A team of scientists created a methodology that considers timber vulnerability, harvesting value, and fire behavior to estimate potential net losses from timber production and fire survival probability. This approach helps fire managers and planners evaluate the economic impacts of wildfires on timber resources.
The USDA Forest Service's Eastern Forest and Western Wildland Environmental Threat Assessment Centers have unveiled a new satellite-based monitoring and assessment tool called ForWarn. This web-based tool recognizes and tracks potential forest disturbances caused by various natural or human-caused events, providing near-real-time views...
A recent study published in Ecological Applications found that wildfires in northwestern California have not become more severe, despite increasing in size. The study suggests that less intense fires can be used to achieve ecological and management goals, offering a new approach to wildfire management.
The US Forest Service's Northern Research Station is part of an international team sequencing 1,000 fungal genomes as part of the DOE's Community Sequencing Program. This project aims to create an encyclopedia of all fungi, which will help researchers understand their roles in ecosystems and develop new products.
A new grant-funded project from the University of Copenhagen aims to investigate how Kenya's handling of natural resources contributes to instability in the country. The researchers will focus on the Mau Forest, a region affected by violent conflicts over resource access.
Indonesia is paying a high price for failing to give local communities enforceable rights to contested forests, causing significant economic losses and deforestation. The country continues as an outlier in the region, with less than 1% of its forestland legally recognized under local control.
African nations participated in a workshop to document the status of forest genetic resources, essential for conserving and sustainably managing forests. The project aims to cover over 3,000 species and gather comprehensive data on genetic diversity before it is lost forever.
A five-year study funded by DOD aims to assess the ability of longleaf pine ecosystems to absorb climate-changing carbon dioxide. Researchers will analyze data from Fort Polk, Fort Benning, and Camp Lejeune to develop biologically based models for managing these forests.
A new study by Syracuse University researchers reveals that the lack of FSC-certified sawmills and wood in New York state is causing a bottleneck for green construction. As a result, builders are forced to purchase FSC-certified wood outside of the state at a premium price.
A new chameleon species has been discovered in Tanzania's Magombera Forest, with the specimen named Kinyongia magomberae. The discovery highlights the importance of protecting this area, which is home to endangered red colobus monkeys and under threat from habitat loss.
Researchers found that timber harvest has a negative effect on amphibians' later life cycles, causing them to die when they leave the pond, but has a positive impact on their aquatic larval stage, allowing them to grow and thrive in open areas.
China has seen improvements in forest growth and marine ecosystem health, but severe pollution and biodiversity loss still threaten the country's environment. Despite major government efforts, China faces significant challenges in protecting its rich biodiversity.
A study by WCS field scientists found that a single road in the park can change how indigenous communities use their resources, leading to commercial hunting and wildlife depletion. The researchers recorded over 11,000 kilograms of wild meat moving through markets between 2005-2007, with prices increasing by up to 60%.
The US Forest Service has awarded a grant to study the threats to Guam's fadang tree, a culturally and biologically significant species. The ongoing research aims to understand the cascading responses of other plants and insects as the fadang population declines.
Researchers from the University of Cincinnati have found evidence that ancient Maya people deliberately conserved forest resources. The team discovered that when they abandoned their forest conservation practices, it led to the downfall of the Maya culture due to soil erosion and loss of water retention.
This issue of BioScience explores strategies for managing biological resources, including optimizing forest responses to climate change. The journal also examines the ecological roles of mesocarnivores and the impact of mercury contamination on sport fish in the Northeastern United States.
A study by the USDA Forest Service found that Indianapolis street trees annually intercept 318.9 million gallons of rainfall, valued at $1.98 million, and reduce electricity use by over 6,447 megawatt hours, worth $432,000. The trees also improve air quality and increase property values.
A group of stakeholders, including forest wood-product businesses, environmental groups and public land agencies, worked with scientists to identify the potential volume of wood resources available from more than 2 million acres of Arizona forests. The analysis estimates a potential supply of up to 850 million cubic feet of wood and 8 ...
A recent study found significant discrepancies between the National Dysphagia Diet (NDD) guidelines and prepared dysphagia diet foods (DDFs), which may lead to malnutrition and aspiration. The researchers tested four different DDFs and found that only one aligns with NDD guidelines, prompting a change in the hospital's food selection p...
Elinor Ostrom proposes a flexible framework for resource management, considering factors such as governance systems, resource users, and innate productivity. The framework aims to improve conservation strategies by working with local people and adapting to unpredictable human behavior.
A study found that mature forest produces almost 10 times as much sugar per hectare than recently logged forest, but overall honey yields are still high due to extensive flowering. Nectar production in young trees regrowing after logging is not significantly affected, contradicting beekeepers' concerns.
Researchers have developed cellulose nanocrystals that can block cell receptors, potentially leading to new vaccine formulations. The crystals can also be used for targeted drug delivery and precise inkjet printing, overcoming safety concerns associated with traditional methods.
A collaborative research project has sequenced and assembled the complete genome of Pichia stipitis, a native xylose-fermenting yeast. This breakthrough will increase efficiency and economic viability in bioconversion by enabling simultaneous fermentation of glucose and xylose.
A new method of measuring forest cover considers volume, biomass, and captured carbon, showing a growing trend in most countries. Richer nations with higher GDP per capita tend to have more forested areas, biomass, and carbon.
A recent University of Alberta study found that rainforest conservation can be economically viable, with increased entrance fees preserving up to 90% of forest bird species. The research suggests that the benefits of conservation should be distributed to local communities.
The Mayan 'royal lady' bee is on the brink of extinction as its traditional propagation method is lost. The authors propose a conservation strategy involving step-by-step instructions for basic stingless beekeeping, aiming to revive this vital pollinator.
The study found that larger herd sizes grant better social status, land, and income, but also lead to deforestation and water scarcity. Poor families with small herds rely on charcoal sales, affecting animal health and child nutrition.
Michigan State University ecologist Jianguo 'Jack' Liu says embracing ambiguity is key to environmental policy, focusing on interactions of different policies rather than isolated fixes. Liu's work at China's Wolong Nature Reserve shows unexpected effects from policies due to human nature and complexity.
Researchers are exploring ways to combat the devastating impact of the Asian woody adelgid on western North Carolina's hemlock forests. CAMCORE, a global forest conservation program, is working with natural predators and developing resistant tree varieties to preserve genetic diversity.
A study by Brown University researchers found that economic incentives and conservation policies contributed to an increase in forest cover in rural India. The growing demand for forest products was met by planting new trees rather than exploiting existing forests.
The National Census found that only 3,407 adult day centers are operating in the US, serving primarily individuals with dementia and frail elderly. However, a staggering 5,415 new centers are needed nationwide to address the growing demand for long-term care services.
Research by the USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station sheds light on red-cockaded woodpecker conservation, revealing a preference for older pine trees with resin-rich bark. The study also shows that converting loblolly pine stands to longleaf pines can increase available food for endangered woodpeckers.
The Northeastern States Research Cooperative has awarded nearly $1.8 million in research grants for studies of the Northern Forest and its communities. These grants will support projects such as measuring invasive species movement, tracking land use impacts on water quality, and evaluating forest ecosystem services.
The project, initiated in 1997, incorporates multiple viewpoints from the scientific, corporate, and environmental communities to balance ecology and economics in forestry management. The team's approach has formed notable partnerships and is regarded as a model for others striving to achieve this balance.
The USGS report synthesizes current information to document the changing nation's biological resources, identifying key factors affecting biological resources nationwide. Land use, water use, and nonindigenous species are the primary factors having broad-scale effects.