Articles tagged with Forest Ecosystems
A new study reveals that moose can reduce carbon storage in clearcut sites equivalent to 60% of annual fossil fuel carbon emissions from a region. Moose consumption of biomass daily during summer represents 10% of what the Norwegian forest industry itself harvests, leading to increased carbon emissions.
A recent study at Baskett Forest found that forests reach an ecosystem wilting point between 2-4 weeks of extreme drought, requiring soaking rainfall to rejuvenate. This concept explains how whole forests respond to drought and is essential for understanding their dynamics under climate change.
Researchers from Japan highlight the decline of native squirrel species due to introduced non-native sciurine species. The study emphasizes the importance of early action in addressing ecological concerns and conserving rare endemic species, with successful eradication efforts reported in four locations.
A new technique maps the effects of fire-induced permafrost thaw in Alaska, revealing widespread topographic change and vegetation shifts. The study used a machine learning-based approach to quantify thaw settlement across 3 million acres of land, with results showing a significant loss of evergreen forest and shrubland encroachment.
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 fossil plant from California has shed light on the evolution of flowering plants, pushing back their origins by 80 million years. The discovery indicates that structurally complex rainforests may have existed as early as the Cretaceous period.
Researchers studied pollen data from North America's Neotoma Paleoecology Database to understand plant migration patterns and climate fidelity. Most plant species have exhibited long-term climate loyalty over the past 18,000 years, while some plants adapt locally in response to climate change.
Purdue University researchers are developing new applications for 3D technologies, including lidar and drone-mounted sensors, to measure ecosystems and analyze their structural diversity. The research has the potential to inform land management decisions and improve ecological theories.
A new study reveals that up to 38% of the remaining Amazon forest area has been affected by human disturbances, causing significant carbon emissions. The research highlights the cumulative effect of factors such as forest fire, edge effects, selective logging, and extreme drought on forest degradation.
A new study found that Indigenous communities with formal tenure rights in Brazil's Atlantic Forest reduced deforestation and improved forest cover, outperforming territories without such rights. Strengthening self-determination rights of Indigenous peoples has been shown to be crucial for forest conservation efforts globally.
Researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences provide panoramic view of global forest patterns, highlighting pervasive effect of human impacts on protected areas and intact forest landscapes.
A study published in Science Advances reveals that the lifespan of a tree leaf is determined by environmental factors such as climate and soil conditions. The researchers found that evergreen conifers make longer-lived leaves in colder climates, while deciduous trees produce shorter-lived leaves in warmer environments.
A new species record of mesophotic kelp was discovered in the Galapagos Islands, characterized by its extensive and dense kelp forest at depths of ~50m. The research highlights the importance of these forests as ecosystem engineers and supports for marine life, with potential implications for carbon sequestration.
Researchers at University of Copenhagen developed a method to map individual trees' carbon content using aerial images, improving accuracy and enabling better comparisons between countries. The method supports Rwanda in verifying commitments under schemes like REDD+ and AFR 100.
A new study by researchers at the University of Oxford found that logged rainforests have amplified and diverse ecosystem energetics, supporting similar or greater densities of bird and mammal species. The study challenges the labelling of logged forests as 'degraded' when they are ecologically vibrant.
Research in tropical forests reveals that nitrogen-fixing trees are vulnerable to herbivory by insects, limiting their growth and survival. This constraint could undermine reforestation efforts and the role of these trees in sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Researchers found the emerald ash borer completes its life cycle in one year in North Carolina, contrasting with a two-year cycle in northern US. This knowledge will aid in releasing parasitoid wasps to manage the insect.
Researchers found that nitrogen-fixing trees experience 26% more herbivory than non-fixers, reducing their ability to alleviate nitrogen deficits in tropical soils. This selective feeding by insects and other animals limits the success of fixers and the nitrogen they provide.
Researchers from the University of Göttingen found that European beech trees are experiencing increased drought stress in northern Germany due to climate change. The study reveals that dry locations show the strongest long-term decline in growth, highlighting the need for more resilient tree species.
Researchers analyzed over 4,500 documents to understand fungal dispersal across spatial scales. They identified four scales of movement, from microscopic to landscape, and found that climate change affects where fungi reside. More data is needed to understand the biodiversity of fungi and their movement in ecosystems.
Researchers analyzed 2.3 million camera-trap photos of tropical mammals, revealing consistent daily activity patterns across continents. Body size and diet are key factors influencing activity, with larger animals active during the day and smaller ones at night.
A new study reveals that high ecosystem resilience is linked to high mortality risk in western US forests, contradicting previous assumptions. The research combines decades of satellite data and ground observations to show a surprising correlation between forest resilience and tree death rates.
Forests with multiple tree species have been shown to be more productive, as different species fill distinct niches and compete less. Additionally, genetic diversity within each tree species also promotes forest productivity by increasing resource use efficiency and reducing damage from herbivores and fungi.
A new report reveals that animals are key to forest recovery by carrying a wide variety of seeds into deforested areas. Animals disperse over 80% of tree species in the tropics, and their presence near old-growth forests can improve restoration efforts.
Researchers found that summer rainfall and autumn-winter dry days are increasing, leading to fluvial discharge and sediment load in rainy seasons and water deficits in dry seasons. The Pantanal's complex geomorphology, including mega-fans and self-affine landforms, makes it susceptible to anthropic interference.
Eastern red bats, now the most commonly detected bat in Midwestern forests, have a significant impact on tree regeneration due to their appetite for insect-damaging bugs. Forest managers can benefit from considering these bats' landscape preferences, particularly ponds and smaller forest openings.
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.
The invasive spotted wing drosophila competes strongly with other fruit-eating species, causing massive ecological impacts on forests. The fly's presence alters fruit composition and visual cues, reducing consumption by birds and potentially disrupting seed-dispersal mutualisms.
A new study found that bats play a crucial role in protecting young tree seedlings from insect damage, with three times fewer bugs and five times more defoliation when bats are absent. The research reveals a mutually beneficial relationship between bats and oak trees, with bats serving as a key predator for insects that harm the trees.
Researchers from the University of Wyoming used NASA's Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) mission to collect high-resolution forest data, which improved their understanding of habitat relationships between forest carnivores and their prey species in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. The study paired GEDI data with other re...
A recent study found that companies' zero-deforestation supply chain commitments have reduced tree clearance in the Brazilian Amazon by only 1.6% between 2006 and 2015. Despite this, over 50% of soy-suitable forests in Brazil remain unprotected. Experts call for stronger regulations to effectively combat deforestation.
A multidisciplinary team will investigate how spatial patterns can prevent tipping points in ecosystems and promote resilience to climate change. The RESILIENCE project aims to identify novel directions to evade catastrophic ecosystem collapse.
Researchers at Nagoya University have developed a new method to study the life cycle of tree roots, shedding light on the decomposition process. They found that fine roots, which control nutrient uptake by trees, are discarded and decompose differently than leaf litter.
Ancient tree conservation is crucial for maintaining ecosystem integrity and mitigating climate change. The researchers propose a two-pronged approach to protect these trees, including germplasm conservation and forest rewilding.
Researchers study links between cyclones and forest fires, finding that cyclones can create conditions ripe for fires by damaging trees and altering microclimates. As climate change increases cyclone intensity, the risk of wildfires in previously fire-resistant ecosystems like rainforests grows.
A comprehensive classification of world's ecosystems across land, rivers, and wetlands enables effective biodiversity conservation and informed policy decisions. The typology helps policymakers and industry plan initiatives in full context, informing decisions on ecosystem protection and restoration efforts.
A new study reveals that losing endangered fruit-eating animals in the Atlantic Forest could severely disrupt seed-dispersal networks, leaving plants without an effective means to regenerate. Nearly 55% of specialist plant species rely solely on these frugivores for seed dispersal.
A study reveals critical weaknesses in current tree-planting strategies in US cities, suggesting ways to build more resilient and diverse ecosystems. Urban forests provide numerous health benefits, but few have assessed city tree biodiversity.
A new international study reveals termites' pivotal role in wood decay, contributing to the earth's carbon cycle, and their sensitivity to temperature and rainfall. Termites may increasingly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions with climate change.
Restoring relatively narrow strips of riverfront forests could substantially improve regional water quality and carbon storage in Costa Rica. The analysis shows that such buffers tend to be most beneficial in steep, erosion-prone, and intensively fertilized landscapes.
The study reveals that between 90 and 99 percent of all deforestation in the tropics is driven directly or indirectly by agriculture. The majority of deforestation results in land speculation or abandoned projects, rather than actively producing agricultural production.
Researchers found tropical soil microbes decline in diversity and increase CO2 emissions with simulated global warming. The findings threaten rainforest ecosystems and carbon storage, emphasizing the urgency for conservation.
Researchers at UMaine have developed a novel AI-based method for monitoring soil moisture in forests, using wireless sensor networks and machine learning to optimize energy efficiency. This approach could enable more efficient tracking of forest health, reducing costs and increasing reliability.
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 team led by Jianxi Gao developed equations to measure and compare distances to tipping points across various mutualistic systems, allowing for the triage of declining ecosystems. This method enables the identification of areas that need intervention most urgently, providing a critical sense of urgency to mobilize resources.
A Chinese research group found that China's natural climate solutions (NCS) can counterbalance 11-12% of industrial CO2 emissions by 2030. The study quantified NCS pathways, including conservation, restoration, and improved forest management, and estimated their contribution to climate change mitigation.
New research from the University of East Anglia finds that hydropower developments lead to flooding forests, driving biodiversity loss and ecosystem disruptions. The study reveals widespread species extinction, especially among large-bodied species, highlighting the need for sustainable energy security and biodiversity conservation.
Kelp forests, which sequester large amounts of atmospheric carbon, may struggle to trap it due to accelerating decomposition rates in warmer waters. A study found that sea temperature has a strong influence on decomposition rates, with kelp fragments degrading more slowly in cooler waters.
Scientists studied lightning's impact on Panama Canal forests, finding that some tree species, like palms, are more likely to die after a strike. Others, with denser wood and larger water vessels, are more resistant and may even store more carbon.
Researchers found that bioturbation by fiddler crabs increases soil pH and reduces salinity, creating a more hospitable environment for beneficial bacteria. These bacteria produce essential chemicals for iron trapping, improving mangrove plant growth.
A new study found that the global forest area per capita has declined by over 60% from 1960 to 2019, due to 81.7 million hectares of loss. This decline threatens biodiversity and affects the lives of 1.6 billion people worldwide.
A new resilience sensing system can identify areas in danger of collapse and measure the success of conservation efforts. Global average resilience has declined over the last 20 years, with regions such as the Amazon rainforest showing signs of loss of resilience.
Tree ring growth in Alaska's La Perouse glacier reveals a slowdown of growth as the glacier advanced and an increase in growth rates as it retreated. The findings provide insights into how ecosystems may respond to rapid climate change.
A global survey of biodiversity experts finds that more species are threatened with extinction than previously thought, with estimates suggesting 30% of species have been lost since 1500. The study identifies climate change, pollution, and land-use changes as key drivers of biodiversity loss.
A recent study by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University provides a method to help farmers and policymakers decide whether organic farming is beneficial for the environment. The researchers analyzed international studies to find a threshold where organic farming's biodiversity gain outweighs its land requirements.
Researchers found that kelp scraps availability determines urchin behavior, leading to a 50-fold decrease in kelp biomass when demand exceeds supply. This study helps explain the dynamics driving urchin-induced kelp forest collapse.
A major Amazon study reveals ecological threats, including deforestation, but also opportunities for sustainability through actions like halting deforestation and protecting secondary forests. Researchers found biodiversity and carbon storage gains from allowing mature secondary forests to regrow.
Researchers examine historical data and weather patterns to understand west-side wildfires' timing, size, and causes. They find that severe fires are normal for the region when looking at longer time scales, and conventional fire management tools may be less effective due to extreme winds.
Climate change affects mangrove forest's 'blue carbon' system through rising sea levels and ocean acidity. Mangrove forests store over 1,000 tons of carbon per hectare, crucial in mitigating climate change.