Articles tagged with Forests
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.
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.
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.
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.
Scientists have identified two new species of creeping water bugs, Ambrysus cayo and Procryphocricos pilcopata, found in streams in western Belize and southeastern Peru. The discovery highlights the vast unexplored world of aquatic insects, with many still to be discovered before it's too late due to habitat destruction.
A University of Missouri researcher found that human perception of environmental damage improves over time, despite little improvement in the environmental conditions. Residents' perceptions of the severity of the beetle kill problem decreased during the study period.
A new study reveals that California's forests and wildlands are significant carbon reservoirs, but also release more greenhouse gases through wildfires and deforestation than expected. The findings have implications for the state's efforts to meet its Global Warming Solutions Act goals.
Engineers can now predict how complex carbon nanostructures form through a new understanding of the forces involved. By analyzing these structures, designers can create nanotube forests with desired mechanical, thermal and electrical properties, leading to breakthroughs in various industries.
A new set of global forest maps provide a more accurate view of forests, combining recent remote sensing data, statistics, and citizen scientist input. The maps are freely available for exploration and download on the Geo-Wiki Web site.
Researchers tracked 5 pandas for months using rare GPS collars, finding that they sometimes hang together and have complex social interactions. The data also revealed a panda's feeding strategy, showing that they return to core areas after being away for long periods of time.
A new CU-Boulder study has found that mountain pine beetle epidemics do not significantly increase the risk of wildfires in Western US forests. Climate change and drought are considered the primary drivers of larger forest fires.
A new study found that post-fire logging can reduce woody fuels for up to four decades following wildfire in dry coniferous forests. Harvesting fire-killed trees also helps forest managers manage fuels, with logged stands having lower fuels than unlogged stands over time.
The coco de mer palm tree invests energy into reproduction, producing large amounts of pollen and huge fruits that fall at the base. Its unique leaves capture water, animal waste, and debris, creating a 'parental care' system for its offspring. This modified habitat ensures other plants struggle to establish in nutrient-poor areas.
Researchers identified 18 genetic variants associated with maritime pine tree survival under climate stress, improving forecasts of forest growth and reforestation efforts. These findings demonstrate the importance of genetic data in managing biodiversity and commercial forestry amid a changing climate.
A new study reveals that insect-eating bugs reduce forests' capacity to take up elevated levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Insects' increased feeding and nutrient cycling alter forest ecosystem dynamics.
Darla Munroe examines the impact of telecoupling on sustainability, revealing that reforestation efforts may harm other countries' forests. The US added 7.6 million acres of forests between 1990 and 2010, but Munroe questions whether this is an environmental gain globally.
A $3 million grant will restore 14.4 miles of streams in Pennsylvania, reducing flooding and improving water quality. The project will also create a riparian forest buffer to support a breeding population of native brook trout and other coldwater fish species.
Researchers found that future carbon accumulation rates are highly sensitive to land use changes, with afforestation and deforestation impacting rates. Forests in the region are relatively resilient to natural disturbances, but aging forests and land use transitions can slow down accumulation.
A recent study found that California's forest structure is undergoing changes due to a warmer, drier climate, resulting in the decline of larger trees and an increase in smaller trees. This trend is observed across all regions of the state, with oaks becoming more dominant as pines decline.
A study suggests that dry forests in the western US are more threatened by insect outbreaks and droughts than wildfires. Historically, these forests had a mix of large and small trees, providing 'bet-hedging' insurance against multiple disturbances.
A WCS study tracked guanacos in Karukinka Natural Park, Chile, revealing their seasonal movements and conflicts with livestock. The research suggests a limited science-based harvest may help conserve this species.
A study finds that frozen ground has declined by an average of two to three weeks since 1948, impacting logging operations. The decline is linked to climate change, causing uncertainty in winter harvests and increased costs for equipment and insurance.
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.
A three-year study found that injecting Siberian slippery jack spores into the soil around whitebark pine seedlings increased their survival rate. The native fungus helps trees take in more nutrients and water from the soil, and produces sugars to feed the fungi.