Articles tagged with Forests
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The latest guide from USDA Forest Service highlights energy conservation as the most significant benefit of urban trees in temperate interior West. A mature hardwood tree can bring annual savings of $40 in electricity and $15 in heating costs, while reducing power plant emissions.
Researchers tracked sulfate and nitrate movement in forest soils during winter, finding most compounds were released in snowmelt. Organic soils acted as a sink for these compounds, with significant ammonium production indicating N mineralization was important.
Scientists found that rising carbon dioxide levels can delay autumnal senescence, allowing forests to stay greener longer, and potentially increasing productivity. However, other factors such as ozone levels may negate these benefits.
A new study indicates that preserving coastal ecosystem services doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing approach, and a better understanding of how ecosystems respond in a 'nonlinear' fashion could help reach societal compromises. The researchers used the values and uses of mangrove forests in Thailand as a case study, finding that prote...
Researchers at UBC have discovered genetic secrets that enable trees to fight off pests and disease, allowing for the development of breeding programs to repel insects like mountain pine beetles. The study's findings have important implications for the long-term health and sustainability of forests.
Researchers found that avian polyomaviruses spread through an 'upwards vertical' route, from offspring to parents via nestling faeces, highlighting a previously unnoticed cost of parental care. This study may open new research agendas on the evolution of virulence and coevolution of vectors, viruses, and hosts in the wild.
A new study by the University of Helsinki finds that EU forests are expanding and absorbing large amounts of carbon, with an average annual absorption of 126 teragrams between 1990 and 2005. The expansion of forests in certain countries, such as Finland and Lithuania, has even more than offset national emissions.
A NASA study found that Hurricane Katrina killed or severely damaged 320 million trees in Gulf Coast forests, weakening their ability to store carbon from the atmosphere. This has led to these forests releasing large quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, potentially amplifying climate warming.
Hurricane Katrina's impact on Gulf Coast forests can cancel out a year's worth of new tree growth in other parts of the country. The study found that 320 million trees were killed or severely damaged, releasing significant amounts of carbon into the atmosphere.
Researchers have discovered that chimpanzees in a savanna environment use bark and stick tools to exploit underground food resources, challenging the notion that this behavior is uniquely human. This finding supports the idea that chimpanzees can serve as models for understanding early human behaviors and adaptations.
Research suggests human activities are amplifying the impact of Sudden Oak Death, a forest-destroying disease caused by an invasive water mold. The study found that connected forests with high host species abundance have higher pathogen loads, while smaller, isolated forests have lower disease levels.
A University of Leicester study found that climate change contributes to forest fires in Central Siberia, with temperatures rising by almost two degrees Celsius. The changing climate has led to an earlier onset of spring, affecting the timing of plant growth and carbon uptake.
The loss of eastern hemlocks may lead to significant changes in streamflow, forest structure, and soil moisture. Eastern hemlocks play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of mountain ecosystems, providing critical habitat for birds and other animals.
Ancient plant and insect life found in Greenland ice cores, suggesting a more stable southern Greenland ice sheet. The discovery sheds new light on the region's climate history and challenges previous views of sea level rise.
The study reports on a case-based approach to managing forest ecosystems before and after hurricanes, considering risk assessment and outcome mitigation strategies. Key findings include the importance of stand spacing, tree height, and species selection in reducing hurricane damage, as well as the need for long-term recovery plans.
Researchers at the University of Vermont have developed a 'whey-based fungal micro-factory' to combat the eastern hemlock tree's decline due to an exotic pest. The approach involves spraying a sweet whey solution with targeted fungus into infected forests, promoting self-replication and reducing pesticide use.
In semi-arid environments, trees have evolved to access moisture from bedrock fractures and quickly recover when heavy rains occur. Understanding these surface-atmosphere interactions is crucial for predicting water supplies and managing scarce resources.
Researchers found that trees can't increase wood growth from elevated CO2 without sufficient leaf area, which is limited by soil nutrition. With adequate soil nutrients, forests can sequester more carbon in woody biomass under increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations.
Researchers found that lightning fires in Appalachian forests can deter the encroachment of shade-tolerant hardwoods, such as red maples. This natural mechanism can aid in the regeneration of oak forests, which are approaching extinction due to human alterations and fire suppression.
A long-term ecological study of stream chemistry in Appalachians shows unexpected changes due to reduced sulfur emissions from acid rain. Researchers are seeing rising amounts of dissolved carbon dioxide in streams, which could impact the forest ecosystem and carbon balance.
Two studies use spatially explicit models to quantify ecosystem services and their costs, guiding conservation planning in Paraguay and California. The approaches reveal tradeoffs between biodiversity and ecosystem services, highlighting the need for a systematic framework that balances both.
A NASA-funded study uses satellite data to monitor forest growth and health, detecting the effects of climate change on tree species and forest composition. The MODIS dataset shows a strong link between forest productivity and the number of tree species, enabling scientists to better predict future changes.
A team of Swedish scientists has discovered a key gene controlling tree growth and development, shedding light on the complex mechanisms behind flowering and dormancy. The findings hold promise for revolutionizing forest tree breeding and improving pulp, paper, construction, and bioenergy production.
A study on the 2002 Biscuit Fire in Oregon found that fuel treatments significantly reduced tree damage and mortality. The research team measured the effects of two fuel treatments, including thinning and underburning, and concluded that reducing fine fuels is crucial for minimizing overstory tree damage.
A recent study reveals a catastrophic collapse in orangutan populations due to massive deforestation and palm oil plantations. The genetic analysis indicates that the decline occurred within the past hundred years, coinciding with the acceleration of deforestation efforts.
Conifers like Christmas trees survive due to efficient microscopic valves that allow water flow as easily as in flowering trees. The study found resistance to water flow was only 1.2 times greater in conifers, enabling them to dominate forests despite their shorter pipes.
A study found that poor forest management practices in the early 20th century have reduced the amount of carbon that modern forests can store by half. The researchers measured the carbon stored in several forested plots that were harvested and burned, finding that they stored only half as much carbon as adjacent control plots.
A new Science study confirmed that mangroves played a crucial role in shielding communities from the devastating effects of tsunamis. The study found that areas with trees suffered less destruction than those without, highlighting the importance of coastal vegetation in reducing tsunami damage.
Researcher Benjamin Poulter found that wildfires can lead to the conversion of forested areas into marshlands as sea levels rise. In some cases, controlled burning can help forests re-establish themselves if allowed to recover for a period of time.
A study using satellite observations found increased photosynthesis and growing season length in Canadian tundra, while forests declined in photosynthetic activity. The decline is linked to long-term warming and drying, challenging initial predictions of predictable forest changes.
A Duke University study found that high carbon dioxide levels stimulate pine needles to grow more, even under drought conditions. The factor most affecting needle volumes was the amount of nitrogen present in the soils.
A study analyzing government census data finds that housing growth in and around US national forests is threatening biodiversity and ecosystem health. The number of housing units within national forest boundaries increased from 500,000 to 1.5 million between 1950 and 2000, largely due to private land ownership.
The Penn State Regional Center will conduct research on climate change's effects on regional terrestrial ecosystems, including the Northeast region with high population density and urbanization. The center aims to develop models predicting climate change impacts and analyze carbon exchange between ecosystems and the atmosphere.
Alpine meadows are shrinking in the Canadian Rockies, leading to reduced genetic diversity and increased vulnerability for butterfly species. Prescribed burning of forests may help increase meadow areas and protect these fragile ecosystems.
Independent sightings of the ivory-billed woodpecker have been reported in eastern Arkansas, with video evidence suggesting that the bird may still exist. The birds were spotted in the region's swamps and hardwood forests, where conditions are becoming increasingly favorable for population growth.
The ivory-billed woodpecker's reappearance sparks concerns over its long-term survival due to inadequate refuge funding. The Cache River National Wildlife Refuge, one of the largest in the country, struggles to meet basic needs despite its extensive forests, which have provided a haven for the species.
A recent study found that acid rain can severely degrade forest soils, leading to poor tree growth rates and potentially high mortality rates. The research, conducted near St. Petersburg, Russia, tracked tree growth for the first time with changes in soil from acid rain, highlighting the need for recovery strategies beyond surface waters.
A new study using NASA satellites found that Siberian fires burned mostly near people, particularly in areas with roads, towns, and cities. The research used Terra MODIS data to map fire hotspots over three years, revealing a strong link between human presence and fires.
Temperate grasslands like the Great Plains suffer from inadequate land protection, with species-rich ecosystems and habitats for imperiled species at risk. Temperate conifer forests in regions like the Northwest U.S. exhibit robust conservation efforts, even amidst relatively low levels of development.
Researchers have made significant advancements in understanding Earth systems using highly detailed GPS observations. A new technique has improved the accuracy of GPS data by correcting for a time lag built into current satellite systems, allowing for more accurate measurement of dynamic ground motion. Additionally, studies have reveal...
Uganda's forests generate significant income from forest products like charcoal and firewood, contributing up to 36% of annual income for local people. The report concludes that conserving these forests is crucial in alleviating poverty, but current efforts face funding constraints.
A Princeton University study found that changes in U.S. forests caused by land use practices have increased the emission of smog-producing chemicals from trees, which may have worsened ozone pollution in some parts of the country. The study suggests that intensified tree farming and other land use changes have altered the mix of trees ...
Researchers have developed a DNA-based method to determine the geographic origin of ivory, enabling authorities to identify hot spots for enforcement. The technique has been tested in 16 African nations and shows high accuracy in assigning tusks to specific locations.
A new study by the U.S. National Science Foundation highlights the vital importance of streamside forests in maintaining clean water and healthy ecosystems. The research, funded jointly by NSF and EPA, shows that these forests help filter pollutants from streams, enhance ecosystem processes, and support biodiversity.
Research suggests that higher levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone hormones give male Townsend's warblers a competitive advantage over female hermit warblers. The findings indicate that the hermit warbler may become extinct in another 5,000 years due to habitat loss and competition for resources.
Climate models project a significant impact on Alaska's tundra ecosystem, with up to 90% loss of tundra area by 2100. Increased precipitation and temperature changes will lead to shifts in vegetation, insect and pathogen attacks, and potential forest fires.
A new study reveals that New England forests are under greater threat from air pollution compared to those in the Southeast region. The research used lichen community composition as an indicator of air pollution and found that nearly one-eighth of the New England area is affected by poorer air quality.
University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers used a computer-modeling program to project 200 years of change in a forest in northwestern Wisconsin under three climate scenarios. The model found that some species would not be able to survive warmer conditions, while human actions also contribute to the changing landscape.
Researchers discovered that Pre-Columbian mural paintings in Mesoamerica contain information about the pre-recorded past magnetic field. Coastal areas experience 'breathing' due to sea tides, affecting aquifer air flow. Drift waves in the Earth's ionosphere may cause breakdown of magnetic structures. A generalized law for aftershocks e...
Researchers have successfully mapped the genomes of two devastating fungal pathogens, Phytophtora sojae and Phytophtora ramorum, which causes sudden oak death disease. The genome sequences will aid in developing better detection methods and tracking the spread of the disease.
A recent study on a rocky intertidal shore in Washington State discovered an alternative state where mussels replace algal dominated assemblages. The starfish play a key role in controlling mussel distribution and abundance, leading to two possible outcomes: gradual recovery or persistent transformation.
Photographer Jane Alden Stevens chronicles the enduring legacy of World War I through haunting black-and-white images. Her work reveals the persistence of human memory and the lasting effects of war on landscapes and people.
Researchers develop new methods to assess carbon uptake in Western mountain forests, which are affected by drought. By combining airborne data with ground-based measurements, scientists can better understand natural processes involved in forest-air carbon exchange.
Researchers combine airborne data with ground-based measurements to better understand carbon exchanges in rolling hills and mountain ranges. The project aims to enhance carbon uptake and improve monitoring methods for high-emitting nations and industries.
Researchers found that ferns diversified in response to low-light conditions created by the rise of flowering plants, leading to over 10,000 living species. The study, funded by NSF, uses genetic and fossil analysis to reveal the evolutionary history of ferns and angiosperms.
A study found that gray squirrels are essential for germination of black walnut trees due to their scatter hoarding behavior, while red squirrels' larder hoarding practice hinders seed dispersal. The researchers suggest changing land-use practices to maintain healthy forest connectivity.
Cattle introduction modifies frequent interactions between plants and pollinators, affecting web structure. This modification is likely important for ecosystem function.
A study predicts that monarch butterfly winter refuges in central Mexico will continue to decline due to increased storms and wet conditions. Human activities such as deforestation and logging further exacerbate the problem, threatening the survival of these iconic butterflies.
Researchers at UGA are using manmade tracers to study the exchange of gases between vegetation and the atmosphere. They aim to improve methods for evaluating carbon sequestration in plant canopies, a crucial step in understanding how much carbon is taken up by different ecosystems.
Researchers developed software to weigh fire danger reduction against thinning costs, finding targeted density preserves ponderosa pine and western larch while minimizing waste. The approach can help reduce wildfire risks across tens of millions of acres with cost-effective solutions.