Articles tagged with Rainforests
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.
A new species of leafhopper, Phlogis kibalensis, has been discovered in the Kibale National Park in western Uganda. The insect belongs to a rare genus that was last recorded in Central African Republic in 1969.
A study by Brazilian researchers found that these large mammals help regulate plant diversity, productivity, and biomass in understory areas. The spatial structure of plant communities is also influenced, with the Jussara palm playing a key role in attracting animals and dispersing seeds.
A new species of rainfrog, Pristimantis gretathunbergae, has been discovered in Panama and named after global environmental activist Greta Thunberg. The frog's habitat is threatened by climate change and deforestation, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts.
A team of scientists has redefined indicators for biological diversity, analyzing ecosystem and species distribution. They found that areas with many species don't always have high biodiversity, and some protected areas may not be effectively conserving species and ecosystems.
Researchers found that indigenous people in Gabon possess an astonishing 732 plant and fruit-eating animal interactions, exceeding academic literature. Local knowledge is invaluable for understanding ecological processes, particularly in remote areas.
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 find that male golden orb-weaving spiders use animal magnetism and physical forces to approach females without being detected. By sensing vibrations on the web, males can balance risk and reward to survive, demonstrating complex decision-making capabilities.
Amazon Rainforest birds have reduced body mass by an average of 2% every decade since the 1980s, with most species losing about 27.6 grams on average. The birds' bodies and wings have also changed to become more energy-efficient in flight, with longer wings and lighter bodies adapted to hotter and drier conditions.
A new study by Stanford researchers provides a blueprint for public and private interventions to slow deforestation. The study reveals that the right sequence of policies, including disincentives, incentives, and enabling measures, can deliver conservation goals at lower cost across entire at-risk regions.
A Brazilian study reveals that forest fires and wildfires modify the freezing process of cloud droplets, altering natural cloud functioning and potentially impacting precipitation. The research used a large dataset to show that aerosols emitted by fires can affect cloud formation in southern Amazonia during the rainy season.
A study in the Atlantic Rainforest detected high mortality rates among tiny frogs known as pumpkin toadlets infected with the chytrid fungus. The infection causes a physiological imbalance leading to death from a heart attack. Climate change and drought may exacerbate the threat to terrestrial amphibians.
The study found that early Homo sapiens had an omnivorous diet in the tropical rainforest of Southeast Asia, consuming both plants and animals. The zinc isotope analysis revealed a mix of specialized adaptations to this environment, differing from previous assumptions about human diet.
A new plant species, Aenigmanu alvareziae, has been identified after nearly 50 years of scientists unable to classify it. The plant's DNA analysis revealed its closest relatives were in the Picramniaceae family.
Tropical rainforests have uneven biodiversity due to geological history and climate. Researchers used a new model to simulate species diversification, finding that historical dynamics of mountain building and climate change drove biodiversity distribution rather than current climate factors.
Research from the University of East Anglia found that communities living within Amazonian Sustainable-Use Protected Areas enjoy better access to essential services, including healthcare, education, and electricity. These areas also lead to improved livelihoods, with household wealth and life satisfaction increasing significantly.
A new study reviews sustainability standards for crop and livestock production, finding moderate positive effects on the environment through reduced agrichemical use. However, economic benefits vary by region and standard, and assessments are complicated. The study also raises concerns about labor practices and inequalities in the rura...
A study found that deforestation increases in election years, cancelling out conservation efforts and gains. The phenomenon affects regions with strict environmental regulation, highlighting the need for addressing opportunistic behaviors in natural resource management.
The project aims to digitize three million plant specimens from US herbaria and combine with data from Asia and Europe, accelerating research on endangered species and plant biodiversity. The Harvard University Herbarium will lead the effort, connecting institutions in the US, Europe, and Asia.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.