions under high greenhouse gas emission scenarios.
A study finds that US forests are at risk of releasing stored carbon due to droughts, pests, and fires exacerbated by climate change. The researchers recommend increasing buffer pools in carbon-credit systems to account for these risks.
A new study finds that deforestation in the southern Amazon can trigger severe reductions in rainfall, even under a changing climate. The authors estimate that limiting deforestation to 10% of the area may be necessary to maintain annual rainfall and protect agricultural livelihoods.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.