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Community-led health and livelihood programs helped protect rainforests during the pandemic

A new study in The Lancet Planetary Health shows that when communities designed their own health and livelihood programs with local NGOs, they were more resilient to economic hardships caused by COVID-19. As a result, forest loss declined significantly, with rates 52% lower in supported communities compared to unaffiliated ones.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalThe Lancet·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 21, 2026
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

'Geriatric' butterfly species lives nearly three times as long as their relatives

A University of Bristol-led study found that tropical butterflies of the Heliconius tribe live up to three times longer than their closest relatives, with some species surviving for almost a year. The researchers discovered that these butterflies have evolved a unique strategy for extending lifespan and slowing down aging.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateJun 16, 2026

Deforestation lessens Amazon rainfall, and climate change hastens that process

A new study finds that deforestation in the southern Amazon can trigger severe reductions in rainfall, even under a changing climate. The authors estimate that limiting deforestation to 10% of the area may be necessary to maintain annual rainfall and protect agricultural livelihoods.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 7, 2026

Deforestation lowers threshold for Amazon degradation to below 2°C warming

Deforestation reduces Amazon's resilience to global warming, with around two-thirds of the forest at risk of degradation at 1.5-1.9°C of warming. Haltting deforestation and restoring forests can strengthen the Amazon's ability to withstand climate change.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 6, 2026
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Fires, droughts, and windstorms reduce the diversity of Amazonian vegetation

Researchers found that even in degraded forests, tree species can regenerate quickly, but vulnerable species are replaced by more resilient generalists, leading to a loss of diversity. The recovered areas are vulnerable to extreme events and climate change impacts, highlighting the need for forest conservation strategies.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 23, 2026

Geoengineering could protect Amazon rainforest from climate change

New research suggests that geoengineering can increase land carbon storage in the Amazon, potentially protecting it from climate change. The study finds that stratospheric aerosol injection reduces warming and increases vegetation productivity, resulting in a 10.8% increase in land carbon storage.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEarth System Dynamics·DateApr 22, 2026

Tropical trees are more neighborly

A new study reveals that tropical trees have more positive interactions with their neighbors, leading to increased diversity and richness in these ecosystems. This finding may help explain why tropical forests are home to so many tree species.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 9, 2026
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Wildlife-friendly landscapes dramatically boost biodiversity in fragmented forests

A new study reveals that improving surrounding landscape quality can increase bird species survival in forest remnants, with modest increases in nearby tree cover substantially boosting numbers. This contradicts traditional views on habitat fragmentation and highlights the importance of a more hospitable matrix for conservation.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2026

Researchers combine flavor and nutritional value in Amazonian chocolate

Researchers found that combining fermented and unfermented cocoa beans can balance flavor and nutritional value, increasing the market potential of Amazonian cocoa. The study also identified new molecules with antioxidant properties, suggesting Amazonian cocoa as a superfood

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 16, 2026

When too much of a good thing becomes dangerous

Global study finds that nitrogen pollution causes forests to follow two distinct patterns in response to added nutrients, with some experiencing a boost and others collapsing. The findings highlight the importance of reducing nitrogen levels to stabilize forest soil carbon pools and maintain natural respiration rhythms.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 16, 2026

Deforestation in the Amazon raises the surface temperature by 3 °C during the dry season

A study using satellite data found that deforestation in the Amazon increases surface temperature by 3°C during the dry season, with a 25% decrease in rainfall. This leads to greater forest degradation, increased tree mortality, and susceptibility to forest fires, threatening biodiversity.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateFeb 13, 2026
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Strawberry guava prevents natural forest generation in Madagascar

Rice University researchers found that strawberry guava can prevent natural forest generation in areas of Ranomafana National Park, even decades after deforestation has ended. The invasive plant changes the forest by reducing soil nutrients and altering insect populations, preventing native species recovery.

SourceRice University·JournalBiological Conservation·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 11, 2026

Evasive butterfly mimicry reveals a supercharged biodiversity feedback loop

A new study in Systematic Entomology reveals that evasive butterfly mimicry in the genus Adelpha may be a rare and overlooked type of mimicry. The researchers found that Adelpha butterflies use speed and unpredictability as a defense mechanism, making them difficult to catch for birds and other predators.

SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalSystematic Entomology·DateJan 28, 2026

Risk to Amazon rainforest from land use and climate change

A new study estimates that the Amazon rainforest could lose up to 38% of its area by the end of the 21st century due to land use changes and climate change. The research, published in PNAS, suggests that abrupt transitions from dense forest coverage to savannah-like landscapes pose a significant risk to the ecosystem.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 11, 2025

A new ‘hypertropical’ climate is emerging in the Amazon

The Amazon is shifting to a hotter, drier climate with more intense droughts, stressing trees and increasing mortality rates. By 2100, hot drought conditions could occur up to 150 days per year, affecting tree species that are vulnerable to heat stress.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature·DateDec 10, 2025
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Human impact on Amazon forests is transforming its ecological functions and evolutionary history

A new study reveals that human disturbances, such as logging and wildfires, are profoundly impacting the Amazon rainforest's ecological functions and evolutionary history. The researchers found that even sustainable management practices, like selective logging, have significant negative impacts on tree diversity.

SourceLancaster University·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 10, 2025

In the Maya rainforest, even the jaguars pose for the camera

A community-managed forest in Guatemala's Maya Biosphere Reserve supports a rich variety of medium-to-large mammals and birds comparable to those in protected national parks. However, some vulnerable species avoid areas with high human access, revealing subtle, cryptic disturbances that ripple through the forest.

SourceWashington State University·JournalConservation Biology·DateOct 14, 2025

The fattening forest: trees of the Amazon are getting bigger

A new study suggests that Amazon forest trees have increased in size by an average of 3.2% every decade over the past few decades. The research found that both large and smaller trees have benefited from increased atmospheric carbon dioxide, leading to a significant increase in tree size.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Plants·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 25, 2025

Deforestation reduces rainfall by 74% and increases temperatures by 16% in the Amazon during the dry season, study says

Researchers found that deforestation is responsible for a significant reduction in rainfall and increase in temperature in the Amazon during the dry season. The study quantifies the impact of forest loss and global climate change on the biome, highlighting the importance of preserving standing forests to maintain climate resilience.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 2, 2025
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

New bacterium discovered in the Amazon is closely related to Andean species that causes human bartonellosis

A new species of bacteria of the genus Bartonella has been found in the Amazon National Park, Brazil. The DNA is similar to that of two other Andean species, B. bacilliformis and B. ancashensis, which cause Carrión's disease. No evidence suggests this new species can cause disease, but further studies are needed.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalActa Tropica·DateAug 27, 2025

Earth System Models project the start of the Amazon dieback within the 21st century

A new study projects the start of Amazon dieback as early as the 21st century under high-emission scenarios, triggered by extreme conditions and global warming levels above 1.5°C. The Amazon's natural water recycling system is weakened, leading to hotter and drier conditions that can no longer sustain dense vegetation.

SourceNational Institute for Environmental Studies·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 20, 2025

Decline of seed-dispersing animals hinders fight against climate change

The decline of seed-dispersing animals, including birds and mammals, hinders the fight against climate change by altering forest composition and reducing carbon absorption. Researchers warn that major global efforts underestimate the importance of frugivores in conservation and restoration strategies.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalNature Reviews Biodiversity·DateAug 6, 2025

Clearing rainforest for cattle farming is far worse for nature than previously thought, finds landmark bird survey

Researchers conducted the world's biggest bird survey in Colombia, recording 971 species and finding that clearing rainforest for cattle pasture causes a 60% greater biodiversity loss than previously thought. The study highlights the need for policymakers to consider the larger-scale impact of deforestation on biodiversity.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeSurvey·DateJul 22, 2025
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Amazon degradation increases by 163% in two years, while deforestation falls by 54% in the same period

The Amazon has experienced a 163% increase in degradation and a 54% decrease in deforestation between 2022 and 2024. This 'negative balance' of biome protection threatens Brazil's international climate commitments, particularly its target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 59-67% by 2035.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateJul 21, 2025

Silent witnesses: corals pinpoint the start of deforestation in Borneo

University of Leicester researchers analyzed coral cores to spot the start of industrial deforestation in Malaysian rainforest and its impact on coastal ecosystems. The study found that sediment concentrations remained low before 1950, but increased after, indicating enhanced soil erosion due to deforestation.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 3, 2025

Tool identifies ecologically equivalent areas to guide restoration projects

A new tool, called the Condition Assessment Framework, makes it possible to assess the ecological equivalence of an area to be restored or protected in relation to a degraded area. It considers three important attributes: biodiversity, landscape, and ecosystem services.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalEnvironmental Impact Assessment Review·DateJun 10, 2025

Amazon could survive long-term drought but at a high cost

The Amazon rainforest could withstand prolonged droughts caused by climate change, but this would come with significant losses, including the death of largest trees. This would lead to a reduction in the forest's ability to act as a vital carbon sink.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateMay 15, 2025
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Monkeys are world’s best yodellers - new research

Researchers discovered how monkeys produce 'voice breaks' and 'ultra-yodels' using their vocal membranes, which allow for a wider range of calls. These unique vocalizations enable monkeys to communicate in different ways, particularly in complex social lives.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateApr 2, 2025

Earliest evidence for humans in rainforests

Researchers have discovered human habitation in African rainforests dating back approximately 150 thousand years, challenging previous assumptions that humans were absent from these areas. This finding highlights the complexity of human evolution and suggests that ecological diversity played a key role.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalNature·DateFeb 26, 2025
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Hidden ‘highways’ connect Brazil’s rainforests

Scientists have found a consistent pattern of dispersal events where Inga trees migrated from the Amazon to the Atlantic rainforest, highlighting the importance of conserving riverside forests. The study's findings suggest that these 'highways' played a crucial role in shaping the history of biodiversity in the region.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateJan 29, 2025
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Biodiversity at risk in most rainforests

A new study reveals that less than a quarter of the world's tropical rainforests have sufficient quality to support thousands of threatened species. The research highlights the urgent need for conservation strategies that prioritize forest integrity over mere preservation of cover.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 9, 2024

Q&A: What fossils reveal about ancient Australian forests and fire

Fossil evidence from Australia and South America challenges prevailing narrative that eucalypt forests are under siege from expanding rainforests. The study suggests that fire became a feature of these vegetation interactions in Australia around five million years ago, making large-scale fire interventions unnecessary.

SourcePenn State·JournalNew Phytologist·TypeObservational study·DateDec 5, 2024

Human fingerprint on forest disturbance patterns as viewed from space

A recent study published in Nature Sustainability analyzed global forest disturbance patterns from 2002 to 2014, identifying four main types of patches and mapping their distribution across different biomes. Human activities tend to leave similar patterns globally, with potential implications for forest resilience.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalNature Sustainability·DateDec 4, 2024

Climate change threatens rare temperate rainforests

A new study warns that climate change could lead to the loss of up to 68% of the world's temperate rainforests by 2100, highlighting the urgent need for action. The UK has a quarter of the world's potential for restoration and is resilient to low and medium amounts of future warming.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalEarth's Future·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 12, 2024
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Climate change can alter methane emission and uptake in the Amazon

Researchers found that extreme temperatures and humidity projected for the Amazon under climate change may increase methane-producing microorganisms in flooded areas and reduce methane uptake in upland forests by 70%. This could lead to a shift in the balance of greenhouse gas emissions, with significant global impacts.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalEnvironmental Microbiome·DateOct 10, 2024

The picture book that doesn't exist

A new study reveals that bais, vast treeless clearings in the Congo Basin, are home to numerous endangered species, including Western lowland gorillas and African forest elephants. The researchers found over 2,000 distinct bais, covering less than 0.2% of the national park's landscape.

SourceHarvard University·JournalEcology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 1, 2024
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Rugged Falklands landscape was once a lush rainforest

A team of researchers found evidence of a lush, diverse rainforest on the Falkland Islands up to 30 million years ago. The South Atlantic archipelago was covered in cool, wet woodland similar to present-day rainforests found in Tierra del Fuego.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalAntarctic Science·DateSep 18, 2024

​​​​​​​Study explains why Amazon is such a biodiverse paradise

A new study reveals that the Amazon's remarkable variety of plants and animals was shaped by woodlands and savannas connecting forest islands during the last Ice Age. The researchers used advanced climate and vegetation modelling techniques to provide a new understanding of the region's evolution.

SourceUK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology·Journalnpj Biodiversity·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 11, 2024
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Not the day after tomorrow: Why we can't predict the timing of climate tipping points

A new study shows that predicting exact tipping times for critical Earth system components is challenging due to large uncertainties. The authors identified three primary sources of uncertainty and found that predicted tipping times for the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) ranged from 2050 to 8065.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 2, 2024

Logged forests can still have ecological value – if not pushed too far

A study analyzing 127 studies reveals 'thresholds' for logged rainforests to sustain themselves. Beyond a certain threshold, serious proactive conservation is needed to maintain biodiversity; otherwise, the forests rapidly lose their ecological value. The findings expand the scope of which forests are considered worth conserving.

SourceImperial College London·JournalNature·DateJul 17, 2024

Scientists discover new plants that could lead to ‘climate-proof’ chocolate

Researchers at University College Cork have discovered three new species of Theobroma sect. Herrania in the rainforests of South America, which are closely related to the cocoa tree. These findings could lead to the development of climate-resilient cacao trees, helping sustain chocolate production.

SourceUniversity College Cork·JournalKew Bulletin·TypeContent analysis·DateJul 1, 2024

Phytochemical diversity and herbivory are higher in tropical forests: Study

Researchers found that tropical tree communities exhibit higher levels of phytochemical diversity, leaf herbivory, and specialized herbivory compared to less diverse subtropical and subalpine forest communities. This study highlights the importance of biotic interactions in maintaining biodiversity in tropical regions.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 27, 2024
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Regional differences in bird diversity in agroforestry systems

A study by the University of Göttingen investigated regional differences in bird diversity within cocoa agroforestry systems in Peru. The research team found that biodiversity decreases with increasing distance from natural forests, with greater richness of species found in humid subtropical forests than in dry tropical forests.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalConservation Science and Practice·TypeObservational study·DateMay 21, 2024
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.