Articles tagged with Forests
A new study suggests that Amazon forest trees have increased in size by an average of 3.2% every decade over the past few decades. The research found that both large and smaller trees have benefited from increased atmospheric carbon dioxide, leading to a significant increase in tree size.
A new international study shows that increasing tree species diversity does not necessarily make forests more resilient to prolonged droughts. The study found that the effects of diversity on tree growth can shift from beneficial to negative as droughts drag on, with some mixes even strengthening forest stress and competition for water.
Climate change is expected to bring increased damages and costs for European forestry, with gains in Northern Europe and losses in Central and Southern Europe. The study highlights the need for strategic adjustments to forest management to reduce economic losses and foster more climate-resilient forests.
A new study reveals that tropical forest soils may release enormous amounts of CO2 as they warm, potentially amplifying global warming. The research found that soil respiration increased by 42–204% in experimentally warmed plots, marking one of the largest CO2 release rates ever recorded.
A new study reveals complex mechanisms by which forests influence climate through interactions with aerosol formation, highlighting the need for regional consideration to maximize climate benefits. Forestation initiatives must balance competing effects of reduced surface albedo and aerodynamic disturbances on aerosol radiative effects.
Research by the University of Michigan reveals that biodiversity is crucial in forests, particularly in wet climates, where it promotes tree growth. In contrast, its impact is negligible in wet years within those same wet climates.
Researchers propose reforms to nature-based climate actions by accounting for feedbacks and ensuring outcomes that wouldn't have happened otherwise
A recent MIT study found that decreases in seed-dispersing animals can lead to a major reduction in forest carbon absorption. The researchers analyzed data from thousands of vegetation plots and found that healthy populations of seed-dispersing animals can absorb up to four times more carbon than similar forests with fewer animals.
A global inventory reveals that natural areas have access to about a quarter less nitrogen than previously estimated, which could limit the removal of carbon from the atmosphere. This finding has implications for natural climate solutions, as nitrogen is essential to plant growth.
A new study from Colorado State University and Western Colorado University found that aspen forests can act as natural firebreaks, slowing fires' spread. Aspen trees with high moisture content and chemical differences reduce flammability, making them more resistant to burning.
A new study by the University of Cambridge found that seaside and blue-colored places are more likely to evoke feelings of nostalgia in people. The research suggests that these environments have visual properties that contribute to positive emotions, including 'fractal property' and high contrast.
Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is a rare but deadly disease in the US, caused by a mosquito bite. People at risk include those living near swamps or marshes and outdoor workers, such as farmers and campers.
A study by University of Göttingen researchers found that mixed deciduous-conifer forests promote coexistence between red squirrels and dormice. The team observed both species living side by side in these forests, suggesting a potential role for mixed forest management in supporting biodiversity.
Research reveals that endangered longleaf pine ecosystems face mounting threats from intensifying hurricanes driven by climate change. The study calls for adaptive management and sustainable practices to mitigate the impact of tropical cyclones on these critical ecosystems.
Researchers used anonymized GPS data from smartphones to monitor how wildlife reacts to people, highlighting the potential of human mobility data in tracking human-wildlife conflicts. The study's findings can inform conservation planning, help protect animals and wild spaces, and ensure that recreational activities are done responsibly.
Researchers found large differences in species communities among old-growth, managed, and clearcut forests in boreal Europe. Species richness increases with forest age, especially in full-canopy forests.
The Amazon rainforest could withstand prolonged droughts caused by climate change, but this would come with significant losses, including the death of largest trees. This would lead to a reduction in the forest's ability to act as a vital carbon sink.
New research reveals that vegetation feedbacks played a key role in speeding up major climate changes during the late Miocene. Shifts in plant life intensified cooling in northern high latitudes and altered rainfall patterns in lower latitudes.
A new satellite developed by Chalmers University of Technology will help monitor and measure the world's forest biomass. The system enables precise measurements of forest carbon stocks, aiding efforts to combat climate change.
A groundbreaking international study found that spruce trees not only respond to solar eclipses but actively anticipate them by synchronizing their bioelectrical signals. Older trees exhibit a more pronounced early response, suggesting they retain environmental memory to inform younger trees of impending events.
A new study has confirmed that beech leaf disease, already devastating American beech, also affects European beech. Researchers used advanced microscopy to trace the effects of the nematode on European beech, finding similar symptoms and damage as in American beech.
A long-term shift towards drier conditions is reshaping landscapes and livelihoods globally, affecting 40% of Earth's land and 2.3 billion people. The research highlights solutions to adapt to a future where water is no longer guaranteed, including smarter irrigation strategies, data analytics, and restoring degraded land.
Researchers found that human activity, including military conquests and agricultural practices, led to the sudden collapse of swamp forests in the Pearl River Delta region around 2.1 thousand years ago. This event marked the beginning of a decline in biodiversity, contributing to local extinctions of various species.
Researchers found introduced tree species are picking up speed and decreasing native diversity over time. The study used data from a 120-year-old program to quantify the effects of introduced species on native ecosystems.
Researchers found that high tree mortality in upper canopy can promote oak regeneration when maple is removed from understorey. Plantings on thinned forest plots showed fewer signs of drought stress, supporting oak growth.
Researchers found that Ficus insipida tree cores can be used to characterize spatial and potentially temporal mercury emissions from artisanal gold mining. Tree rings showed higher mercury concentrations near mining sites, indicating a potential network of biomonitoring.
A new study reveals China's NTEs were significant sources of CH₄ and N₂O emissions between 1980 and 2020, with an accumulated GWP of 5.55 Pg CO₂-equivalent. The net warming effect is primarily driven by N₂O emissions.
A professor is conducting a study to increase forest farming in Appalachia, with the goal of creating a sustainable economy for the region. The project aims to develop the workforce and formalize businesses to ensure efficient supply chains.
A new study by Holden Forests & Gardens reveals that American beech trees are experiencing significant mortality and reduced growth due to beech leaf disease, with 30% of trees dying since its emergence in northeast Ohio. The disease has also slowed tree growth, energy loss, and increased mortality in affected plots.
Andalusian forests have increased in mass by 30 years, with growth primarily occurring during 1994-2005, attributed to factors like climate change, adaptation, and forest management. The study highlights the importance of remote sensing for monitoring large areas and detecting changes in vegetation.
Researchers at Cornell Lab of Ornithology use acoustic monitoring to track forest bird species and inform forest management decisions. The study creates detailed maps showing where different birds are likely to live, helping managers make better-informed decisions about thinning forests or conducting controlled burns.
Researchers have employed artificial intelligence and data analysis to improve forest protection, enabling real-time monitoring and predictive analysis. The innovative forest regeneration model forecasts how forests will grow and change over time, identifying best-suited tree species for different environments.
The research analyzed satellite images and machine learning to detect forest loss in Ukraine during the war. The study found that Ukraine lost over 800 km² of forests in 2022 and 772 km² in 2023, mainly due to fires in war-torn regions.
Superb lyrebirds are resourceful farmers, creating habitats suitable for their diet of worms, centipedes, and spiders. By arranging litter and soil, they promote more prey in areas with simulated lyrebird foraging.
New Jersey Institute of Technology biologist Xiaonan Tai receives a $1.16 million NSF CAREER Award to study how groundwater influences forest survival during climate stress, integrating ecology and hydrology perspectives.
Researchers found significant concentrations of persistent organic compounds in lichens and mosses in the Irati forest, exceeding those in similar environments. The study suggests that urban and agricultural practices have impacted local air quality, emphasizing the need for controlling combustion processes to reduce PAHs.
A study by Florida Atlantic University investigated how removing dead wood could reduce wildfire risks and enhance carbon storage. The research found that combining physical harvesting with thinning significantly reduced wildfire risks, while lowering carbon emissions and offering carbon sequestration through products like biochar.
A recent study from the University of Eastern Finland found that bark beetle infestation can slow down tree growth even before visible signs of mortality appear. The researchers used dendrometer measurements to monitor stem diameter variation in healthy and infested spruce trees.
A study published in Science Bulletin has created a comprehensive tree density map of China, estimating 142.6 billion trees across the country, with varying densities by region and ecosystem type.
Recent studies suggest that rising temperatures could disrupt the balance of Earth's climate by increasing plant water loss. In extreme heat, plants may lose too much water to conserve it, limiting photosynthesis and reducing their role as a carbon sink.
The study projects a significant increase in wetland and forest areas in China, with potential losses of cropland and shifts in land use patterns. Enhanced protection and management are needed to mitigate the impacts of climate change on food security.
A CSU study reveals trees are contracting in response to climate change, failing to regenerate in hottest areas and not expanding into cooler climates. Human-assisted tree migration is proposed as a solution to help forests adapt to climate change.
A Princeton study reveals how consumption-driven deforestation by high-income nations drives biodiversity loss in other countries, responsible for 13.3% of global range loss. The study finds that these countries cause international biodiversity losses 15 times greater than their domestic impacts.
Research published in Nature Communications reveals that fewer forest fires are burning today than in the past, despite recent record-breaking fire years. This 'fire deficit' allows fuel to build up over time, creating conditions for more severe fires. The study highlights the importance of beneficial management fires on the landscape.
A recent report by Colorado State University reveals that the state's forests are emitting more carbon than they absorb, primarily due to insect and disease impacts. The study estimated that Colorado's forests stored 1,558 teragrams of carbon between 2010 and 2019.
The National Champion Tree Program is now accepting nominations for the 2025-2026 register, with over 1,200 eligible tree species. Nominations will be open through August 2025 and verified trees will be added to the program's data management system.
A University of Liverpool-led study found that climate warming causes a 28% decline in tree growth since 2005 due to temperature-driven changes in seed production. The study also reveals that under warmer temperatures, beech trees shift resource allocation from growth to reproduction.
A new study from the University of Illinois explores how differences in ownership motivation affect willingness to control invasive plants and pests. The research suggests that providing subsidies to the weakest link, such as recreationist landowners, can optimize the effect of control efforts and reduce costs.
Researchers found that cacao grafting increases crop yield by 45% after just two years, while preserving native arthropod diversity. This approach rejuvenates old cacao crops with minimal ecological impact.
A new study reveals that Amazonian mangrove forests release essential trace elements like neodymium into the ocean, supporting marine ecosystems and the carbon cycle. Mangroves act as biochemical reactors, releasing nutrients and metals into coastal waters.
Researchers at Washington State University discovered that wandering salamanders use a unique mechanism to control blood flow in their toe tips, enabling them to optimize attachment and detachment on irregular surfaces. This discovery has implications for bioinspired designed, including the development of adhesives and prosthetics.
The FORSAID project aims to develop a comprehensive framework for early detection of pests and pathogens affecting European forest trees. The project will employ novel technological solutions, including remote sensing, AI modelling, and DNA barcoding, to combat harmful species in forests.
A comprehensive assessment of logging and conversion to oil palm plantations reveals that these activities have significantly different and cumulative environmental impacts. Logging mostly affects forest structure, while converting logged forests to plantations has greater impacts on biodiversity.
New research from Washington University in St. Louis found that pawpaw patches reduce herbaceous plant species diversity and total understory community size, creating a habitat where the rules of competition are more random. The presence of pawpaws also makes it challenging for land managers to encourage the growth of understory species.
Researchers found that taller Japanese black pine trees have deeper roots, making them more resistant to disasters. Shorter trees are more likely to fall due to inadequate root growth.
Early online research reveals associations between snowmelt timing, wildfires in Alaska, and rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones. The impact of climate patterns on extreme weather events is a growing concern.
A new study published in Nature Communications provides fresh insights into China's carbon removal capacity through land-use, land-use change, and forestry. The researchers used an improved modeling approach to estimate the country's carbon removal from land-use changes, offering more accurate projections for future carbon removal.
Botanists have identified six new tree species, including three found only in Panama, using comparisons of dried plant specimens across the Neotropics. The new species are part of the Matisia genus and have been added to herbarium collections in Panama and Colombia.
Researchers found Andean bears prefer to forage in dry season for young, tender bromeliad plants on east-facing slopes of puna grassland. They actively select specific food resources within the grasslands, indicating their nutritional importance, while avoiding areas with livestock.
A study found a strong link between woody cover and large wildfire occurrence in the eastern US, with a 37% increase in woody vegetation over the last 30 years. In some regions, such as eastern Texas and the Appalachian Mountains, each 1% increase in woody cover led to a 3.9% increase in wildfire risk.