Articles tagged with Forestry
A Chinese research group found that China's natural climate solutions (NCS) can counterbalance 11-12% of industrial CO2 emissions by 2030. The study quantified NCS pathways, including conservation, restoration, and improved forest management, and estimated their contribution to climate change mitigation.
The study, led by PhD candidate Jessica Quinton, analyzed data from 31 major Canadian cities and found that education and income are not always linked to access to green space. However, in some cities, household income was strongly associated with better vegetation access, while education played a key role in other cities.
Researchers at Stockholm University have developed a novel value chain to produce textile fibers and biofuel from fast-growing poplars. This sustainable approach enables the conversion of marginal land from cotton to food production, minimizing water consumption and supporting global food security.
A new study found that the global forest area per capita has declined by over 60% from 1960 to 2019, due to 81.7 million hectares of loss. This decline threatens biodiversity and affects the lives of 1.6 billion people worldwide.
A new methodology predicts soil recovery after wildfires by analyzing the impact of microbes and nutrients on soil regeneration. The study found that including uncommon soil microbiota was critical to predicting water quality and terrestrial ecosystem recovery.
Researchers found that farm management practices like crop diversification and native plant presence support wild bee conservation. Urban agriculture can benefit local bee populations if managed sustainably.
Researchers examine historical data and weather patterns to understand west-side wildfires' timing, size, and causes. They find that severe fires are normal for the region when looking at longer time scales, and conventional fire management tools may be less effective due to extreme winds.
Researchers found that certain characteristics of refugia led to more tree regeneration, with taller trees and mountain hemlock species showing higher seed dispersal. The study suggests that natural regeneration is possible in some areas, making replanting efforts unnecessary and potentially harmful.
Two conservation strategies protect more birds: setting aside forest and growing coffee under shade tree canopies. These findings validate forest conservation and shade tree management as complementary biodiversity strategies.
Researchers uncovered intricate settlements in Bolivia's Llanos de Mojos savannah-forest, featuring elaborate structures and a vast network of reservoirs. The cities were built alongside nature, employing successful sustainable subsistence strategies that promoted conservationism and maintained rich biodiversity.
The study found that fires in 2020 followed an accelerating trend of increased burn area, severity, size, and costs to society and the economy. Human-caused fires accounted for nearly 60% of fires, but lightning-sparked fires burned more than five times the area burned by human-caused fires.
Researchers found that trees in tropical forests produce significantly more seeds than those in boreal regions, challenging the assumption that larger seeds mean fewer offspring. The studies also reveal that seed production is not constrained by seed size and provide new guidance for forest management and replanting.
Researchers developed a new model combining climatic and genomic data to predict forest tree growth in new environments. The model, based on maritime pine, showed improved predictions of population height growth by 14-25% compared to models using climatic data alone.
The Ecological Society of America will hold its 107th Annual Meeting in Montreal from August 14-19, 2022. This year's meeting combines resources and interests of the ESA and Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution, focusing on theme "A Change Is Gonna Come" exploring global environmental and evolutionary change.
The UN Convention to Combat Desertification's Global Land Outlook 2 report warns that up to 40% of the planet's land is degraded, threatening half of humanity and roughly 1/2 of world GDP. The report offers hundreds of practical ways to restore land and ecosystem health.
A new paper by UBC researchers suggests reviving cultural burning and promoting Indigenous-led fire stewardship to achieve multiple objectives, including reducing wildfire risk and enhancing biodiversity. However, barriers such as lack of understanding and funding limitations hinder the implementation of these practices.
Researchers at the University of Georgia developed a model to prioritize land conservation in the Upper Chattahoochee Watershed, which provides drinking water to 95 cities. The model considers ecosystem services like water, carbon, and habitat, and favors higher connectivity among parcels of land.
Researchers developed nationwide maps of bird species to aid conservation efforts, providing fine-resolution data for individual counties or forests. The maps predict bird diversity based on traits such as nesting habits and environmental factors like forest cover and temperature.
A collection of policy briefs presents guidelines and possible solutions for managing invasive alien pests and pathogens in Europe. The briefs focus on topics such as biological control, classical biological control, and prevention of invasive species.
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have developed a sustainable, pollen-based 'paper' that can be printed on and reused multiple times. The paper's non-toxic properties make it an attractive alternative to conventional wood-based paper, which has a significant environmental impact.
A study by UM researchers found that online camping reservations systems can exacerbate existing inequalities in national park access. Campers from higher-income areas and predominantly white communities are more likely to secure coveted sites. The team suggests a lottery system could help balance accessibility with protection of natur...
Climate change is expected to cause a significant decline in beech forest growth in Europe, particularly in southern regions. Tree ring analyses reveal that tree growth has declined in virtually all regions over the past six decades, with the strongest contrast between northern and southern Europe.
Researchers found that tree spacing can control the likelihood of tree survival and reduce forest damage risk. Trees in forests with closer spacing are more vulnerable to strong winds due to reduced energy transfer buffering between trees.
The European Union is projected to experience increased fire-prone areas, threatening biodiversity and carbon sinks. The IPCC report highlights the need for adaptation in addressing wildfires, focusing on fire and forest management to increase ecosystem resilience.
A new study suggests that reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, forestry, and land use sectors could lead to higher food prices and potentially negative impacts on food security. The study found that a decarbonization scenario would increase international food prices by about 27%, affecting around 420 million people at ri...
Urbanization in China has led to an increase in biomass and carbon stocks, both in rural areas and recently developed cities. The country's afforestation strategy and green policy initiatives have contributed to this positive effect on its climate balance.
Researchers have developed a new algorithm to better assess forest canopy coverage using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and high-resolution cameras. The BAMOS method showed highly correlated results with visually interpreted canopy covers, revealing systematic underestimations of about 20% in widely used global maps.
The HOMED project offers policy briefs on improving forest resistance to invasive alien species through enhanced surveillance, increased tree diversity, and collaboration between pathologists and entomologists. The collection aims to promote the development of EU policies focused on forest protection from invasive alien species.
A global collaboration of scientists has estimated that there are approximately 73,300 tree species in the world today, with more than 9,000 still undiscovered. This estimate is based on a massive dataset of over 38 million trees spanning 90 countries and 100 territories.
A global study using thousands of camera trap stations found that protected areas have a positive impact on mammal diversity, even when experiencing human disturbances such as recreational use and logging. The study's findings suggest that expanding protected areas could help conserve larger mammals and their critical roles in ecosystems.
A new study found a significant decrease in the development of forest and agricultural land from 2000 to 2015 due to rising gas prices. The research used data from the US Department of Agriculture's National Resources Inventory to analyze county-level land development patterns across the contiguous US states.
Researchers studied Paradise, California's response to the 2018 Camp Fire. They found that community responses vary greatly due to distinct fire and demographic characteristics.
A University of Arizona-led team combined tree-ring data with forest inventory measurements to predict future tree growth. The researchers found a 56-91% decline in individual tree growth, leading to less carbon sequestration by Arizona's forests.
A forest geneticist has received a $1.2 million NSF CAREER grant to investigate the genomic basis of drought tolerance in Douglas fir trees. The project aims to better understand how hybridization can help these species adapt to climate change.
Researchers developed a new flexible thermoelectric device that can wrap around pipes and convert wasted heat into electricity. The project is aimed at addressing climate change by increasing private forest owners' involvement in carbon offset projects.
Researchers from National Institute for Environmental Studies identified that radiocesium accumulates primarily in organic soil layers and stagnant water, contaminating organisms. Fertilizing contaminated areas with potassium can suppress biological absorption of radiocesium.
A study found that frequent-fire forests in the Sierra Nevada have far fewer trees due to fire suppression, leading to increased competition among remaining trees. Managing for resilience involves drastically reducing densities to create low-density stands with less tree competition.
Researchers found that fungal communities play a key role in tree growth, with some species increasing tree growth rates up to a tree-fold. The study suggests that using specific fungal communities can help improve forestry and potentially absorb more carbon from the atmosphere.
A recent Penn State survey found that most respondents strongly support bird conservation, but are largely unaware of the current state of bird populations in Pennsylvania. The study revealed significant misconceptions about bird populations and their decline over the past 50 years.
The 2020 wildfires in Brazil's Pantanal wetland resulted in the deaths of an estimated 16.9 million vertebrates, including lizards, birds, and primates. The study estimates that between 13.2 million and 18.8 million small vertebrates and 691,000 to 1.2 million medium-to-large vertebrates were killed.
Researchers at UC Berkeley propose creating a market for small diameter trees and woody biomass to reduce wildfire risk while limiting carbon emissions. By investing in innovative wood products, the state can achieve both net carbon benefits and wildfire mitigation benefits.
A new study found that chronic pesticide exposure has detrimental effects on soft-shell clam growth, condition, and feeding rates. The researchers monitored clams in laboratory conditions over 90 days, exposing them to environmentally relevant concentrations of four pesticides registered for use in forest management.
Researchers at the Global Environmental Remote Sensing Laboratory are working on improving remote sensing technology to detect subtle changes in forest ecosystems. They have developed a method called PIDS, which can adapt to specific user-targeted specific change detection, and paired it with Landsat data to monitor forest health and c...
Wild pigs establish home ranges along preferred habitats of bottomland hardwood swamps and are influenced by air temperature and weather conditions. Researchers at UGA's Savannah River Ecology Lab tracked 49 wild pigs with radio collars to shed light on pig movements, which can inform management decisions.
Researchers at West Virginia University have developed a wood boiler system that improves bird health and reduces carbon dioxide emissions by drying litter and creating dry heat. The system has the potential to replace propane heating systems in poultry farms, benefiting both animal welfare and the environment.
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.
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 used nationwide airborne laser scanning data and forest inventories to predict bilberry and cowberry yields in Sweden. The models indicate potential berry picking locations but do not accurately predict yields.
A team of scientists tracked individual endangered Indiana bats and northern long-eared bats to understand their foraging behaviors and habitat preferences. The results show that most timber harvest strategies are neutral or even positive for the bats, with smaller patch cuts and thinning being compatible with conservation.
A study found that Amazonian and Afrotropical communities consuming wild meat may spare up to 71 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide per year by replacing beef or poultry with wild meat. This could generate millions of dollars in carbon credit sales, but unsustainable hunting practices must be avoided.
Researchers found that complex mixtures of microbes isolated from closely related plant species increased the resistance of endangered Hawaiian plant Eugenia koolauensis to myrtle rust. This microbial treatment may be an important tool for combating disease-driven declines of endangered plants.
A new study found that bigleaf maple trees are declining due to warmer, drier summers in Western Washington. The research team discovered that the trees' growth is sensitive to dry weather conditions, leading to smaller leaves and reduced overall mass.
A new grant initiative aims to increase Tennessee's hardwood exports to Vietnam, leveraging the state's top three hardwood lumber-producing status. The project will assess market opportunities and provide trade insights, with the goal of capturing increased market share in Vietnam.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have found that pocket gophers are biofluorescent, emitting a colored glow when illuminated with ultraviolet light. The phenomenon has been documented in flying squirrels and opossums before, but this is the first time it has been observed in pocket gophers.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that tree felling is the most dangerous job in forestry and landscaping industries, with a fatal injury rate 30 times higher than all U.S. workers. The study analyzed data from 2010 to 2020 and identified poor decision-making and falls from elevation as key causes of fatalities.
Researchers analyzed past fires in Klamath Mountains, finding that weather and fuels impact non-reburns while reburn intensity mirrors previous fires. Prescribed fire and wildfire management can limit severe fire conditions, maintaining moderate weather for future fires.
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.
A systematic review of 169 conservation projects worldwide reveals that Indigenous and local communities are crucial for successful nature conservation. The study found that equitable conservation approaches, empowering local communities, yield positive outcomes for both humans and the environment. However, complex factors such as comm...
Researchers developed a new phosphorescent material inspired by wood's natural ability to faintly glow, using lignin trapped within a 3D polymer network. The material glows visibly for around one second and has potential applications in medical imaging, optical sensing, and textile industry.
Chlorophyll fluorescence tracks photosynthesis rate, providing an 'optical window' for monitoring plant health. Recent advances enable estimation and imaging of SIF at ecosystem scales, paving the way for applications in precision agriculture and ecology.