Articles tagged with Forests
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 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 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.
A global survey of biodiversity experts finds that more species are threatened with extinction than previously thought, with estimates suggesting 30% of species have been lost since 1500. The study identifies climate change, pollution, and land-use changes as key drivers of biodiversity loss.
A new study found that as the globe warms, infected pines starve and disease-causing fungi become more aggressive, reducing the trees' capacity to carry out photosynthesis and invest in growth and defense. This can lead to a decrease in carbon sequestration rates, exacerbating climate change.
A new study reconstructs the natural pace and pattern of carbon storage in forests over centuries, revealing that woody biomass nearly doubled during the last 8,000 years. This finding highlights the importance of preserving large trees to maintain carbon sequestration processes and buffer climate change.
Research on the invasive Sirex woodwasp estimates it can reproduce up to 2-3 times higher in North America than in its native range, posing a significant threat to local ecosystems. The wasp's ability to tolerate climate extremes and spread rapidly makes it a challenging insect to control.
A new study finds that coastal wetlands in rural US areas will persist or expand due to rising sea levels, not be slowed by human barriers. The Chesapeake Bay region is expected to experience significant land loss, with over 600 square miles predicted to become inundated by 2100.
Researchers found that certain characteristics of refugia led to more tree regeneration, with taller trees and mountain hemlock species showing higher seed dispersal. The study suggests that natural regeneration is possible in some areas, making replanting efforts unnecessary and potentially harmful.
Researchers argue that the Glasgow Leaders' Declaration on Forests and Land Use is too vague regarding gross vs net deforestation. This distinction matters for carbon dioxide emissions. Stopping gross deforestation would significantly reduce emissions.
A new species of leopard gecko, Eublepharis pictus, has been discovered in India's relic forests. The Painted Leopard Gecko measures 11.7 cm in length and is strictly nocturnal, actively foraging along trails in the forest after dusk.
The Siberian tundra is projected to disappear entirely unless ambitious greenhouse-gas reduction measures are taken. A simulation shows that only 30% of the tundra can survive with aggressive climate protection, while the rest will be lost.
A new study finds that climate change is projected to increase the risks of tree death in US forests by 4-14 times by 2099, depending on carbon emissions scenarios. Human actions to tackle climate change can significantly reduce these risks.
A new study reveals that large-scale tree restoration can increase evaporation globally by nearly 10 litres per square meter, leading to a net decrease in water availability. However, the impact varies by region, with some river basins experiencing increased water flow due to enhanced rainfall.
The study found that fires in 2020 followed an accelerating trend of increased burn area, severity, size, and costs to society and the economy. Human-caused fires accounted for nearly 60% of fires, but lightning-sparked fires burned more than five times the area burned by human-caused fires.
Researchers found evidence of declining nitrogen availability in various ecosystems, including grasslands and forests, due to multiple environmental changes. The decline is linked to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and reduced plant growth, with implications for the global carbon cycle.
Human activity on Hainan Island is causing changes in the body shapes and diets of tropical birds, resulting in biotic homogenisation. Despite efforts to protect biodiversity, the island's unique ecosystem is being affected by large-scale economic and land-use changes.
A global team of scientists has identified a consistent pattern of hotter-drought conditions leading to forest mortality events. The study reveals that limiting Earth's warming will determine the survivability of many forests, with higher temperatures projected to double tree-killing droughts.
A study of 264 studies in 53 countries found that natural forests better support biodiversity and ecosystem services like carbon storage and water conservation. In contrast, plantations excel in wood production, highlighting a trade-off between environmental and economic goals in forest restoration.
Climate change is expected to cause a significant decline in beech forest growth in Europe, particularly in southern regions. Tree ring analyses reveal that tree growth has declined in virtually all regions over the past six decades, with the strongest contrast between northern and southern Europe.
Researchers discovered that redwood trees have two functionally distinct leaves: one type specializes in converting sunlight into sugar through photosynthesis, while the other absorbs water. This adaptation allows the world's tallest trees to survive in a range of conditions, from wet forests to dry environments.
A new study reveals that cultural burning by Native American tribes in the Klamath Mountains helped maintain forest structure and biodiversity. Despite periods of climate change, forest biomass remained relatively low due to intentional burning practices.
Researchers found that big trees provide a doughnut-shaped zone surrounding them where snowpack can endure, benefiting forests with sparse precipitation. The study suggests conserving healthy and large tree species can help retain snow on the ground.
Higher elevation mountain forests are using more water on average during droughts, reducing water availability downstream for cities and wildlife. Researchers found that these forests tend to be located above 3,280 feet and have increased water use due to rising temperatures and changes in tree species composition.
Researchers tracked a Mongolian gazelle traveling over 18,000 km, while new studies on raccoon movement inform improved vaccination strategies against wildlife disease. In contrast, urban bird species exhibit varying body weights and lifespans based on city characteristics.
Urbanization in China has led to an increase in biomass and carbon stocks, both in rural areas and recently developed cities. The country's afforestation strategy and green policy initiatives have contributed to this positive effect on its climate balance.
Researchers found that forests' outermost edges can store more carbon than previously assumed. Trees on these edges grow faster due to reduced competition, taking in nearly twice as much CO2 as interior trees. Soils at forest edges also absorb more CO2, contradicting current ideas about conservation and urban forest value.
A study suggests using Atlas cedar as an alternative to adapt to climate change in Iberian Peninsula forests. The species, native to North Africa, shows similar adaptation patterns to other mountain conifers.
A new study found that Australian bushfires are linked to British colonisation and climate change, with forests becoming denser and more flammable due to the increase in woody biomass. Indigenous burning practices ceased after colonial settlement, leading to an increase in shrub cover and unprecedented wildfires.
A new study suggests that wildfires can lead to increased soil carbon stocks in savannahs and grasslands, potentially offsetting short-term emissions. The research found that fires could store up to 90 million tonnes of carbon per year, but the breakdown rate of charcoal in soils remains uncertain.
A recent study by the University of Florida-led team found that common Southeastern US trees are not threatened by exotic fungi carried by wood-boring beetles. The 10-week experiment involved 55 species of Eurasian beetles and over 100 fungi samples, with none causing significant damage to saplings.
A study by University of Zurich researchers reveals Arctic warming causes temperature anomalies and cold damage thousands of kilometers away in East Asia, leading to reduced vegetation growth and smaller harvests. The warmer Arctic winters also trigger extreme winter weather events in the region.
A new research synthesis suggests using tree ring data from forest inventory plots to estimate carbon sequestration in forests. This approach could provide a direct record of the carbon gained by individual trees and forests, scaling up to estimate forest-wide and continent-wide carbon savings.
A new study reveals that South and Southeast Asia's native tree diversity is at risk of extinction, with only 10% of ranges suitable for conservation. Coordinated conservation and restoration efforts are critical to prevent further destruction and biodiversity loss.
Researchers found that microbes in the soils generate methane gas, which is then processed as it moves through dead trees. The findings shed light on the sources of greenhouse gas emissions from ghost forests, a growing concern due to rising sea levels.
A new study reveals that temperate rainforests can play a crucial role in combating climate change by sequestering carbon and mitigating flooding. However, the research also shows that natural expansion of these ecosystems is unlikely to meet UK targets due to fragmentation and degradation.
A University of Arizona-led team combined tree-ring data with forest inventory measurements to predict future tree growth. The researchers found a 56-91% decline in individual tree growth, leading to less carbon sequestration by Arizona's forests.
Researchers have discovered a new genus of tarantulas that live exclusively in bamboo stalks, found exclusively in high hill forests in northern Thailand. The new genus, Taksinus bambus, is unique due to its association with bamboo and can only be found at an elevation of about 1,000 m.
Researchers found that fungal communities play a key role in tree growth, with some species increasing tree growth rates up to a tree-fold. The study suggests that using specific fungal communities can help improve forestry and potentially absorb more carbon from the atmosphere.
A retrospective analysis of oak tree genomes reveals an identical evolutionary pattern across three French forests, differing according to climatic periods. Oaks can evolve rapidly and redirect their evolutionary trajectories in response to changes in climate, highlighting the need for adapting forest management practices.
A new study finds that controlled burning can stabilize or increase soil carbon, offering a method to maximize carbon storage. By manipulating fires, ecosystems can store huge amounts of carbon when the frequency and intensity are just right. This approach may help maintain natural ecosystem processes.
The newly discovered dinosaur Vectiraptor greeni, from the Early Cretaceous period, was a large, heavily built relative of Velociraptor with powerful claws and serrated teeth. It is believed to have hunted larger prey, using its strength rather than speed.
The Forest Condition Monitor tool uses color-coded visualization to identify areas of high-stress forests across Europe, allowing for targeted conservation efforts and research. Scientists can study these regions to understand eco-physiological processes and warn forest owners of potential risks.
Researchers discovered that forest mammals eavesdrop on monkey meals to access fruit dropped by messy eaters. This eavesdropping strategy is crucial for these animals' survival, particularly during periods when almond trees produce abundant food.
Researchers at the Global Environmental Remote Sensing Laboratory are working on improving remote sensing technology to detect subtle changes in forest ecosystems. They have developed a method called PIDS, which can adapt to specific user-targeted specific change detection, and paired it with Landsat data to monitor forest health and c...
A new study published in Science of the Total Environment found that forests can reduce storm flows, but only when small-scale floods occur. In contrast, forests offer little to no protection against larger and more devastating flood events.
A new Stanford analysis provides empirical evidence that wildfire is accelerating tree species range shifts toward cooler, wetter sites. The study found that two species had larger range shifts in areas burned by wildfire.
Aspen recovery in Yellowstone National Park has been found to be less robust than previously believed due to biased sampling methods. Random sampling of all young aspen within a stand revealed a slower rate of recovery compared to the five tallest young aspen, which were used in previous studies.
A recent USDA study analyzed two centuries of alien species discoveries to estimate the rate of new insect arrivals and potential future invasions. The research found that efforts to reduce biological hitchhiking on live plant imports have been successful, but a significant number of Hemiptera insects remain undetected.
Researchers used nationwide airborne laser scanning data and forest inventories to predict bilberry and cowberry yields in Sweden. The models indicate potential berry picking locations but do not accurately predict yields.
A new study found black spruce trees' ability to regenerate after fire dropped by 38% and failed completely at 18% of sites. This trend threatens the iconic species' place as dominant tree species in boreal North America, with implications for biodiversity and carbon storage.
A new study reveals that incorporating lateral groundwater processes into forest models can significantly impact predictions of tree survival in drought conditions. By accounting for the sideways flow of water through soil, scientists can better understand how riparian forests will respond to future climate change.