Articles tagged with Forests
A new study found that forests with greater tree species diversity show smaller declines in productivity during compound climate extremes and recover more effectively afterwards. Biodiversity acts as a form of biological insurance, helping forests maintain stability in an increasingly unpredictable climate.
Researchers found that tree-layer α-diversity peaks at mid-elevation zones, while understory α-diversity shows a bimodal trend with two diversity peaks at 400-600m and 1000-1200m. Community composition differs among low-, mid- and high-elevation zones, driven by species turnover across elevational zones.
A study from Ohio State University found that sooty mangabey monkeys, with feet similar to those of humans, can climb vertical tree trunks with ease. The research suggests that the last common ancestor of humans and chimpanzees could have been a vertical climber, challenging existing theories about foot structure and forest environment...
A long-term study on Lyme disease ecology has revealed surprising findings on the role of deer and mouse populations in shaping tick-borne disease risk. Researchers found that mouse abundance was strongly linked to nymphal tick density, while deer abundance was not statistically associated with Lyme disease risk.
A GPS tracking study found that invasive barred owls consistently occupy the tallest, oldest, and most complex stands of forest, threatening spotted owls' habitats. Managing barred owl populations reopens habitat for spotted owls to reclaim, conservatively estimating over 1,800 square kilometers of restored habitat.
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.
The study reveals a sharp increase in biomass losses due to climate change-related events, with Central European forests being particularly impacted. The findings raise concerns about the European Union's ability to meet its climate goals, highlighting the need for adapted forest management practices.
A new study reveals that forest structure, tree species evenness, and terrain slope jointly influence how carbon is divided among living vegetation, forest litter, and soil. The research found that soil contained the largest share of total carbon in most locations, while vegetation stored more carbon than soil in several plots.
A study by North Carolina State University found that nature sounds and sights significantly improve mental health compared to urban environments. Participants who heard birdsong while walking in a forest reported lower stress levels, higher positive emotions, and increased feelings of restorativeness.
A new species of colobus monkey, 'Likweli', has been identified by its distinctive facial markings and unique call. The rare species is found in the dense forests of Lomami National Park and is considered Endangered due to its small geographic range and population size.
Researchers found that taller trees have an advantage in younger forests due to increased light capture, but shade-tolerant species thrive under tall canopies in older forests. This study reveals a mechanistic explanation for forest succession and offers insights into climate modeling and forest management.
A new study reveals that chemical control dominates the global fight against invasive alien plants, with widespread issues driven by inconsistent approaches and data gaps. Biological control has shown positive management outcomes, but there is still no consensus on the most effective strategy.
Research from Minot State University and the University of Illinois identified factors for making trees suitable roosts for Indiana bats. Early-successional trees can provide viable habitats in about 70 years, while late-successional trees typically take 130 years.
New essay highlights policy priorities to safeguard urban forests, essential infrastructure for climate emergency resilience and equity. The authors emphasize the vital role of these ecosystems in promoting biodiversity and improving public health.
Researchers found that plant species with tougher leaves actually suffered more from insect damage, while those with higher silicon concentrations sustained less. In contrast, plants with higher heat tolerance experienced greater herbivory. Understanding these drivers is crucial for predicting forest health under future climate scenarios.
Researchers from Frontiers, a multidisciplinary team, spent years searching for the tallest tree in Taiwan after discovering an estimated 5,000 different species thrive on the island. They used LiDAR technology and citizen scientists to identify the 'Heaven Sword,' a 84.1-meter-tall Taiwania fir, as East Asia's tallest tree.
Researchers propose using inter situ collections to conserve exceptional plant species from the Amazon rainforest, offering a promising strategy for conservation. By transplanting plants to new environments, scientists aim to increase genetic diversity and promote resilience in threatened species.
A team of researchers led by Michigan State University has been tracking tree seedlings for 25 years to understand their impact on forest resilience. They found that some species are better suited to the changing climate than others, while tree canopy cover can help shelter certain species from extreme weather conditions.
Scientists have identified 'Seed Transfer Zones' in Brazil to help restore degraded land. The study divides the country into 48 zones, each defined by climate and soil conditions, to identify native seeds best suited for restoration under current and future climates.
A study finds that US forests are at risk of releasing stored carbon due to droughts, pests, and fires exacerbated by climate change. The researchers recommend increasing buffer pools in carbon-credit systems to account for these risks.
Research reveals US forests face significant risk of carbon loss due to wildfires, droughts, and insects. Current carbon-credit systems fail to account for these risks, but the study provides a solution by proposing larger buffer pools to mitigate losses.
Scientists discover atmospheric connection between African dust aerosols and Amazonian nutrient cycles. Researchers use daily black carbon measurements and global meteorological data to investigate variability of atmospheric cleanliness in the Amazon.
A study on the phylogeography of Burmannia nepalensis, a rare mycoheterotrophic herb in subtropical China, found that historical climate fluctuations and geographic isolation shaped its evolutionary history. The research reveals limited gene flow due to mountain barriers and fragmented habitats.
A study found that policies reducing deforestation in Brazil have failed to stop forest degradation, a slower and more dangerous form of destruction. Forests are becoming increasingly fragile due to fires, logging, and other human activities.
Researchers estimate that recarbonizing one-third of Brazil's agricultural land could meet the country's Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement. Sustainable practices like crop rotation and no-till farming can increase soil carbon storage, with potential increases of up to 15.3% in some biomes.
A new study reveals that birds in Hawaiian forests engage in kleptoparasitism, stealing materials from neighboring nests. The behavior, common among the scarlet I'iwi and crimson Apapane, could threaten species already under stress due to habitat loss and climate change.
Researchers found a significant reduction in tree-ring growth after major hurricanes, but these trees can recover quickly within two years. Coastal forests in the Northeastern US are vulnerable to sea-level rise and stand dead or dying trees, posing a threat to densely populated communities.
A new study reveals that tropical trees have more positive interactions with their neighbors, leading to increased diversity and richness in these ecosystems. This finding may help explain why tropical forests are home to so many tree species.
Research at Tohoku University reveals that mushrooms adjust their communication levels in response to urine application, with increased flow when water is applied and decreased flow when urine is applied. The findings suggest that forest mushrooms can flexibly change their electrical information flow in response to various disturbances.
A new study reveals that improving surrounding landscape quality can increase bird species survival in forest remnants, with modest increases in nearby tree cover substantially boosting numbers. This contradicts traditional views on habitat fragmentation and highlights the importance of a more hospitable matrix for conservation.
A new study found that ignoring woody parts and using one representative leaf spectrum have minor effects on simulated waveforms, while assuming a uniform foliage area volume density causes larger errors. The research provides guidance for designing faster analytical models that remain physically reliable.
A new study from Lund University reveals that old-growth forests in Sweden store 78-89% more carbon than managed forests, mainly due to large carbon stocks in the soil. The study's findings have significant implications for climate change mitigation and forest management.
A young female fisher traveled 118 kilometers from Durham to the White Mountains in New Hampshire, the longest recorded dispersal for the species. This journey, documented over winter with deep snow, underscores the fisher's adaptability and highlights the need for further research into movement patterns.
Forest damage in Europe is projected to increase by up to 20% by 2100 under all climate scenarios. Annually disturbed forest area could rise from 180,000 to 370,000 hectares per year, increasing pressure on other sectors to reduce emissions.
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.
A recent study co-authored by NAU researchers found that fires in northern Canada have a net cooling effect when coupled with snowpack, but this is outweighed by the warming effects of permafrost carbon released from fires in Alaska. This highlights the need for land and fire managers to reconsider how wildland fires are managed.
A pilot initiative led by University College London is using highly detailed 3D scans to estimate tree structure, volume, and stored carbon in tropical rainforests. This data helps scientists better understand how much biomass forests contain, essential for tracking climate change.
Researchers have observed and measured weak electrical discharges, known as coronae, on trees during thunderstorms for the first time. The phenomenon may impact canopy health, with coronae burning leaf tips and potentially damaging trees over time, sparking further investigation into its effects.
A new study found that black carbon, a highly stable form of carbon, persists in mangrove sediments and enhances the climate mitigation potential of coastal wetlands. Mangroves store both organic and dissolved black carbon, which can travel through water and influence marine carbon cycles.
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 found that fungi recycle mycelium based on two clear strategies: wasteful and frugal. The 'wasteful' group leaves behind inactive mycelium, while the 'frugal' group quickly recycles nutrients to preserve them and reduce losses to other organisms. This discovery provides new insights into the carbon cycle and climate.
Rice University researchers found that strawberry guava can prevent natural forest generation in areas of Ranomafana National Park, even decades after deforestation has ended. The invasive plant changes the forest by reducing soil nutrients and altering insect populations, preventing native species recovery.
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 40-year greening project in China's Taklamakan Desert has successfully reduced atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and increased solar-induced fluorescence, indicating a measurable carbon sink. The project demonstrates the potential of afforestation to mitigate climate change, despite being only a small dent in global emissions.
Researchers reconstructed annual canopy height maps for southern China, showing a 61% rise in average canopy height over three decades. Plantation forests grew faster than secondary forests, but ultimately reached greater heights. The study demonstrates the potential of satellite-based monitoring for tracking forest growth and informin...
Research found that deciduous tree dominance reduces wildfire carbon losses in boreal forests, storing more carbon above ground and releasing less in deep organic soils. This shift could help slow climate warming by reducing carbon emissions per unit area burned.
A new study from the University of Notre Dame found that satellite-derived forest maps often disagree, creating uncertainty for conservation, climate, and development policies. The discrepancies can be as high as a factor of 10, affecting millions of hectares and human lives.
Researchers build a robot to demonstrate how tropical bats spot insects perched on leaves using echolocation, revealing a plausible mechanism for the acoustic mirroring effect. The study suggests that bats can efficiently determine leaf occupancy by scanning sounds from an angle and listening for echoes.
Climate change is altering the global nitrogen cycle, affecting food security, water quality, and biodiversity. The review finds that elevated CO2 boosts plant growth but dilutes protein quality, while rising temperatures reduce yields and increase nitrogen losses.
Research suggests that tropical smallholder farms in fragmented landscapes can maintain healthy pollinator populations and fruit production, contrary to expectations. The study's findings highlight the importance of ecological diversity in supporting wild pollinators.
China's urban forests have grown significantly since 2010, increasing by 16.07 × 10^4 km² and storing up to 522.7 Tg C by 2060. The carbon sequestration rate peaked in 2015-2020, with a range of 1.92-22.8 Tg C/year.
A new study by the University of Leicester reveals that Africa's forests have switched from absorbing to emitting carbon, with approximately 106 billion kilograms lost per year between 2010 and 2017. This alarming shift underscores the urgent need for stronger global action to protect forests.
A recent study published in Global Change Biology found that functional diversity helps keep forest growth stable during prolonged periods of drought. Trees with different water-use strategies show stronger growth in drought years than those with opposite strategies.
A new study found that insectivorous birds in the Eastern Himalayas are declining in survival rates and body mass due to changes in forest microclimates after selective logging. The team suggests conserving primary forests and creating shade covers or supplementing water sources to support vulnerable species.
A new study reveals that human disturbances, such as logging and wildfires, are profoundly impacting the Amazon rainforest's ecological functions and evolutionary history. The researchers found that even sustainable management practices, like selective logging, have significant negative impacts on tree diversity.
A recent analysis of data from seven countries found that higher levels of greenness are associated with a 7% reduction in hospital admissions for all cause mental disorders. The protective effect increases with greater exposure to greenness, suggesting that urban design and health policy can be improved to protect mental health.
Researchers found that elevated CO2 levels can cause leaf temperatures to rise by up to 1.3°C in forests, with a greater impact during extreme heatwaves. This change is likely caused by reduced transpiration and could have significant effects on the water cycle globally.
A new study by Dr. Tiago de Melo Cartaxo from the University of Exeter reveals that UNESCO Biosphere Reserves' less prescriptive regulations promote harmonious coexistence between people and nature. The use of soft law instruments supports local responses and fosters community collaboration in environmental management.
Researchers at Kyoto University used LiDAR to measure the crown structure of 4,326 canopy trees across 23 forest census plots in Japan. The analysis revealed that canopy trees account for about 75% of total forest biomass across diverse forest types, providing a foundation for estimating total forest biomass and supporting sustainable ...
A long-term study in the White Mountains of New Hampshire found that recovering forests are using roots to mine minerals for nutrients, leading to improved stream pH but depleted soil fertility. This process enhances mineral weathering, which can make forests more vulnerable to future pollution.