Articles tagged with Rainforests
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.
A new study finds that illegal hunting using indiscriminate snares is more severe than forest degradation through selective logging for ground-dwelling mammal and bird communities. The research suggests maintaining habitat quality may not be sufficient to protect tropical biodiversity, and overhunting should be prioritized.
Scientists discover 45,000-year-old microliths in Sri Lanka's Fa-Hien Lena cave, pushing back the timeline of advanced tool use in South Asia. The discovery suggests that early humans adapted to rainforest environments with sophisticated technology, enabling them to thrive and spread across the globe.
New study reveals earliest microliths in South Asia and any rainforest environment worldwide, alongside tree-dwelling monkeys and tropical plants. The toolkits date back to 48,000-45,000 years ago and suggest the ecological flexibility of early Homo sapiens.
Researchers at Wake Forest University's Center for Amazonian Scientific Innovation found that biochar combined with fertilizer significantly improved height and diameter growth of tree seedlings. The treatment also increased the number of leaves developed by the seedlings.
The study found that ancient geological events, such as mountain range uplift and river formation, drove the emergence of new species of harvestmen in the southern portion of the Atlantic Rainforest. This discovery challenges the assumption that climate fluctuations are the primary cause of high biodiversity in this biome.
Researchers at University of Turku investigate parasitoid wasp diversity in Kibale National Park, Uganda, finding that species abundance varies with weather and vegetation conditions. The study contributes to global understanding of parasitoid insect diversity and highlights the urgent need to protect tropical biodiversity.
A new study by TUM researchers suggests that rainforest growth limits are being tested due to insufficient phosphorus. Trees can only absorb additional carbon dioxide if phosphorous is available, leading to a potential 50% decrease in CO2 absorption under increased atmospheric pressure.
A study by Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology reveals that humans and chimpanzees travel with different linearity when approaching out-of-sight food locations. Humans tend to have higher linearity in familiar areas, while chimpanzees exhibit the opposite pattern.
A new study published in Scientific Reports reveals that degraded rainforest habitats are having an unhealthy impact on at least one species of Madagascar's treasured lemurs. Despite moderate levels of habitat fragmentation and disturbance, some groups of sifakas showed substantial resilience to these changes.
A team of researchers, led by a former war refugee, used ecological niche modeling to predict the future geographic distribution of the endangered White-breasted Guineafowl in response to climate change. The study found that the bird's range is more stable than expected, but coastal areas are threatened by sea-level rise and erosion.
Logging roads are expanding dramatically in the Congo Basin, leading to catastrophic collapses in animal populations and widespread deforestation. The study found that new road construction has quadrupled since 2000, causing a significant threat to endangered species such as forest elephants and gorillas.
Researchers have discovered ancient Fagaceae fruit and leaf fossils in Patagonia, Argentina, pushing the family's history south of the Malay Archipelago. The findings suggest a Gondwanan supercontinent legacy in Asian rainforests, expanding our understanding of plant evolution and biogeography.
Subsistence hunters face threats from fragmented habitats, modern hunting methods, mining, and tourism, impacting local food security and species persistence. WCS suggests banning large species, shifting to smaller ones, strengthening protected areas, and diversifying income sources.
Researchers found elevated ozone levels 30-50% higher than baseline conditions in the Amazon rainforest downwind of the city. Human activities release nitrogen oxides and VOCs that mix with plant-emitted gases, producing chemicals affecting regional air quality and climate.
Researchers from James Cook University analyzed 40,000-year-old bat faeces for clues about the landscape's past biodiversity. The study supports the corridor theory, suggesting a savanna corridor divided the former continent of Sundaland.
A government-run program in the Brazilian Amazon distributes revenue from carbon credits to rural laborers and family farmers, creating an inclusive green economy. The program's benefits include expanded social welfare initiatives and potential to prevent deforestation, but also raises concerns about land power and potential risks.
A study by the University of Bonn finds that Peru's National Forest Conservation Program has a small effect on curbing deforestation in the Amazon region. Three key recommendations are proposed: full territorial enrollment, stricter compliance enforcement, and targeted funding for ecologically endangered areas.
Researchers warn that increased tariffs on US soya bean exports to China could trigger extensive tree-felling in Brazil's Amazon rainforest. The study suggests measures to reduce deforestation, including removing trade tariffs and improving environmental protection schemes.
Brazil is expected to increase its soybean production by up to 39% to satisfy China's increased demand, which could lead to dramatic deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. Global meat consumption must be reduced to sustainably cope with this problem, and ecological consequential costs need to be included in food costs.
A pilot project aims to convert 15.5 ha of palm oil plantations back into rainforest, creating a wildlife corridor for endangered species. The project contributes to the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and climate goals by reforested 350 million ha of rainforest and renaturising degraded land by 2030.
A new species of stiletto snake, Atractaspis branchi, has been discovered in the western Upper Guinea forests. The snake can attack and stab sideways with its fangs sticking out of the corner of its mouth, making it difficult to handle.
New research reveals that regions with higher rainfall variability are more resilient to current and future climate disturbances. However, the Amazon's ability to cope with climate change is still uncertain due to ongoing forest clearance and policy issues.
A new study reveals that Homo sapiens colonized the South Asian rainforest by hunting primates and other small mammals 45,000 years ago. The researchers found remains with cut-marks and burning at the oldest human archaeological site in Sri Lanka, alongside sophisticated bone and stone tools.
A co-led study by HKU researchers found that termites increase leaf litter decomposition, nutrient heterogeneity, and soil moisture during drought periods. The presence of termites helps protect tropical rainforests from the negative effects of drought.
Researchers found that termites mitigate drought's impact by increasing decomposition rates and nutrient cycling. The study suggests that intact biological communities can act as ecological insurance during environmental stress.
Researchers found trees changing their wood anatomy in response to drought, with some species developing smaller water-carrying vessels. This adaptation allows mature rainforest trees to conserve water during extended dry periods.
A 30-year-old hydroelectric project in Thailand has caused the local bird population to collapse. The reservoir has inundated a unique habitat rich in biodiversity, leading to deforestation and human-caused fire, resulting in isolated habitat patches dominated by disturbance-tolerant species.
Researchers studied two remote communities in the Venezuelan rainforest, one heavily Westernized and one less so, to investigate the relationship between age and blood pressure. The results suggest that the rise in blood pressure with age may be a consequence of Western lifestyle influences.
Researchers found genetic changes in Batwa and Andamanese populations that influenced growth factor binding pathways and cardiac muscle tissue development. This suggests a connection between short stature and cardiac problems in these populations.
The Amazon forest dieback hypothesis predicts a climate-driven shift of the region's rainforests, with estimated costs ranging from $957 to $3,589 billion over 30 years. Preemptive actions, such as curbing deforestation, are likely to be beneficial even in the absence of the dieback.
Researchers at Kanazawa University have identified three new compounds from the leaves of a threatened tropical plant species with potent antiproliferative activities against various human tumor cell lines. The study highlights the potential of rainforest plants as a rich source of bioactive natural products for cancer drug discovery.
A 10-year remote sensing analysis reveals that rare canopy trees are more likely to increase in population size than common ones, supporting the Janzen-Connell hypothesis. However, constraints on population growth do not stabilize the tree population, leading to increased size over time.
New research reveals that reducing Amazon deforestation has led to a significant increase in natural vegetation destruction in the nearby Cerrado region. The study suggests that the unintended consequences of conservation efforts can have profound impacts on neighboring areas with significant biodiversity.
A long-term study published in Biology Letters reveals that Amazon mangrove forests store twice as much carbon per acre than the region's famous rainforest. The researchers found that mangroves sequester significant quantities of carbon, which is stored for centuries, and their conservation is crucial for climate change mitigation.
A Brazilian study found that climate change could lead to the extinction of up to 10% of frog and toad species endemic to Brazil's Atlantic Rainforest biome within the next 50 years. The researchers used spatial distribution data and ecological niche models to predict which areas would be favorable for each species.
Recent study reveals Amazonian precipitation in wet season has largely increased during the past three decades due to changes in sea surface temperature (SST) variability. This finding suggests a new perspective for studying long-term change in Amazonian precipitation.
A new study provides a roadmap for conservation efforts in human-modified landscapes, helping prioritize protection of fragile ecosystems. The research highlights the importance of forest cover and waterways in determining amphibian distributions.
Mass deforestation in Colombia's Andes-Amazon 'biodiversity bridge' is threatening the region's ecosystems and thousands of rare species. The area, once controlled by FARC soldiers, has been cleared at an alarming rate for farms and coca crops.
A new study reveals that tropical forest conservation policies are not compensating the world's poorest people, despite good intentions. Researchers found that local communities face significant economic costs and are often arrested for cultivating ancestral land, highlighting the need for proper compensation to be affordable.
A new parasitoid wasp species, Clistopyga crassicaudata, has been discovered in the Amazon with an exceptionally large stinger used for both laying eggs and injecting venom. The species belongs to a rare genus specializing in laying eggs into spiders or spider egg-sacs.
Researchers used LiDAR technology to map carbon storage in urban forests, finding areas like Hampstead Heath store up to 178 tonnes of carbon per hectare. This study highlights the value of urban trees for mitigating climate change and demonstrates their potential as a vital resource for cities.
A recent study found that palm oil plantations release more carbon than previously thought, with a loss of 174 tons per hectare, compared to 159 and 116 tons for intensive and extensive rubber farming. The soil also loses fertility, requiring fertilizers to maintain productivity.
New research reveals tall Amazonian forests are more resilient to drought, with older trees having deeper root systems that access deeper soil moisture. This finding has implications for the future ability of rainforests to store carbon and withstand climate change.
Chimpanzees in the African savanna show significant physiological difficulty when temperatures are high and water is scarce, leading to dehydration and thermoregulatory stress. Despite these challenges, some chimpanzees have developed strategies to cope with food scarcity, such as relying on non-fruit foods like termites and bark.
A Brazilian study identifies areas with high genetic diversity and climatic stability for conservation. The researchers used ecological niche modeling to simulate the distribution of forests in past eras, revealing priority areas for action that have suffered least from climate change.
A UCI-led study finds that tropical forests respond to higher CO2 by reducing water vapor, leading to drought in the Amazon and increased rainfall in Indonesia. This process can have significant impacts on biodiversity, freshwater availability, and food supplies.
A new study published in Biological Conservation found that freshwater fish biodiversity is harmed by selective logging in rainforests as much as by complete deforestation. The researchers discovered a significant drop in fish diversity across all types of logging, regardless of the amount or recentness of the logging.
A new ant species from Borneo has been discovered, exhibiting a unique explosive defense mechanism that releases toxic liquid when threatened. The discovery sheds light on the biology of 'exploding ants,' which were previously poorly understood due to limited evidence.