Articles tagged with Forest Ecosystems
A new study by Portland State University geographer Andrés Holz tracked ecosystem changes over 10,000 years, finding that climate and frequent forest fires were the primary drivers of change in west-central Patagonia.
Scientists analyzed NASA's Aqua satellite records to find that rising maximum temperatures are affecting every ecosystem on the planet, from ice sheets to tropical forests. Temperature extremes coincided with severe droughts and heat waves across the globe, particularly in tropical regions and northern hemisphere.
A recent study by UPV/EHU researchers shows that the interaction between the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) controls forestry productivity in the Iberian Peninsula. The research reveals how these climate modes affect droughts, winters, and ecosystem productivity.
Researchers developed a new remote-sensing method to map functional diversity of forests from small to large scales, independent of predefined vegetation units or species information. This allows for the assessment of forest health, resource use efficiency, and adaptation to environmental conditions.
A global analysis of arboreal vertebrate species reveals that 85% are drawn to or shun the edges of forests, with positive effects on 46% and negative impacts on 39%. This study highlights the need for conservation programs to safeguard large forest areas from fragmentation.
A new study using DNA metabarcoding technology is helping to improve the monitoring of Canada's vital boreal forest. The approach enables quick and accurate detection of aquatic organisms, providing valuable insights into ecosystem health.
Researchers found that tree species with drought tolerance traits and soil amendments like rice hulls and hydrogel improved seedling survival. The study provides a general approach to screen native tree species for restoration, offering hope for restoring tropical dry forests.
Researchers from MIT and global partners conducted a comprehensive survey of atmospheric chemistry in a Colorado forest, identifying previously unmeasured semi-volatile and intermediate-volatility organic compounds. The findings provide new insights into air quality, ecosystem health, and climate change.
The Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve in Kuala Lumpur still retains important biodiversity, with 425 plant species recorded, including 159 new species. The reserve's diversity was confirmed through surveys conducted between April 2015 and May 2016.
A Johns Hopkins paleontologist and her team report that human arrival and activity led to the extinction of native mammal species in the Caribbean. The study found that 60% of endemic mammals went extinct after humans arrived, with current conservation efforts focusing on protecting bats and insectivores.
A University of Utah-led study finds that targeted forest regeneration can increase the survival time of bird communities up to 56-fold in two biodiversity hotspots. The cost of regeneration is estimated between $21 and $49 million dollars, offering a high return on investment for biodiversity conservation.
A study found that drought recovery depends on post-drought weather conditions and location. In general, most areas recover in under six months, while high-latitude regions need up to two years. Climate models predict more frequent droughts, which could lead to a double whammy effect if ecosystems are hit before they recover.
A new study by ICRAF and Princeton University proposes payment schemes for rural communities to protect and restore China's native forests on collectively owned land. The researchers argue that existing policies neglect these lands and fail to promote biodiversity and ecosystem health.
A new study applies a maximum entropy theory of ecology to describe natural systems and communities without light-limitation parameters. The model, called MaxEnt, uses coarse information to derive detailed distributions and accurately describes ecological patterns.
A recent study explores the species-area relationship and volume-species relation, finding that higher canopies are associated with more plant species due to increased biospace. This correlation is observed across different climate zones, suggesting a fundamental role in ecology.
Researchers found that using holistic ecosystem management increases the value of stored natural capital in the Baltic Sea fishery ecosystem over five decades. The study highlights the critical role of interactions between commercially important species and how these interactions impact the overall system's wealth.
Research shows that top predators like wolves need continuous territories to effectively control ecosystems. Fragmented wolf populations, such as in North America, are unable to control smaller predators like coyotes.
A new study links the loss of Central American tropical forests to cocaine trafficking, with an estimated 30-60% of forest losses occurring within protected areas. Researchers estimate that cocaine trafficking may account for up to 30% of total forest loss in Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua over the past decade.
The Isle Royale wolf population has remained unchanged for the second year in a row, with only two wolves left on the island. The moose population is expected to double over the next three to four years, leading to increased vegetation consumption and potentially altering the island's ecosystem.
Researchers have discovered two new species of parasitic orchids, Gastrodia nipponicoides and Gastrodia okinawanesis, on the main island of Okinawa. The plants are related to the common orchid Gastrodia nipponica but can be distinguished by differences in their petals' lips and column structure.
A study from the University of Vermont found that imitating old-growth forests enhances carbon storage in managed forestland. The new technique, called structural complexity enhancement, showed higher levels of carbon storage than conventional forestry methods.
A new study led by University of Wyoming researchers reveals that dust is a crucial factor in mountainous forest ecosystems, dominating nutrient budgets despite continuous erosion. The study found that dust contains plant-essential nutrients like phosphorus, which is more abundant than nutrients from bedrock.
A new study found that dust provides important inputs of the plant-growth limiting nutrient phosphorus to western Sierra Nevada ecosystems. This discovery has implications for predicting forest response to changes in climate and land use.
Researchers have found that dust from the Gobi Desert is providing more phosphorus than previously thought for plants in the Sierra Nevada mountains, including giant sequoias. The study suggests that dust may be shaping this iconic California ecosystem and could help predict forest response to climate change.
A new study led by University of Nebraska-Lincoln ecologist John Benson found that eastern coyotes hunt moose and other large prey far less frequently than does the eastern wolf. The findings suggest that eastern coyotes have not filled the ecological niche left vacant when the eastern wolf became threatened.
A study found that the average distance from any point in the United States to the nearest forest increased by 14% between 1990 and 2000. This increase is more pronounced in rural areas than in urban settings, posing challenges for wildlife and broad effects on ecosystems.
The study found that Central Africa's forest elephant population has dropped by over 80% in a decade, mainly due to illegal poaching. The researchers emphasize the need to reduce demand for ivory and recognize forest elephants as a distinct species to save them from extinction.
A team of researchers has discovered a vast array of exceptionally preserved fossils, including delicate skeletons and soft tissues, from the immediate aftermath of the Ordovician mass extinction. The Anji Biota records an astonishing range of diverse sponge species, with many thriving in large and complex ecosystems.
New research shows that forests 'held their breath' during the recent global warming slowdown, releasing less carbon back into the atmosphere. During this period of slower warming, worldwide forests took up more carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and stored it in the natural environment.
A new study reveals that grazing pressures compound drought stress, delaying recovery and reducing ecosystems' tipping points. Grazing animals and fungal pathogens can kill drought-weakened vegetation, preventing plants from recovering.
A study led by the University of Washington found that large forest die-offs can alter global climate patterns and affect vegetation on the other side of the world. Removing trees in western North America causes cooling in Siberia, while forests in South America benefit from increased precipitation.
Canadian and European boreal forests have distinct differences in terms of dominant shrubs, animal cycles, and predator-prey dynamics. The research found that climate is the primary factor driving these differences.
A new study suggests that global warming above 1.5°Celsius will drastically transform Mediterranean ecosystems, producing species never seen before in the past 10,000 years. The region's biodiversity and services, including clean water and carbon storage, are critical to human well-being.
A five-year study in Harvard and Duke forests found that adding warmth predicted in climate-change models destabilized forest ant communities. The loss of stability makes communities less resilient and slower to rebound when disturbed, with relative abundance of thermophilic species growing while heat-intolerant species declining.
A recent study suggests that the digital rectal exam (DRE) is no longer necessary for prostate cancer screening due to its limited effectiveness and potential risks. The DRE has been shown to capture an additional small population of men with significant prostate cancer, but it also subjects a large number of men to unnecessary tests.
The Jasper Ridge Global Change Experiment found that warming had negative effects on plant growth, while elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide showed no consistent response. Plant growth peaked when precipitation was close to historic averages, highlighting the need for ambitious climate action to stabilize warming and protect ecosystems.
A new study reveals that amphetamine pollution in urban streams stunts biofilm growth, changes bacterial and diatom communities, and speeds up aquatic insect emergence. The research highlights the need for innovations in wastewater management to mitigate the effects of pharmaceutical and illicit drug pollution on freshwater resources.
Researchers at Umeå University emphasize the importance of integrating forest and aquatic ecosystems in restorations to retain biodiversity and ecosystem services. Restoring riparian zones can increase production and diversity by facilitating nutrient cycling between land and water.
A Griffith University study found that high-frequency fires can disrupt nutrient cycling and modify beetle populations in some forest ecosystems. The research aims to improve fire frequency management by understanding the effects on soil, plant, animal, and microbial communities.
Several southeastern US ecosystems are highly vulnerable to climate change, including Caribbean coastal mangrove, Edwards Plateau limestone shrubland, and southern Appalachian balds. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and rising sea levels pose significant threats to these ecosystems.
A study by University of California - Davis researchers found that drought conditions significantly impact Douglas fir tree growth, with warmer and drier conditions causing the most stress. The analysis of tree core samples over a 91-year period indicates projected decline in growth rates under future climate change scenarios.
Researchers have found cold snaps in sub-tropical ecosystems and droughts in rainforests due to human influence. The study also explores new relationships among species arising from global changes, highlighting the need for understanding ecosystem structure and function.
A new study reveals that China's conservation programs have improved ecosystem services, with notable increases in food production and carbon sequestration. However, some areas experienced decreases in habitat provision and air and water quality remained a concern.
Research reveals that giant sequoia leaves respond to environmental conditions, with upper crown leaves having more fibers and transfusion tissue. These traits enable the trees to store more carbon and water, promoting growth and resilience in drought conditions.
Jerry Franklin, a professor at the University of Washington, has been named 2016's Eminent Ecologist by the Ecological Society of America. He is credited with pioneering research on old-growth forests and challenging clear-cutting practices to promote healthy forest ecosystems. His work has had a significant impact on forestry and fore...
Researchers found that diverse soil animal communities lead to better decomposition of leaves, regardless of region or management practices. A study of 80 forests in Germany and Sumatra revealed that high species richness and biomass explain spatial turnover in ecosystem functioning.
The Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest has been a hub for long-term ecological research, revealing the impact of acid rain, clear-cutting, and climate change on forest ecosystems. The research has informed policy measures and inspired collaborations among federal agencies and academic scientists.
The loss of oldest female elephants guides their families to resources and holds decades of social knowledge. This could cause cascading effects on ecosystem function, as these females play a crucial role in seed dispersal and maintaining habitats.
A new study highlights the urgent need for the US to step up forest pest prevention measures, as imported pests cause over $2 billion in damages annually. Strengthening prevention efforts could alleviate economic burdens on homeowners and municipalities while safeguarding US trees.
The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies will conduct a five-year study in Dutchess County, New York, to reduce Lyme disease risk. Researchers will target feeding and questing ticks using commercially available products, aiming to make neighborhoods safer.
Researchers suggest targeting over-exploitation of resources like forests and fisheries by partitioning ecosystems into specialized harvesting niches. This approach could lead to higher sustainable quotas and productive industrial systems.
A recent study reveals that societies follow common development patterns, leading to overexploitation of natural resources and ecosystems. The Living Planet Index and Human Development Index show a stark contrast between Western countries' environmental degradation and developing countries' accelerating resource depletion. To avoid cat...
University of Missouri researchers analyzed historical forest surveys from the 1800s to gain insights into how natural disturbances and human actions shape forest conditions. They found that historical forests had more total biomass, likely sequestering more carbon than current forests.
The paper inventories 1,268 biological field stations globally, highlighting their importance for long-term data collection, education, and public engagement. The author emphasizes the need for sustainable frameworks, improved governance, and increased public awareness to ensure these stations' success.
Researchers found that unmanaged forests remain productive despite surface ozone pollution, due to differential sensitivity among tree species. Ozone impacts are more pronounced in low-diversity systems like crops and managed forests.
Research from the University of Colorado Boulder found that newly-exposed edges of deforested areas can lead to hotter, drier conditions for remaining forests. This could affect species' ability to regulate their body temperatures, altering local ecosystems.
A New Brunswick family's initial attempt to trap snowshoe hares for sport inadvertently created an ecological experiment that shaped the vegetation of tiny Hay Island and Kent. The hares' impact, including mowing down young saplings and altering tree growth patterns, has now been reversed as scientists monitor the island's recovery.
Researchers found that dominant ant species in tropical rainforests consume the majority of food resources, making ecosystems vulnerable. The study also revealed that efficient species can dominate systems, increasing resource turnover but making them more vulnerable to decline.
The global checklist of hornworts and liverworts is a crucial component of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, aiming to halt plant diversity loss. The initiative has been developed by an international team of researchers, who have utilized existing datasets and centralised nomenclature, taxonomy, and geography on a global scale.
The world lost more than twice as much interior forest area than it gained between 2000 and 2012, with a net loss of 3.76 million square kilometers. This resulted in a fragmentation of remaining forests, increasing ecological risks.