Articles tagged with Forests
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Cloud forest trees are highly sensitive to climate change due to their narrow temperature range, making them vulnerable to migration and population loss. Conservation strategies may need to be revised to protect these ecosystems from massive population decline.
A recent Duke University-led study found that climate change is causing trees to speed up their life cycles, rather than migrating to cooler climates. Most species are staying in their current geographic locations, but growing more rapidly due to warmer temperatures and longer growing seasons.
A 400-year study by Harvard University researchers found that Northeastern forests have changed significantly after centuries of intensive land use. Maples have exploded across the region, while other tree types like beeches, oaks, and chestnuts show a pronounced decline. Pine numbers have shifted more than any other tree type.
Research published in PLOS ONE found that logging, agriculture, and natural reforestation have changed forest composition across nine states in the northeastern US. Beech trees decreased significantly, while fir, cherry, and maple trees increased in abundance.
Researchers predict significant growth of trees and bushes in large parts of ice-free Greenland by 2100, with southern regions likely to become greener. The analysis identifies over 400,000 square kilometers suitable for forest flora, offering new opportunities for activities such as hunting and commercial exploitation.
The discovery of the olinguito reveals that the world is not yet completely explored, with many species still unknown to science. The team's findings also highlight the critical need to protect the cloud forests of Ecuador and Colombia, which are under threat from human development.
The discovery of the olinguito is the first carnivore species to be found in the Western Hemisphere in over 35 years. The animal was discovered in cloud forests of Colombia and Ecuador through a combination of DNA testing, museum specimens, and field expeditions.
The article explores the use of prescribed burning in various regions, including the US, Australia, South America, and southern Europe, to manage fire-prone landscapes. It highlights successful traditional practices, such as the Maya milpa in South America, which create spaces for different crops while sustaining wildlife and soil fert...
In July 2013, Oregon's severe drought and thunderstorms ignited dozens of difficult-to-control wildfires. The fires burned nearly 144,688 acres across the state, with smoke posing health risks to residents. Firefighters battled the blazes, including the Douglas Complex and Big Windy Complex, which collectively burned over 50,000 acres.
Researchers use tree-ring growth data to reconstruct forest drought-stress index, revealing strong relationships between FDSI and regional forest productivity. Climate change is expected to lead to increased forest drought-stress by the 2050s, driving imminent changes in forest structure and composition.
Researchers in Borneo have found orangutans regularly coming down from trees to forage or travel, comparable to ground-dwelling macaques. The reason for this behavior remains a mystery, but habitat loss and transformation may be driving the adaptation.
A study by the University of Edinburgh reveals that deforestation in south-central Africa is driven by population growth and agriculture demands. Sustainable fuel alternatives and reduced burning practices can mitigate this loss, while forest cover north of the Congo basin shows a contradictory trend.
A study by University of Missouri-Columbia biologists reveals that hundreds of black bears inhabit southern Missouri's Ozark forests, indicating a return to healthy forests. The bear population is small but growing, and experts warn of potential conflicts with outdoor recreationists and homeowners.
Forests across the globe are losing less water and becoming more efficient in using it for growth as atmospheric carbon dioxide levels rise. Scientists found that forests are storing more carbon due to higher growth rates.
Increased precipitation and changes in forest structure in Argentina's forests are leading to higher rates of parasitic fly infection in young birds. This study found that slight changes in precipitation and vegetation structure, coupled with crowding of nests, result in large increases in the number of parasites per chick.
A study by researchers found that forests in the northern hemisphere increase their water use efficiency as atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations rise, exceeding theoretical expectations. This adaptation helps plants conserve water despite increased photosynthesis, potentially shifting the global water and carbon cycle.
Rising temperatures cause snakes to become more active, devouring mosquito-eating birds like the Acadian flycatcher. This increase in snake predation has severe consequences for agriculture, disease prevention, and tourism.
A new study found that China's payments for ecosystem services programs led to significant forest growth and environmental benefits. However, the programs also had negative impacts on rural households and their livelihoods, highlighting the need for more sustainable policies.
Researchers found tigers in central Sumatra live at lower than expected densities due to high levels of human activity. The study suggests that legal protection and intensive management can reduce human disturbance and facilitate tiger recovery.
A false-color image from NASA's Landsat 8 satellite captured the extent of the East Peak fire burn scar in southern Colorado. The fire burned nearly 13,500 acres before being extinguished on June 25, 2013.
The NASA Aqua satellite's MODIS instrument captured an image of the West Fork fire complex in June 2013. The fires were burning in rugged terrain with large beetle-killed spruce forests, prompting evacuations in nearby South Fork.
Malaysia's oil palm plantations are causing threatened forest frogs to disappear, paving the way for common species to move in. The study highlights the devastating impact of habitat loss on biodiversity, with amphibians being the most threatened vertebrates globally.
A new study across 24 states found two-thirds of forest inventory plots contain at least one non-native plant species. Non-native, or introduced, plants can become invasive and displace native species, degrading habitats and altering ecosystem functions.
New research found that planting trees on non-forested lands significantly increases soil carbon levels. This effect is most pronounced after surface mining and industrial processes have been terminated, leading to doubling of soil carbon within two decades.
The study reveals a severe decline in African forest elephant populations due to poaching and habitat loss. The findings highlight the urgent need for a coordinated global effort to protect this critically endangered species.
Retaining moderate levels of logging debris helps increase growth rate of Douglas-fir seedlings by inhibiting competing herbaceous vegetation and preserving soil water. This leads to increased early growth in seedlings, with higher growth rates observed at 80% debris cover without herbicide treatments.
A Princeton University study reveals that endangered species, such as Sumatran orangutans and Javan leopards, are increasingly taking up residence in swamp forests in Africa and Asia. These areas often lack food sources and fresh water, yet provide a crucial habitat for these animals.
A recent study found that hotter temperatures triggered a widespread die-off of Colorado trembling aspen trees, with the drought from 2000-2003 exacerbating the damage. The researchers used oxygen isotope analysis to determine that summer temperatures were the key factor in drying out surface soil and stressing the trees' water-transpo...
A new computer program, LandTrendr, has successfully teased out subtle changes in forest ecosystems by analyzing vast amounts of scientific data. By comparing satellite images to ground data, scientists uncovered the cause of slow-moving declines and recoveries of trees in Pacific Northwest forests.
The Sundarbans mangrove forest is disappearing at an alarming rate, resulting in loss of natural protection from tidal waves and cyclones. This will inevitably lead to species loss, including the endangered Bengal tiger.
A team of ecologists has developed a method to calculate how much CO2 deciduous trees soak up using seasonal changes in forest colour captured in digital photographs. The results showed that digital cameras can be an important aid in monitoring forests and tracking climate change effects.
The BOSS survey maps quasars to study dark energy, revealing a new era of the universe's expansion history. By analyzing the Lyman-alpha forest, scientists can measure BAO and calibrate the rate of expansion.
A new study by the USDA Forest Service reveals that climate conditions significantly impact bark beetle outbreaks, with optimal temperatures ranging from 1-4 degrees Celsius. Lower cumulative precipitation in prior years and higher current year precipitation also increase the likelihood of outbreaks.
A new study found that over 60% of western aspen trees in Utah and Colorado are triploid, with this genetic anomaly causing altered physical traits such as sterility or reduced fertility. The researchers also discovered a correlation between triploidy rates and regional climate variation.
Researchers developed a new randomization protocol to accurately estimate total biomass in forests. The GLAS approach shows promise in standardizing global forest biomass inventory and improving spatial and temporal coverage.
Researchers developed a new production process called carbon nanotube templated microfabrication (CNT-M) to create stronger microstructures for MEMS applications. By replacing air spaces with a filler material, they enhanced the durability of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes.
A 20-year study at Harvard Forest Long-Term Ecological Research site reveals that leaving storm-damaged trees intact allows native plants and wildlife to thrive. The forest recovers naturally, with original conditions recovering more readily than after salvage logging.
A University of Tennessee study suggests recent droughts may be the new normal, posing significant threats to the nation's forests. The researchers found that the US has experienced several mega-droughts in the last 1,000 years, and projections indicate worsening drought and increased tree mortality by 2050.
Researchers found that warmer temperatures and increased atmospheric evaporative demand will lead to widespread tree mortality and changes in forest distributions. The study used a 'Forest Drought Stress Index' to estimate annual regional tree-growth variability with exceptional accuracy.
The study reveals that southwestern forests face significant challenges due to climate change, including increased drought stress and mortality. The researchers developed a Forest Drought-Stress Index that shows a strong correlation with tree growth, death from drought, and area burned by forest fires.
Scientists predict that climate change will rehabilitate the ecosystem of around 2.5 million years ago on Bylot Island in Nunavut, Canada. The island's fossilized forest is between 2.6 and 3 million years old, with wood samples preserved in peat and permafrost.
A new analysis examines the effects of widespread forest die-offs on ecosystem processes, species diversity, and human services such as water purification and real-estate property values. The study highlights the need for a multidisciplinary approach to understand the complex consequences of climate-driven forest mortality.
In Chitwan National Park, Nepal, tigers have shifted their nocturnal activity to coexist with people, indicating a potential middle ground for human and tiger survival. The study suggests that conservation efforts can consider both nature and humans, paving the way for sustainable solutions.
The Lao government announces a dramatic shift in its land policy, prioritizing local land management and granting significant rights to rural households. This move aims to address land disputes and alleviate poverty, following international best practices from countries like China and Nepal.
A team of scientists discovered a new spider family, Trogloraptoridae, in caves of the Pacific Northwest. The spider, Trogloraptor, is characterized by its elongate claws and ancient features, forcing a revision of spider evolution understanding.
Researchers at Yale University have discovered that diseased trees in forests can produce massive amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The estimated emission rate from an upland site is equivalent to burning 40 gallons of gasoline per hectare of forest per year.
Scientists warn that chronic droughts like the 2000-04 event could become more frequent and severe, leading to ecosystem damage and reduced carbon sequestration. The region's ability to absorb carbon dioxide may decline by the end of the century, exacerbating global warming.
A study by the USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station found that Georgia's forest land area remained stable over the past 50 years, while timber inventory more than doubled. The majority of commercial timberland is privately owned, with individual or family forests making up a significant portion.
Researchers are developing small UAVs that can navigate complex environments, such as forests and urban settings, at high speeds. By studying birds' flight strategies and behavioral processes, scientists aim to create compact platforms with limited sensing that can safely move through challenging environments.
By 2040, parts of Washington State could lose up to a third of their carbon stores due to increasing wildfire risk. This would significantly impact the region's ability to act as carbon sinks and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Lola Fatoyinbo-Agueh, an environmental scientist at NASA Goddard, has been recognized for her exceptional achievement in merging scientific priorities with advanced technology to develop innovative remote-sensing instrumentation. Her research focused on mangrove forests, using data from multiple satellites and a remote sensing software...
A new study reveals that restoring floodplain forests helps migratory songbirds survive the winter, providing vital habitat for birds from Alaska and Canada. The research also found that restored forests are equally preferred to existing older forests by some species, including Lincoln's and White-crowned Sparrows.
A new study by UCI researchers found that heating soil in Wisconsin and North Carolina woodlands can increase carbon dioxide release into the atmosphere up to eight times. The study suggests that soils could accelerate global warming through a vicious cycle, where man-made warming releases carbon from soils to the atmosphere.
A new study finds that preserving forests can curb climate change more effectively than harvesting wood as fuel. The research suggests that managing forests for maximal carbon storage can yield significant, predictable benefits within the coming century.
The upcoming Sentinel-2 mission will fill the gap in research and operations, providing frequent coverage and high-resolution imagery. This will enable the monitoring of land cover, forests, agriculture, and glaciers, leading to better management of the environment and understanding of climate change.
A new study found that rising temperatures and reduced rainfall in European Alpine spruce forests led to more frequent and severe bark beetle attacks. The study suggests that sustainable forest management strategies are necessary to mitigate the impact of climate change on these ecosystems.
A Syracuse University study reveals that invasive plant leaves continue to function in the fall, producing food through photosynthesis, while native plants shut down earlier. This finding challenges conventional wisdom on forest ecosystems and suggests a strategy for invasive species' success.
A group of environmental scientists suggest applying insurance policies and premiums to strengthen the REDD scheme, addressing leakage, permanence, and additionality issues. This new scheme, iREDD, aims to protect forests and promote biodiversity by ensuring both buyers and sellers are protected.
A study of 35 headwater basins in the US and Canada found that warmer temperatures do not always lead to decreased streamflow rates. In fact, water flow decreases only at sites with winter snow and ice, while warmer and drier ecosystems show less impact.
A recent study found that urban heat islands cause trees to turn green earlier in the spring and stay green later into autumn in Mid-Atlantic suburbs. This results in an extended growing season, affecting forests and potentially increasing carbon dioxide uptake.