Articles tagged with Forests
A new study explores ways to make payments for hydrological services (PHS) programs more effective and financially sustainable in Mexico. Residents are willing to pay for improved water quality, regulated quantity, and biodiversity conservation, highlighting the potential of PHS to enhance ecosystem preservation.
A European map has been created to show the insulating effect of forests, which cool the air by 2.1°C in summer and keep temperatures 2°C higher than ambient air in winter. This finding highlights the crucial role of forests in regulating temperature and provides shelter for wildlife.
A new study found that bigleaf maple trees are declining due to warmer, drier summers in Western Washington. The research team discovered that the trees' growth is sensitive to dry weather conditions, leading to smaller leaves and reduced overall mass.
A 15-year study found that the availability of beech nuts can predict bear intrusions into human habitats. The research used numerical modeling and observed beech flowering patterns to forecast bear activity, reducing direct conflicts between humans and bears.
Researchers found that young female black bears in Asheville, NC, weigh nearly twice as much as those in national forests and reproduce at a younger age, producing cubs by their second birthday. The study's findings raise questions about the diet and foraging activities of urban bears.
A systematic review of 169 conservation projects worldwide reveals that Indigenous and local communities are crucial for successful nature conservation. The study found that equitable conservation approaches, empowering local communities, yield positive outcomes for both humans and the environment. However, complex factors such as comm...
A study found that climate change and drought are shifting the range of infectious disease in forests suffering from white pine blister rust disease. The disease expanded its range into higher-elevation forests while contracting it in lower elevations, where conditions were too hot and dry.
Trees continue to form reserves even during long periods of starvation, contrary to the assumption that they only form when photosynthetic conditions are favorable. As CO2 starvation progresses, trees stabilize their reserve levels and divert resources to storage, allowing them to survive climate extremes.
A new study reveals that deforestation and population growth have greatly increased landslide risk in the Kivu Rift, leading to thousands of fatalities each year. The research, conducted over six decades, shows that smallholder agriculture and mining activities also contribute to landslides.
A study found that giant anteaters in less forested habitats have larger home ranges, allowing them to access thermal shelters and regulate body temperature. Sex and body size also play a role in space use, with males using more space than females of similar size.
Researchers found that Indigenous Territories are as effective as Protected Areas in preserving forest's carbon stocks, with some areas showing up to 10% more carbon storage. The study suggests that securing land titles and formalizing forest co-governance can bring multiple benefits for both indigenous people and national governments.
Researchers reconstructed Mongolia's temperature history using a new tree ring analysis method, confirming record-breaking summer warmth over the past eight centuries. The study supports the delta blue intensity method and enhances climate projections, highlighting the urgent need to address Central Asia's rapid warming.
A study by the University of Helsinki found raccoon dogs to be a significant threat to ground-nesting bird populations in Northern Europe. The invasive species was found to destroy nests and prey on farmed mallard eggs, contributing to the decline of waterbird populations.
Researchers found that felled trees should be worked on to avoid physical contact with conservation targets, minimizing damage to understory trees. The study used a spatial grid and Geographic Information System to model damage and predict potential losses for harvesting.
Research suggests that Western wildfires will initially intensify for about a decade due to hotter and drier conditions, then decrease in size as fire becomes self-limiting.
Research found that tree mortality in subalpine Colorado forests more than tripled since the 1980s due to warmer and drier summer conditions. Climate change is expected to increase this trend, making it difficult for new trees to take root.
Researchers used hyperspectral and thermal imaging to predict holm oak decline at an early stage, detecting changes in physiological condition before visible symptoms. This integrated approach is vital for large-scale monitoring of forest decline and could apply to other forest diseases.
Researchers analyzed tree ring data to determine Asian monsoon variability from 4680 BCE to 2011 CE. The findings revealed a significant decrease in precipitation, leading to megadrought and accelerated dispersal of ancient civilizations, ultimately harming Neolithic societal development.
Researchers at TUM used AI to simulate forest fires in Yellowstone National Park, finding that climate change scenarios predict a 28-59% loss of forest coverage by 2100. The study highlights the urgent need for climate protection measures and their impact on biodiversity and recreational value.
Researchers found that roadless forests in the US West burn more frequently and severely than forested areas with roads, yet exhibit increased fire resilience. This is due to environmental factors such as elevation and moisture availability, rather than land use practices.
A collection of articles shows community monitoring can provide information about resource conditions and counter overuse, but may require compensation to be effective. Training and incentivizing community members to patrol forests has been successful in some cases.
Researchers found that 76% of mercury deposition in a Massachusetts forest comes from atmospheric sources, with plants dominating as a source of mercury on land. The study suggests that forests worldwide may be a larger global absorber and collector of gaseous mercury than previously assumed.
A new study demonstrates the importance of planting new commercial forests in fighting climate change. The study shows that future use of harvested wood can remove more CO2 from the atmosphere than previously thought, thanks to advancements in carbon capture & storage technology.
Researchers at UCSB's LTER sites investigate the impact of climate change on diverse ecosystems, including kelp forests and coral reefs. Their findings highlight the importance of long-term research in understanding complex relationships between environmental drivers and ecosystem responses.
The 2020 fire season marked a turning point in the history of high-elevation forests in the Rocky Mountains. Researchers found that fires are now burning nearly twice as much area on average compared to the last 2,000 years. This increased frequency and severity pose significant risks for forest resilience and regeneration.
Researchers analyzed 20 years of fire reconstructions and US government records to show a significant increase in burnt area since 1984. High-elevation subalpine forests are experiencing record-high wildfire activity, accounting for 72% of total burnt area since 1984.
A new University of Montana study finds high-elevation forests in the central Rocky Mountains are experiencing unprecedented fire activity, with burning now occurring every 120 years compared to historical averages of 230 years. Climate change is identified as a primary cause of this increase.
Research suggests climate change will have a larger and more widespread impact on landscapes than the emerald ash borer. The model showed that climatic changes, such as warmer temperatures and droughts, would lead to a shift in tree composition from northern to southern hardwoods.
A new study by UC Berkeley researchers found significant correlations between wind speed and direction and genetic diversity throughout forests globally. Tree populations connected by stronger winds tend to be more genetically similar, while those in the direction of prevailing winds have greater genetic diversity.
A Yale-led study reveals that early humans were ecosystem engineers, using fire to prevent forest regrowth and create open woodlands. This finding suggests that humans were learning to use fire in novel ways by the Late Pleistocene period.
A new dataset includes over 21,000 interactions between 942 species, thoroughly annotated, providing a detailed look at kelp forests. The study highlights unseen parasite interactions that have been overlooked by ecologists.
Researchers at Shinshu University successfully cultivated matsutake mushrooms by germinating spores and inducing mycelia in the soil of Japanese red pine roots. This breakthrough could lead to an artificial cultivation technique for these valuable edible fungi, addressing declining natural habitats.
A global analysis of protected areas found that only 30% of forest loss in protected areas has been prevented, highlighting the need for improved enforcement and targeted conservation efforts. Protecting forests is crucial for sustainability, and scrutinizing protected areas across the globe can help direct efforts to the right places.
Researchers have discovered a unique area in the Novosibirsk region with a high concentration of orchid species, including some new to the territory. The area has been identified as a hotspot for these rare plants, and efforts are being made to preserve them.
A team of scientists has successfully genetically modified eucalyptus trees to prevent sexual reproduction, reducing the risk of invasive spreading in native ecosystems. The CRISPR Cas9 gene editing technique was used with nearly 100% efficiency to knock out LEAFY, the master gene behind flower formation.
Satellite images reveal 35 years of changes in North Carolina's Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsula, showing 11% of tree cover taken over by ghost forests. Extreme weather events contribute to the spread of saltwater inland, poisoning soils and killing tree species.
Researchers have found that plants play a leading role in cycling toxic mercury through the environment, absorbing up to 1,300 tons of mercury each year. This process can lead to neurological and cardiovascular problems in humans if exposed to high levels over long periods.
A recent study found that beetle outbreaks have impacted around 40% of Colorado's forests, but the effects vary greatly due to differences in forest structures and species composition. Most affected areas still have mature trees capable of regenerating seeds.
Researchers from North Carolina State University found that younger trees take up and release less water than mature trees, suggesting managers should time timber harvests to mitigate runoff. The study suggests leaving older trees alongside new growth can help mitigate effects of forest harvesting on drainage.
Scientists observed hundreds of Larch Budmoths on Vize Island, with moths surviving up to 20 days after arrival. The study suggests that climate change is allowing southerly insects to colonize High Arctic islands, paving the way for forest insect invasion.
A research team has created a high-quality bioplastic from wood byproducts, showing promise for producing durable and sustainable plastics. The resulting material exhibits high mechanical strength, stability, and UV-light resistance, making it suitable for various applications, including packaging and automobile manufacturing.
A decline in black cherry regeneration is reported, suggesting that environmental changes might impact other tree species in mixed forests. An increase in pathogens and reduced nitrogen deposition in soil are identified as key factors contributing to this decline.
Researchers highlight China's success in launching nationwide ecological projects, which have contributed to over half of the country's natural carbon sinks. Implementing natural climate solutions could result in mitigating nearly 15 trillion pounds of greenhouse gases per year.
The Reforestation Hub is an interactive map that color-codes individual counties by reforestation opportunity, revealing a great deal of potential for restoration across the US. The tool identifies trends and quantifies land suitability for forest cover, providing valuable insights for foresters and policymakers.
The UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals will have both positive and negative impacts on the world's forests. Positive impacts are associated with education, well-being, and social progress, while damaging impacts are linked to energy, infrastructure, and transportation.
A new study published in eLife found that deforestation in Southeast Asia can lead to an initial increase in malaria infections before declining over time. The researchers suggest that wider deforestation can drive human behavior changes, increasing exposure to mosquitoes and risk of infection.
A study explores how a drastic reduction in kelp forests led to shifts in sea otter and sea urchin behavior, restructuring mechanisms that control the ecosystem. Following the decline, sea otters increased their consumption of energetically profitable urchins, enhancing kelp patch resistance to overgrazing.
The Northern California kelp forest ecosystem has collapsed due to an abrupt loss of a key predator, the sunflower sea star, which was wiped out by sea star wasting disease. The area covered by kelp forests has dropped by over 95%, with only isolated patches remaining.
Researchers at Texas A&M University discovered evidence of human settlement in the Bahamas around 1200-1300 A.D. using charcoal deposits from human fires thousands of years ago. The new settlers dramatically changed the landscape, leading to increased deforestation and loss of native species.
More than half of Europe's forests are at risk from climate-driven disturbances, with large trees and old trees particularly vulnerable to extreme weather conditions and insect infestations. Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and severity of these events, posing significant threats to European forest ecosystems.
New research reveals chimpanzees use areas away from villages more intensively, but enter human-occupied land for fruit when scarce. The study provides insights into how wildlife balance risks and rewards in anthropogenic landscapes, informing coexistence strategies.
A research team led by LMU zoologists identified fossils of insect larvae in Baltic amber, which suggest open areas of grassland nearby. In another sample, a rare Cretaceous butterfly larva with spines was discovered in Myanmar amber, supporting the idea that butterflies underwent early diversification.
In a new study, researchers found that small mammals in the Rocky Mountains are shifting their ranges upward by over 400 feet due to climate change. The golden-mantled ground squirrel and other species are climbing higher to escape warming temperatures, with some moving up by as much as 1,100 feet.
A new study finds that severe spruce beetle outbreaks followed by wildfires can lead to permanent damage in high-elevation forests. Aspen trees, however, have a higher chance of regrowing from their root systems and may dominate these forests.
A study by WVU biologists found that trees globally are consuming more carbon dioxide than previously reported, making forests crucial in regulating the Earth's atmosphere. The research shows that increased photosynthesis is the main driver of this increase, contradicting previous studies.
Researchers developed an algorithm to identify various tree species in satellite images, enabling efficient forest management and monitoring. The neural network-based approach improves accuracy and stability for practical application.
A new study suggests that Native American farmers in the Jemez Mountains of northern New Mexico learned to manage fire as an ally to prevent dangerous blazes, clearing flammable material and promoting forest resilience. The ancient practice of controlled burns could help mitigate modern wildfires.
A study from the University of Tsukuba found that taking regular walks in forests and greenspaces may help workers cope with stress. The researchers analyzed data from over 6,000 Japanese workers and discovered a significant correlation between forest and greenspace walking habits and strong stress-coping abilities.
A new UCPH study highlights significant trends affecting the world's forests, including drought, viral outbreaks, and vast infrastructure expansions. These trends pose severe consequences on forests and humans alike, emphasizing the need for prioritized forest conservation strategies.
A new predictive mapping tool, POCSCRPT, aids forest managers in determining which areas of western US forests will naturally regrow following wildfires. The tool's accuracy is enhanced by incorporating climate and seed production data.