Articles tagged with Forest Diversity
The discovery of Titanoboa, the largest snake to have ever existed, reveals that Neotropical rainforests flourished during warm periods, with temperatures up to 3-5°C warmer than today. The fossil rainforest's plant diversity was lower than expected, suggesting it may have been recovering from mass extinctions.
A new study reveals that decades of fragmentation have taken a toll on the sustainability of Wisconsin's forests, reducing native plant abundance and diversity. The effects of urbanization and agricultural dominance are now determining which species can survive in isolated forest patches.
Research shows that coffee cultivation under shade trees can preserve forest plant and animal diversity in areas with deforestation. In contrast, growing coffee in forests leads to a decline in species richness of forest birds. This study highlights the importance of sustainable land use practices in conserving biodiversity.
The discovery of new mammalian species since 1993 reveals a significant reduction in biodiversity, with many species having small populations or limited geographic ranges. This loss can have severe consequences, including increased disease risk and reduced ecosystem services that support human life.
Researchers developed a new strategy to identify areas within hotspots where they should focus their time, effort and money. They used multiple species and past climate models to estimate the species' past distributions, pinpointing regions that have been climatically stable and likely to harbor diversity.
Researchers found that trees in the Yasuni forest use distinct strategies to survive, challenging the neutral theory of biodiversity. The study supports an alternative explanation that individual species characteristics play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity.
A study by the USDA Forest Service found that Indianapolis street trees annually intercept 318.9 million gallons of rainfall, valued at $1.98 million, and reduce electricity use by over 6,447 megawatt hours, worth $432,000. The trees also improve air quality and increase property values.
A study of lowland rainforests in New Guinea found low beta diversity across the study area, indicating widespread distribution of insect species and limited specialization. The results have implications for biological conservation and may suggest that bigger is better when preserving these forests.
Researchers found rove beetles declined significantly after clear-cutting, while diversity increased. The study suggests that mature forest species are threatened by habitat loss, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to preserve old forests.
Research reveals that Amazonian forests are undergoing a rapid transformation as a result of fragmentation, leading to the loss of rare and slow-growing tree species. The study found that small, fast-growing trees store less carbon, contributing to global warming.
Researchers found a positive correlation between tropical area expansion and diversity increase during global warming. Conversely, forest fragmentation during cooling periods leads to decreased diversity. The study suggests that changes in area drive speciation and extinction in the tropics.
A landmark study reveals that older trees in tropical forests are more diverse than younger ones, suggesting that diversity is selected for as each forest matures. This finding highlights the importance of ecological value to species diversity in these complex ecosystems.
A recent study found that biodiversity arises from the same underlying processes in tropical rainforests and Minnesota prairies. Rare trees may have an advantage due to reduced vulnerability to predators and resource competition.
A new study reveals that tree diversity in tropical forests plays a crucial role in determining their ability to store carbon and provide other essential ecosystem services. The researchers simulated different extinction scenarios and found that the types of trees remaining had a significant impact on carbon storage capacity.
Research by Schurbon and Fauth found that prescribed burning negatively impacts pine savannah amphibian diversity and abundance, with species declining in areas burned more recently. The study suggests a 5-year prescribed burn cycle and summer burns can balance the needs of amphibians and longleaf pines.
Researchers used ancient pollen data to test hypotheses on species diversity and coexistence in forests. They found that stabilizing forces, not neutral dynamics, were maintaining forest diversity, contradicting long-held views.
Researchers at Duke University found that density-dependent mortality plays a role in promoting tree species diversity, just like in tropical forests. Their study suggests that preserving natural enemies is crucial for maintaining tropical diversity.
A study found that traditional floodplain forest restoration may decrease bird diversity, with some species preferring uncommon tree species. The researchers recommend replanting floodplain forests with rare and heavy-seeded trees to support a diverse avian community.
Research shows that ant diversity near forest fragments is higher in shade than sun coffee farms, and salamander abundance is higher in disturbed streams confluent with undisturbed ones. Conservation efforts may focus on making surrounding areas more conservation-friendly rather than connecting fragments.