Articles tagged with Forests
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The Grauer's gorilla population has plummeted due to warfare, illegal hunting, and mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Conservation efforts recommend controlling militias, protecting reserves, and raising awareness about the crisis faced by wildlife.
A new study by Dartmouth College and other institutions provides a method to predict forest risks from the southern pine beetle using a simple, inexpensive monitoring program. The researchers found that the risks in any year and region can be predicted synchronously across hundreds of miles.
A CU study found that large fires in the West followed by drought conditions are affecting high-elevation forests, leading to lower tree densities and increased patchiness. The research team measured tree species, numbers, sizes, and ages of post-fire seedlings in nearly 200 forest plots.
A new study published in Global Ecology and Biogeography finds that drought following wildfires hinders forest recovery in the Rocky Mountains. The research shows that forests are not adapting quickly enough to climate change, with subalpine tree species being negatively impacted by warm, dry conditions.
China's sweeping program to restore forests has seen significant gains in tree cover, with nearly 61,000 square miles of land recovering, while 14,400 square miles experienced loss. The recovery is encouraging, but researchers emphasize the need for further research on the broader impacts of forest degradation and recovery worldwide.
A recent UCR study found that biomass burning of polluted forest fuels exacerbates poor air quality and related health concerns in heavily polluted areas. The research showed that emissions from polluted fuels released more nitrogen oxides and small fine particles, posing respiratory health risks.
Researchers found Eastern US forests are changing, with drought-sensitive tree species dominating and fire-resistant ones declining. This shift, known as mesophication, makes forests more vulnerable to future climate change and droughts.
Researchers found that unmanaged forests remain productive despite surface ozone pollution, due to differential sensitivity among tree species. Ozone impacts are more pronounced in low-diversity systems like crops and managed forests.
Scientists create a computer simulation that grows realistic forests down to individual trees to predict how climate-related changes will affect fire rates, plant growth, and forest recovery in Quebec hardwood forests. The 'LES' model can help identify necessary species for reestablishing forests after wildfires and other disturbances.
Nearly all US forests are vulnerable to future declines due to increasing drought and climate change, according to a new study. The effects have been most pronounced in the West, but Eastern forests are also at risk as tree populations struggle to adapt to changing conditions.
A new study finds that US forests are experiencing severe drought effects, with potentially devastating consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem services. The research highlights the urgent need for better understanding of forest responses to drought and climate change.
A research team has discovered new populations of the endangered banana frog in Southwest Ethiopia, expanding its geographical range. The study, published in ZooKeys, suggests that the frogs are more tolerant to forest degradation than expected, increasing conservation efforts.
Scientists analyzed stalagmites from a Madagascar cave and found a sudden shift in carbon isotope ratios, indicating a drastic transformation of plant species from trees to grasslands within just 100 years. The study suggests human involvement in forest loss, contradicting climate change theories.
A Dartmouth College study reveals that climate change will cause a shift from coniferous to deciduous trees in New England's forests, affecting nutrient cycling and metal storage. This change could lead to decreased accumulation and retention of major metals, with potential impacts on forest ecosystems.
A study published in Conservation Biology found that China's National Forest Conservation Program increased forest cover and improved wildlife habitat, particularly for the giant panda. The program's payment scheme proved effective in engaging local residents to monitor and protect forests.
Native forests reduce flood frequency and severity, while coral reefs provide a 97% cost-effective defense from storm surges. The cost of adaptation could reach $100 billion per year, but intact ecosystems offer the best defense against climate change.
New research reveals that Native American populations in the Southwest US collapsed rapidly in the 17th century due to sustained daily interaction with European colonizers, resulting in epidemic diseases, violence, and famine. The population decline had indirect effects on forest fires and climate, with findings published in PNAS.
A new orchid species has been discovered in the Pacific slope of Oaxaca state, Mexico, exhibiting distinct features such as shape, size, and colors. The study led by Dr. Leopardi-Verde refutes a long-held hypothesis about hybridization that contributed to its taxonomic placement.
A long-term study at Harvard Forest found that adding litter accelerated the breakdown of organic matter, releasing more CO2 into the atmosphere. The experiment contradicts previous assumptions about soil's ability to store carbon.
A new model suggests a more nuanced response to climate change in the Amazon forest, with individual trees experiencing water stress, leading to a gradual shift from high-biomass forests to low-biomass ecosystems. This approach better captures ecosystem heterogeneity and predicts a less drastic transition.
A new study from Carnegie Institution reveals that up to 58 million large trees in California experienced severe canopy water loss between 2011 and today, putting them at risk. The research used advanced tools to measure the impact of the drought on forest canopies and mapped changes in canopy water content.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new technique for trapping hard-to-detect molecules using forests of carbon nanotubes. The team created a three-dimensional array of permeable nanotubes within a microfluidic device, which they coated with polymers to capture specific bioparticles.
A new study reveals that freshwater rivers and streams transport or store more than 220 billion pounds of carbon each year. This finds that the actual carbon storage in forests is decreased by almost 30 percent once accounting for the leaking carbon into aquatic environments.
Research predicts 72% of Northwest Evergreen Trees will die by 2050, with nearly 100% mortality by 2100 under projected global warming scenarios. Climate models suggest a negative feedback loop could accelerate climate change.
A computer model predicts changes in tidal water level and salinity in Bangladesh's delta region, affecting farmland and the Sundarbans mangrove forests. The model could inform decisions on irrigation and crop management to mitigate potential flooding and ecosystem damage.
A recent study found that widespread tree mortality from mountain pine beetles can reduce water availability due to increased evaporation, rather than increasing streamflow. This challenges previous assumptions and offers new insights for managing healthier forests that are more resistant to drought.
Three new species of fishing snakes were identified in the Andean cloud forests of Amazonian Ecuador and Peru, with differences found in scale features, male sexual organs, and DNA. The discovery expands the Synophis genus to eight members and highlights the biodiversity hotspot in western South America.
A new study estimates that up to 8,690 Amazonian tree species may face extinction, with more than half of the world's tropical tree species at risk. Protected areas and indigenous territories have made strides in preserving biodiversity, but further management is crucial to prevent extinctions.
The DFG is establishing 16 new Research Training Groups to support early career researchers in Germany. The groups will focus on topics such as the mechanisms of aging, cultures of critique, and the neurobiology of aggression and impulsivity. Funding for the programs is approximately €72 million over a four-and-a-half-year period.
The US Forest Service found that forest carbon sequestration may decline overall over the next 25 years, with some regions experiencing a gradual decline and others a rapid decline due to disturbances like fire and insect epidemics.
Researchers tracked juvenile cowbirds using automated telemetry systems, finding they leave host nests at dusk and spend nights in nearby fields before returning just after daybreak. This behavior helps young birds avoid imprinting on their host parents and learn essential survival skills.
Climate shifts may drive up temperatures in Hawaii, allowing mosquitos into high elevation habitats where native vegetation persists. 20 Hawaiian forest bird species risk losing more than 50% of their range under climate change scenarios.
A new study found a significant decline in the growth rate of sugar maple trees in the Adirondack Mountains, raising concerns about the long-term health of northeastern ecosystems. The research suggests that factors such as acid rain, insect outbreaks, and late frost damage may contribute to this decline.
A new coffee tree species, Sommera cusucoana, has been discovered in the Critically Endangered Cusuco National Park in Honduras. The species was identified by a team of scientists led by Daniel Kelly and is characterized by its cream-colored flowers and cherry-like fruits.
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.
A new study finds that many forests cannot absorb as much carbon dioxide as projected because of a shortage in vital nutrient nitrogen. This limits the ability of plants to fix carbon, leading to higher net carbon emissions.
Researchers propose using prescribed fires, mechanical thinning, and less suppression of wildfires in specific conditions to restore resilient forests. This approach could reduce catastrophic fires and their costly consequences.
Scientists explore reviving extinct Mediterranean forests through minimal human disturbance and restoration of native vegetation. They also investigate the impact of ocean noise pollution on undersea animals and propose internationally binding commitments to monitor and limit noise.
A recent USDA Forest Service study found that warming temperatures and acidity threaten coldwater aquatic species in the southern Appalachians, with an estimated 10-20% loss of habitat for brook trout. The research highlights the importance of watershed management and climate adaptation planning to mitigate these impacts.
Climate change and rising temperatures are giving rise to 'hotter' droughts, causing abnormally high levels of forest mortality. Temperate forests may convert to new ecological states, leading to widespread ecosystem service losses.
A new study by Duke University reveals that drought can cause trees to die years after the drought ends, with 72% of affected trees dead within a decade. Thinning out competing trees and monitoring tree growth rates can help prevent this decline.
Researchers from Spain and Portugal used photonic crystal optical fibers to develop innovative sensors capable of withstanding high temperatures. The system successfully measured toxic gas levels and temperature variations in coal waste piles, allowing for early detection of potential fires.
Forest trees take an average of two to four years to recover from droughts, with growth rates slower than expected during the recovery period. The study suggests that Earth's forests can store less carbon than previously calculated, which could lead to a speed-up in climate change.
Researchers found reduced tree stem growth after severe drought, contrasting with climate models that assume quick recovery. This study suggests reevaluation of climate-vegetation models to accurately capture drought impacts on the global carbon cycle.
Wild chimpanzees in Uganda's Budongo Forest are increasingly eating clay to supplement the minerals in their diet, which also helps them 'detox' and digest their food. The researchers observed that accessing clay with leaf sponges provided higher mineral concentrations than taking clay-water or clay directly from the ground.
Wildfires on Croatia's Peljesac Peninsula and islands of Korcula and Brac have destroyed olive groves, vineyards, and pine forests, forcing evacuations. The fires have also disrupted main roads and power supplies, with hot winds and high temperatures hindering firefighters' efforts to contain the blazes.
The newly discovered Rhombophryne longicrus is an unusually long-legged new species of frog from Madagascar that challenges the traditional burrowing behavior of its relatives. Genetic analyses reveal close relationships to another diamond frog species, highlighting concerns over extinction due to habitat destruction.
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 new study published in Nature Climate Change found analyses of carbon emissions may be misleading as they failed to include policy mechanisms. Contrary to previous findings, conserving native forests resulted in better climate outcomes than sustainable harvesting due to policy effects.
A team of scientists has released two species of silver flies from the Pacific Northwest to attack the hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive insect killing millions of hemlock trees on the East Coast. Early results suggest the flies have successfully reproduced and preyed on the pest in Tennessee and New York.
A study analyzing drought, heat, and insects found that a combination of these factors contributes to over 12 million dead trees in California. Researchers expect this number to rise with climate change.
A new study suggests that EU forests have the potential to supply significantly more woody biomass than currently used, but this comes with trade-offs for biodiversity and other ecosystem services. The findings highlight the need for careful planning to balance wood production with protection of biodiversity.
A researcher from University of East Anglia has found a rare Annamite Striped rabbit in Laos and Vietnam. The discovery provides new insights into the species' habitat and genetics, highlighting its potential risk of extinction due to deforestation and hunting.
A new study by University at Buffalo geographers found that Native American villages in Chautauqua County, NY, favored the growth of fire-tolerant tree species like hickory, chestnut, and oak. These trees produce edible nuts and are more likely to survive fires, suggesting that human activity altered the forest landscape.
A new study reveals that the panther chameleon, found only in Madagascar, is composed of 11 different species. Genetic analysis and colour patterns confirmed strong genetic structure among populations, with low interbreeding among lineages.
Researchers analyzed DNA of over 250 tree species in southern Appalachians and found that half can trace their ancestry to eastern Asia. The temperate forests of the region are home to more tree species than anywhere else in North America.
Researchers found that tall trees with low hydraulic conductance are most likely to die from future drought stress, posing a significant threat to earth's carbon storage. This study predicts widespread forest mortality under climate warming, highlighting the need for forest management interventions.
A new Harvard University study maps ecosystem service hotspots in Massachusetts, revealing a shift from intact forests to smaller, highly valued ecosystems. The research highlights the need for conservation efforts at multiple scales to sustain the natural environment.
The presence of conservation research projects limits chimpanzee and gorilla poaching, while community involvement boosts the value of apes and forests to local people. This study highlights the effectiveness of small-scale conservation efforts in protecting wildlife.
Recent research by Solomon Dobrowski, a University of Montana professor, finds that forest canopies play a crucial role in buffering juvenile trees from drought and heat. The study suggests that climatic buffering from forest canopies is important to consider when projecting the likelihood of regeneration in future forests.