Old-growth forests in Northern Europe are vital for biodiversity, climate regulation, and cultural heritage, but face threats from logging and habitat destruction. A new review provides science-based indicators for identifying and protecting these ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of considering the forest as a whole.
Researchers found that taller trees have an advantage in younger forests due to increased light capture, but shade-tolerant species thrive under tall canopies in older forests. This study reveals a mechanistic explanation for forest succession and offers insights into climate modeling and forest management.
Researchers from Frontiers, a multidisciplinary team, spent years searching for the tallest tree in Taiwan after discovering an estimated 5,000 different species thrive on the island. They used LiDAR technology and citizen scientists to identify the 'Heaven Sword,' a 84.1-meter-tall Taiwania fir, as East Asia's tallest tree.
SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Forests and Global Change·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 5, 2026
A new study reveals that old-growth forests in Sweden store 72% more carbon per acre than managed forests, with a significant gap due to soil losses. Restoring primary forests could keep nearly 8 billion tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
A study in the Malheur National Forest shows a rapid tree die-off in Eastern Oregon, with a quarter of trees over 300 years old dying within 10 years. The decline is attributed to a triple whammy of drought, bug infestations, and competition with younger trees.
Researchers found large differences in species communities among old-growth, managed, and clearcut forests in boreal Europe. Species richness increases with forest age, especially in full-canopy forests.
Researchers have discovered five new species of fungi in the Piloderma genus, including one rare species found only in old-growth forests. The discoveries suggest that diversity in this genus is greater than previously thought and highlight the risk of species disappearance as forests are logged.
A new species of killifish, Nothobranchius sylvaticus, has been described from an ancient forest in Kenya, which is also the first known endemic killifish to persist in a forest. The species faces a high conservation risk due to its severely restricted habitat.
Researchers found that prescribed fire and forest thinning can greatly improve the stand's resistance to catastrophic fire, reducing fuel loads and mortality. The study also suggests that conserving old-growth forests requires active management to replicate essential ecological roles of fire.
Researchers found that forest thinning followed by a prescribed burn can greatly improve the stand's resistance to catastrophic fire. This approach is crucial for conserving old-growth forests in seasonally dry regions, as it replicates the essential ecological roles of fire.
Scientists discovered that gophers, which were introduced to a devastated area after the 1980 eruption, helped regenerate plant and animal life through their digging. The bacteria and fungi they brought to the surface helped plants establish themselves and survive.
A new study from the University of Leicester found that trees in logged tropical forests produce more carbon dioxide per unit area than those in unlogged forests. The researchers measured respiration in tree stems and estimated values for all trees in a one-hectare plot, showing higher carbon release levels in logged forests.
A WVU team investigates how different management practices affect Appalachian forest life and carbon sequestration capabilities. Preliminary data reveals changes in species distribution and ecosystem resilience to climate change.
A new UMD-led study found that extensive areas of Indonesia's cleared old-growth forests remain idle, with over half idle for at least one year and 44% for five years. Palm oil plantations were the most common outcome, often established after a lag of at least one year.
A new report by a team of experts outlines an approach that combines Indigenous knowledge with Western science to develop more resilient forest management practices. The 'braided' approach aims to promote the health and diversity of forests, which are increasingly threatened by climate change.
Researchers analyzed data from the Thain Family Forest in NYC, documenting changes in forest structure, diversity, and composition over a century. Despite significant changes, native species remained dominant, and the forest's canopy remained stable.
New research reveals that secondary forests in the Amazon cover over 190,000 km² but connect more than 2 million isolated fragments of old-growth forest, crucial for biodiversity conservation. These forests also act as a buffer zone, shielding old-growth edges from negative effects like hotter temperatures and wind.
Researchers tracked endangered thick-billed parrots using solar-powered satellite transmitters, revealing new critical habitat and migratory routes. Less than 20% of the newly identified habitat is protected from timber industry, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts.
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.
A new study finds that tropical forests recovering from logging are a source of carbon due to soil and rotting wood releasing more carbon than new growth can absorb. The study highlights the need for sustainable logging practices to minimize collateral damage.
A recent study analyzing nearly 22,000 trees across five continents highlights the importance of old-growth trees in withstanding future droughts under climate change. Older hardwood trees exhibit a 21% growth reduction during drought, compared to a 28% reduction experienced by younger hardwood trees.
Researchers analyzed over 20,000 trees on five continents and found that old-growth trees are more resistant to drought, while younger trees in the upper canopy show greater resilience. This study highlights the importance of preserving old-growth forests for carbon storage and ecosystem functioning.
A new report reveals that animals are key to forest recovery by carrying a wide variety of seeds into deforested areas. Animals disperse over 80% of tree species in the tropics, and their presence near old-growth forests can improve restoration efforts.
Almost one quarter of Sweden's last unprotected old-growth forest was logged between 2003 and 2019. Rare ecosystems with rich biodiversity are being lost at a rate of 1.4% per year, posing significant threats to biodiversity and planetary stability.
A recent study analyzing Amazon Rainforest fires from 2003-2020 reveals that most fires are caused by uncontrolled human use of fire for agriculture and deforestation. The study found that Brazil accounted for an average of 73% of detected fires, with pasturelands and natural grasslands being the main burned areas.
Ancient tree conservation is crucial for maintaining ecosystem integrity and mitigating climate change. The researchers propose a two-pronged approach to protect these trees, including germplasm conservation and forest rewilding.
A study analyzing Asian elephant movement and habitat preference found that they prioritize areas outside protected spaces, particularly those near the boundaries. This suggests that human-elephant conflict will rise unless strategies are implemented to promote coexistence around these areas.
Researchers found that tropical forests can recover soil fertility in under 10 years, plant functioning in less than 25 years, and species diversity in 60 years. Allowing secondary forests to regrow can be an important part of tropical forest conservation, providing a toolkit for ecosystem restoration.
New research reveals ancient trees' vital role in maintaining forest adaptive capacity. These 'life history lottery winners' harbor essential genetic diversity passed on through generations.
Scientists have recorded high levels of atmospheric mercury pollution in a pristine patch of the Peruvian Amazon due to illegal gold mining. Mature Amazonian forests near gold mining are capturing huge volumes of atmospheric mercury, more than any other ecosystem previously studied.
Researchers found that old oak trees consistently increased their rate of photosynthesis when exposed to elevated CO2 levels. The increase was greatest in strong sunlight and suggests the trees have adapted to capture more carbon from the air.
A 10-year study in Panama's Barro Colorado Island found that liana density increased dramatically due to natural canopy disturbance, with most of the growth attributed to gaps in the canopy. The study suggests that environmental factors like climate change may also be contributing to this phenomenon, but to a lesser extent.
Research found tree plantations host significantly fewer beetle species, contributing to lower biodiversity compared to old-growth forests. Plantations' limited ability to support diverse food chains makes them less effective for forest conservation.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen refute the claim that old-growth forests play a significant role in climate mitigation due to incorrectly analyzed data. However, they emphasize the importance of old-growth forest for biodiversity. The study found that the carbon storage capacity of unmanaged forests is highly overestimated.
Research by Oregon State University reveals that the 21-inch diameter rule in eastern Oregon's national forests hampers restoration efforts, preventing stands from reaching historical densities and basal areas. The study suggests that removing larger shade-tolerant trees can improve old growth tree survival.
A study led by the University of Göttingen analyzed global forest structures and found that precipitation patterns drive diversity in these complex ecosystems. The research team created maps showing regional variability in structural complexity, highlighting the importance of water availability for tree species coexistence.
Despite high hopes, the Amazon's regrowing forests have been found to absorb less than 10% of the carbon dioxide released from widespread deforestation. Secondary forests, which form a key part of climate policies, are also subject to repeated deforestation, limiting their effectiveness as carbon stores.
A new study reveals that many primary forests in Europe are not protected and are at risk of being destroyed. The researchers found that only a small percentage of the forest types they assessed had more than half of their old growth strictly protected, highlighting the need for strict conservation protections to be put in place.
Researchers found that smaller tropical forest fragments experienced greater losses than larger ones between 2001 and 2018. Connecting small fragments to reestablish wide-ranging tree cover is crucial in Central America, West Africa, and Southeast Asia.
A recent study found that old-growth forests are less likely to experience high-severity fire than young-growth forests during wildfires. This suggests that old-growth forests could be used as biodiversity refuges to buffer the effects of climate change on fire regimes in the Pacific Northwest.
A Rutgers-led study found that protecting small forests does not maintain the diversity of birds they support over time. The study suggests that monitoring and managing protected areas is crucial for conservation goals.
A study evaluating the impact of the 100-year Northwest Forest Plan found that old-growth forests are declining due to increased fires, while regenerating habitats are increasing in some regions. Despite these findings, the authors recommend continued conservation efforts for old-growth habitats.
A new study has mapped over 3.4 million acres of Europe's last wild forests, revealing that primary forests are widely distributed throughout the continent. The study highlights the importance of preserving these remaining fragments of primary forest, which provide exceptional ecological values and habitat for biodiversity.
Researchers found that old-growth forests with diverse tree sizes and species can buffer the effects of warming temperatures on birds. The study suggests that large trees function as heat sinks during warm periods and multiple canopy layers provide climate buffering effects, supporting stable populations of some bird species.
A study from the University of Vermont found that imitating old-growth forests enhances carbon storage in managed forestland. The new technique, called structural complexity enhancement, showed higher levels of carbon storage than conventional forestry methods.
Research suggests that protecting natural forest regrowth in secondary tropical forests can significantly reduce carbon emissions. These young and middle-aged forests have the potential to capture equivalent amounts of carbon as Latin America and the Caribbean between 1993 and 2014. If left alone for 40 years, they could play a substan...
Researchers found that old-growth forests can reduce maximum spring and summer air temperatures by as much as 2.5 degrees Celsius compared to plantation forests. This cooling effect is due to the dense canopy and complex understory vegetation of old-growth forests, which create microclimates for temperature-sensitive species.
A collaborative study published in Nature finds that secondary tropical forests, especially those in wetter areas, can regain almost all their biomass within 70 years. This information provides significant insights into the resilience of these ecosystems and will help policymakers prioritize forests for conservation.
A study of secondary tropical forests reveals that they can recover biomass levels comparable to old-growth forests in as little as 66 years. The research highlights the potential of regenerating these forests to play a critical role in climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration.
A new study by Marine Biological Laboratory scientists has determined that as forests age, their ability to grow decreases due to reduced carbon dioxide uptake and respiration. This finding suggests the future growth of US forests will decline, potentially impacting the country's role as a carbon sink.
A new study reveals that carbon storage in re-growing tropical forests recovers faster than plant biodiversity following major disturbances. Despite this, even after 80 years, these forests tend to have less carbon than old-growth forests due to the dominance of small, fast-growing trees.
Researchers found that woodland salamander populations closely track forest stand growth and development, making them a viable indicator of ecosystem recovery. The study's findings suggest that healthy forests support a wide range of species, including rare and native wildlife, and are crucial carbon sinks.
A study by Wildlife Conservation Society and University of Minnesota reveals that the world's largest owl relies on old-growth forests for breeding and prey. Large trees provide critical habitats for salmon, supporting the owls' survival.
A 1956 film shot by a dentist from Pennsylvania captures the last confirmed sighting of an imperial woodpecker in the wild. The footage shows a female bird foraging and then taking flight, offering insights into the species' behavior before its extinction.
A recent study published in Biology Letters indicates that giant pandas are associated with old-growth forests more than any other ecological variable besides bamboo. This finding suggests that conserving both bamboo and old-growth forests is crucial to protect this critically endangered bear species.
A new analysis suggests that old growth forests, often considered irrelevant to climate change mitigation, may account for up to 10% of global net carbon uptake. These forests continue to absorb carbon dioxide and store it in woody tissues, storing more than they release for centuries.
Researchers found barred owls thriving in Charlotte's urban areas due to open understories and birdfeeders attracting prey. The study suggests that suburban neighborhoods can serve as an 'uber-forest' for owls, contradicting previous assumptions about their habitat needs.
A recent study documents significant increases in El Salvador's wooded areas since the 1990s, driven by population movements and remittances. The research found that households receiving foreign funds felt less need to maintain existing fields, resulting in reduced land clearing and forest regrowth.
A new study reveals a significant increase in creeping vines in southeastern US forests, with up to a 10-fold growth in just two decades. The vines' adhesive roots and tendrils are changing the forest's makeup, leading to a decrease in small tree density.
Researcher Reed L. Wadley examines the historical use of swidden or shifting cultivation by the Iban population in northwestern Borneo. He argues that colonial pacification methods exacerbated unsustainable farming practices, contributing to environmental degradation.