Articles tagged with Forests
Warmer and drier climate conditions are making it less likely for trees to regenerate after wildfires, according to new research published in PNAS. Ecological forest management can partially offset climate-driven declines in tree regeneration by limiting fire-caused tree death, but only if action is taken quickly.
Researchers developed an algorithm that uses computer vision techniques to estimate tree diameter from a single image in realistic field conditions. The app sped up the process significantly, being about four and a half times faster than manual measurement techniques.
A new study by the University of Copenhagen found that private forests in Denmark have a significant impact on property values. Forest owners attribute great value to their trees and landscapes, leading to increased quality of life and financial gains.
Researchers estimate worldwide changes in plant leaf growth due to global warming, finding that greening trends have a stronger association with carbon uptake than growing season length. Satellite imagery and field sensors reveal new insights into the impact of climate change on vegetation productivity and carbon capture.
Research from Binghamton University highlights the importance of ants in forest regeneration, with over 95% of New York state forests relying on them to disperse seeds. Ants take seeds with fatty rewards back to their nests, protecting them from consumption by rodents and other organisms, promoting a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Research reveals that Mahogany trees shape the right-forewing of the Mahogany shoot borer, a forest insect-pest. The study found that the wing form differs between males and females, with larger wings on Cedro host plants.
The war in Ukraine may trigger a new global land race, threatening rural livelihoods and the environment. Large-scale land acquisitions could exacerbate conditions of water scarcity and land degradation, prompting concerns about policy implications and long-lasting effects on rural development.
The fungi Neofusicoccum mediterraneum and Neofusicoccum parvum have been found infecting pines in Southern California, causing a deadly disease known as pine ghost canker. The pathogens are native to the US but have recently started infecting trees in urban forest areas.
A Stanford-led study estimates that about 20% of all Sierra Nevada conifer forests are mismatched with the climate around them. This means they are temporarily surviving in habitats that have grown too warm for them, but are likely to be replaced by tree species better adapted to the climate after catastrophic wildfires.
Researchers synthesized global data from nearly 600 studies on biochar to analyze its potential as a climate-smart agricultural practice. Biochar acts like a sponge, improving soil's capacity to hold water and nutrients, making it more resilient to droughts and sustaining crop yields.
Researchers found that conifer-killing beetles can detect the smell of a beneficial fungus through specialized neurons in their antennae, allowing them to identify infected trees. This detection system enables the beetles to locate fungi-produced compounds in tree resin, which may serve as cues for feeding and breeding.
A recent study at Baskett Forest found that forests reach an ecosystem wilting point between 2-4 weeks of extreme drought, requiring soaking rainfall to rejuvenate. This concept explains how whole forests respond to drought and is essential for understanding their dynamics under climate change.
A study by the University of California, Davis, finds that most Amazon land mammals are threatened by climate change and projected savannization. Camera trap surveys revealed that only a few species preferred savanna habitat, while most species, including those using both habitats, chose forest habitats.
Scientists from Poland's Institute of Physical Chemistry have discovered a way to control the population of the pine-tree lappet moth, which threatens coniferous forests. A new pheromone blend based on biocomponents of the sex pheromone has been developed to monitor and potentially control the moth's abundance.
Researchers found no strong evidence that underground fungal networks, known as common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs), offer benefits to trees and their seedlings. While CMNs exist, there is limited understanding of their structure and function in the field, leading to questionable claims about resource transfer and seedling survival.
Researchers at the University of East Anglia found that the Bahama Warbler may only survive on Abaco island after Hurricane Dorian devastated its forest habitat on Grand Bahama. The study, published in Bird Conservation International, reveals that the bird prefers areas with taller, more mature trees and can adapt to burnt vegetation.
A new study led by Yale University researchers found that climate change may lead to a significant loss of tropical biomass, resulting in increased carbon emissions. The researchers predicted that if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, stored carbon could nearly double by 2100.
Researchers at University of Delaware examine transnational agricultural land acquisitions and forest loss, revealing threats to biodiversity in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. The study uses largest global dataset of georeferenced agricultural land investments to quantify the impact of these investments on forest cover.
Researchers found that elevated CO2 levels increase water use efficiency in trees by adjusting stomata opening and closing. The 'g1 number' tool helps predict tree responses under future atmospheric conditions.
A recent study published in Forest Ecology and Management found that deer browsing had relatively little long-term impact on two tree species in a northern forest. Researchers discovered that seedling survival and growth were more greatly influenced by light availability, soil nitrogen, and size attained before gaps were created.
A new study reveals that up to 38% of the remaining Amazon forest area has been affected by human disturbances, causing significant carbon emissions. The research highlights the cumulative effect of factors such as forest fire, edge effects, selective logging, and extreme drought on forest degradation.
Researchers discovered that non-vascular bryophytes like Marchantia polymorpha adapt their architecture in response to shade, using phytochromes to regulate branching. The study found a liverwort-specific microRNA and SPL gene controlling meristem function, differing from vascular plants.
A study found that wind turbines in forests cause common noctules, a threatened bat species, to collide with blades and lose foraging space. The researchers recommend building turbines at least 500 meters away from roosts and compensating for lost habitats elsewhere.
A recent study reveals that high-severity wildfires are increasing in Sierra Nevada and Southern Cascade forests, with the average annual area burned at high severity nearly quintupled since before Euro-American settlement. This trend is concerning as most affected forest types are adapted to low-to-moderate severity burning.
The article highlights that forests are not just threatened by agricultural expansion, but also by the consumption of non-agricultural products and international trade. Intact forests play a crucial role in regulating climate and biodiversity, and their loss can have significant indirect impacts on carbon emissions and biodiversity loss.
Researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences provide panoramic view of global forest patterns, highlighting pervasive effect of human impacts on protected areas and intact forest landscapes.
A new study analyzes carbon dioxide removal quotas for developing countries, considering issues of equity and fairness. The allocation methods were based on extended equity principles and assessed the implications for these seven tropical developing countries.
A fossilized flower, dated to 40 million years ago, was found encased in amber. The rare flower is believed to be from an ancient evergreen plant related to the Asian species Symplocos.
A new study provides insights into the conservation of eastern US migratory landbirds by identifying key stopover hotspots and habitat associations. The researchers found that small pockets of deciduous forest, particularly in areas with high concentrations of food and shelter, are crucial for birds to complete their migration.
A new UC Riverside-led study reveals that drought-tolerant trees in urban areas use significantly more water than their natural counterparts. The research found that even 'drought-tolerant' species like eucalyptus and ficus increase their water intake when irrigated.
Researchers found that riparian buffers can increase stream flow during low-flow events and maintain water levels in areas with high future development. However, the effectiveness of buffers was limited, and they were not enough to mitigate extreme changes in stream flow.
Research highlights how subsistence communities' livelihood activities contribute to deforestation and forest degradation due to socioeconomic factors. The study suggests that market-driven solutions adapted to each community's culture and context can help slow or reverse this issue.
Scientists have found that carefully planned patches of diverse vegetation can increase biodiversity and boost yields for farmers. By engaging local communities and co-designing restoration strategies with them, researchers demonstrate the potential to minimize fragmentation and enhance connectivity in Amazon landscapes.
A new method reveals that small vascular plants, not trees, played a greater role in reducing atmospheric CO2 levels. The study suggests that weathering, a process that involves the breakdown of minerals, is a more effective way to remove CO2 from the atmosphere.
A new study suggests that UK woodlands could store nearly twice as much carbon as previously thought, based on a 3D scanning technique and analysis of 815 trees in Wytham Woods. This underestimation has serious implications for climate mitigation, forest protection, and restoration targets.
A new study reveals that child labor plays a significant role in preserving forest cover in southwestern Ethiopia. However, the economic-environmental synergy of smallholder shade coffee production is compromised by an undesirable reliance on child labor, leading to negative effects on children's schooling.
Researchers at Nagoya University discovered that when Ceratocystis ficicola and Fusarium kuroshium fungi are combined, fig saplings experience rapid wilting. The two fungi work together to cause more damage than either one alone, highlighting the importance of considering co-occurring microorganisms in disease control strategies.
The expansion of forests in Central Europe, circa 11,000 years ago, led to the decline and eventual extinction of large Ice Age mammals such as mammoth and bison. The growth of trees deprived these herbivores of their main food source, grass.
A five-year project aims to restore the declining Emory oak tree population critical to Western Apache tribal communities for food and cultural purposes. The DISES initiative will support holistic landscape-level approaches to understand threats to these woodlands and inform conservation efforts.
A new study by the University of East Anglia highlights the risks of relying on nature-based solutions, such as forests and soils, to achieve net-zero emissions. The research warns that these solutions may not be enough to offset the remaining difficult-to-decarbonize emissions if progress on reducing fossil fuel use stalls.
Research found that North American wildflower timing is more sensitive to warmer temperatures than surrounding tree growth, threatening the flower's ability to grow. In contrast, European and Asian forests show a synchronized shift in tree and wildflower phenology, potentially leading to increased light for wildflowers.
A new study reveals that high ecosystem resilience is linked to high mortality risk in western US forests, contradicting previous assumptions. The research combines decades of satellite data and ground observations to show a surprising correlation between forest resilience and tree death rates.
Researchers from the University of Göttingen found that European beech trees are experiencing increased drought stress in northern Germany due to climate change. The study reveals that dry locations show the strongest long-term decline in growth, highlighting the need for more resilient tree species.
Research from Anglia Ruskin University reveals that spending time in snowy environments can improve body image and self-compassion. The study found that participants who scored highly in self-compassion displayed greater improvement in body appreciation after walking in a snow-covered woodland.
Root exudates, organic compounds released from plant roots, regulate soil carbon formation and loss. Contrary to expected results, high rates of root exudation lead to increased loss of soil carbon.
Researchers found that summer rainfall and autumn-winter dry days are increasing, leading to fluvial discharge and sediment load in rainy seasons and water deficits in dry seasons. The Pantanal's complex geomorphology, including mega-fans and self-affine landforms, makes it susceptible to anthropic interference.
A six-year study confirms stream contamination with pesticides from trespass cannabis cultivation sites in Northern California, threatening local aquatic species and freshwater resources. The study's findings highlight the need for proactive approaches to mitigate the impacts of these sites on downstream waterways and habitats.
Researchers found that habitat loss and climate-induced food shortages drive pathogen spillover, but preserving and restoring natural habitats can prevent these events. By analyzing data from Australia, the study predicts when viruses like Hendra and Nipah will spill over from bats to humans.
Eastern red bats, now the most commonly detected bat in Midwestern forests, have a significant impact on tree regeneration due to their appetite for insect-damaging bugs. Forest managers can benefit from considering these bats' landscape preferences, particularly ponds and smaller forest openings.
International researchers highlight 15 essential advances for effective forest restoration, including careful planning to boost biodiversity and economic development. The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration aims to inspire action around the world, particularly in developing tropics where much of this research has been undertaken.
The invasive spotted wing drosophila competes strongly with other fruit-eating species, causing massive ecological impacts on forests. The fly's presence alters fruit composition and visual cues, reducing consumption by birds and potentially disrupting seed-dispersal mutualisms.
Researchers have found that ambrosia beetles actively influence the composition of their fungal gardens, shifting towards food fungi. The beetles use specific bacteria to suppress weed fungi growth, and their social behavior creates a close symbiosis with fungi.
Researchers at Nagoya University have developed a new method to study the life cycle of tree roots, shedding light on the decomposition process. They found that fine roots, which control nutrient uptake by trees, are discarded and decompose differently than leaf litter.
Researchers estimate that opening protected areas to mining would lead to the destruction of 183 km² of forest and further loss of 7,626 km² due to infrastructure construction. The study highlights the need for strategic planning and environmental impact assessments before making changes to conservation policies.
Researchers found four species – tigers, elephants, wild boars, and clouded leopards – showing increased populations in areas with human infrastructure. However, deforestation still impacted some species, particularly clouded leopards.
A University of Washington-led study found that even low levels of human activity in protected areas can alter wildlife behavior. Wildlife activity dropped to zero when outdoor recreation levels reached around 40 visitors per week in Glacier Bay National Park.
Researchers study links between cyclones and forest fires, finding that cyclones can create conditions ripe for fires by damaging trees and altering microclimates. As climate change increases cyclone intensity, the risk of wildfires in previously fire-resistant ecosystems like rainforests grows.
The ForestPaths project will co-design, quantify and evaluate forest-based solutions to meet the EU’s Climate Targets for 2030 and 2050. The project will work with practitioners, policymakers, and regional authorities to determine climate- and biodiversity-smart forest management options.
The HOMED project developed a full panel of scientific knowledge and practical solutions for managing emerging native and non-native forest pests and pathogens threatening European forests. The project's results include over 60 scientific publications, policy briefs, practice abstracts, educational videos, and tools.
A new study by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln suggests that Brazil can increase its soybean production by 36% by 2035 while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 58% and eliminating deforestation. The strategy involves intensifying crop yields, growing a second crop on soybean fields, and raising more cattle on smaller pastures.