After a wildfire, how does a town rebuild?
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.
Forestry
Articles tagged with Forestry
Future forests will have smaller trees and soak up less carbon, study suggests
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.
Forest geneticist awarded $1.2 million NSF CAREER grant to study Douglas fir hybridization, genomics and adaptation to climate change
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.
A new flexible thermoelectric device can wrap around pipes and other hot surfaces and convert wasted heat into electricity.
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.
Scientists trace the path of radioactive cesium in the ecosystem of Fukushima
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.
Just what is a ‘resilient’ forest, anyway?
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.
The secret drivers of tree growth
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.
Although most support avian conservation, few recognize current plight of birds
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.
Conservation: Almost 17 million vertebrates killed in the 2020 wildfires in Brazil
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.
Want to limit carbon and curb wildfire? Create a market for small trees
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.
Long-term exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of pesticides has deleterious effects on shellfish
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.
Diagnosis from the sky: Catching insect infestations within forests before it’s too late
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...
Terrain, weather can predict wild pig movements
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.
WVU research promotes healthier poultry and environment
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.
Trees on the move: Stanford researchers reveal how wildfire accelerates forest changes
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.
New research informs treatment of sudden oak death, a killer of millions of trees
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.
Remote sensing enables the prediction of potential berry picking locations
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.
Sending up the bat signal on forest use by endangered species
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.
Climate: Consumption of sustainably hunted meat from wildlife rather than eating livestock may spare considerable greenhouse gas emissions
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.
Fungal transplants from close relatives help endangered plants fight off disease
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.
Bigleaf maple decline tied to hotter, drier summers in Washington state
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.
Emerging market for Tennessee hardwoods could take root
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.
Study reveals gophers’ biofluorescence
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.
Loggers, landscapers face deadly danger felling trees in forests and urban areas
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.
Past fires may hold key to reducing severity of future wildfires in western US
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.
By reducing forest floor temperature, invasive shrubs stifle native species
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.
Indigenous and local communities key to successful nature conservation
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...
Phosphorescent material inspired by ‘glow in the dark’ wood
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, the light from photosynthesis, illuminates our view of plant function
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.
Oregon State scientists collaborate on road map for adapting dry forests to new fire regimes
Researchers outline critical role of thinning and prescribed burning in adaptive management, as well as Indigenous fire stewardship and restoration. They propose a framework for assessing changes in landscape conditions since fire suppression began.
New report: State of the science on western wildfires, forests and climate change
A synthesis of scientific literature provides a unified resource for managing western forests and addressing the impacts of climate change on wildfires. The report recommends approaches such as thinning dense forests, prescribed burning, and revitalizing Indigenous fire stewardship practices to make landscapes more resilient.
Indigenous fire stewardship promotes global biodiversity
A new study by researchers at the University of Waterloo found that Indigenous fire stewardship increases biodiversity and ecosystem heterogeneity across all major terrestrial biomes. Cultural burning reduces risks of interface fires and has important cultural practices for resource management, community protection, and cultural purposes.
Measuring happiness for reconnecting residents with forests
A Japanese research team found that residents who engage in activities like camping and hiking experience increased happiness, while ownership has no effect. The study suggests better policies for enhancing forest relationships and measuring happiness based on the types of forest happiness.
Underground allies aid survival of the west’s largest trees
Research from Utah State University finds that large trees in western forests benefit from mycorrhizal connections to fungi, which enhance nutrient uptake and provide defense against pathogens. Diverse forest networks offer greater protection for these giant trees.
How corporate managers try to fix workplace injustices by giving employees secret perks
A study found that middle managers engage in 'robin hoodism,' secretly helping subordinates mistreated by senior leaders. Managers with strong moral codes are more likely to do so.
Ecologists compare accuracy of lidar technologies for monitoring forest vegetation
Researchers found that mobile lidar scanning consistently provided accurate structural metrics and estimates of canopy cover and landscape metrics in various forest types and configurations. The technology has the potential to monitor a variety of forest attributes at a lower cost than other platforms.
New research lifts the clouds on land clearing and biodiversity loss
Researchers developed a new machine learning system to identify changes in biodiversity, including land clearing, despite cloud cover. The method accurately detected simulated land cover change under both clear felling and tree thinning, providing up-to-date predictions of missing data due to clouds.
Russian forests are crucial to global climate mitigation
New study confirms Russian forests have accumulated 40% more biomass than reported, with potential for 47% higher carbon sequestration. Close collaboration between science and policy is critical for adaptive forest management.
Like your olives bitter? Molecular breeding can make them even better!
Scientists assembled a high-quality genome of a European olive species, identifying genes involved in oleuropein biosynthesis. The study revealed 202 genes related to oleuropein, twice as many as previously known, and found olives genetically closest to the oleaster plant.
Tree diversity may save the forest: Advocating for biodiversity to mitigate climate change
A study found that maintaining tree diversity can prevent a significant reduction in terrestrial primary productivity, which could have social and economic benefits for communities. Countries with high carbon emissions are incentivized to mitigate climate change by preserving tree diversity.
University of Montana students lead prescribed wildfire burn on university ranch
The University of Montana-led prescribed wildfire burn aimed to restore the landscape and provide an educational experience for students. The burn, which took about two years to plan, involved a mix of 12 UM undergraduate and graduate students who received certification for experience on a prescribed burn.
Ancient Indigenous forest gardens promote a healthy ecosystem: SFU study
A new study by Simon Fraser University finds that ancient Indigenous-managed forests, or
Understanding our restoring force
A research team led by Michigan State University found that restoration benefits outweigh detriments from land use history two-to-one. Despite the benefits, restoration could not erase all of farming's lasting effects. The study provides insights for ecologists to target restoration efforts effectively.
Land use legacy affects ecosystem restoration
A study found that land use legacies, such as agriculture and forestry, can have lasting impacts on ecosystems, with only limited effects from restoration efforts. The researchers discovered that soil compaction, a common issue caused by agricultural use, was difficult to mitigate through restoration alone.
Sounds like home: Murrelets choose breeding locations by eavesdropping on other murrelets
Researchers found that broadcasting murrelet calls increased the odds of recording wild murrelet calls by as much as 15 times. The birds remembered the locations of experimental areas for nearly a year after broadcasts ceased.
How coastal forests are managed can impact water cycle
Researchers from North Carolina State University found that younger trees take up and release less water than mature trees, suggesting managers should time timber harvests to mitigate runoff. The study suggests leaving older trees alongside new growth can help mitigate effects of forest harvesting on drainage.
Eastern Oregon forest restoration efforts hampered by diameter limits on tree cutting
Research by Oregon State University reveals that the 21-inch diameter rule in eastern Oregon's national forests hampers restoration efforts, preventing stands from reaching historical densities and basal areas. The study suggests that removing larger shade-tolerant trees can improve old growth tree survival.
Study explores link between forestry management and pesticides in aquatic species
Researchers detected pesticides in 38% of mussel and clam samples, with some containing herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides. The study's findings have implications for developing more sustainable forestry practices to reduce harm to aquatic life.
New classification marks paradigm shift in how conservationists tackle climate change
A new study introduces a Resistance-Resilience-Transformation (RRT) classification to assess transformative actions in climate adaptation projects. The RRT classification shows a shift towards more transformative actions, such as species translocation, in recent years.
Identifying where to reforest after wildfire
A new predictive mapping tool, POCSCRPT, aids forest managers in determining which areas of western US forests will naturally regrow following wildfires. The tool's accuracy is enhanced by incorporating climate and seed production data.
Formal community forest management policies often lead to reduced access, resource rights
Research shows that formalized community forest management policies tend to have negative impacts on forest access and resource rights, while still achieving environmental and economic benefits. In many cases, income gains mainly benefited village elites, while the poor and marginalized bore the brunt of forest use restrictions.
Fighting fire with data
A University of Pittsburgh professor is utilizing optimization techniques to find effective solutions for mitigating forest fires. The project aims to predict when and where fuel treatment methods should be implemented to best control wildfires.
Forest margins may be more resilient to climate change than previously thought
Researchers found that 50% of plots showed signs of tree regeneration, and water balance projections indicate enough moisture for seedlings. Proper management can prevent severe fires, creating resilient conditions in dry forest areas.
Forest growth in drier climates will be impacted by reduced snowpack, PSU study finds
A new study suggests that climate change will negatively influence forest growth in semi-arid climates with reduced seasonal snowpack, but less so in wetter climates. In water-limited areas, this may lead to increased tree mortality and negative impacts on forest density.
Epidemic model shows how COVID-19 could spread through firefighting camps
A study developed by Colorado State University experts demonstrates the potential risks and various scenarios COVID-19 could pose for fire management. The model highlights the effectiveness of risk-mitigation strategies such as screening and social distancing measures in reducing infections.
For rufous hummingbirds, migration looks different depending on age and sex
Research reveals distinct migration routes for rufous hummingbirds based on their age and sex, with key differences in timing, distance, and geographic distribution.
Study will enhance training for nurses working with dementia patients
A new study will test a training model for primary care nurses to improve the lives of dementia patients by enhancing assessment, management, and coordination of care. The researchers aim to reduce emergency room visits, health care costs, and improve quality of life for patients and caregivers.
As wildfires flare up across West, research highlights risk of ecological change
Research highlights risk of ecological change as wildfires flare up across West, driving changes in forest vegetation and threatening wildlife habitats and local economies. Scientists explore strategies to adapt forests to emerging climatic conditions, including 'assisted migration' and managing wildfire for resource objectives.
Positive YouTube videos of wolves linked to greater tolerance
Researchers found that watching positive videos about wolves increased participants' tolerance and willingness to act for wolf conservation. The largest changes in tolerance were seen among older age groups, regardless of political affiliation.
Study in Philadelphia links growth in tree canopy to decrease in human mortality
A study by the USDA Forest Service found that increasing tree canopy in Philadelphia could prevent between 271 and 400 premature deaths annually. The research suggests that even modest increases in tree canopy cover can lead to significant reductions in mortality rates, particularly in areas with lower socioeconomic status.