Articles tagged with Forestry
The rehabilitated forest in Drabo harbours about 600 plant species and serves as a sanctuary for many animals. The restoration project has increased West-African forest species while declining pantropical weedy species.
A 30-year forest regeneration experiment in Interior Alaska shows that planting white spruce seedlings is the most effective method to produce a spruce-dominated stand, with broadcast seeding as the next best option. The study's findings provide valuable insights for forest landowners and reforestation practices.
A study from the University of Missouri found that salamanders breeding in the fall move to new ponds less often than those breeding in spring. This discovery could lead to better forest management and conservation strategies by taking into account a species' breeding season when managing populations.
Researchers are creating a holistic view of river thermal regimes using measurements over time and space, enabling more effective management and conservation efforts. The incorporation of these data has significant implications for the future of river science.
A new study in BioScience explores the role of thermal landscapes in rivers, shedding light on how humans affect water temperature patterns. The research highlights the importance of fine-scale data and models to restore ecological balance and prevent degradation of riverine ecosystems.
A new study finds that private land conservation data is often inaccessible, hindering effective conservation efforts and taxpayer investments. The researchers suggest addressing capacity shortfalls in federal agencies and revising policies to improve transparency and accountability.
The USDA is providing funding to help private forestland owners and ranchers make informed decisions about their natural resources. NIFA investments will enhance the sustainability of forest and rangeland resources through education programs, supporting well-managed forests and rural economic development.
A new statistical model has been developed to help guide forest management decisions under climate change. The model uses future climate scenarios to produce more accurate predictions than previous methods, allowing for the design of strategies that mitigate climate change impacts on loblolly pine plantations.
A 68-year study found that frequent burning of forests can lead to diverse ecosystems with small trees and herbaceous plants, while annual burning creates tall canopy trees with wide spaces. The study suggests land managers should plan fire use strategically based on forest goals.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture has announced $6.3 million in available funding for projects supporting resilient agriculture and forestry production systems. These investments will help producers, land managers, and decision-makers develop valuable tools to address climate-related challenges.
Seasonally inundated areas in the Amazon heart may be weak spot to climate-induced collapse and fires, spreading to surrounding forests. Fire-related savannas dominate flooded parts when rainfall drops below 1500 mm/year.
A new study suggests that high deer populations in England are damaging the natural habitat needed by many ground-nesting woodland birds. Eating wild venison could help reduce deer numbers and support the re-emergence of these species, according to University of Nottingham ecologist Dr Markus Eichhorn.
A new project led by UTIA faculty will recruit 14 undergraduate Research and Extension Fellows to explore agro-ecological farming in western Belize. The team will work with local partners to empower forest and wildlife stewardship while increasing the students' skills to become leaders in agricultural and conservation efforts globally.
Researchers from the University of Limerick are leading a €4.9m project to produce carbon fiber from forestry by-products, aiming to halve its CO2 footprint. The LIBRE project expects to reduce production costs by 30% and bring down the environmental impact of carbon fiber manufacturing.
Forest losses in western US and rural areas led to a 2.96% decline in national forest cover, equivalent to the size of Maine. This study highlights the importance of proactive conservation management to address habitat losses and species declines.
A study found that the average distance from any point in the United States to the nearest forest increased by 14% between 1990 and 2000. This increase is more pronounced in rural areas than in urban settings, posing challenges for wildlife and broad effects on ecosystems.
The UTIA project used aerial acoustic recordings to track at-risk avian species on DoD facilities, improving compliance with environmental regulations. The project was recognized as the DoD's Project of the Year for 2016 for resource conservation and resiliency.
A new study adds 25 frog species to the known fauna of Mount Oku, Cameroon, highlighting a staggering 48% of the amphibians as threatened with extinction. The researchers also review the region's conservation efforts and identify key threats such as forest loss, climate change, and diseases.
A study in California found that high-severity wildfires hinder natural conifer regeneration, with only 60% of plots showing seedling growth five to seven years after fire. A new tool developed by researchers can help foresters prioritize which lands to replant and when.
Researchers found that reducing timber revenues can increase biodiversity indicators and improve landscape multifunctionality. Combining forest growth simulations with multiobjective optimization, they concluded that diversified forest management planning is necessary to resolve conflicts between objectives.
A $1.7 million grant will study climate change impacts on the Menominee Nation's forest, informing decision-making about forest management. The project aims to understand how tribal values inform forest management decisions in a changing climate.
The University of Illinois-led project aims to calculate the economic benefits of urban forestry on health care costs. It will use Kaiser Permanente data to examine the relationship between green spaces and health expenditures among over 4 million members.
A recent study found that mixed-severity fires, also known as 'Goldilocks fires,' can increase biodiversity of birds in California forests over time. The research suggests that forest managers should prioritize managing forests to promote a mixture of intensities, resulting in a mosaic of patches with different burn severities.
A recent study published by the University of Montana forest ecology professor Andrew Larson estimated that burned white fir forests in Yosemite alone could produce an average crop of over 1 million morels per year. The research provides concrete data on morel abundance, supporting park rules allowing personal use picking.
A new study estimates California's street trees provide benefits worth $1 billion, including carbon storage, air pollutant removal, and energy savings. The study also highlights the need for tree diversification and density management to optimize urban forest performance.
Researchers found that diverse land use can balance out uncertainties and provide optimal multitasking for ecosystem services. The area mosaic concept resulted in 46% forestry utilization with indigenous alders and exotic pines, balancing out 10% extensive pasture and 20% intensive pasture utilization.
Family forest owners prioritize natural values over financial gain, controlling 286 million acres of US forestland. Limited written forest management plans and professional forestry advice are prevalent among owners.
A University of Vermont-led study finds that insect outbreaks, such as mountain pine beetle and western spruce budworm infestations, significantly reduce wildfire severity. This contrasts with popular attitudes linking the two, and provides new insights for forest management and policy applications.
Researchers found that old-growth forests can reduce maximum spring and summer air temperatures by as much as 2.5 degrees Celsius compared to plantation forests. This cooling effect is due to the dense canopy and complex understory vegetation of old-growth forests, which create microclimates for temperature-sensitive species.
University of Missouri researchers analyzed historical forest surveys from the 1800s to gain insights into how natural disturbances and human actions shape forest conditions. They found that historical forests had more total biomass, likely sequestering more carbon than current forests.
The USDA Forest Service's new interactive guide, Southern Forest Products - An Economic Engine, tells the story of forest products in the South over the last decades. Using FIA data loaded onto the Esri ArcGIS Online platform, the guide provides a constantly updated guide to southern timber product outputs and mills that process them.
A dynamic model focusing on site scale conservation helps answer questions about how small white lady's slipper orchid habitats will change with climate change. The model provides information on management strategies specific to the location and plant itself, benefiting rare species with limited ranges.
A Texas A&M University study found that private landowners and managers are more likely to use prescribed fire for brush control in regions with lower legal liability standards. The research highlights the importance of integrated ecological, economic, and socio-political influences on natural resource management.
Researchers captured footage of New Caledonian crows manufacturing and using hooked stick tools in the wild, demonstrating their sophisticated foraging behavior. The study found that crows value their tools and use them to probe for food in tree crevices and leaf litter.
A study by the USDA Forest Service's Northern Research Station found that institutions influence the demographic composition of scientists. The research reveals initiatives have narrowed the gender gap over the past 30 years, with women comprising 26% of scientists in R&D.
A study by the USDA Forest Service found that landscapes with 50-60% forest land use had statistically the same sink strength as those with 90-100% forest. This suggests that land use change is a substantial component of the forest carbon sink in the Eastern United States, and new approaches like establishing new forests may help seque...
Researchers found that beaver dams create dead wood hotspots, increasing quantities of standing and deciduous dead wood. This restoration benefits a large number of species, including those dependent on these resources.
A new project aims to incorporate ecological processes into Earth system models to predict the effectiveness of land management practices in mitigating climate change. The project, led by Quinn Thomas, will use field data and a state-of-the-art model to better understand key ecological processes and their impact on climate.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that 167 fisher deaths were attributed to rat poisoning from illegal marijuana grows, with exposure rates rising by 6% between 2012 and 2014. The poison, often used as bait, has been linked to 10% of fisher deaths and affects the animals' ability to recycle vitamin K.
A new study suggests that strategic directional fencing and/or corridors can be a viable solution for lion conservation by maintaining protected areas and directing lions to suitable habitats. The research highlights the critical role of landscape connectivity in the survival of African lions.
A EU-funded project led by the University of Huddersfield is empowering community-managed forest areas in Ethiopia, improving local livelihoods while protecting biodiversity. The project's Participatory Forest Management approach has enabled over 55 village communities to manage large forest areas.
The world's boreal forests are under pressure from global warming, with rising temperatures and changing conditions threatening their resilience and productivity. The forests play a crucial role in the Earth's climate system, but may switch from being carbon sinks to sources of greenhouse gas emissions if not managed adaptively.
The USDA Forest Service's online Waterviz tool will be strengthened by a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, enabling it to reach more students and educators. The tool, which combines environmental sensors, music, and digital art, aims to increase understanding of science and data literacy.
The Suomi NPP satellite captured a stunning night-time image of the Jerusalem Fire in California, revealing its massive size and location. The fire has covered over 12,000 acres and is being managed by Cal Fire.
Researchers from the University of Guam's Western Pacific Tropical Research Center found that three native tree species require contrasting levels of light for optimal growth, contrary to their co-occurring forest habitats.
A recent study found that installing functional doors and windows in abandoned buildings can lead to a significant decrease in crime rates. Over a 2-year period, the study revealed an estimated 8 fewer assaults, 10 fewer gun assaults, and 5 fewer nuisance crimes in areas with improved building facades.
UGA researchers analyzed growth data from thousands of pine tree plots across the Southeast and found that 'southern pine decline' isn't happening on a large scale. The study suggests standard management practices are working just fine, with environmental factors like site conditions, drought, and climate change affecting tree health.
A US forest service research team has released bats treated for White-nose Syndrome (WNS), a deadly fungus that has killed an estimated 5-6 million bats. The treatment, developed with native soil bacteria, showed promising results in field trials and could potentially reduce mortality of bats affected by the disease.
A team led by Montana State University ecologist Jia Hu will investigate the movement of nitrogen through a western Montana forest to provide baseline information on nitrogen availability and forest productivity. The goal is to help forest managers make informed decisions leading to healthier forests across the West.
A study analyzing 308 bird species found that many birds switch between federal land managers throughout the year, highlighting the need for cooperation in conservation. The research used crowdsourced checklists and mapping to identify key habitats and inform land management priorities.
Researchers combined traditional ecological knowledge and scientific methods to identify forest conditions preferred by beargrass harvesters. Key findings include differences in coarse woody debris, tree density, and beargrass leaf color between 'good' and 'poor' sites.
Researchers studied the 2013 Rim Fire in Yosemite National Park and found that extreme weather conditions, such as pyro-convective plumes, significantly influenced burn severity. Forests that experienced recent fires burned at low severity, while those with greater shrub cover burned at higher severity.
Researchers at the University of Missouri estimated that salamander populations are 2-4 times higher than previously thought, and may be up to 10 times higher in some regions. This finding could help drive conservation efforts and forest management by acknowledging salamanders as a key food source.
The US Forest Service advocates for a holistic approach to managing wildfires, considering both ecological and human dimensions. Strategies include adopting land use regulations, developing locally appropriate vegetation management strategies, and improving evacuation planning and household plans.
New research suggests that maple syrup production is linked to mast seeding events, where trees produce more seeds than usual. Following every mast seed year, syrup production declined in Vermont. The study's findings could help producers plan ahead for the upcoming season.
A study comparing the Wolong Nature Reserve in China and Chitwan National Park in Nepal highlights the importance of considering human dynamics in conservation efforts. By understanding how people and wildlife interact, scientists can develop more effective policies for protecting endangered species like tigers and pandas.
The Rim Fire study examines the impact of drought and fire suppression on large fires, contrasting with a nearby National Park's natural fire regime. This natural experiment provides insights into the effects of megafires on watersheds under different management regimes.
The Mills Canyon fire started on July 8, 2014, near Entiat, Washington, and quickly spread to over 1,000 acres despite local efforts. The fire has since grown to 18,065 acres, with challenges including steep rocky terrain and warm weather conditions.
Researchers at Neiker-Tecnalia and SCION have successfully developed a somatic embryogenesis system to propagate pine hybrids that can withstand water stress. This method enables the rapid production of high-quality trees with improved tolerance to drought conditions, making them ideal for reforestation in dry climates.
Conservative fuel treatments reduced fire severity equally as intensive treatments in protecting homes during the 2011 Wallow Fire. The study suggests multiple paths to fuel treatment design around the WUI, with varying distances to reduction in fire severity depending on treatment intensity.