Articles tagged with Rainforests
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
The study found that tropical forest edges are releasing large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere due to increased tree mortality. By 2100, the proportion of forest edges is projected to increase from 31% to almost 50% if deforestation rates remain high.
A new study assesses the impact of environmental policies on Amazon biodiversity, finding that 40-73,400 square miles of rainforest have been affected by fires since 2001. The research highlights the need for strong antideforestation policies and recognition of Indigenous lands to protect the region's biodiversity.
A new vulnerability index for tropical rainforests detects and evaluates vulnerability to climate threats by focusing on land-use changes. Key findings include regional differences in resilience, strong interactions between climate, land use, and biodiversity.
A study found that fires in the Amazon's wettest areas destroy small and medium-sized trees, leading to a loss of biomass and carbon stocks. The destruction can last for decades, with saplings and bushes being among the first to die.
A new fossil discovery in Panama's Los Boquerones town has revealed an ancient cashew relative with a lineage dating back over 30 million years. The find supports the hypothesis of tropical species migrating from Eurasia to North America during warmer climate periods.
Scientists have developed a novel indicator to monitor danger to the world's rainforests, which are losing their capacity to cycle carbon and water. The unique tropical rainforest index (TFVI) provides a snapshot of long-term observations, revealing that rainforests are more vulnerable than previously predicted.
Researchers developed a new index to track tropical forest vulnerability using satellite data, revealing regions at risk due to climate change and land use pressures. The Tropical Forest Vulnerability Index (TFVI) provides early warnings for conservation efforts.
A new study from Oregon State University shows that Colombia's peace accord has led to a 40% increase in deforestation of its unique Andes-Amazon rainforest. The research highlights the need for inclusive forest conservation planning and governance in post-conflict areas.
A new study in PNAS reveals that a rainforest in the Putumayo region of Peru has been home to relatively unaltered forest for 5,000 years. Researchers found microscopic silica and charcoal in the soil, which indicate that humans coexisted with nature without altering the environment.
New study finds no evidence of widespread forest clearing by Indigenous populations in western Amazonia before European arrival. Instead, researchers suggest a history of sustainable use and minimal impact on ecosystem biodiversity.
Researchers found that palm oil plantations significantly increase aggressive interactions and reduce bonding behaviors in southern pig-tailed macaques. The study showed that the plantation edge provides a safe haven for social interactions, while the interior poses greater safety risks.
A recent study found that African tropical rainforests removed 1.1 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide per year during the 2015-2016 El Niño event, equivalent to three times the UK's carbon emissions in 2019. The forests continued to function as a carbon sink, with only modest impacts from extreme heat and drought.
A new research discovery reveals an exceptionally diverse tropical seasonal rainforest biota from the Miocene era, with over 250 arthropod families and 78 broadleaf tree species. This find provides insights into the evolution of rainforests and their potential adaptability to a warmer world.
A new study found that the Brazilian Amazon released more carbon than it stored over the last decade due to forest degradation. Degradation accounted for three times more carbon loss than deforestation, highlighting its significant impact on overall biomass and carbon storage in the rainforest.
New research suggests that reversing global warming quickly enough can prevent abrupt and irreversible changes triggered by climate tipping points. The study found that thresholds could be temporarily exceeded without permanent shifts, providing a lifeline to avoid dangerous climate change.
Asteroid impact led to 45% plant extinction and paved the way for modern tropical rainforests. Plant diversity took over 10 million years to recover after the impact, with flowering plants dominating ecosystems.
A recent study reveals that the end-Cretaceous asteroid impact drastically restructured tropical forests, leading to a decline in plant diversity and the emergence of angiosperms. The findings suggest that the impact's long-term effects on tropical ecosystems were variable, depending on proximity to the crater and local conditions.
Researchers are studying the complex relationships within an ecosystem to understand how nature regenerates itself. The team will focus on key processes like predator-prey relationships and tree-pollinator interactions to measure the complexity in the resurgent ecosystem.
Researchers have identified two new species of critically endangered screech owls in the Amazon and Atlantic forests. The study used tape recordings to draw out the birds' calls, revealing variations indicative of different species.
Researchers analyzed camera-trap data from 15 tropical rainforests to find a predictable relationship between mammal communities and plant productivity. The study suggests that unique species are more common in forests with high productivity, allowing them to thrive without intense competition.
A Brazilian study reveals that human activities have caused biodiversity and biomass losses in over 80% of the remaining Atlantic Rainforest fragments. The destruction corresponds to the loss of 70,000 km² of forest, worth $2.3-2.6 billion in carbon credits.
Biologists from RUDN University studied the impact of jungles on global warming and found that tropical rainforests can be a significant source of methane emissions. The study, published in the Forests journal, suggests that these regions emit more methane throughout the year than they absorb, contrary to previous assumptions.
A new study reveals that Bantu-speaking communities in the Congo rainforest underwent a major population collapse from 1600 to 1400 years ago, possibly due to a prolonged disease epidemic. This finding challenges the commonly held belief of continuous settlement and affects seven present-day African countries.
Large-scale commercial farms in the southern Amazon accelerate climate change by increasing temperatures and reducing rainfall, whereas small-scale farms have less significant impacts. Alternative agricultural practices like agroforestry are needed to mitigate environmental changes and protect the remaining forests.
Ricardo Galvão, a physicist who defended Amazon deforestation data, will receive the 2021 AAAS Scientific Freedom and Responsibility Award. His stand against President Bolsonaro's claims of fabricated data cost him his job at Brazil's National Institute for Space Research.
A team of researchers discovered ancient human landscape modifications in Amazonia, revealing a 2,000-year-old civilization that used fire to clear patches and alter the forest composition. The findings contradict previous theories on extensive savannah formations during the current Holocene period.
New observational study shows that certain Amazon rainforest regions increase photosynthesis in response to limited water stress, contradicting Earth system models. This discovery suggests the current models overestimate carbon losses in the Amazon rainforest due to climate change.
A recent study found that mammals, birds, and amphibians have lost an average of 18% of their natural habitat range due to land use changes and climate change. The loss could increase to 23% by 2100 in a worst-case scenario.
A new study by Stanford researchers finds that deforestation in an Indonesian national park declined 70% after an affordable health clinic opened, preserving carbon sinks and reversing poverty. The clinic's success demonstrates a holistic approach to addressing human health and environmental conservation.
A recent study by Louisiana State University researchers found that the Amazon rainforest is experiencing a decline in biodiversity, with certain bird species showing significant drops in population. The study, which analyzed data from over 35 years and 55 sites, suggests that climate change may be driving this trend.
Researchers found that the loss of grasslands was instrumental in the extinction of many megafauna, including ancient humans like Homo erectus. Tropical forests dominated the region from present-day Myanmar to Indonesia, but began to give way to savannah environments around a million years ago.
Researchers analyzed isotopic data from Amazonian and African mammals to understand feeding habits and ecosystems. The study found no significant difference in dietary carbon isotope signatures between the two regions, but noted Amazonian mammals had more limited dietary resources.
A new study finds that the Amazon rainforest is at risk of crossing a tipping point where it could become a savanna-type ecosystem, affecting up to 40% of the region. Climate change is expected to worsen this trend due to rising greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers analyzed dietary signatures of African and South American mammals to reconstruct ancient ecosystems. They found a similar mean dietary carbon isotopic value between Amazonian and African closed-canopy rainforests, but lacked highly negative values used to infer rainforests in fossil records.
A significant reduction in fruit production by trees has coincided with a decline in the physical condition of fruit-eating forest elephants. The study found an 81% decline in fruit production between 1986 and 2018, alongside an 11% drop in the physical condition of fruit-dependent forest elephants since 2008.
The Amazonian rainforest is racing toward a tipping point as unregulated fires and climate change accelerate deforestation and habitat destruction. If temperatures rise by another 2-3 degrees Fahrenheit, the ecosystem could transition to savanna within decades.
A new study reveals that changes in sea surface temperatures in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans impact rainfall patterns in South America, leading to severe droughts. By analyzing this correlation, scientists can predict droughts up to 18 months in advance, providing crucial time for mitigation efforts.
A study by the University of Copenhagen reveals that female leopards in Tanzania's Udzungwa Mountains are active from early morning to late afternoon, whereas male leopards only hunt at night. This finding contradicts previous assumptions and highlights the need for further research on these majestic predators.
Scientists discovered that the ratio of chiral alpha-pinene molecules varies with altitude, time of day, and season in the Amazon rainforest. Insects, particularly termites, are found to be a significant source of plus-alpha-pinene, previously unknown in forest emissions.
The study found that granting collective property rights to indigenous territories led to a significant decrease in deforestation, particularly at the border of these areas. Territories waiting for full property rights saw little impact on deforestation levels.
A study published in PNAS found that granting full property rights to indigenous communities in the Amazon reduces deforestation rates by 66%. This policy focus can help preserve forested areas and attain climate goals, with significant implications for indigenous people's capacity to curb deforestation.
A new study suggests small trees can adapt better to droughts and grow into a new generation to help the rainforest survive. Researchers found that small trees increase their capacity for photosynthesis and growth despite lack of water, potentially leading to greater overall resilience in the forest.
A new study reveals that palm trees are the most abundant tree species in American rainforests, outnumbering other tropical forest plants by a significant margin. The research, led by scientists at Uppsala University and University of Campinas, Brazil, has quantified palm numbers globally for the first time.
A Finnish-Brazilian team uncovered evidence of a pre-colonial civilization in the Amazon that domesticated plants for food and used the environment sustainably. The research found that Indigenous peoples protected and cared for trees, including Brazilian nut and palm trees, to maintain their ecosystem.
A University of Kansas undergraduate majoring in ecology & evolutionary biology, Rachel Smith, has published a description of 18 new species of aquatic water beetles from the genus Chasmogenus. The research involved fieldwork and lab work to identify key differences in DNA evidence and internal anatomy.
A study used satellite images and machine learning to analyze forest fragment degradation and regeneration in the Atlantic Rainforest. Researchers found that certain tree species indicate forest regeneration, while others mark degraded areas.
A new study reveals that Alaska's rainforest fjords have an incredibly high concentration of lichen diversity, with over 1300 species found in the region. The research team, led by Toby Spribille, identified more than 900 species of lichen, including 27 previously unseen species.
A study finds temperate and tropical dry forests harbor unique tree evolutionary diversity, exceeding that of rainforests. Researchers highlight the need for conservation efforts in these often-overlooked ecosystems.
Researchers found fossil traces of a temperate rainforest in Antarctica dating back 90 million years, revealing a warmer climate than previously thought. The discovery suggests that the continent had an exceptionally warm climate during the Cretaceous period, with annual mean air temperatures similar to modern-day Hobart, Australia.
Researchers discovered evidence of a 90-million-year-old rainforest near the South Pole, suggesting average temperatures were around 12 degrees Celsius. The finding challenges climate models and suggests higher carbon dioxide levels during the mid-Cretaceous period.
A team of researchers from the University of Montana has identified critical forest areas in Malaysian Borneo that require protection. The study found that these priority forests store large amounts of carbon, support threatened rainforest animals and plants, and are crucial for conserving biodiversity.
Researchers found that destroying 25% of a one-hectare Atlantic rainforest fragment can raise the local temperature by 1°C. Clear-cutting the entire fragment would increase temperatures by up to 4°C, threatening the biome's carbon balance.
Researchers found high levels of biological activity in the gaps between oil palm fronds, providing microhabitats for soil creatures. This discovery may help preserve ecosystem functioning and offset damage caused by oil palm agriculture.
Research finds that Amazon trees contain detailed records of human activities, including native culture and colonial occupation. The study reveals how trees respond to human activity and can live for hundreds of years, registering impacts on the surrounding ecosystem.
A new study found that climate-related variables have a greater impact on small mammal biodiversity patterns across entire forest systems than deforestation does. This approach incorporates functional and phylogenetic diversity measures to uncover patterns that inform conservation efforts.
A study in Nature Climate Change predicts Madagascar's entire eastern rainforest habitat will be eliminated by 2070 unless strict protections are implemented. The research identifies priority areas for protection, highlighting the critical role of ruffed lemurs as seed dispersers and their sensitivity to habitat degradation.
A new report models the effects of deforestation and climate change on critically endangered ruffed lemur species in Madagascar, estimating suitable rainforest habitat could be reduced by up to 59% from deforestation. Protecting protected areas is key to conserving biodiversity, the research suggests.
Scientists discovered that soil mites alter their diet based on the environment they inhabit, with some species switching from saprophagy to predation. The study focused on oribatid mites and found significant differences in nitrogen isotope content depending on land use systems.
Researchers found that converting degraded pasture to oil palm plantations reduces stored carbon loss associated with rainforest clearing, but can lead to initial soil organic carbon loss. However, the carbon is later redistributed within the soil, resulting in long-term recovery of topsoil organic carbon.
A new study reveals that Madagascar's few remaining patches of lowland rainforest host the highest levels of lemur abundance. Human encroachment in coastal areas disproportionately threatens these primates, emphasizing the need for research and conservation management to protect them.