Articles tagged with Forest Ecosystems
Scientists found that reforestation can decrease the ability of forests to combat climate change by reducing carbon stock. The study suggests implementing forest management practices, such as site preparation without burning, to minimize negative effects on ecosystems.
A seven-year experiment shows that pond communities bear a lasting imprint of random events in their past. The study reveals that low-productivity ponds are predictable, while high-productivity ponds exhibit more stochastic behavior, where history matters more.
Kendra McLauchlan's research aims to understand past ecosystems and provide context for modern changes to Earth systems. The project will examine ecosystem changes in increments of 10, 100, 1,000 and 10,000 years using data from three sites.
Cristina Eisenberg's new book highlights the importance of top predators in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Research shows that keystone predators like wolves, cougars, and bears play a critical role in controlling population growth and preventing overgrazing.
A new 4,000-year study reconstructing fire history in the southern Appalachians supports the use of prescribed fire to reduce wildfire risk and restore forest health. The study found that fires became more frequent about 1,000 years ago, coinciding with the arrival of Native Americans.
A new study highlights the effectiveness of forest protected areas in slowing climate change by reducing deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. The study estimates that protecting areas could prevent an estimated 100,000 square miles of deforestation through 2050, equivalent to 1/3 of the world's annual CO2 emissions.
A new UC Davis study found that ski slope grading is more damaging to ecosystems than clearing, affecting plant abundance and diversity. Graded runs require less snow to open but result in higher summer maintenance costs.
A new study published in Nature suggests that accurate monitoring of carbon stored in drier tropical forests requires data from local communities. The researchers propose that at least 50% of REDD payments should be made directly to forest dwellers, ensuring their property rights and means of subsistence are protected.
A new study examines the potential ecological damages and benefits of REDD mechanisms, finding substantial co-benefits for watershed functions, local climate regimes, and terrestrial habitats. The analysis suggests that a balanced approach to REDD is crucial to avoid leakage and ensure ecosystem integrity.
The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) report suggests that policy makers can see higher rates of return and stronger economic growth by incorporating ecosystem services into investment strategies. By restoring and managing ecosystems, countries can generate significant income and jobs.
A new study finds that the decline of apex predators has led to a significant increase in mesopredator populations, resulting in ecosystem collapse and economic losses. The study highlights the complex interactions between humans and wildlife, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of solutions to manage these issues.
Researchers found that exotic eucalyptus and tropical ash plantations used significantly more water than native ohia trees, with rates of up to 2.5 times higher. The study emphasizes the need for land management plans to consider the water use of different ecosystems.
Tropical lizards detect effects of global warming in climate change research, highlighting threat to species and ecosystems, and human health. The loss of predators due to global warming disrupts natural biodiversity, leading to irreversible long-term consequences.
Researchers propose a Scottish Highland test case to reintroduce wolves and study their impact on red deer behavior and ecosystems. The goal is to restore landscapes of fear, controlling overgrazing and promoting biodiversity.
Research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln shows that invasive plant species like Eastern white pine can accumulate and hold onto nitrogen, leading to increased biomass and productivity. This nitrogen accumulation allows the plants to outcompete native species and invade their habitats.
The USDA Forest Service has established a new 25,000-acre experimental forest in the Tongass National Forest to investigate how climate change affects various forest resources such as timber and salmon habitat. The research aims to understand the impact of climate change on temperate rain forest ecosystems nationwide.
A study by the USDA Forest Service and university scientists found that climate plays a critical role in shaping wildfire behavior, particularly in the Western United States. Climate influences fuel production and drying, which varies among different ecosystems, leading to varying fire sizes and severities.
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.
A Yale analysis of 240 studies found that forest ecosystems recover in 42 years, ocean bottoms in less than 10 years, and those affected by human-induced disturbances recover faster than natural events. The study suggests that restoration can become a key tool for conservation organizations to protect habitats.
Researchers have discovered a new species of carnivorous dinosaur, Hesperonychus elizabethae, in North America. The miniature predator, weighing around two kilograms and standing 50 centimeters tall, was likely to hunt insects and small mammals.
The new protected area covers 187,800 acres of pristine tropical forest in Papua New Guinea's northern coast to interior mountains. The YUS Conservation Area preserves critical habitat for Matschie's tree kangaroos and stores huge amounts of carbon, preventing greenhouse gas emissions.
New research finds hemlock woolly adelgid is killing hemlock trees faster than expected, altering the carbon cycle of these forests. The study suggests that infrequent frigid winter temperatures may not be enough to suppress adelgid populations, leading to rapid decline and mortality.
The US Forest Service has selected two Pohnpeian students, Fa'afo'i Tony Maugalei and John Ah Sue, as part of its Professional Internships in Pacific Terrestrial Island Ecosystem Management program. The program aims to recruit and train the next generation of forestry professionals in the Pacific Islands.
Two Samoan students, Fa'afo'i Tony Maugalei and John Ah Sue, have been selected as part of the US Forest Service's Professional Internships in Pacific Terrestrial Island Ecosystem Management program. They will develop and evaluate an agroforestry project on private lands to demonstrate economically viable forest management methods.
Researchers found a greater diversity of animals in areas with deer populations than without. Higher deer activity creates nutrient-rich soil, attracting insects and larger predators like salamanders and snakes. This complex food web is often overlooked in traditional wildlife management practices.
Research shows that recognizing local rights and tenure systems is cost-effective and can secure carbon credits, while indigenous communities prove to be good forest stewards. Poorly designed initiatives could fuel corruption and conflict.
The Indonesian government and World Wildlife Fund announce a commitment to protect Sumatra's forests and critical ecosystems, home to endangered species. The agreement aims to restore ecosystems and promote sustainable development on the island.
A US Forest Service study reveals that most homeowners in fire-prone areas have taken steps to protect their homes, but barriers such as financial constraints and physical limitations persist. The study also found that residents are concerned about fires and think they know how to reduce the threat.
Researchers at the National Center for Atmospheric Research discovered that plants in a forest produce significant amounts of methyl salicylate, a chemical form of aspirin, in response to stress. This finding has the potential to give farmers an early warning signal about crops that are failing.
A study found that children tend to overestimate the relative numbers of certain taxa, such as mammals and birds, while underestimating others, including social insects and annelids. This knowledge is crucial for inspiring future conservationists.
The EPA report identifies strategies to protect the environment as climate change occurs, using a unique approach that considers management goals for protected areas. The report finds that existing best practices can be applied to reduce the impacts of climate change on ecosystems.
Scientists say conserving biodiversity must consider reducing greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation. A plan to protect forests could shift land use to low-carbon forests and harm other ecosystems important for biodiversity. Conservation efforts may need to focus on less valuable but biodiverse forests and non-forest ecosystems.
A team of 23 scientists examined the effects of controlled burns and forest thinning on western Ponderosa pine ecosystems. They found that tree growth increased after thinning, but with a single canopy layer, while controlled burns had little impact on large trees but harmed smaller ones.
USDA scientists have developed a method to grow high-value koa trees faster while maintaining biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and scenic beauty in native Hawaiian forests. The study's findings show that low-impact silvicultural treatments increase wood production without harming native understory vegetation or bird habitats.
A MU study found that salamanders and frogs evacuated clearcut areas more often than entered, suggesting a behavioral response to habitat changes. This response could improve the chances of amphibian survival in forestry practices.
A study by the Wildlife Conservation Society found that healthy wolf packs can keep coyote numbers in check, leading to higher survival rates for pronghorn fawns. In areas with abundant wolves, only 10% of fawns survived without them, whereas in wolf-free areas, 34% did.
A Yale study finds that predators, rather than plants, determine the type and abundance of herbivores and carnivores in an ecosystem. The research shows how spider hunting modes affect grasshopper behavior, promoting habitat diversity but also depleting nitrogen in the soil.
A new study indicates that preserving coastal ecosystem services doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing approach, and a better understanding of how ecosystems respond in a 'nonlinear' fashion could help reach societal compromises. The researchers used the values and uses of mangrove forests in Thailand as a case study, finding that prote...
The Global Environment Facility is providing an additional $20 million to protect unique and threatened areas like island ecosystems and temperate forests. This funding will support conservation efforts in biodiversity hotspots, home to half of all terrestrial plants and animals.
A new study by Conservation International and the University of Vermont reveals that conserving biodiversity also protects essential ecosystem services like fresh water, food, and carbon storage. The report estimates the annual value of these services to be over $33 trillion.
The Carnegie Institution's Department of Global Ecology will conduct a one-year pilot study on ecosystem diversity in Kruger National Park using remote sensing and the Carnegie Airborne Observatory. This research aims to improve adaptive management and develop skills for park managers to undertake remote monitoring of ecosystems.
A team of researchers explored sub-Antarctic ecosystems to estimate the diversity of tiny bryophytes and lichens, finding a hotspot for these organisms. The study emphasizes the need for conservation strategies that integrate non-vascular plants beyond charismatic mega fauna.
The US has forgiven $26 million in Costa Rican debt to protect the country's tropical forests, with Conservation International and The Nature Conservancy providing additional funding. This is the largest debt-for-nature swap under the Tropical Forest Conservation Act, aiming to slow global warming by protecting carbon-storing ecosystems.
ISU study reveals forests in Upper Midwest have lost tree species diversity and structural complexity since the mid-1800s. Deciduous trees like aspen and birch have replaced conifers, while smaller trees dominate modern forests.
The Brazilian Atlantic forest has lost 95% of its original size, but researchers have found 'refugia' where the forest is still thriving. These regions may hold the secrets to regenerating the ecosystem.
The National Ecological Observatory Network has selected candidate core wildland sites across the United States for deployment, with a focus on understanding climate change and its impacts on ecology. The selected sites will host distributed sensor networks and experiments to record and archive ecological data for at least 30 years.
A study projects that climate change and land conversion will imperil 950 to 1800 bird species by 2100, with tropical birds being particularly vulnerable due to their small ranges. The protection of tropical forests is crucial in mitigating climate change and preserving biodiversity.
A Smithsonian-led research team has won a scientific prize for their study on the impacts of habitat fragmentation on the Amazon ecosystem. The team found that tree communities are rapidly changing in forest fragments due to ecological changes near the margins, posing a significant threat to Amazonian biodiversity.
Research has identified five hotspots of high mercury contamination in fish and birds across eastern North America, posing a risk to human health and wildlife. The study highlights the need for stricter regulations on mercury emissions from coal-fired power stations and municipal waste incinerators to mitigate this environmental threat.
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.
The Boston College Urban Ecology Institute is developing an urban environmental science curriculum, textbook, and multimedia system for use in America's urban high schools. The project aims to promote the stewardship of healthy urban ecosystems through improved science education.
Harvard University's Harvard Forest has received a $4.9 million grant from the National Science Foundation to study landscape change in New England. The six-year project will examine the drivers and consequences of forest responses to natural and human disturbances, with potential applications for regional land protection and management.
Ecosystem services from boreal forests, including carbon capture and water filtration, are estimated to be worth $160 per hectare, totaling $93 billion/year in Canada. Globally, the value is around $250 billion per year. A natural capital accounting system is recommended to reflect these values.
A new project aims to create fast and sophisticated computer models to understand ecosystem dynamics and value for any spot on earth. The models will help policymakers identify specific ecosystem services and their impacts, enabling informed decisions on land use.
A recent study published in Policy Sciences examines the ethnic differences in job quality among US forest workers. The research reveals that Hispanic workers face more onerous jobs with fewer benefits, including less job security and no health insurance compared to white workers.
Dr. Gene E. Likens and Dr. Steward T.A. Pickett are honored by the Botanical Society of America for their groundbreaking research on acid rain, freshwater ecology, and urban ecology. Their work has informed national legislation and transformed the Institute of Ecosystem Studies into a global leader in ecological research.
A long-term field experiment shows that ecosystems containing many different plant species are more productive than those containing only one species. This research suggests that a return to biodiversity may be key to meeting energy needs and restoring global ecosystems.
A new study reveals that removing top predator species from kelp forests has a profound impact on the ecosystem, while organic coastal run-off has minimal effect. The research suggests California is on the right track with fishing limits to protect the delicate food chain.
The study finds that healthy ecosystems can mitigate the effects of disasters like landslides and floods. Mainstreaming sustainable biodiversity management into policy decisions may reverse ecosystem degradation trends.
The state-and-transition model better explains ecosystem changes, but outdated science can cause serious problems. Scientists need to learn how to spread new knowledge widely through cooperative extension efforts and early adopters.