Articles tagged with Forest Ecosystems
A global study found that deforestation-fuelled heat is making work increasingly intolerable for millions across the Tropics. The research highlights how tropical forests provide natural air-conditioning services, and warns of disproportionate heat exposure for populations in deforested areas.
A study found that a sea level drop 2,000 years ago caused the decline of Sambaqui society, forcing groups to disperse into smaller social units. The remaining populations intensified fishing, exploiting high-trophic level species.
Research found that cacao agroforestry systems support unique bird species in tropical dry forests, while bats are more abundant in these areas than in nearby forests. This suggests that cacao farms can serve as biodiversity-friendly oases, providing food and refuge for birds and bats.
A study by VUB researcher Ari Ximenes uncovered factors that prevent mangroves from spreading in South America. Longshore drift and chilling temperatures are major factors hindering the southward expansion of mangrove species.
Research by University of Nevada, Reno and Oregon State University found that adequate snowpack is crucial for revegetation following forest fires. The study showed that climate change has led to a decline in snowpack, which will negatively impact post-wildfire vegetation recovery.
A new Stanford analysis provides empirical evidence that wildfire is accelerating tree species range shifts toward cooler, wetter sites. The study found that two species had larger range shifts in areas burned by wildfire.
Aspen recovery in Yellowstone National Park has been found to be less robust than previously believed due to biased sampling methods. Random sampling of all young aspen within a stand revealed a slower rate of recovery compared to the five tallest young aspen, which were used in previous studies.
A new study found that free-roaming domestic cats are the likely cause of toxoplasmosis in wildlife, with healthy ecosystems providing protection against these pathogens. The researchers suggest limiting cat roaming can reduce the impact of Toxoplasma on wildlife.
Scientists have investigated the sporulation potential of Phytophthora ramorum on common California plant species. Most species produced spores, with bay laurel and tanoak producing significantly more than others. This study helps predict disease trajectories and informs forest treatment plans.
Researchers found that bacterial communities in streams adjacent to young secondary forests recover to resemble those of mature forest streams within a decade after cattle is removed from the land. This study provides hope for restoring water quality through passive reforestation, which can be crucial for human health and the environment.
A new study found that consuming sustainably sourced wild meat instead of domesticated livestock reduces greenhouse gas emissions and retains precious tropical forest systems. This can lead to significant financial incentives for forest conservation through carbon credit revenues, totaling millions of dollars per year.
Research in Borneo suggests that forest patches adjacent to palm oil plantations provide critical habitats for generalist species, including the Asian water monitor lizard. These refuges help maintain biodiversity in oil palm-dominated landscapes.
A new plant species, Aenigmanu alvareziae, has been identified after nearly 50 years of scientists unable to classify it. The plant's DNA analysis revealed its closest relatives were in the Picramniaceae family.
A new study explores ways to make payments for hydrological services (PHS) programs more effective and financially sustainable in Mexico. Residents are willing to pay for improved water quality, regulated quantity, and biodiversity conservation, highlighting the potential of PHS to enhance ecosystem preservation.
A European map has been created to show the insulating effect of forests, which cool the air by 2.1°C in summer and keep temperatures 2°C higher than ambient air in winter. This finding highlights the crucial role of forests in regulating temperature and provides shelter for wildlife.
Researchers discovered an ancient mangrove ecosystem in the Yucatan Peninsula, revealing how coastal mangroves adapted to a warmer world with higher sea levels. The study provides insights into past climate change impacts and its relevance to future scenarios of relative sea-level rise.
A 10-year study in Panama's Barro Colorado Island found that liana density increased dramatically due to natural canopy disturbance, with most of the growth attributed to gaps in the canopy. The study suggests that environmental factors like climate change may also be contributing to this phenomenon, but to a lesser extent.
Researchers at OSU have developed a straightforward approach to assessing ecosystem health, which can be applied globally.
Research finds that human settlement led to increased fires and soil erosion, altering unique island ecosystems in Macaronesia. The study also shows that colonial-era settlers had a greater impact on vegetation than aboriginal settlers.
Research from the University of East Anglia found that communities living within Amazonian Sustainable-Use Protected Areas enjoy better access to essential services, including healthcare, education, and electricity. These areas also lead to improved livelihoods, with household wealth and life satisfaction increasing significantly.
Ancient human societies adapted to tropical ecosystem dynamics, revealing their adaptability and resourcefulness. By studying these past interactions with the environment, scientists can better understand how to conserve tropical environments.
Researchers found that high biodiversity enhances ecosystem functions by 20%, with environmental heterogeneity significantly boosting this positive impact. Species richness was more important for ecosystem functioning than species turnover in African ecosystems along Mount Kilimanjaro's elevational gradient.
A University of Queensland-led study found that nearly 85% of coastal areas leach sediment to coral reefs, a major threat. Reforestation can help by reducing sediment transport, increasing light levels for coral growth and reproduction. Land restoration is crucial for building coral resilience.
Researchers found that trees are tapping into bedrock for water, a phenomenon previously thought to be rare. The study, led by Erica McCormick at UT Austin, suggests that bedrock is a significant source of water for trees, with rock moisture outdoing soil as a water source in many cases.
A new study quantifies the contribution of agricultural and forest fires to poor air quality in Southeast Asia, finding that preventing these fires could reduce premature deaths by an estimated 59,000 annually. The region's poorest communities are disproportionately exposed to air pollution from these fires.
The study reveals that climate change affects the rate of decomposition and insect contributions to deadwood, releasing approximately 10.9 giga-tons of carbon worldwide annually
A new study assesses the impact of environmental policies on Amazon biodiversity, finding that 40-73,400 square miles of rainforest have been affected by fires since 2001. The research highlights the need for strong antideforestation policies and recognition of Indigenous lands to protect the region's biodiversity.
Researchers found that invasive shrubs absorb more sunlight and lower air temperatures on the forest floor, giving them a competitive advantage. This phenomenon may explain why invasive plants negatively impact bees, butterflies, and amphibians in forest understories.
Researchers found that many collectors are planting seeds in forests to conserve wild populations, but also using commercially acquired seeds from online purchases, threatening the plant's gene pool. The study aims to better understand ginseng forest farming and promote conservation efforts in Pennsylvania.
Researchers found that Indigenous Territories are as effective as Protected Areas in preserving forest's carbon stocks, with some areas showing up to 10% more carbon storage. The study suggests that securing land titles and formalizing forest co-governance can bring multiple benefits for both indigenous people and national governments.
A study found that fires in the Amazon's wettest areas destroy small and medium-sized trees, leading to a loss of biomass and carbon stocks. The destruction can last for decades, with saplings and bushes being among the first to die.
Decades of fire suppression have eliminated valuable wildlife habitat, but allowing lightning fires to burn has restored a resilient ecosystem with increased plant and pollinator biodiversity. This approach also limits the severity of wildfires and increases water availability during droughts.
Research by University of Washington and US Forest Service scientists reveals a dramatic shift in nighttime air's drying power over the Western US, increasing wildfire activity. This shift is not captured in climate models, with some areas experiencing water loss doubling up on warmer nights.
Paleobotanists describe two new genera of ancient conifers based on beautifully preserved fossil seed cones from the Upper Cretaceous of Hokkaido, Japan. The discovery sheds light on the diversity and decline of cunninghamioid conifers during the Cretaceous period.
A new study by researchers at the University of Waterloo found that Indigenous fire stewardship increases biodiversity and ecosystem heterogeneity across all major terrestrial biomes. Cultural burning reduces risks of interface fires and has important cultural practices for resource management, community protection, and cultural purposes.
A Japanese research team found that residents who engage in activities like camping and hiking experience increased happiness, while ownership has no effect. The study suggests better policies for enhancing forest relationships and measuring happiness based on the types of forest happiness.
Research from Utah State University finds that large trees in western forests benefit from mycorrhizal connections to fungi, which enhance nutrient uptake and provide defense against pathogens. Diverse forest networks offer greater protection for these giant trees.
A recent study found that mangrove invertebrates exhibit extremely low functional redundancy, with most species fulfilling only one functional entity, posing a significant threat to mangrove functionality and resilience.
Insect pests like the spruce budworm can increase mortality rates of threatened ungulates by altering forest understory composition. This study reveals a positive association between moose density and deciduous vegetation, which in turn supports higher wolf populations and caribou mortality.
The study reveals that nearly 20 percent of intact tropical forests overlap with mining and oil concessions, posing a significant threat to these ecosystems. The total area of overlap is approximately 376,449 square miles, about the size of Egypt.
Researchers at TUM used AI to simulate forest fires in Yellowstone National Park, finding that climate change scenarios predict a 28-59% loss of forest coverage by 2100. The study highlights the urgent need for climate protection measures and their impact on biodiversity and recreational value.
New research reveals that destroying tropical ecosystems leads to reduced soybean income by an average of US$100 per hectare per year due to increased extreme heat. Conservation of the Amazon and Cerrado biomes can prevent this damage, estimated to cost the sector US$3.55 billion annually.
Researchers found that mobile lidar scanning consistently provided accurate structural metrics and estimates of canopy cover and landscape metrics in various forest types and configurations. The technology has the potential to monitor a variety of forest attributes at a lower cost than other platforms.
Researchers found that altered streamside woodlands in arid regions stayed greener longer into the dry season and were less responsive to changes in groundwater levels. This threatens the long-term survival of natural forest communities and ecosystem functions.
A study reveals that California's stream ecosystems are being harmed by human-diverted water, creating an unintended dependence on artificial supplies. This threatens the long-term survival of natural communities and highlights the need for changes in water management.
Scientists from the University of Göttingen and the Gobabeb Namib Research Institute investigated the long-term results of an experiment from 1979. They found that poisonous substances from Euphorbia damarana leaves did not induce fairy circles, contradicting Theron's original hypothesis.
A Yale-led study reveals that early humans were ecosystem engineers, using fire to prevent forest regrowth and create open woodlands. This finding suggests that humans were learning to use fire in novel ways by the Late Pleistocene period.
A new analysis by researchers from around the world offers a deeper understanding of species interactions and their impact on ecosystem diversity. The study found that closely-related tree species interact weakly with each other, while distantly-related pairs can interact with surprising strength.
The current loss of tropical forest fauna impedes achieving SDGs, threatening food security, infectious disease outbreaks, and climate change mitigation. Defaunation also jeopardizes human well-being and cultural significance.
Researchers found evidence of sound-related genes in corals, which could enable them to use sound to interact with their environment. This discovery has significant implications for understanding coral communication and developing restoration and conservation projects to protect these critical ecosystems.
A new study by Simon Fraser University finds that ancient Indigenous-managed forests, or
New research reveals Andean forests have high potential to store carbon under climate change. The study, which analyzed data from 119 forest-monitoring plots across the Andes Mountains, found that Andean forests are acting as aboveground carbon sinks.
A study found that land use legacies, such as agriculture and forestry, can have lasting impacts on ecosystems, with only limited effects from restoration efforts. The researchers discovered that soil compaction, a common issue caused by agricultural use, was difficult to mitigate through restoration alone.
Tropical forest soils capture carbon dioxide into organic matter interacting with soil minerals, leading to reduced CO2 emissions. Excessive nitrogen deposition stimulates soil carbon storage by 7-21% in tropical forests.
Researchers are studying the complex relationships within an ecosystem to understand how nature regenerates itself. The team will focus on key processes like predator-prey relationships and tree-pollinator interactions to measure the complexity in the resurgent ecosystem.
The USDA Forest Service has established a new urban long-term ecological research site in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, focusing on the dynamics of urban nature and social systems. The project aims to improve environmental outcomes for all city residents, addressing disparities in access to urban benefits.
Research reveals that prolonged periods of terrestrial invertebrates in rivers lead to monopolization by larger fish, altering food webs and ecosystem functions. In contrast, pulsed periods enable smaller fish to access benthic invertebrates, resulting in reduced leaf breakdown rates.
Researchers developed a method using satellite imagery to measure the depth of thaw directly above permafrost in boreal ecosystems by analyzing variations in forest color. This approach provides more accurate estimates of permafrost depth, essential for climate modeling and monitoring permafrost thaw rates.
Ecosystem collapse is occurring in 19 case studies across Australia and Antarctica, driven by global climate change and human impacts. A three-step framework to combat irreversible damage is proposed, emphasizing awareness, anticipation, and action to protect key ecosystems.
Repeated fires alter tree communities, reducing biomass and individual trees by up to 72% over 50 years. Regions with extreme climate variations are most sensitive to fire frequency changes.