Articles tagged with Forest Ecosystems
A new study reveals surprising findings about mercury pollution patterns in ecosystems, where it comes from and how it moves vary significantly. Dragonfly larvae are found to be a cost-effective indicator of mercury contamination in nearly every aquatic habitat, providing valuable insights for resource management decisions.
Researchers used machine learning to create highly detailed maps of individual trees, providing valuable information for conservation efforts and ecological projects. The algorithm achieved high accuracy in classifying common tree species, with strengths shown in areas with open space and lower species diversity.
A new study reveals widespread decline in Western US forest carbon storage, likely caused by drought and fire. The research provides a framework for evaluating future changes and informing management strategies to mitigate carbon loss, highlighting the need for proactive forest management practices.
Researchers have found that climate change is driving tree species towards colder and wetter regions across Europe and North America. The study analyzed data from over two million trees and found that no single trait of the tree species could explain these changes.
Scientists have developed a research framework to incorporate ecological theory into ecosystem management, enabling more effective restoration and counteracting rising carbon dioxide emissions. The approach maps ecological theories to desired restoration outcomes, prioritizing climate-smart restoration and rebuilding ecosystems faster.
A new study suggests that tropical forests can overcome the challenge of scarce nutrients by adjusting their strategies for acquiring phosphorus. Forests of different ages respond differently to nutrient additions, with younger forests investing in nitrogen-based strategies and older forests relying on phosphatase to access phosphorus.
A recent study using satellite remote sensing data reveals that Asian forests have shown excellent resilience to disturbances from climate change and human activities. Despite 20% of forests experiencing disturbances between 2000 and 2022, 95% recovered within a few decades.
International research team finds that increasing key nutrients like potassium and phosphorus can sustain tropical forest productivity under drought conditions. This study, published in Nature Geoscience, aims to address the potential impact of climate change on these critical ecosystems.
Researchers found that secure boundaries promote collective conservation practices and limit over-harvesting, but perceived high risk of theft from neighbors leads to looser harvest limits. Community members impose their own limits on harvesting via conservation committees when borders are secure.
Researchers created new maps that accurately describe phosphorus levels in Amazonian soil using artificial intelligence, revealing the region's low concentration of the mineral. This information is crucial for understanding how tropical forests will react to climate change.
A recent study by an international group found that forests with higher trait diversity adapt better to climate change and thrive. Higher productivity levels were maintained in diverse trees compared to monoculture forests.
A new computer simulation model highlights the importance of cultural burning in maintaining forest ecosystem health. Researchers found that Indigenous fire stewardship was extensive across a landscape in northern California before European colonization, with an estimated 6,972 cultural ignitions occurring annually.
Fruit eating birds play a vital role in forest ecosystems by consuming, excreting, and spreading seeds to allow trees to grow and function. The study found that highly fragmented landscapes restrict bird movement, reducing carbon recovery potential by up to 38 percent.
A recent study reveals that old-growth forest canopy soils support rich and unique invertebrate diversity, which is slow to recover from human disturbance. The research found a higher diversity of invertebrates in canopy soils compared to surface soil animals.
A study estimates that global ecosystems provide USD 112-197 trillion to the economy, with forests and wetlands accounting for nearly 80% of this value. Strong synergies are found among oxygen release, climate regulation, and carbon sequestration services, while trade-offs occur between flood regulation and other services.
International research led by CSU suggests studying root function in tropical forests can improve climate change predictions. Tropical forests contain 30% of global soil carbon, with roots acting as 'carbon banks' that can help mitigate climate change.
Researchers found that brown bears' digging for cicada nymphs damages tree roots and alters soil nitrogen content, limiting tree diameter growth. This phenomenon is unique to human-planted conifer forests, with no similar effects in natural forests.
Researchers in New Hampshire are investigating the decline of the state's fisher population with a new $1.2 million grant, tracking populations and analyzing tissue samples for toxins and diseases.
A new study by the University of Liverpool warns that reforestation initiatives can harm wildlife and ecosystems if not done properly. The research highlights issues with tree-planting in non-forest systems, such as savannas and grasslands, which are under threat from increased tree cover.
A recent study published in Nature identifies potential thresholds for stressors that could cause the Amazon forest to collapse. The research highlights the importance of understanding the most significant factors affecting the rainforest environment to develop strategies for keeping it resilient.
A new study reveals that the Amazon rainforest is at risk of a large-scale collapse if climatic and land-use thresholds are breached. The Southeastern Amazon has already shifted from a carbon sink to a source, while droughts, deforestation, and fires weaken its resilience mechanisms.
While some tree-planting organizations have shown improvement in community involvement and addressing drivers of deforestation, many still lack transparency and long-term planning. Researchers found that only 70% of organizations report monitoring data and 10% commit to project maintenance beyond 10 years.
Scientists have discovered a new species of coffee snake endemic to northwestern Ecuador's cloud forests. The species is threatened by deforestation and habitat destruction, prompting calls for conservation efforts. Its discovery highlights the need to protect the cloud forest ecosystem and its surrounding human-modified habitats.
The study reveals significant differences in the nucleolus organizing region (NOR) of the two species, which has major implications for blight-resistance in American chestnut restoration. Researchers used fluorescent in situ hybridization to analyze the NOR region and found unique DNA arrangements.
A new analysis reveals a pronounced regional imbalance in forest productivity, with the Western U.S. experiencing a notable slowdown and the Eastern U.S. seeing slightly accelerated growth. This study highlights the urgent need for reduced global greenhouse gas emissions to restore the global carbon balance.
Researchers found that logged forests have higher average temperatures and lower humidity, hastening the transition of bird species to higher elevations. Small bird species colonize logged forests better due to temperature tolerance, while larger species remain in primary forests.
A new study by Cornell University found that only 5% of Adirondack lakes can maintain cold and oxygenated water, making it unlivable for trout and other cold-water species. Climate warming and lake browning have severe consequences for temperate lakes in the region.
A research project led by Charité aims to better understand the impact of biodiversity loss on zoonosis risks. The team will investigate native forests and degraded reforested areas in Europe and Central America to identify land use changes and species circulation.
A new study reveals that trees growing in wetter regions are more sensitive to drought, with up to 50% of species' ranges expected to become drier by 2100. Climate change models predict these areas will experience rapid drying, exposing trees to conditions beyond their adaptive capacity.
Researchers analyzed 13,000 hours of audio data from Okinawan forests before, during, and after typhoons, finding that ecosystems responded differently than expected. The study suggests that developed sites were more resilient to extreme weather than anticipated, but climate change may push these ecosystems to their limits.
Researchers used AI to analyze tree databases and found that temperature and precipitation are strong predictors of non-native species invasion. The study also reveals that global forest carbon potential is considerably below natural levels, with most potential located in existing forests.
Researchers found that coast redwood's massive carbon reserves fueled growth of new leaves after a catastrophic fire, allowing the forest to begin regenerating. However, many trees did not survive, and it may take centuries for the ecosystem to fully recover.
New research reveals that secondary forests in the Amazon cover over 190,000 km² but connect more than 2 million isolated fragments of old-growth forest, crucial for biodiversity conservation. These forests also act as a buffer zone, shielding old-growth edges from negative effects like hotter temperatures and wind.
Research suggests that diverse forests can capture approximately 226 Gigatonnes of carbon, but this potential can be achieved by incentivizing community-driven efforts to promote biodiversity. Restoration efforts should include natural diversity of species and sustainable practices.
Researchers at Stanford and Columbia universities found that low-intensity fires can dramatically reduce the risk of devastating wildfires for years at a time. By analyzing satellite data from over 100,000 square kilometers of California forests, the team showed that controlled burning can significantly decrease the risk of high-intens...
A team of experts identified 15 over-looked issues that could impact UK forests, including catastrophic ecosystem collapse, competition for water resources, and tree viral diseases. The research calls for urgent action to increase forest resilience.
Researchers at Nagoya University found that field mice store and transport seeds from once-in-a-century flowering sasa bamboo plants, spreading them throughout the forest. The study reveals that mouse body size affects seed caching behavior, with larger mice carrying seeds to safer locations.
A new study by researchers at the University of Leeds found that Amazon deforestation causes land surfaces up to 100km away to get warmer. The study analyzed satellite data from 2001 to 2020 and found that regions with more local and regional deforestation warmed by an average of 4.4°C.
A study from Chalmers University of Technology found that over three-quarters of ipê exports from Brazil's top producing state may have been harvested illegally. The research used data analysis to identify risks in the supply chain and hopes to contribute to better enforcement and practices.
Researchers at West Virginia University are studying the effects of acid rain on forests and watersheds, a project involving middle school students. The team aims to understand how ecosystems respond to chronic changes in environmental conditions, including the recovery phase after acid rain stops falling.
A new study reveals that periodical cicada emergences have a cascading effect on forest ecosystems, shifting bird diets and leading to increased abundance of caterpillars and subsequent leaf damage. This research has implications for bird conservation and understanding the interconnectedness of complex food webs.
Researchers used statistical methods to investigate the extent of climate support for the Eurasian forest-steppe zone's delineation. The study found that macroclimate explains a significant portion of the zone's distribution, with some regions showing strong agreement and others requiring further refinement.
Researchers found tropical forest ecosystems rely more on aquatic insects than temperate forests, making them vulnerable to disruptions in land-water connections. This increased reliance poses a threat to tropical environments, which are already under pressure from human activity and climate change.
The Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme will support up to eight new sea restoration projects across Europe. This funding aims to create resilient ecosystems that benefit nature and people. The programme's third phase will focus on expanding large-scale restoration projects, including those focused on Europe's seas.
Ecologists say that carbon-capture tree plantations have a negative impact on tropical biodiversity and ecosystem services, despite their potential to offset climate change. In contrast, intact ecosystems like forests, grasslands, and savannahs store large quantities of carbon below ground and provide multiple ecosystem services.
A recent study reveals that emerging infectious diseases are accumulating rapidly globally, particularly in Holarctic trees. The 'big data' approach used in the study characterizes the growing threat posed by emergent infectious diseases, with some tree species, such as pines and oaks, showing high new disease accumulation.
Researchers studying arboreal ants in a Florida forest explore how resource availability and competition shape biodiversity. The study found that both resource availability and competition among species are important for maintaining biodiverse communities, with the relative importance of these processes dependent on scale.
Researchers found that climate change can cause a shift from high to low biomass fungal species, leading to simpler networks between trees. This disruption can have cascading effects on tree performance and ecosystem function. The study suggests that warming and drought may harm forest resilience by breaking down ectomycorrhizal networks.
A new landscape-oriented framework assesses ecological stability in the Qingzang Plateau, showing medium-high stability levels with minimal changes over recent years. The study highlights the impact of anthropogenic factors and climate change on ecosystem stability, recommending site-specific conservation measures.
New research found that plant water use efficiency has stalled since 2001 due to climate change, contradicting earlier hopes it would help improve water consumption. The study's findings suggest that rising temperatures and atmospheric CO2 may be undermining nature-based methods to achieve carbon neutrality.
A new tree forensics project, Gigante, aims to investigate the deaths of large tropical trees using drone surveys and on-the-ground observations. The team expects to identify the causes of death for up to 10,000 trees over three years, shedding light on the impact of climate change on forest ecosystems.
Restoration of longleaf pine woodlands enhances stream flow while conserving an endangered ecosystem, addressing two pressing conservation issues. This approach promotes 17% more streamflow on average and 92% higher streamflow during droughts.
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.
A recent study led by Dr. Iva Franić emphasizes the importance of protecting forest ecosystems from non-native pests in the face of rising temperatures. The research found that climatic factors, phylogenetic distance, and geographic distance play a significant role in shaping tree-associated communities.
A study highlights the importance of wild plants in fallow land and other ecosystems in Madagascar, revealing a wide range of plant species used for various purposes. Fallow land is found to be a valuable contributor to rural households' health, food and energy supply.
Butterflies with smaller or lighter-colored wings, such as those in the Lycaenidae family, are likely to face greater threats from climate change. These species have poorer thermal buffering abilities, which could lead to dramatic declines if temperatures rise.
A team of conservation researchers warns that Indonesia's tropical rainforest and endangered species are under threat from government interference and corporate interests. The researchers advocate for data transparency, online 'safe houses', and anonymized journals to protect environmental research and promote nature conservation.
The CAETÊ algorithm projects the future of vegetation in the Amazon, presenting scenarios for transformation driven by climate change. It shows that a drier climate could increase biodiversity but lower carbon storage, with carbon absorption dropping between 57.48% and 57.75% compared to regular climate conditions.
Researchers found worldwide protected forests have an additional 9.65 billion metric tons of carbon stored in their aboveground biomass compared to ecologically similar unprotected areas. Protected areas' efficacy in avoiding emissions was found to be significantly higher than non-protected areas.
An international research team has found that tree islands in oil palm plantations can significantly increase biodiversity within five years. This method also does not affect the yield of the plants. The study was conducted on an industrial-scale plantation in Indonesia and showed promising results for ecological restoration.