Articles tagged with Deforestation
A new study found that the Brazilian Amazon released more carbon than it stored over the last decade due to forest degradation. Degradation accounted for three times more carbon loss than deforestation, highlighting its significant impact on overall biomass and carbon storage in the rainforest.
A team of scientists has re-evaluated the forest harvesting trends in Europe, finding that an abrupt increase of 69% reported by a previous study was incorrect. Instead, they found a more modest 6% increase in forest harvests over the same period.
Researchers created a satellite-based map of human pressure on lands around the world using machine learning. The map reveals abrupt changes in landscapes due to deforestation, mining, and urbanization, providing insights into biodiversity conservation and sustainability.
Researchers evaluated thousands of policy proposals to assess feasibility and potential impact on reducing EU's contribution to tropical deforestation. Two promising policy options are implementing due diligence for importers and supporting multi-stakeholder forums.
Researchers from Chalmers University of Technology identified two promising policy options: requiring importers to carry out due diligence and supporting multi-stakeholder forums. These measures can help reduce deforestation while being politically feasible, with careful design and combination with targeted aid necessary for success.
A new study reveals that rich countries' consumer demands for products like soybeans, cocoa, and timber lead to increased deforestation in poorer nations. The research found that different tree types have varying environmental impacts, and that policies aimed at preserving forests must also alleviate poverty.
Researchers have discovered two new species of South American screech owls, the Xingu Screech Owl and the Alagoas Screech Owl, through a comprehensive study analyzing morphological, vocal, and genetic variation. The study also highlights the threat of deforestation to these species.
A new study found that deforestation and palm oil plantations correlate with increasing outbreaks of infectious disease. Careful forest management is critical in preventing future epidemics, while commercial plantations and land abandonment are potentially detrimental to public health.
A University of Queensland-led study found that deforestation is severely affecting forest bird species in Colombia, leading to habitat loss for 69 endemic species and an astonishing reduction in overall species count.
Researchers used NASA satellite images to map changes in northwestern Belize's landscape over four decades, finding significant losses of forest and wetlands. Conservation efforts in protected areas helped maintain forests, which house native flora and fauna and Maya structures.
A new study published in eLife found that deforestation in Southeast Asia can lead to an initial increase in malaria infections before declining over time. The researchers suggest that wider deforestation can drive human behavior changes, increasing exposure to mosquitoes and risk of infection.
New research reveals that deforestation in the U.S. does not always cause planetary warming; instead, in some places, it actually cools the planet due to the albedo effect. The study found that forest loss east of the Mississippi River and in Pacific Coast states causes planetary warming.
A study led by Anglia Ruskin University found that farmers in the Brazilian Amazon can develop strong connections with nature, regardless of their knowledge of local bird species. The research involved 227 farmers and showed a complex relationship between ecological knowledge and nature connection.
Large-scale commercial farms in the southern Amazon accelerate climate change by increasing temperatures and reducing rainfall, whereas small-scale farms have less significant impacts. Alternative agricultural practices like agroforestry are needed to mitigate environmental changes and protect the remaining forests.
Researchers found that deforestation for large-scale commodity farms leads to decreased rainfall rates and higher surface temperatures compared to small-scale farms. Temperature increases range from 1.05 to 3.06 °C in deforested lands dominated by commodity farms.
Ricardo Galvão, a physicist who defended Amazon deforestation data, will receive the 2021 AAAS Scientific Freedom and Responsibility Award. His stand against President Bolsonaro's claims of fabricated data cost him his job at Brazil's National Institute for Space Research.
Researchers found higher levels of glucocorticoid stress hormones in animals from smaller forest patches, indicating chronic stress. The study highlights the impact of habitat destruction on wildlife, particularly in fragmented landscapes.
A new study found that subscriptions to satellite alerts from Global Forest Watch resulted in a 18% decrease in deforestation in African countries. The carbon emissions avoided were worth between $149 million and $696 million, highlighting the potential of automated alerts in reducing forest loss.
A new satellite-based program, GLAD, has shown promise in reducing deforestation in African nations by 18% and offering carbon sequestration benefits worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The system delivers alerts to subscribers via the interactive web application, Global Forest Watch, enabling them to take action to save forests.
Global COVID-19 lockdowns resulted in a significant decrease in fossil carbon dioxide emissions, with transport emissions accounting for the largest share of the decline. The estimated drop of 2.4 billion tonnes is a record low, with fossil CO2 emissions predicted to be approximately 34 GtCO2, 7% lower than in 2019.
The COVID-19 lockdown led to a significant decrease in fossil carbon dioxide emissions, with a record drop of 2.4 billion tonnes in 2020. Emissions from transport accounted for the largest share of the decline, with surface transport falling by approximately half.
Scientists highlight cassava as an overlooked solution to tackle environmental concerns. Cassava can revive degraded land, lower greenhouse gas emissions and promote peace in conflict-prone areas.
Researchers from Hokkaido University discovered that marimo develop their characteristic spherical shape due to the rare formation of reproductive cells. The study found low levels of zoospore production, particularly in aggregative forms, which maintains the marimo's shape.
The study found that preserving and planting trees could cost as much as $393 billion per year by 2055 to achieve more than 10% of total emissions reductions. Forest management in temperate regions will play a significant role, especially under higher price scenarios.
A study analyzing peat layers in Pawski Lug, Poland found that the transition from tribal to feudal living had a significant impact on the local ecosystem. The shift from small-scale forest burning to large-scale deforestation led to changes in plant composition and groundwater levels.
A new study finds that infrastructure and mining projects in tropical forests will destroy forests and increase development, harming wildlife and people. The report highlights the urgent need to factor in forest value and protect critical habitats.
A study in rural Borneo found that healthcare exchange programs reduced deforestation by 70%, preserving forest carbon stores. Clinic access was high but highest in districts with logging agreements, highlighting community engagement as key to success.
The study found that only four protected areas in Côte d'Ivoire still host forest elephants, with low density. Human population size, habitat degradation, and cocoa plantation conversion significantly impact elephant presence.
A new study shows that protected areas are effective in conserving rare and threatened bird species, particularly those with small ranges or specialized forest habitats. The research used citizen science data from eBird to analyze over 2.6 million bird observations from 7,000 observers across eight tropical biodiversity hotspots.
Researchers analyzed 12 voluntary REDD+ projects in the Brazilian Amazon and found that they overestimated reduction of deforestation and carbon emissions. Decreasing deforestation trends during early stages of REDD+ projects may explain why these projects resulted in less avoided deforestation than expected.
New research led by the Singapore-ETH Centre reveals that mangrove conservation and restoration efforts have slowed down deforestation and preserved carbon stocks globally. The study found a 1.8% net loss of mangrove carbon stocks between 1996 and 2016, significantly lower than previous estimates.
Research finds that despite cocoa not driving deforestation in Colombia, small producers risk being cut out of supply chains if they don't comply with zero-deforestation requirements. Contextualized value-addition strategies are needed to support sustainable markets and peace.
The study found that granting collective property rights to indigenous territories led to a significant decrease in deforestation, particularly at the border of these areas. Territories waiting for full property rights saw little impact on deforestation levels.
Researchers found that small-scale maize farming with modern hybrid seeds and improved soil health can significantly reduce deforestation and mitigate climate change. This technique helps protect forests and promote food security, particularly for vulnerable communities in Zambia.
A peer-reviewed study published in Science finds that 18-22% of Brazil's annual soy exports to the European Union are potentially contaminated with illegal deforestation. The study identifies specific producers responsible for 'poisoning the barrel' and estimates greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation-linked soy and beef exports.
A study in Peru found that shifting from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture is associated with less diverse diets and reduced access to food among local communities. The expansion of cash crops like palm oil and cocoa has led to simplified production systems and decreased agricultural biodiversity.
Deforestation and land-clearing in Brazil's Cerrado biome are degrading weather conditions, reducing corn yields and increasing temperatures. Climate change impacts on the region's agricultural production are a concern for Brazil's food supply.
A new study finds that investments in tree plantations and palm oil production consistently lead to higher rates of tropical deforestation. Governments must provide transparent information on land deals to protect forests effectively.
A recent study found that the international trade in timber, tobacco, cocoa, coffee, and cotton significantly contributes to malaria risk in countries with deforestation hotspots. The research linked over 10% of malaria cases to demand from developed countries for these commodities.
A PNNL-led study found that environmental changes are transforming forests worldwide, leading to a dramatic decrease in tree age and stature. Rising temperatures, carbon dioxide, and increased disturbances like wildfire and drought are contributing to this trend.
A new study calls for a radically different approach to addressing deforestation, focusing on understanding how individuals make choices about forests and livelihoods. Researchers propose using specially designed board games to help stakeholders align forces despite differing values and worldviews.
A recent commentary by restoration ecologist Karen Holl emphasizes the importance of careful planning and long-term management for tree-planting initiatives. She argues that planting trees alone is not a sufficient solution to combat climate change, but rather one piece of a broader strategy involving reduced fossil fuel emissions.
Researchers found that protected areas in Colombia experienced 40% less deforestation than similar non-protected sites. However, regional differences showed that Pacific protected areas were less effective due to high biodiversity and endemic species.
Research reveals a significant decline in aboveground carbon storage along Malaysian Borneo's forest edges, impacting the global carbon budget. The study found that buffer zones could mitigate edge-related declines in forest carbon stocks.
A new study suggests that raking leaves just out to forest edges can result in a three-fold increase in blacklegged ticks. Homeowners can reduce tick habitats by removing leaves from high-use areas, composting them, or taking advantage of municipal curbside leaf pickup.
A study on Amazon road expansion projects found that implementing all proposed roads would lead to deforestation of at least 2.4 million hectares and 17% legal violations related to environmental statuses or indigenous rights. Focusing on the lowest-impact projects could generate $4 billion in net gain while avoiding significant losses.
A study by University of Sydney and University of São Paulo found that 20% of malaria risk in deforestation hotspots is driven by international trade of goods like coffee, timber, and palm oil. The research calls for consumers to be more mindful of their consumption and procurement, supporting sustainable land ownership in developing c...
Researchers found that destroying 25% of a one-hectare Atlantic rainforest fragment can raise the local temperature by 1°C. Clear-cutting the entire fragment would increase temperatures by up to 4°C, threatening the biome's carbon balance.
A recent study suggests that mangrove forests are making progress in conservation efforts, with a significant reduction in global loss rates. The team attributes this success to improved monitoring, data access, and management practices. However, the study also highlights challenges in scaling up successful rehabilitation projects and ...
Researchers found that secondary forest cutting has increased, but deforestation of primary forests remained stable. Secondary forests now account for 72% of overall forest loss in the Brazilian Amazon.
A new study suggests that Indigenous territories and protected areas in the Amazon are emitting low amounts of carbon, outperforming other land categories. However, these lands are under siege due to government concessions for mining and petroleum extraction, threatening their role in protecting vulnerable landscapes.
Research found that large forest patches greater than 100 hectares can support larger populations of threatened species such as sun bears and orang-utans. However, these patches need to be much larger to sustain sufficient numbers of species, making long-term conservation a challenge.
Geographers at University of Cincinnati found a tipping point in deforestation where forests disappear quickly after being cut in half. The study used satellite images to analyze landscape changes across the globe and discovered that nature abhors mixed landscapes, favoring homogeneous blocks over time.
Researchers found that coyotes and crab-eating foxes are co-occurring in eastern Panama due to deforestation along the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor. Jaguars and other tropical forest predators may prevent coyotes from moving further south by maintaining their habitats.
A study in Nature Climate Change predicts Madagascar's entire eastern rainforest habitat will be eliminated by 2070 unless strict protections are implemented. The research identifies priority areas for protection, highlighting the critical role of ruffed lemurs as seed dispersers and their sensitivity to habitat degradation.
A new report models the effects of deforestation and climate change on critically endangered ruffed lemur species in Madagascar, estimating suitable rainforest habitat could be reduced by up to 59% from deforestation. Protecting protected areas is key to conserving biodiversity, the research suggests.
A new study reveals Amazonian forests regrow much slower than previously believed, taking up to a century to fully recover and potentially overestimating their role in combating human-caused climate change.
A new model predicts that deforestation and small-scale gold mining in the Peruvian Amazon increase mercury levels in local rivers, with effects lasting for decades. The research suggests that policies can be developed to mitigate these impacts and protect public health.
Animal species from low-disturbance environments are more sensitive to modern forest fragmentation, according to a study of global datasets. The researchers found strong support for the extinction filter hypothesis, suggesting that species adapted to high disturbance areas may be more resilient to new disturbances.
Scientists have linked the surge in Amazon fires this summer to large increases in deforestation, with August's active fire counts three times higher than in 2018. Deforestation is often followed by fire, and evidence from NASA satellites shows a significant upturn in both active fire counts and deforestation in 2019.