Old-growth forests in Northern Europe are vital for biodiversity, climate regulation, and cultural heritage, but face threats from logging and habitat destruction. A new review provides science-based indicators for identifying and protecting these ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of considering the forest as a whole.
Researchers found that maintaining old-growth forest bird populations requires a forest rotation period of at least 90 years or 10% clearcutting threshold. The study provides a concrete target for ecologically sustainable forest management, reconciling forest use with biodiversity protection.
A new study reveals that Northern Eurasia's carbon sink is driven by climate change, with stronger sinks in western and southern regions. Forest productivity is a key determinant of the regional carbon sink, not just warming alone.
A Concordia University study reveals that Quebec's forests are recovering with an increase in conifer species, driven by the growth of balsam fir. The researchers used satellite imagery and ground-based forest inventory data to track changes over three decades.
Two University of Utah-led studies aim to improve biomass mapping to better understand how Arctic and boreal forests respond to climate change. The new maps, built using satellite imagery and field measurements, capture 40 years of ecological change in unprecedented detail.
A new study reveals that old-growth forests in Sweden store 72% more carbon per acre than managed forests, with a significant gap due to soil losses. Restoring primary forests could keep nearly 8 billion tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
A recent study co-authored by NAU researchers found that fires in northern Canada have a net cooling effect when coupled with snowpack, but this is outweighed by the warming effects of permafrost carbon released from fires in Alaska. This highlights the need for land and fire managers to reconsider how wildland fires are managed.
Global study finds that nitrogen pollution causes forests to follow two distinct patterns in response to added nutrients, with some experiencing a boost and others collapsing. The findings highlight the importance of reducing nitrogen levels to stabilize forest soil carbon pools and maintain natural respiration rhythms.
Research found that deciduous tree dominance reduces wildfire carbon losses in boreal forests, storing more carbon above ground and releasing less in deep organic soils. This shift could help slow climate warming by reducing carbon emissions per unit area burned.
Researchers found large differences in species communities among old-growth, managed, and clearcut forests in boreal Europe. Species richness increases with forest age, especially in full-canopy forests.
A new study introduces a powerful tool for analyzing satellite imagery of boreal forests, offering insights into their health and dynamics. The 'needleleaf index' provides critical information on forest cover fluctuations, particularly the impact of recent wildfires, highlighting the vulnerability of these ecosystems to climate change.
A new study from University of Eastern Finland explores the factors contributing to tree mortality in an urban recreational forest in Helsinki. The researchers found that pine trees growing in dry areas are at a high risk of mortality, while spruce trees face a greater threat from climate-driven insect infestations.
A new study found that 34% of the Arctic-boreal zone is now a source of carbon, with fires and microbial activity contributing to emissions. The research provides a comprehensive assessment of carbon fluxes in the region, highlighting the importance of monitoring these processes.
A 40-year study reveals increasingly common and devastating megadroughts worldwide, with significant impacts on ecosystems and agriculture. The research used global meteorological data to track changes in drought patterns and their effects on vegetation, providing insights into the paradoxical responses of different forest types.
A new study reveals the Arctic is experiencing extreme climate changes, with Siberia and Alaska facing significant warming and drying. Permafrost is a common factor in vulnerable regions, and local data can support more effective management and adaptation approaches.
A recent study published in Nature Sustainability analyzed global forest disturbance patterns from 2002 to 2014, identifying four main types of patches and mapping their distribution across different biomes. Human activities tend to leave similar patterns globally, with potential implications for forest resilience.
Scientists argue that tree planting at high latitudes will accelerate rather than decelerate global warming due to the unique characteristics of Arctic ecosystems. Large herbivores like caribou may be a more viable nature-based solution to climate change in these regions.
Forest fires globally emitted half a billion tonnes more CO2 in the last two decades, with increased severity and extent driven by climate change. The study reveals alarming shifts in forest fire patterns, posing significant challenges for global targets to combat climate change.
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.
Researchers studied how climate change impacts boreal forests' carbon absorption after fires. They found that regrowth is influenced by the partnership between plants and soil microbes, which weakens with climate change.
The boreal forest and treeless shrublands may experience significant changes due to climate change, with potential loss of biodiversity and ecosystem disruption. The study highlights the need for adaptation and cooperation to mitigate these impacts.
A study by Duke University researchers found that manganese stimulates decomposition of soil organic matter and releases more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Research reveals a rich diversity of beneficial fungi living in boreal forest trees, with implications for forest health. The findings suggest that these fungi are adapted in highly specific ways to their local conditions, making them sensitive to future climate change.
Researchers discovered frequent aerosol particle formation events in Siberia's West Siberian taiga during heatwave conditions. This may have a mitigating cooling effect on the climate. The study aims to inform decision-making and improve understanding of forest-atmosphere interactions.
A new study has found that northern peatlands have accelerated in expansion over the past 1,500 years, with an average growth rate of approximately one centimeter per year. This increase in peatland area is significant for carbon sequestration and storing ecosystems.
Research reveals that lightning ignitions account for 77% of burned areas in intact extratropical forests, which store vast quantities of carbon. Climate change is projected to increase lightning frequency, posing a significant threat to these forests and the planet's carbon storage.
A new study using satellite imagery found that fires in boreal forests shift from coniferous to deciduous trees, but these changes are reversible over time. The study's findings suggest that continued climate warming and increased wildfire activity could lead to pronounced changes in forest composition.
Researchers mapped annual changes in global forest biomass between 2010 and 2019, finding that boreal and temperate forests are the largest carbon sinks. Carbon stocks increased by 500 million tonnes per year, primarily due to young trees in these forests.
A new study from Lund University found that secondary forests in Sweden were more affected by the 2018 drought than primary forests. The research team analyzed satellite images and vegetation indexes to compare the impact of drought on both forest types.
Researchers from University of Jyväskylä found that forest management has a stronger effect on the supply of ecosystem services than climate change. The study suggests that forest management planning should account for biogeographic diversity, and climate change mitigation measures are particularly suited for northern Finland.
A recent study found that human-caused mortality triggers instability in wolf packs in national parks, decreasing the chance of pack persistence and reproduction. Wolves living outside park boundaries are at a higher risk of being killed by humans, with poaching being the most common cause of death.
Researchers from Finland investigated the impact of wind turbines on bat presence and activity in boreal forests. Bats were found to be repelled by wind turbines, with Northern bats avoiding distances of up to 800 meters and Myotis species avoiding areas over one kilometer away.
Almost one quarter of Sweden's last unprotected old-growth forest was logged between 2003 and 2019. Rare ecosystems with rich biodiversity are being lost at a rate of 1.4% per year, posing significant threats to biodiversity and planetary stability.
A new study reveals that conifers release substantial quantities of volatile organic compounds in response to bark-feeding weevils, providing cues to neighboring seedlings. This complex communication process is altered by air pollution.
Forests face risks from climate change in three dimensions: carbon storage, biodiversity, and forest loss from disturbances. The study found higher risks in southern boreal forests and drier regions of the Amazon and African tropics.
A new study found that regions with high past temperature variability tend to be less sensitive to current and future climate changes, offering hope for forests' ability to adapt. The research highlights the importance of considering legacy effects of past climate conditions in forest management and climate policy.
A new study published by the Union of Concerned Scientists warns that wildfires in US and Canadian boreal forests between now and 2050 could release about 12 gigatons of net carbon emissions, equivalent to 3% of the remaining global carbon budget. This could jeopardize nations' ability to limit warming in line with the Paris Agreement.
Rising temperatures are causing the world's coldest forests to shift northward, threatening biodiversity and increasing wildfire risks. Soil nutrient availability also plays a key role in the response of boreal vegetation to climate change.
A new study by University of Helsinki researchers shows that boreal forests can mitigate climate change through aerosol formation and growth, influencing cloud properties and regional climate. The study found that aerosol particles produced by the forests alter cloud reflectivity, potentially cooling the climate.
A new study published in Applications in Plant Sciences highlights the negative effects of clearcutting on mycorrhizal fungi, showing less diversity in formerly deforested areas. High-throughput sequencing reveals over 300 distinct fungal lineages in soil and root samples, shedding light on ecosystem health.
A new study reconstructs Arctic sea ice levels and currents over 500 years using ancient driftwood, showing a distinct drop in tree arrivals since the 1990s. The research provides a unique look into past Arctic Ocean conditions, shedding light on the impact of climate change on this fragile ecosystem.
A new fly species, Scenopinus jerei, has been officially described from Finland, belonging to the primitive and species-poor family of window flies. The species is found in boreal forest habitats and is widespread but rare in Finland, with its larvae preying on other insects.
A new study published in Science shows that deciduous trees replacing burned spruce forests store more carbon and accumulate it four times faster over a 100-year fire interval. This suggests that these faster-growing forests may act as a stabilizing 'firebreak' against escalating fire patterns.
Boreal forests can store nearly five times more soil carbon after severe wildfires through shifts to deciduous tree species like aspen and birch. This can provide a negative feedback to climate warming.
Researchers found 24 diverse species feeding on snowshoe hare carcasses, challenging previous thought of food webs. The study revealed prey species' impact on both direct predators and scavengers, highlighting the complex role of scavenging in ecosystems.
A recent study published in the Journal of Ecology found that climate change is unlikely to force a northern migration of sugar maples due to soil composition constraints. The research, conducted by Alexis Carteron and colleagues, found that boreal forest soil negatively affects sugar maple survival rates and growth.
A team of researchers from University of Guelph tracked the annual migration of blackpoll warblers, one of the fastest declining songbirds in North America. The birds migrate up to 20,000 kilometers between their breeding grounds in the central and western boreal forest and their winter home in the Amazon Basin.
A new study links international investors to economic activities that modify large ecosystems, including the Amazon rainforest and boreal forests. Financial institutions can play a crucial role in bolstering or undermining climate stability through their investments.
A new study predicts that half of Alberta's upland boreal forest will disappear by 2100, replaced by young deciduous forests and grasslands. The research, conducted by University of Alberta biologists, took into account wildfire disturbance and climate change over a 100-year period.
Researchers studied northern hemisphere boreal forests from 1979-2014 and found that spring recovery after snowmelt advanced by an average of 8.1 days, corresponding to a 3.7% increase in gross primary production per decade.
Canadian and European boreal forests have distinct differences in terms of dominant shrubs, animal cycles, and predator-prey dynamics. The research found that climate is the primary factor driving these differences.
Researchers found that reducing timber revenues can increase biodiversity indicators and improve landscape multifunctionality. Combining forest growth simulations with multiobjective optimization, they concluded that diversified forest management planning is necessary to resolve conflicts between objectives.
A framework has been developed to help scientists predict when forests will be resilient enough to recover from fires, and when they will be drastically altered. The framework considers factors such as ecological memory, material legacies, and the impact of changing climate conditions on forest recovery.
Deciduous trees absorb a large amount of snowmelt water, equating to 17-20 billion cubic meters per year, with potential to create favorable conditions for thunderstorms. The study's findings have critical implications for understanding boreal forest hydrology and ecology.
A Harvard University study forecasts that boreal forests in far-northern latitudes may act as a climate refuge for black spruce trees due to higher rainfall. The research also suggests that the region's growing season will expand by 3 weeks, but drought stress could overwhelm trees south of the 49th parallel.
The world's boreal forests are under pressure from global warming, with rising temperatures and changing conditions threatening their resilience and productivity. The forests play a crucial role in the Earth's climate system, but may switch from being carbon sinks to sources of greenhouse gas emissions if not managed adaptively.
A special issue of Science explores the impact of human-induced environmental changes on forests worldwide. The reviews highlight pressing issues such as forest fires, drought, and extinction, emphasizing the need for sustainable management practices, genetic engineering, and collaborative research.
Researchers found that warmer summer temperatures in Interior Alaska led to a decline in white spruce tree growth, while Western Alaska saw increased growth rates. The study, which analyzed over 540 tree cores, suggests the boreal forest is shifting towards higher elevations and the western part of the state.
Researchers use statistical analysis to predict the spread of invasive European earthworm species Dendrobaena octaedra into Canada's boreal forest, forecasting it will expand from 3% to 39% of the forest floor by 2056. The worms are entering the forest via roadways, altering soil pH and decomposition rates.
Fires in eastern Russia's Siberia and Urals are often set by farmers to return nutrients to the soil and clear unwanted plants. These fires produce smoke degrading air quality, highlighting the need for fire management teams to limit uncontrolled wildfires.