Articles tagged with Forests
A global study reveals that proximity to human activity and native biodiversity are crucial factors in determining the likelihood and severity of non-native tree invasions. Native species help buffer the intensity of these invasions by filling available niches, making it harder for non-native trees to spread.
Climate impacts like dry summers causing tree growth reduction and increased mortality in the Black Forest. The study found a peak in tree mortality in 2019, with mortality rates exceeding 40% of sustainable annual growth.
A new modeling tool called REBURN can simulate large forest landscapes and wildfire dynamics under different management strategies. The tool shows that setting prescribed burns and allowing smaller wildfires to burn can yield more varied and resilient forests over time.
A new study finds that US property values exposed to wildfires and tree mortality will increase sharply in future climate scenarios, particularly in the western US. Aggressive climate action can substantially reduce exposure, with the value of exposed property topping out at $11 billion under mitigation scenarios.
A Washington State University-led study found that dry lightning can cause wildfires despite up to 7.7 mm of precipitation, posing a risk for responders to detect fires earlier. The research analyzed data on over 4,600 naturally caused fires and found holdover fires, which can smolder for days before exploding into full-blown wildfires.
New research found that plant water use efficiency has stalled since 2001 due to climate change, contradicting earlier hopes it would help improve water consumption. The study's findings suggest that rising temperatures and atmospheric CO2 may be undermining nature-based methods to achieve carbon neutrality.
Restoration of longleaf pine woodlands enhances stream flow while conserving an endangered ecosystem, addressing two pressing conservation issues. This approach promotes 17% more streamflow on average and 92% higher streamflow during droughts.
A new UBC study finds that clearcut logging leads to a significant increase in flood frequency and size, particularly in larger watersheds. The researchers used a novel method to isolate the effects of logging from climate background factors.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen used a new method to collect airborne DNA particles and found evidence of 64 different animal species in a single football field-sized area. The findings suggest that this technique could be a valuable tool for monitoring biodiversity and tracking the spread of diseases.
A research team from Hokkaido University has found an exceptionally preserved fossil forest of Wataria parvipora, which was predominantly accompanied by Byttneriophyllum leaves. The discovery helps reconstruct a whole Eurasian plant from the late Miocene epoch and sheds light on the taxonomic identity of plants.
A study by the University of Illinois examines how family forest landowners in Maine and New Hampshire approach invasive species management. The researchers found that landowners prefer mechanical control methods, which are more expensive but less effective than chemical control, due to strong neighborhood effects. This has implication...
A soil transplant experiment found that soils with a history of salinity and inundation are more resistant to changes in water properties and movement. The study suggests that disturbance legacies shape coastal forest soil responses to changing salinity and inundation, varying across landscapes.
A study highlights the importance of wild plants in fallow land and other ecosystems in Madagascar, revealing a wide range of plant species used for various purposes. Fallow land is found to be a valuable contributor to rural households' health, food and energy supply.
Research found trees and shrubs respond differently to warming, with trees advancing and shrubs delaying their growth due to increased sensitivity to chilling accumulation. This phenological mismatch confers a competitive advantage to trees, potentially driving upward treeline shifts.
Researchers at North Carolina State University used CRISPR gene-editing to breed poplar trees with reduced lignin levels, while improving their wood properties. This breakthrough could make fiber production for paper, diapers, and other products more sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective.
The EU climate target 2040 aims to reduce emissions, and ForestPaths suggests using forests and wood products to sequester carbon. The project recommends a holistic approach to consider interactions between forest-based activities, adaptation, and other sectors.
Researchers found that most US forests have the potential to adapt to hotter, dryer conditions, but are not changing quickly enough. The study suggests that biodiversity can buffer the impact of climate change on forests.
Research suggests that forests played a crucial role on the island before people changed the landscape to grow crops and graze domesticated animals. The study found that hippo isotopes indicate they did not regularly graze in open habitats, but instead fed on sedges and leaves.
Biotechnology holds promise for saving endangered tree species through a combination of traditional breeding approaches and innovative genetic engineering. The study emphasizes the need for public acceptance and regulators' support to harness biotech's potential.
A new method developed by the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior has counted Africa's largest bat colony using GoPro cameras and artificial intelligence. The estimate puts the colony at between 750,000 and 1,000,000 bats, making it the largest for bats by biomass anywhere in the world.
Deforestation in Brazilian Amazon's Indigenous Territories led to the emission of 96 million metric tons of carbon dioxide between 2013 and 2021. The rate of deforestation increased by 129% between 2013 and 2021, with 59% of emissions occurring between 2019 and 2021.
A recent study by Kyoto University has raised concerns about the authenticity of Big Oil's net-zero emissions claims. The research team found that oil majors are not making sufficient progress in phasing out fossil fuels and transitioning to clean energy, despite their pledges to achieve net-zero by 2050.
A Virginia Tech study found that hellbender fathers are more likely to eat their eggs in deforested areas, leading to a drastic increase in filial cannibalism. The research suggests that protecting and re-establishing forest cover around streams is crucial for the species' survival.
A decade-long study reveals that warmer temperatures lead to significant loss of organic compounds in deep forest soils, affecting carbon sequestration. This finding has implications for natural carbon sinks and soil management practices.
Researchers found that controlled burns in key areas of northern California, western Oregon, and eastern Washington could drastically reduce wildfire smoke exposure throughout the entire western U.S. This is due to prevailing winds carrying smoke across the continent and abundant dense vegetation fueling smokey fires.
Researchers found that plants allocate a significant amount of carbon to mycorrhizal fungi, equivalent to roughly one-third of carbon emitted yearly by fossil fuels. This discovery highlights the importance of understanding fungal networks in soil ecosystems and their role in mitigating climate change.
A new detection tool utilizing DNA-specific primers can identify the nematode species causing beech leaf disease in plant tissue, allowing for rapid and accurate monitoring of the disease. This breakthrough enables forest health professionals to track the spread of the disease more effectively and develop control measures.
Carefully planned restoration of agricultural coffee landscapes can increase crop yield by promoting pollinators' habitat, leading to long-term conservation and economic benefits. Over a 40-year period, strategically allocating land to agriculture and forest can double profits for landholders while increasing forest cover by 20%.
A new study published by the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and The Nature Conservancy found that forests with diverse species are more likely to thrive, reducing the risk of planting failure. This diversity brings benefits such as pest and disease resistance, climate change resilience, and increased wildlife habitat.
Research found that drought can increase tree growth in cold, harsh environments due to its impact on energy-limited systems. The study's results provide insights into how different tree species and ecosystems will respond to climate change, particularly in water-limited regions.
Researchers developed a method to detect forest disturbance by combining strengths from time-series algorithms and 2-date detection methods. The new technique facilitates more effective forest management and policy.
Researchers found that farmers implementing sustainable land use systems like cocoa agroforestry contribute to reducing conflicts over land. In a survey of farmer households, participants felt that agroforestry systems increased spaces for community dialogue and decreased disputes over access to natural resources.
A study of 700 participants found that time outdoors doesn't always reduce smartphone screentime. However, visits to nature reserves or forests saw significant declines in screentime compared to urban locations. Participants who visited wilder areas spent more time disconnected from their smartphones and regained attention.
Researchers used fluid dynamics models to study the mountain pine beetle's flight, finding that wing shape, age, and size impact thrust production. This knowledge can improve statistical confidence levels for insect dispersion studies and help preserve pine forests.
A new metric, called the carbon storage (CS) factor, enables urban planners to evaluate how a new development will affect the city's carbon balance. By using the right kind of wooden construction technologies, up to 70% of future construction can preserve lost forest carbon storage capacity.
Researchers found that mycorrhizal networks are essential for forest stability but not through sharing and caring among trees. The network works like a trading ground for individual trees and fungi, each trying to survive.
Adding Amazonian dark earth to soils increases plant growth by 3-8 times compared to control soil. The nutrient-rich soil also supports a greater biodiversity of beneficial bacteria and archaea, which transform chemical particles into nutrients. This 'secret weapon' could help speed up forest restoration projects worldwide.
A new study has found that increasing woodland cover in UK uplands will not deter tourists from visiting. The research, conducted by Aarhus University, involved over 500 tourists and showed that most would still visit even with 75% or 100% forest cover. However, the majority preferred a view from the mountain top.
A study found that establishing fallow land can increase the populations of farmland birds and improve biodiversity. The benefits depend on landscape complexity, particularly in regions with a moderate density of boundary lines between fields and woody structures.
Scientists discovered that electrical signals in Laccaria bicolor mushrooms increased after rainfall, demonstrating signal transport among closely spaced mushrooms. The post-rain electric potential showed directionality and strengthened connectivity between spatially close fungi.
Researchers found that severe beech leaf disease infestation hurts trees' relationships with helpful root mutualists, ectomycorrhizal fungi. Trees with the most severe symptoms had over 65% less healthy fungi in their roots compared to those with mild symptoms.
A new study assesses the Amazon's response to drought, identifying the regions most vulnerable to climate change. Trees in the western and southern parts of the forest are at high risk due to rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns.
A new analysis reveals that protecting large trees in old-growth forests can sequester significant amounts of carbon and promote biodiversity. The study concludes that policy initiatives aligning conservation with climate change mitigation priorities are crucial for preserving these natural carbon sinks.
A new Finnish study found that a green living environment in early childhood does not prevent eczema, despite previous expectations. The study associated coniferous forests and agricultural areas with an elevated risk of eczema, particularly for children born in the spring.
According to the study, 50 countries' climate plans predict 12 gigatons of CO2 emissions annually by 2050, which must be removed from the atmosphere. The researchers emphasize the need for rapid reductions here and now, as relying solely on technology and nature restoration may not be sufficient to meet this goal.
Native bees in Oregon's Coast Range are diverse and abundant in clearcut areas within years of timber harvest, but numbers drop sharply as the forest canopy closes. Management practices that promote open conditions can enhance floral resources and promote bee diversity.
A new study by University of Utah researchers finds that US forests may lose carbon through fire, stress, and insect damage, compromising their role as a climate solution. The study suggests urgent need to update carbon offset protocols with best available science on climate risks.
Residual carbon emissions are a major obstacle to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. According to University at Buffalo researcher Holly Jean Buck, the world must reach net-zero this century to limit temperature increase, but residual emissions pose significant challenges.
A study found that ponderosa pine forests in California's Sierra Nevada will not recover to pre-drought densities, reducing atmospheric carbon storage. The forests' ability to store carbon is threatened by western pine beetle infestations driven by climate change.
A comprehensive study of 1,805 German forest insect species reveals a dramatic decline in populations over the past decade. The majority of evaluated species have decreased in number, with larger and more abundant species declining particularly.
Researchers found that corridors with abundant mature trees and deadwood help pileated woodpeckers adjust to urban landscape fragmentation. The Little Miami River corridor is one of the best places for these birds in Hamilton County, Ohio.
A new study reveals that ants followed flowering plants as they left ancient forests, driving the evolution of thousands of ant species. The researchers used fossils, DNA, and habitat data to show how plants' spread influenced ants' habitats and behavior.
Researchers found that exceptional weather conditions over several years are turning European forests brown. Characteristic weather patterns, such as prolonged dry periods and high temperatures, precede these events, with a legacy effect contributing to future low-forest greenness.
A research group at Nagoya University discovered that the Japanese longicorn beetle has a symbiotic yeast called Scheffersomyces insectosa. The yeast breaks down xylose and other wood components, making it edible for the beetles.
A new study reveals that lianas play a crucial role in amplifying the effects of lightning strikes, resulting in more severe damage to neighboring trees. High liana density is positively associated with the number of trees killed and damaged by lightning.
A study by Oregon State University scientists reveals that the black-backed woodpecker can successfully breed in both burned and unburned forests, with better nestling body condition found in green forest. The research has significant implications for conservation and forest management efforts, suggesting that practices promoting pyrod...
A new study by Penn State researchers found that ground beetle species will thrive or decline based on their habitats and traits. Habitat conservation can help mitigate the effects of climate change on these insects, which are critical pest control agents in North American agriculture.
A new study has found that the growing period of hardwood forests in eastern North America has increased by an average of one month over the past century as temperatures have steadily risen. The research used data from Ohio farmer Thomas Mikesell's comprehensive dataset and compared it to present-day observations, revealing a clear con...
Researchers report that more than 85% of world's bird, mammal, and amphibian species live in mountains, but these forests are vanishing at a faster pace. Globally, we've lost 78.1 million hectares of mountain forest since 2000, mainly in tropical biodiversity hotspots.
A study in Brazil found that agricultural certification can encourage compliance with environmental laws, but doesn't necessarily reduce deforestation or increase natural regeneration. Certified coffee farms showed a general tendency for increased compliance, particularly in protected areas like the Atlantic Rainforest.