Articles tagged with Forests
A new study by Imperial College London identifies key trade-offs between effectiveness and scalability in conservation programs. The lessons highlight the importance of balancing program expansion with effective implementation, considering scale-dependent effects on conservation outcomes.
A study by University of Bonn researchers found that measures against illegal deforestation in Brazil lead to a decrease in violent crimes and homicides. The number of homicides fell significantly, particularly after being blacklisted.
Low- and moderate-severity forest wildfires can significantly reduce the intensity of future conflagrations, with effects lasting up to 20 years in certain climates. Researchers found that these reburns have a moderating effect on forest resilience, even during extreme weather conditions.
Research reveals that deforestation in Africa's montane forests has induced a higher warming and cloud level rise than climate change alone, leading to decreased water supply. The study found that air temperature increased by 1.4°C and cloud levels rose by 230 meters over the last 20 years.
A new study found that surf breaks surrounding the world's oceans store nearly 90 million metric tonnes of planet-warming carbon, highlighting their crucial role in combating climate change. The top five countries with the highest stored carbon are the US, Australia, Indonesia, Brazil, and Panama.
The UFZ forest condition monitor tracks dynamic changes in Germany's forests due to climate change extreme events. The index displays seasonal and annual maps of forest condition, highlighting areas with severe damage, such as the Harz region.
A new study by the University of Exeter and Oxford found that integrated forest restoration plans deliver over 80% of benefits in all three areas - capturing carbon, nurturing biodiversity, and supporting human livelihoods. Socioeconomically disadvantaged groups benefit disproportionately from this approach.
Researchers found that mature trees increased wood production by an average of 9.8% under elevated CO2 levels, supporting their role as medium-term carbon stores and natural climate solutions. This increase was not accompanied by a corresponding rise in leaf or fine-root production.
Researchers developed a new method using spectral measurements to accurately estimate forest tree leaf nutrient content, offering a faster and larger-scale alternative to traditional methods. The method improved accuracy when accounting for soil type and tree genus, showing promise for informing forest management decisions.
Researchers project significant short-term impacts of the Russian invasion on global timber markets, but also warn of long-term effects on the economy and environment. The study predicts that some product markets may not recover from the invasion, leading to increased production in other countries and potential environmental harm.
A WVU team investigates how different management practices affect Appalachian forest life and carbon sequestration capabilities. Preliminary data reveals changes in species distribution and ecosystem resilience to climate change.
Researchers used tree regeneration patterns to predict changes in US forests' carbon stocks, finding that 29% will lose and 55% will replace carbon. This study identifies vulnerable areas and prioritizes strategies for resilient forest management.
A recent OSU-led study found that natural regeneration is cost-effective in many regions, while plantations are better suited for others. The authors suggest a mixed approach for optimal carbon sequestration.
A study by Duke University researchers suggests that a mixed approach to reforestation, combining both planted and naturally regenerated forests, can sequester more carbon than either method alone. This approach can remove up to 10 times more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere at lower cost.
The study uses spaceborne lidar to estimate canopy height, providing accurate measurements over large geographic regions. The results show promising accuracy for evergreen forests with dense canopy cover, highlighting the potential of ICESat-2 in monitoring forest recovery and detecting health issues.
A new study reveals that trees in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest are migrating uphill to escape rising temperatures, while some species are moving downhill. The research found that younger trees in high-altitude forests are growing more rapidly and moving uphill.
Households in Liberia that participated in forest-based activities reduced their food scarcity by 84 percent. The research also found that forests can capture carbon and advance sustainability goals for low- and middle-income countries, reducing hunger and improving well-being.
Researchers found that foreign direct investments and urbanization drove tree cover loss ahead of GDP growth in 40 countries. The study suggests addressing the full extent of FDI's link to deforestation by improving the entire food system.
Researchers analyzed six US cities and found that tree species in parks were more drought-tolerant and reflected greater native biodiversity than those in residential yards. The study highlights the importance of planting drought-tolerant trees in urban areas to adapt to future climate change.
Co-circulation of Mayaro and chikungunya viruses has been observed in Roraima, Brazil's northernmost state, according to a recent study. The finding highlights the need for more effective epidemiological surveillance in the region. Deforestation and human activities may facilitate transmission in urban areas.
New research from an international team of scientists found that Mozambican miombo woodlands store 1.5 to 2.2 times more carbon than previously estimated, with potential storage of 13.6 billion tonnes of equivalent carbon dioxide. This suggests a critical role for these ecosystems in climate change mitigation.
A new study suggests that the Cahokia exodus may have been due to external pressures rather than crop failure, finding no evidence of widespread drought impact. Researchers believe the society had the engineering skills to maintain crops and a diverse diet, leading them to gradually disperse rather than abandon their land.
Chimpanzees have been observed seeking out specific plants with medicinal properties to treat their ailments, and further pharmacological testing has confirmed the presence of anti-inflammatory and antibiotic compounds. These findings highlight the importance of studying animal behavior in discovering new medicines.
The study reveals regional differences in Amazon drought response due to local environments and tree properties. The southern Amazon, with shallow water tables, is more vulnerable to drought, while the northern region, with deeper roots and less fertile soil, is more resilient.
A new study finds that two-thirds of critical bird habitats are at increased risk from cocaine trafficking activities. The study highlights the unexpected connection between drug trafficking and biodiversity, revealing that areas with growing levels of cocaine trafficking become more attractive to migratory birds.
Researchers propose expanding research on nature's scents and olfactory cues to better understand their impacts on human health. The study aims to investigate the complex links between smell, nature, and human well-being, including the potential for unconscious biochemical processes.
A new study from the University of Utah documents the current extent of the balsam woolly adelgid infestation in Utah's Wasatch Mountains, with 41% of subalpine fir biomass exposed to damage. By 2100, climate projections predict that 79% of the area will be exposed to some level of damage.
Recent deadly wildfires in Greece and Hawaii highlighted the need for improved wildfire risk management. The authors propose a long-term strategy integrating forest land management with fire prevention and mitigation measures, including retrofitting buildings and limiting development in the wildland-urban interface.
Researchers found that secure boundaries promote collective conservation practices and limit over-harvesting, but perceived high risk of theft from neighbors leads to looser harvest limits. Community members impose their own limits on harvesting via conservation committees when borders are secure.
A recent study by the University of Vienna found that only a few tree species can survive a century of rapid climate change. Mixed forests are essential for forest ecosystem stability, but limited species options pose a challenge. The selected set of future-proof trees averages three properties, such as carbon storage and animal habitats.
Research published in Global Change Biology indicates that a single hurricane can down 4.6–9.4% of New England's aboveground forest carbon. The study also shows that current carbon market policies are insufficiently buffered against the risks posed by hurricanes, which could lead to catastrophic emissions
A new study reveals that a single hurricane can wipe out 5-10% of New England's total aboveground forest carbon through tree damage. The research team analyzed the impact of 10 powerful hurricanes on the region's forests and found that future storms could pose a significant risk to carbon offset programs.
A study published in Nature reveals that oxidative dearomatization is the key mechanism behind this transformation, resulting in millions of diverse molecules with stable structures. This process allows the organic matter to persist for long periods, preventing it from rapidly returning to the atmosphere.
Researchers observed a rare instance of lemur predation by a fosa in the Betampona Strict Nature Reserve. The impact of this predation, combined with low reproductive rates and genetic isolation, poses significant threats to the survival of critically endangered lemurs.
The WVU Research Experience for Undergraduates program aims to solve real-world problems in Appalachia using mobile robotics. Students will conduct independent research in areas like drone navigation and swarming behaviors, focusing on enabling change with robotics tools.
A study found that when adult male blue tits were absent, young males had higher success rates in fathering offspring outside of their breeding pair. Young males' poor performance was due to competition with older males, not lack of experience. In the absence of adult males, 33% of young males fathered at least one extra-pair offspring.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that annual producer income from non-wood products is $88 billion, with the added value of processing reaching trillions of dollars. Non-timber forest products contribute significantly to food security, health, and employment in low- and middle-income countries.
A recent NIH study found that children living near natural spaces from birth experience fewer emotional issues between ages 2 and 5. Higher levels of green spaces were linked to lower anxiety and depression symptoms during this period.
A new study by University of Vermont researchers found that frequent and strong cold-air pooling drives temperate forest composition, potentially providing a refuge for cold-adapted species. This phenomenon, where cold air at higher elevations drains down into lower-lying valleys, reverses expected temperatures.
A new study finds that Europe's forgotten forests have the potential to support high species diversity and resilience to climate change. The Eurasian aspen, a keystone species, is well-suited to thrive in these environments due to its ability to regenerate quickly and colonize new areas.
A new UM study found that fire suppression leads to severe ecological impacts and accelerates burned area growth. Suppressing low- and moderate-intensity fires results in more extreme fires under extreme conditions.
A modelling study suggests mass timber can significantly reduce carbon emissions in high-rise US buildings by replacing traditional materials like concrete and steel. The study's findings have significant implications for the construction industry and could pave the way for more sustainable building practices.
Researchers from Nagoya University discovered that tree frogs create foam nests on the ground to protect their eggs from low temperatures, increasing hatchability rates.
Researchers developed a comprehensive methodology to extract phenotypic parameters of understory regeneration saplings using high-density airborne LiDAR data. The study demonstrated a successful application of this technology, improving detection and matching rates for tree segmentation.
A new study found that giant sequoias introduced to the UK are well-adapted to the climate, growing at rates close to their native ranges and capturing large amounts of carbon during their long lives. The trees can potentially pull an average of 85 kilograms of carbon out of the atmosphere per year.
Scientists have discovered the oldest fossilized forest on Earth, dating back 390 million years, in the Devon and Somerset coast of South West England. The fossils, known as Calamophyton, are a 'prototype' of modern trees, with characteristics such as hollow trunks and twig-like structures.
Researchers found that brown bears' digging for cicada nymphs damages tree roots and alters soil nitrogen content, limiting tree diameter growth. This phenomenon is unique to human-planted conifer forests, with no similar effects in natural forests.
A new study found that Tanna's forests showed remarkable recovery after Cyclone Pam, with high resprouting and widespread recruitment of most tree species present. Customary stewardship practices appear to augment the capacity for resilience by promoting a diversity of tree species and life histories.
A new study published in GeoHealth suggests that forests can provide natural protection against disease transmission, including malaria. The research found that deforestation increases the risk of malaria, especially among children from poorer households and communities with certain dominant mosquito species.
A team of scientists has discovered eight new species of Hylaeus masked bees in the Pacific islands, including French Polynesia. The study reveals that these tiny bees likely rafted between islands via Fiji and the southwest Pacific, solving a long-standing mystery about their origins.
A new study predicts that cooler, wetter parts of the Pacific Northwest will experience increased fires due to climate change. The region's highly productive forests are vulnerable to larger and more frequent blazes, which could impact drinking water sources, timber resources, and biodiversity.
A new study reveals that the Amazon rainforest is at risk of a large-scale collapse if climatic and land-use thresholds are breached. The Southeastern Amazon has already shifted from a carbon sink to a source, while droughts, deforestation, and fires weaken its resilience mechanisms.
A recent study published in Nature identifies potential thresholds for stressors that could cause the Amazon forest to collapse. The research highlights the importance of understanding the most significant factors affecting the rainforest environment to develop strategies for keeping it resilient.
A century of reforestation in the eastern US led to significant cooling effects, with forests lowering land surface temperatures by 1-2 degrees Celsius annually. The study found that forest cover can influence ground surface temperatures and near-surface air temperatures, providing relief from heatwaves.
A new study used pollen analysis to track forest changes in eastern Canada spanning 850 years, from the Medieval Warm Period to extensive logging by European settlers. The research provides a precise chronology of forest composition and helps establish baselines for evaluating changes in forest cover as the global climate warms.
Researchers developed an unmanned forestry machine that can safely pick up logs using computer vision, autonomous navigation, and manipulator control algorithms. The machine reduces labor costs while minimizing environmental impact, promoting sustainable forestry.
The discovery of fossilized trees with a surprising three-dimensional crown shape reveals that some ancient plants were experimenting with unusual growth forms to maximize light capture. The 350-million-year-old tree, known as Sanfordiacaulis, had over 250 leaves and a dense canopy extending at least 5.5 meters around its non-woody trunk.
A new study reveals how sika deer foraging is causing soil erosion, reducing the growth of Japanese beech trees. The research found that exposed roots are more vulnerable to water loss, affecting tree health and increasing vulnerability to climate change and pests.
Researchers urge shift towards more sustainable forestry practices and policy to manage global growing flood risk. A probabilistic approach can better understand the effects of deforestation on floods, considering multiple factors like climate change, land use, and logging.
A study published in Journal of Ecology found that forest canopies do not follow fractal patterns, despite exhibiting similar deviations from fractality across diverse ecosystems. The researchers used airborne laser scanning data to compare forest heights and deviated scaling with fractality.