Articles tagged with Forests
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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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Research reveals forest elephants disperse seeds over long distances, aiding timber species regeneration. Logging can be part of conservation efforts when planned and legally conducted.
Four of five pinyon-juniper tree species are declining in their ranges in the West, with up to 50% of populations in driest, warmest locations. The study found that Utah juniper is resilient and may become more dominant in future compositional shifts.
Research from German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research finds poorly defined land rights increase deforestation in Brazil. Private land rights can be effective if combined with strict environmental policies, such as the Forest Code.
Researchers documented social ties between individual chimpanzees and gorillas that persisted over years and across different contexts. The study found enhanced foraging opportunities to be a key benefit of interspecies social interactions, with apes sharing knowledge of diverse plant species.
New research shows that elevated carbon dioxide levels in forests in the US have increased wood volume by up to 20%, making trees more efficient at absorbing carbon dioxide. This phenomenon is called carbon fertilization and can help mitigate climate change, potentially reducing costs associated with mitigation efforts.
Researchers found that symbiotic fungi in reared ambrosia beetles differed from those in wild beetles, potentially leading to a new biocontrol method for preventing wilt disease. The study identified nine filamentous fungi and one yeast as symbionts, including previously undescribed species.
Researchers found that elevated CO2 levels stimulate tree growth, resulting in longer and more extensive root systems. This adaptation helps trees absorb nutrients from the soil, providing limited protection against climate change. The study provides insights into how forests respond to increased carbon dioxide levels.
The six interdisciplinary studies will explore effective ways to expand UK trees, hedgerows, woodlands, and forests in rural and urban settings. Researchers aim to improve understanding of treescapes' value to people and the planet, supporting the Government's ambition to increase tree cover.
Researchers have discovered that Mexican mangrove forests have been absorbing and storing carbon for an impressive 5,000 years. The study found that these unique ecosystems are capable of retaining large amounts of carbon due to the presence of certain microorganisms.
A study by Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ found that climate-induced deforestation can lead to a significant increase in dissolved phosphorus concentration and nitrogen levels in reservoirs. This can result in an overgrowth of diatoms and green algae, compromising water quality.
A research group from Nagoya University found that large-scale flowering and seeding of dwarf bamboo boosts Japanese field mouse populations, especially in mast years. The team's study showed an increase in both large and small mouse populations two years after the event, indicating good breeding conditions.
A NASA initiative studies wildfire-induced air pollution by measuring atmospheric CO and O3 levels using airborne observations. The study found that CO levels increased in the plume as it was transported away from the fire site, while plume age was associated with distance in both vertical and horizontal directions.
A Japanese research group discovered that the leaf area index of mixed-forests influences seasonal changes in the formation of a nocturnal cold-air pool at a small mountain basin. The study found that weakening of the nighttime temperature inversion occurred during leaf expansion, while strengthening occurred after leaf fall.
Researchers at UMaine have developed a novel AI-based method for monitoring soil moisture in forests, using wireless sensor networks and machine learning to optimize energy efficiency. This approach could enable more efficient tracking of forest health, reducing costs and increasing reliability.
A new study suggests that timber cities could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using wood as a building material. The researchers found that housing in mid-rise buildings made of wood could avoid more than 100 billion tons of CO2 emissions by 2100, equivalent to 10% of the remaining carbon budget for the 2°C target.
Kelp forests, which sequester large amounts of atmospheric carbon, may struggle to trap it due to accelerating decomposition rates in warmer waters. A study found that sea temperature has a strong influence on decomposition rates, with kelp fragments degrading more slowly in cooler waters.
Researchers used satellite imagery and machine learning to pinpoint high-priority areas for deforestation action, reducing the target area by 160,000 km². The study reveals that only 37% of the last three years' deforestation rate was covered by official monitoring in the 11 municipalities.
A study published by the Wildlife Conservation Society reveals that both tigers and clouded leopards in Laos prefer to feed on serow, which may indicate adaptations for larger prey consumption. The findings highlight the need for increased protection and management of serow populations, including possible reintroductions.
The project empowers Indigenous youth to create films about locally available foods and other concerns, raising awareness of nutritional deficiencies and gender discriminatory norms. The initiative aims to improve dietary diversity and promote transformative change through self-expression and participation.
Researchers found that bioturbation by fiddler crabs increases soil pH and reduces salinity, creating a more hospitable environment for beneficial bacteria. These bacteria produce essential chemicals for iron trapping, improving mangrove plant growth.
Researchers found that California's forest carbon buffer pool has depleted at least 95% of its contributions within the first 10 years due to wildfires and disease. The program's self-insurance mechanism is unable to guarantee that credited forest carbon remains out of the atmosphere for at least 100 years.