Researchers found that Swiss forests are no longer shielded from the worst effects of summer droughts, despite growing at high altitudes. The study, published in Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, reveals that the number of trees per stand is reduced due to drought, causing a progressive decline of these precious forests.
SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Forests and Global Change·TypeObservational study·DateOct 1, 2026
When temperatures spike, coast redwoods slow their photosynthesis, chemical reaction that turns sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into carbon for growth. This reduces their ability to
Researchers at UBC have developed tools that combine high-resolution satellite heat mapping with shade and equity modelling to identify urban hot spots and determine where new trees can deliver the greatest benefits. The tools can pinpoint areas as small as 700 square metres, about the footprint of a large residential lot, and suggest ...
A University of Cambridge-led team has created detailed 3D maps of the Cairngorms National Park, revealing the beginnings of large-scale recovery of native woodland. The maps show over six million individual trees, with 40% under five meters tall, and provide insights into habitat type and tree regeneration.
A study led by Göttingen University found that ethephon can delay flowering in sweet cherry varieties, potentially protecting them from frost damage. However, the treatment was not consistent across all varieties and regions, highlighting the need for further trials.
A new study published in Science reveals that protecting existing forests from disturbances, such as wildfires and selective logging, can provide the most significant benefits for biodiversity and carbon stocks. This approach is more cost-effective than restoration, particularly in regions where most of the original forest has already ...
A pilot study suggests that essential oils derived from Hinoki roots can help improve sleep quality by reducing nighttime awakenings and increasing delta-wave activity. Participants who used Hinoki root essential oil reported feeling more relaxed and refreshed in the morning.
Researchers create genetic map to understand spruce's transition from vegetative to reproductive development, identifying key genes and a previously unknown gene called DAL55. The study may have implications for the forestry industry and the development of climate-adapted spruce seedlings.
A recent international study identifies the importance of integrating different land use initiatives, involving various social groups, and continuously refining measures to prevent wildfires. The researchers advocate a long-term, preventive approach to shaping resilient landscapes that combine ecological, economic, and social objectives.
A UBC-led study finds that insects pose a more immediate threat to North American forests, with over 60% of areas projected to experience 30% more insect pressure by mid-century. Climate change and pests could jeopardize critical carbon sinks and air quality, costing billions of dollars in economic losses.
A large-scale study found that forests damaged by windstorms remain vulnerable to subsequent bark beetle or snow damage, depending on forest structure, climate, and topography. Forests with mixed stands and warmer conditions are more prone to bark beetle damage, while those on steeper terrain require closer monitoring for snow damage.
SUNY Chancellor King visited the Great New York State Fair, showcasing participating SUNY campuses and offering free admission to current and incoming students. The event highlights SUNY's agricultural, healthcare, and technology initiatives.
A policy analysis by Hasanuddin University reveals that Indonesia's shift from gradual rehabilitation to stricter enforcement has not fully addressed the underlying drivers of oil palm expansion in state forest zones. The study argues that sustainable forest restoration can only be achieved when environmental protection is pursued alon...
Climate researchers have discovered a significant increase in neighborhood-level hurricane warnings, widespread wildfires in the US, and unprecedented changes in Earth's energy budget. These findings suggest that greenhouse gases are driving these trends, with smoke and fire-related carbon emissions rising due to increased aridity.
A study by Colorado State University and others found that fast-moving forest fires burn more area severely, leaving fewer trees to reseed the landscape. This can lead to long-term ecological change rather than recovery.
A study found that tree felling caused more harm to residual trees than extraction, which harmed seedlings. Most damage was mild, but routine harvesting may weaken regeneration and future forest development. The findings suggest improved practices for sustainable timber production in Nepal's managed Sal forests.
A new study reveals that tree felling mainly damages the crowns of remaining mature trees, while timber extraction threatens young seedlings. The research highlights practical opportunities to reduce ecological damage during logging by better planning and operator training.
Research team identifies best strategies for managing native cacao trees in Peru, resulting in 59% higher yields after three years. Grafting native 'Blanco de Piura' cacao varieties onto fully grown trees increases productivity levels comparable to commercial clones.
Pastoral communities in Tiaty, Kenya, are adapting to climate variability by changing livestock patterns, farming practices, and settlement arrangements. These adaptations suggest a selective conversion of land from dense shrubland to mixed areas, with a focus on drought-tolerant crops and climate-resilient livestock species.
A new study found that unwritten social rules in small societies play a crucial role in regulating land use and maintaining forest regeneration sustainably. The research suggests that these norms can reduce the total amount of land cleared and promote biodiversity when used in moderation.
A new study found that prescribed burns reduced giant sequoia mortality by 77% and increased survival chances fourfold during the 2020 and 2021 Sierra Nevada wildfires. The research integrated remote sensing data to quantify pre-fire fuel structures and estimate wildfire outcomes for over 26,400 trees.
A new study from the University of Washington highlights the potential consequences of losing roadless protections on rivers and drinking water supply. The study found that over 80,000 miles of rivers receive some protection from the rule, reaching 25 million people across the country.
A new study uses machine learning to map tree density across Canada, the US, and Mexico, revealing regional patterns and estimated 339-514 billion trees, lower than previous estimates. The study also highlights the importance of forest definitions and tree-size thresholds in estimating tree abundance.
A new study evaluates four strategies for projecting tree diameters for rare species, finding that approaches incorporating species-level information produce more precise predictions. The researchers suggest a hybrid data grouping method with mixed modeling as particularly useful.
Planted forests in China experience more frequent flash droughts than natural forests, averaging 7.05 events every five years. In contrast, natural forests face more slow droughts, with a 12% lower risk of prolonged droughts.
Landsat 10 will process up to 1.8 gigabits of compressed data per second, capturing detailed images of the Earth's surface with unmatched radiometric precision. SwRI is developing control technology and operational simulators to regulate instrument temperature and position camera mirrors.
Researchers unveil a rigorous framework to fix global forest carbon credit systems, addressing methodological defects and promoting biodiversity conservation. The new standards aim to produce high-integrity climate assets while safeguarding community interests.
A new study by researchers from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences reveals that reforestation has varying effects on water resources under different warming scenarios. Under low-warming conditions, reforestation slightly increases global water but widens the gap between wet and dry regions. In contr...
A study reveals how tree crown structure affects competitive interactions in forests, with light-demanding species experiencing slowed growth near neighboring trees with different crowns. Shade-tolerant species show more flexible crown forms and are limited by nearby conspecifics, aligning with the Janzen Connell hypothesis.
A €6 million EU Horizon project is building Europe's first platform to coordinate a response to devastating agricultural and forest pest invasions. Plant health authorities will be able to model and optimise pest control strategies across the entire agri-value chain.
A study by researchers at the University of Minnesota found that improving land use and management can increase both economic output and environmental performance, without sacrificing one for the other. The analysis showed potential gains in biodiversity, climate change mitigation, and economic development, with possible increases of o...
Mangrove forests worldwide are no longer in net decline and are now growing overall, driven by natural regeneration and expansion. The research highlights a more hopeful trajectory for these ecosystems, which play a critical role in protecting coastlines and storing climate-warming carbon.
Global wildfire activity in 2025 resulted in destructive and deadly fire events, with 335 million hectares burned globally - 16% below the long-term average. The fires accounted for 38% of all insured natural hazard losses, with Canada experiencing its third consecutive year of extreme fire activity.
Soil animal communities exhibit greater trophic diversity in agricultural systems and tropical regions, driven by resource limitation and disturbance. This flexibility helps maintain soil functions but may reflect the loss of specialized species.
Researchers at John Innes Centre develop rapid seed germination protocol, reducing Ash dieback's impact. This new method has already produced over 2,000 seedlings for trials and research.
Researchers found that post-fire seedling establishment remained strong across key commercial species, Scots pine and birch, after combining prescribed burning with tree retention. Natural tree regeneration met or exceeded commercial standards, supporting biodiversity goals with sustainable forest management.
The SWIFTT platform uses Copernicus Sentinel satellite data and machine learning models to identify tree health changes, detect anomalies, and predict threats like spruce bark beetle outbreaks and wildfires. Foresters can access timely alerts, prioritize inspections, and coordinate clearing of dead wood to protect forests.
Researchers propose using terrain to deter conflict while delivering environmental benefits through restored forests, wetlands, and peatlands. These interventions support carbon storage, flood mitigation, and biodiversity recovery, acting as a form of deterrence by denial.
Mississippi State University researchers have developed an updated version of the Forest Valuation and Investment Analysis software program, known as FORVAL-XL, built specifically for Microsoft Excel. The new version includes features such as discounted cash-flow results, sensitivity analyses, and easy-to-read tables and graphs to supp...
A recent study by the University of Eastern Finland found that young translocal forest owners in Finland often compromise on their values due to financial incentives and limited information on alternative methods. Sentimental value was identified as a key factor, with forests holding emotional significance for many owners.
Researchers found that frequent fires increased light in the forest understory and reduced fire intensity. Almost twice as many young oak trees survived and resprouted in plots with more frequent fires.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin developed an electronic tattoo to track moisture levels in plant leaves with greater accuracy. The technology uses graphene and can measure hydration levels directly from live leaves, providing more information on plant ecosystem health.
Recent ESA research studies explore supply and demand of bird migration routes, scavenging by mid-sized carnivores, and polar bear adaptation to a thawing Arctic. A new metric compares bird demand with habitat supply to assess stopover sites along migratory routes.
Researchers developed a microwave-coupled solvent system to efficiently convert hemicellulose into furfural, achieving high yields under mild conditions. The approach demonstrated significant energy savings compared to conventional heating methods.
A comprehensive study reveals that staple crops such as maize, rice, and cassava are responsible for about 11% of all agriculture-driven deforestation globally. In contrast, major export-oriented commodities like cocoa, coffee, and rubber cause less than 5% of deforestation.
A new study reveals that old-growth forests in Sweden store 72% more carbon per acre than managed forests, with a significant gap due to soil losses. Restoring primary forests could keep nearly 8 billion tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
Research in the Amazon forest shows that reduced-impact logging techniques can increase above-ground biomass and contribute to mitigating climate change. The study found that RIL-FM increased biomass stock by 70.68 megagrams per hectare, while conventional logging resulted in a biomass loss.
A study predicts that forest damage in Europe will more than double by 2100 due to increased wildfires, storms, and bark beetle activity. The team used AI-based simulation models to estimate the impact of global warming on forest ecosystems.
Abarco trees show strong early growth but sensitivity to air humidity and sunlight intensity, according to a new six-year study. The research provides critical guidance for reforestation and sustainable forest management in Colombia's tropical regions.
Forest thinning found to improve wildfire risk reduction and hydrological resilience, increasing snowpack depth by 30% on north-facing slopes. The treatment recovered about 12.3 acre-feet of snow-stored water per 100 acres, equivalent to roughly 15 Olympic swimming pools per square kilometer.
SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Forests and Global Change·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 3, 2026
Researchers found that managed cropland soils produced the highest nitrous oxide emissions due to irrigation and fertilization, while natural ecosystems emitted lower amounts but showed a clear response to elevation. Climate change could shift the balance of greenhouse gas emissions across ecosystems in arid mountain regions.
Researchers at the University of Oulu have developed new bio-based resins that match or exceed the performance of fossil-based counterparts. The resins are produced from biomass-derived platform chemicals and offer a critical sustainability advantage: chemical recyclability.
Global study finds that nitrogen pollution causes forests to follow two distinct patterns in response to added nutrients, with some experiencing a boost and others collapsing. The findings highlight the importance of reducing nitrogen levels to stabilize forest soil carbon pools and maintain natural respiration rhythms.
Researchers have developed a new method for cleaning oil spills using massive fire whirls, which can burn through crude oil nearly twice as fast as in-situ fire pools. The results show that fire whirls produce 40% less soot and consume up to 95% of the fuel, leaving fewer harmful particles behind.
A comprehensive sectional classification of the Clematis genus has been established using robust phylogenomic evidence. The analysis identified 22 well-supported evolutionary clades and revised the infrageneric taxonomy into 22 distinct sections, resolving long-standing taxonomic ambiguities.
Researchers at the University of Göttingen found that forest soils in south-western Germany absorb more methane as climate conditions become drier and warmer. This contradicts current international meta-analyses, highlighting the importance of long-term monitoring for assessing the effects of climate change.
A new study suggests that strategic tree planting in Canada's northern forests could remove at least five times the country's annual carbon emissions, totaling around 19 gigatons by 2100. This would be a significant step towards Canada's goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050 and meeting its commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement.
Deer behavior changes when exposed to the smell of predators like lynx and wolves, reducing browsing damage to tree saplings. The study suggests using large carnivores as a natural solution to mitigate overbrowsing in recovering forests.
A new study reveals Nepal's community forestry program has widened the gap between rural poverty and social elite, leaving marginalized populations behind. Researchers suggest stricter monitoring and targeted payment schemes to reform the program and promote equity.
Researchers at the University of Oulu have developed a pine-bark-based water-treatment medium that efficiently removes antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals from wastewater treatment plant effluent. The method uses modified pine bark and combination materials, achieving removal efficiencies in the tens of percent to over 90%.