Articles tagged with Deforestation
Tens of thousands of years of human impact on tropical forests have had significant consequences, including extinctions, soil erosion, and reduced biodiversity. However, indigenous agricultural strategies can minimize environmental damage when implemented sustainably.
The study identified the Atlantic Forest, Gulf of Guinea, and Thailand as regions where agricultural conversion provides higher benefits than environmental costs. In contrast, Latin America, insular Southeast Asia, and Madagascar are considered economically viable conservation targets due to low agricultural benefits and high environme...
A new study in Uganda found that payment programs to protect forests can be highly effective in reducing deforestation and mitigating global carbon emissions. The program, which offered modest payments to landowners for leaving trees intact, resulted in a 50% reduction in tree loss compared to a control group.
A new Northwestern University study suggests that paying people to conserve their trees could be a highly cost-effective way to reduce deforestation and carbon emissions. The program, known as Payments for Ecosystems, was found to have large impacts on forest cover in western Uganda.
Research by Lancaster University found that remote Amazonian cities are more vulnerable to environmental pollution, contaminated water, and health risks. Experts emphasize the need for 'adaptive capacity' through improved public services and disaster response planning to mitigate these effects.
A new study by Lund University researchers shows that Amazon basin deforestation can disrupt the entire rainforest's resilience and ability to absorb carbon dioxide. Deforestation creates a vicious circle of local warming and changed air circulation patterns, affecting even the untouched inner parts of the rainforest.
A recent study finds that large areas of the Amazon forest are less susceptible to a tipping point into savannah, contrary to previous research. The key factor was controlling for seasonality and removing data points from human-influenced areas, revealing a more resilient ecosystem.
A new study by scientists from the Universities of Oxford, Montana, and the US Forest Service highlights novel approaches to tackling deforestation. The team built a multi-scale model of deforestation on Borneo's island using machine learning algorithms, predicting future deforestation risk faced by remaining forests.
A study by Lehigh University sociologist Dr. Kelly Austin finds a link between deforestation and increasing malaria rates across developing nations due to rural population growth, agricultural specialization, and increased standing water and sunlight favoring Anopheles mosquito species.
A Duke University study reveals that larger patches of tropical forest are being lost worldwide due to industrial-scale agricultural expansion. The trend is most pronounced in Southeast Asia and South America, where clearings for large-scale agriculture account for more than half of all observed forest loss between 2000 and 2012.
Researchers tracked the impact of Brazil's Soy Moratorium on deforestation and soy production in Mato Grosso. The study found a significant reduction in deforestation after the moratorium took effect, with a shift towards more efficient agricultural practices.
A seven-year study reveals that mangrove conversion to agricultural uses results in a land-use carbon footprint of 1,440-1,603 pounds of CO2 for beef and shrimp production, respectively. This amounts to approximately the same greenhouse gas emissions as driving a fuel-efficient automobile from Los Angeles to New York City.
A new study by the University of Colorado Boulder suggests that empowering local governments with forestry decisions can significantly reduce deforestation. By engaging local users in the decision-making process, policymakers can develop more effective and sustainable forest governance strategies.
New research published in the Journal of Economic Theory highlights a fundamental contradiction in the policy of making land owners paid more than it costs them to conserve forests. This market inefficiency leads to stalemate and makes forest protection unfeasible through logging with some chance or gradual logging to secure funding.
Researchers found that managing wildfires instead of suppressing them improves forest diversity, water storage, and drought resistance. This approach increases stream flow and downstream water availability, benefiting both the environment and agriculture.
A study by Pieter Moonen reveals that only a small group of Congolese farmers are driving deforestation, not for self-sufficiency but to sell crops on the market. The findings highlight the need for a more effective approach to deforestation, including local community support and sustainable land use practices.
A new study by Brown University researchers found that about 9,000 square kilometers of forestland were cleared from 2008 to 2012, exceeding PRODES monitoring data. This deforestation has significant ramifications, including nearly doubling Brazil's greenhouse gas emissions estimates.
A new study finds that palm oil production is driving deforestation in Africa, South America, Southeast Asia, and Mesoamerica, posing significant threats to biodiversity. Conservation efforts will need to be tailored to each region's unique challenges to protect at-risk species.
A study by the University of Connecticut team reveals that natural forest regrowth can store significant amounts of carbon, doubling in young second-growth forests and increasing by 120% in intermediate age forests. This approach offers a low-cost alternative to tree planting for reaching carbon mitigation targets.
A study on mountain gorillas reveals that their dietary habits contribute to dental wear, which adapts to the available food in their habitat. The analysis of tooth morphology provides valuable information for identifying and age-estimating gorillas, highlighting the importance of conserving their habitat.
A new international research center will focus on sustainable use of tropical landscapes and combat environmental destruction in the Peruvian Amazon. The center aims to develop transformative solutions for human health and biodiversity, building scientific capacity in local communities.
A Dartmouth study finds that clear-cutting forest soils increases carbon release, contributing to climate change. Soils store up to 50% of total ecosystem carbon, and logging disrupts soil carbon dynamics.
The study found that agricultural land has doubled within the Cerrado region, replacing native vegetation and altering the water cycle. Continued agricultural growth could reduce rainfall or delay critical rainy periods, threatening both natural vegetation and agricultural production.
A recent survey has found that approximately 14,600 Sumatran orangutans live in the wild, exceeding previous estimates of 6,600. However, continued deforestation poses a significant threat to their survival, with up to 4,500 individuals at risk of disappearing by 2030 if current plans are implemented.
A recent study by University of Illinois researchers found that conservation aid alone has not prevented deforestation in sub-Saharan Africa. The study suggests that in some cases, conservation aid may have exacerbated forest loss due to displacement of forest clearing activities outside protected areas.
Research from the University of Colorado Boulder found that newly-exposed edges of deforested areas can lead to hotter, drier conditions for remaining forests. This could affect species' ability to regulate their body temperatures, altering local ecosystems.
Researchers found that tropical secondary forests exhibit a high level of resilience and can sequester large amounts of carbon. These new-growth forests have accumulated enough biomass to uptake 3.05 tons of carbon per hectare per year, 11 times the rate of old-growth forests.
Two studies reveal how human-made forest changes affect the carbon cycle and air temperature. Replacing broadleaved forests with conifers increases evapotranspiration and albedo, contributing to warming. Forest clearing causes an increase in average and maximum surface temperatures, except at northern latitudes.
For the first time, female Calumma vatosoa chameleons have been described using X-ray micro-computed tomography scans, shedding light on their morphology and distribution. This discovery contributes to the conservation of threatened species and expands knowledge about biodiversity in Madagascar.
Research suggests environmental changes are driving an increase in Plasmodium knowlesi malaria cases among people in Malaysia. Deforestation and land use changes are thought to be key drivers of the emergence of this disease, which is usually found only in monkeys.
A new study by James Cook University scientist Professor William Laurance suggests that over half of Amazonian tree species are globally threatened. Protected areas and indigenous territories have the potential to protect many of these species if properly managed.
Research in Mato Grosso reveals nearly two-thirds of remaining forests and carbon reserves are on private properties owned by large landowners. The study suggests continued focus on larger properties is crucial to preserving forest cover.
A UK land cover map has shown a decline in semi-natural habitats and agricultural land between 2006 and 2012. Coniferous forest clear-cutting dominated the changes, with over 100,000 hectares lost.
A Dartmouth-led study suggests that some forestlands may be more valuable without trees, as snow-covered ground can act as a natural mirror to cool the climate. The research highlights the importance of surface reflectivity in forests and its impact on climate change.
Protected areas can significantly vary in their effectiveness in reducing deforestation, with some experiencing a 3.4% decrease in forest cover while others see a 5.3% increase. The study used statistical tools from econometrics to identify biases in estimates and found that individual park-level estimates ranged from -3.4% to +5.3%.
A study by University of Bonn researchers finds that effective forest law enforcement has been key to slowing down the destruction of the Brazilian rainforest. The team's analysis shows that regions with frequent controls and high penalties have seen significant declines in deforestation.
Researchers at University of Cincinnati uncover evidence that bison, deer and other present-day species survived Ice Age climate change, while mammoths and mastodons perished. Fossil analysis reveals radical shifts in environmental temperature and vegetation, forcing animals to adapt or die.
A new study investigates the cooling and warming effects of forests at both a global scale and high spatial resolution. Researchers found that tropical forests have a strong cooling effect year-round, while boreal and temperate forests show seasonal variation in temperature.
The EU imports 25% of all soy, 18% of palm oil, 15% of beef, and 31% of leather from illegal tropical forest destruction. The Netherlands, Italy, Germany, France, and UK are major consumers of these commodities.
A study found that below 43% forest cover, species loss becomes more rapid and widespread in the Amazon. Researchers recommend focusing on maintaining 50% forest cover over entire landscapes to prevent biodiversity loss.
A recent study found that gold mining has led to significant deforestation in tropical forests of South America, resulting in the loss of around 1680 km2 of forest between 2001 and 2013. The research highlights the growing environmental impact of gold mining in biologically diverse regions.
A new study reveals that clearing rainforests distorts wind and water patterns, altering growing conditions for crops like coffee and corn globally. The report finds that deforestation-induced warming and altered rainfall can impact agricultural productivity, with the US Midwest, Europe, and China potentially seeing changes.
In a paper published in Human Organization, UC Santa Barbara anthropologist Jeffrey Hoelle examines the rise of cattle ranching in the Brazilian state of Acre. He argues that cattle culture emerged as a result of local economic relationships, which developed cultural beliefs based on interdependence with animals.
Experts use drones to collect detailed information on environmental changes and their impact on the movement of people, animals, and insects that carry diseases. This helps researchers understand how land use changes affect human infection rates.
Deforestation in Brazil has been linked to roads built across forests and agricultural expansion, particularly in states of Mato Grosso and Pará. The removal of forestland is converted to farms, ranches, or urban use, with the Brazilian national motorway BR 163 contributing to deforestation.
Forest cover in Borneo declined by up to 30% between 1973 and 2010, with logging and fire contributing to the loss. The study analyzed LANDSAT satellite images to understand long-term forest change patterns, aiming to aid conservation planning.
Researchers say restoring tropical forests can lead to biodiversity loss and soil erosion if not done thoughtfully. The study emphasizes the importance of considering ecosystem dynamics and defining what constitutes a forest to minimize environmental impacts.
A study reviews policy interventions and commodity market effects to slow Amazon deforestation, finding positive incentives as effective as penalties. The review suggests establishing simple incentives for responsible farmers to preserve forests.
Research from Brown University suggests that the decline of suitable land for agriculture is a key factor in slowing deforestation in Mato Grosso, Brazil. The study found that land with characteristics such as flat terrain and proximity to roads was initially converted to agriculture, but this type of land is becoming increasingly scarce.
Reducing tropical deforestation significantly reduces carbon dioxide emissions by up to one-fifth. Tropical forests absorb almost two billion tonnes of carbon annually, but human activities like logging and biofuel production lead to equivalent losses.
A new study suggests that encouraging the intensification of Brazil's cattle production or taxing conventional pastures could deliver a substantial cut in global greenhouse gas emissions. By reducing deforestation, Brazil may be able to spare up to 80% of recently deforested land.
A new study finds that supporting sustainable cattle ranching practices in Brazil could significantly reduce deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. By subsidizing productive land use and taxing unsustainable practices, Brazil could halve its deforestation rate and shave off 25% of global emissions.
A new study quantifies the implications of recent changes to Brazil's Forest Code, identifying opportunities and challenges for conservation. The law reduces the area to be reforested from 500,000 km2 to 210,000 km2, sparking concerns over environmental degradation and loss of biodiversity.
A 20-year analysis of HIPEC treatment shows significant improvement in patient outcomes for selected individuals with advanced abdominal cancer. The median overall survival was 29.9 months, with a five-year survival rate of 32.5%.
A study by researchers at KU Leuven predicts that deforestation in the Congo Basin could increase temperatures by 1.4 °C by 2050, with an additional 0.7 °C from deforestation-induced warming. This could lead to drastic temperature increases, threatening plant and animal species with extinction.
Researchers at Winrock International have developed a new method to estimate carbon emissions from forest degradation caused by selective logging in tropical regions. The approach measures logging-associated emissions from extracted timber, surrounding forest damage, and infrastructure.
Researchers found that deforestation has minimal effects on muddy clay-like soils, but dramatically alters microbial communities in sandy soils, leading to increased carbon loss and potential for exaggerating global warming. This discovery could inform land management practices prioritizing the conservation of biodiversity and sequestr...
The study creates maps of habitat corridors connecting protected areas in the tropics to conserve biodiversity and mitigate climate change. The corridors provide opportunities for carbon sequestration and avoiding emissions from deforestation.
Deforestation in Central America is linked to growing evidence of drug trafficking, with traffickers creating clandestine roads and landing strips within protected areas. The influx of cash from drug trade emboldens local residents to expand their activities at the expense of indigenous people who are key forest defenders.
Researchers at Northern Arizona University found that drug trafficking is causing widespread deforestation in Central America, threatening conservation efforts and the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor. The team hopes to influence drug policy with their message, emphasizing the importance of conservation in shaping future decisions.