Articles tagged with Forestry
Ecosystem services from boreal forests, including carbon capture and water filtration, are estimated to be worth $160 per hectare, totaling $93 billion/year in Canada. Globally, the value is around $250 billion per year. A natural capital accounting system is recommended to reflect these values.
A recent study examines the effectiveness of forest certification programs in developing countries, finding that existing demand from North American and European markets has not significantly influenced forest management choices. The book argues that increased commercial support is needed for improved environmental and social practices.
New research reveals squirrel poxvirus is wiping out red squirrels in northern England at a rate 17-25 times higher than areas unaffected by the virus. Targeted grey squirrel control at narrow entry points is recommended to save the species.
A recent study published in Policy Sciences examines the ethnic differences in job quality among US forest workers. The research reveals that Hispanic workers face more onerous jobs with fewer benefits, including less job security and no health insurance compared to white workers.
Plant diseases such as Dutch elm disease and dogwood anthracnose threaten urban tree health, while environmental stresses like flooding and pollution harm their vitality. Urban forestry experts emphasize the importance of managing these issues for community well-being.
The Valles Caldera Trust employs science-based adaptive management to monitor natural resources and adjust management activities in response to changing conditions. This approach, pioneered by forest ecologist Thomas Swetnam, aims to improve the long-term sustainability of federal lands like national parks and forests.
A $10M grant will support Yale-India environmental ties through collaborative programs in energy, climate change, and sustainable development. The partnership aims to produce decision makers and leaders in India who prioritize environmental conservation and sustainable growth.
A nationwide study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that even very low levels of ozone increase the risk of premature death. The study suggests that further reductions in ozone pollution would benefit public health, even in areas that meet current regulatory standards.
Tropical regions are facing growing fire hazards, leading to more severe impacts on local ecosystems. The study found that repeated fires are causing cumulative stress to sensitive species.
ICWater is a computer-based tool that integrates multiple information sources and data from incident commanders to help predict contaminant reach times for drinking water intakes. The tool is currently used by water utilities and response teams in the US, with an operational version set to be deployed nationally by summer 2006.
The report found a lack of data on landowner biodiversity policy, calling for new sources and incentives to promote sustainable forestry. Scientists also identified the need for annual tracking of large parcel transactions to ensure responsible stewardship.
Yale is establishing an online library for developing countries to access peer-reviewed scientific literature. The project aims to increase the ability of scientists in underdeveloped nations to conduct high-quality research and develop educational programs.
Jones' master of science thesis described a new species and subspecies of freshwater mussel, utilizing modern genetic techniques in addition to traditional methods. His research highlights the importance of multi-faceted approaches in understanding biodiversity.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are using stream fish to assess water quality, finding that different species respond to pollution in unique ways. This study aims to improve the accuracy of water quality assessments by incorporating fish movement patterns and diversity.
Peter A. Raymond, Yale assistant professor of ecosystem ecology, has received the 2005 Cronin Award for his research on rivers, estuaries, and coastal systems' role in carbon budgets. He studies climate and land use's impact on river carbon transfer and collaboration with researchers on air-water CO2 exchange.
A research group has identified a messenger molecule, produced by the FT gene, that induces flower formation in plants. This breakthrough resolves the long-standing mystery of Florigen, a substance thought to control plant flowering, and opens up new possibilities for plant breeding and forestry.
The BP Conservation Programme has announced a new five-year initiative to support global biodiversity conservation. The program has provided annual support to teams of conservationists for 15 years, with past projects describing approximately 25 species new to science and influencing local community environmental awareness.
The Aldo Leopold Leadership Program has moved to Stanford University and awarded new fellowships to 19 environmental scientists in 2005. The fellows will receive training on communicating environmental science to policymakers, media, business leaders, and the public.
The loss of gray wolves in western North America has triggered ecological effects on elk populations, beaver, birds, fish, and even tree species, leading to collapsing health of aspen and other vegetation.
A large-scale study conducted from 1987 to 2000 found a strong link between short-term changes in ground-level ozone and mortality in 95 urban areas, covering 40% of the US population. The study suggests that reducing daily ozone levels by 10 parts per billion could save up to 4,000 lives annually.
Uganda's forests generate significant income from forest products like charcoal and firewood, contributing up to 36% of annual income for local people. The report concludes that conserving these forests is crucial in alleviating poverty, but current efforts face funding constraints.
A five-year study by Virginia Tech researchers found that lead bullets do not leach into water tables or streams after landing on controlled shooting ranges. The study's findings suggest that lead is mostly absorbed in the top few inches of soil and does not pose a significant risk to wildlife.
The DOE has successfully sequenced the poplar tree's genome, providing a critical resource for developing faster-growing trees and increasing biomass conversion. Researchers aim to engineer trees that can sequester more carbon from the atmosphere, potentially helping mitigate global warming.
The BP Conservation Programme is awarding $600,000 to 29 student-led teams for critical conservation projects worldwide. Winners will attend practical workshops and learn from global experts to carry out their projects.
A new partnership between researchers and federal agencies has created a powerful tool to manage fire risk, with maps showing the extent of wildland/urban interfaces across the US. The analysis highlights the need for ecological principles in land-use planning, particularly in high-risk areas.
American chestnut trees have shown remarkable growth potential in plantations, growing up to 77% taller and 140% wider than other forest species. Purdue researcher Doug Jacobs is developing blight-resistant hybrids to restore the tree to its historic range.
Researchers at UGA's SREL will conduct experiments to identify major factors affecting amphibian population persistence and responses to upland habitat alteration. The study aims to model species responses to forest management at larger scales.
The study used high-resolution commercial imagery from the IKONOS satellite to simulate future development scenarios in the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area. It found a 39% increase in developed land between 1986 and 2000, with significant changes around the Dulles Airport area.
A new Web site allows users to compare greenness from one year to the next, between years, against a 14-year average and at two-week intervals. This information is invaluable for making long-term land management decisions, enabling natural resource managers to monitor vegetation dynamics through time and across landscapes.
Virginia Tech's HCRC is the largest horseshoe crab research institution in the country, supporting research on sustainable management practices. The new funding will support a range of studies, including population size estimation, spawning habitat identification, and dynamics between horseshoe crabs and shorebirds.
The agreement creates a transboundary protected area combining the Takamanda-Okwangwo complex in Cameroon and Nigeria. The plan aims to conserve gorillas and their habitat through measures such as revised land-use practices, corridor establishment, and increased protection.
Seed Stage Associates LLC will provide education, assistance, training and advice to establish tech transfer offices, while aiding established offices in evaluation, marketing and licensing of new technologies. The company will leverage resources of western North Carolina schools for collaboration.
Researchers at North Carolina State University found that loblolly pines and Arabidopsis thaliana share 90% of their genes, despite being vastly different in appearance. This suggests that woody and herbaceous plants may have evolved using the same genetic mechanisms.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have successfully reduced lignin content in aspen trees by 45-50% through genetic modification. This reduction increases cellulose content and accelerates tree growth, offering economic and environmental advantages for the wood, paper, and pulp industries.
A newly discovered fungus, estimated to be between 2000 and 8500 years old, has rewritten the concept of individual organisms. The fungus, a clone of Armillaria ostoyae, covers an area of 9.65 square kilometers and has implications for forest management practices.
A new GIS tool called GeoWEPP can rapidly assess soil erosion and sediment delivery in streams after wildfires, allowing forest managers to quickly plan and implement conservation measures. The tool guides users to select the best and most cost-effective conservation measures to mitigate erosion and protect water sources.
A team of US researchers study Polish forest plots with 14 different temperate tree species to understand biodiversity and ecosystem structure. They investigate how tree species influence the environment, soil acidity, and decomposition.
A new study reveals three distinct species of African elephants: savanna, forest, and west African. The west African population has been diverging for over two million years and is threatened with extinction due to human activities.
Red pine groves in the Boundary Water Canoe Area may vanish due to lack of natural fires. A new model suggests that continued fire suppression would lead to the loss of red pines and other tree species within 300 years.
Researchers found HMO patients with capitation payment received 17% more health counseling and preventive services, but spent an average of 2 minutes less time with doctors. This study dispels fears about capitation payment's impact on quality care.
Research finds that larger forest stands can help control caterpillar infestations by reducing the effectiveness of parasites and diseases. The study suggests that forests larger than 100 hectares are more effective in suppressing outbreaks, which could lead to increased fibre production if defoliation is reduced by just one year.
Researchers question the efficacy of prescribed burning in reducing large, intense forest fires. They argue that this technique is not suitable for closed-canopy forests and shrublands where natural fires are more frequent and severe. This approach can also have negative ecological consequences.
A decade-long study suggests forest management can influence carbon uptake, but factors such as tree species and age confound the process. The researchers' findings validate a new method for measuring carbon dioxide levels, highlighting the need for careful consideration of forest management strategies.
A new book documents dramatic recent changes in southeast's ancient soils formed over about 70 million years and how human use transformed them over the last two centuries. Soils were altered when primeval woodlands were turned into cotton fields, eventually regrowing as pine forests.
The Terra satellite beams daily images of western U.S. wildfires to NASA, which are then transmitted to the Forest Service. The collaboration uses MODIS data to create Active Fire Maps that help resource allocation decisions and aid in public understanding of fire locations.
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 traditional 'ponderosa pine model' of forest fire management is being questioned due to its limitations. Presenters will present data on the ineffectiveness of prescribed burns in California's shrubland areas and boreal forests, highlighting the dominant role of weather and human demographics in fire regimes.
Riparian forest management prioritizes both water and forest health to protect essential links between land and water. The book provides site-specific guidelines for addressing fragmented ecosystems and diverse interest groups, ensuring the health of eastern riparian landscapes.
Aging South Dakota windbreaks are in need of renovation, posing increased risk to agriculture from wind damage. Well-developed forested riparian areas reduce nitrogen in groundwater by up to 100% and surface runoff by up to 98%.
A group of Oregon State University scientists emphasize the potential benefits of genetic engineering in forestry, including faster-growing trees that can reduce the burden on native forests. They argue against 'genetic extremism' and call for a more careful analysis of the issues based on science.
A new study by Penn State researchers improves the regional climate assessment of the Mid-Atlantic Region. The research involved gathering input from over 95 stakeholders representing industry, environmental groups, government, and research organizations. Key findings highlight the importance of human health in addressing global change...
The study found that public perceptions of the forest prioritize residential quality of life, community, and environmental ethics. This differs from land managers' focus on tangible aspects like water, wood, and wildlife.
Precious Woods Ltd, a forestry company in Brazil, has been awarded the ESA Corporate Award for its innovative approach to sustainable forest management. The company's use of advanced planning and ecological principles has resulted in the conservation of 97% of primary forest in the State of Amazonas.
Research suggests shrews can serve as an indicator of environmental health due to their high sensitivity to environmental change. In the Central African Republic, 16 species of shrews were found thriving in micro-territories, defying expectations for such limited habitats.