Articles tagged with Rainforests
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 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.
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.
Researchers from Harvard have quantified the effect of NOx pollution on OH radicals in the Amazon rainforest, finding that daytime peak OH concentrations increase by at least 250% in polluted areas. This study highlights the impact of human activities on atmospheric chemistry, with potential implications for cloud formation and rainfall.
Archaeologists have discovered evidence of hundreds of villages in unexplored regions of the Amazon, home to diverse communities and agricultural practices. The research provides a wealth of information on the history of the Amazon, revealing that ancient populations had an impact on the environment, challenging previous assumptions.
A study published in the journal Primates shows that while plants growing near the edges of cleared regions are negatively impacted by human activity, monkeys sharing the same habitat do not fare as poorly. The researchers found less diversity of tree species at the forest edge compared to the interior, and noted that these trees were ...
Researchers found evidence of early human impacts on African rainforests, with a switch from mature rainforest to forest-savannah mosaic occurring around 3,000 years ago. Human population growth and land-use changes are thought to have driven this transition, contradicting the current consensus that climate change was the primary cause.
A team of scientists discovered that humans triggered the transformation of dense forests to savannahs in Central Africa around 2,600 years ago. The sudden change, known as the 'rainforest crisis,' was not caused by climate change but rather by human activities such as agriculture and population growth.
Researchers found that geological events like mountain formation and wetland disappearance drove diversification of Annonaceae plant genera in Central and South America. The study used DNA data and molecular clock technique to reconstruct the phylogenetic history of 11 Mosannona and 24 Cremastosperma species.
Researchers at UCR discovered that tropical trees in the Amazon Rainforest have developed an unusual way to conserve and redistribute water during drought, using a layer of living cells around their xylem. This unique method may alleviate concerns about the impact of drought on these critical climate regulators.
The Isiboro-Sécure National Park and Indigenous Territory (TIPNIS) in Bolivia has been subject to alarming levels of deforestation, with over 46,000 hectares lost since 2000. The planned road construction will likely exacerbate this issue, putting the region's biodiversity at risk.
Scientists have identified the world's first hybrid bird species in the Amazon rainforest, created by the mating of two distinct species. The golden-crowned manakin boasts unique yellow crown feathers and an intermediate keratin structure, setting it apart from its parental species.
During a two-week top-to-bottom survey of Penang Hill's rainforest, scientists discovered several previously unknown species, including a new scorpion and likely new fly, water bear, and bacterium. The expedition logged over 1,400 species observations, contributing valuable data for mapping the region's distribution of wildlife.
A new study reveals that logged rainforests in Borneo retain their ability to support biodiversity, with temperatures comparable to pristine forests. This discovery highlights the resilience of these ecosystems and underscores their importance for conservation efforts.
Researchers from the University of Leeds and others have developed more accurate methods for estimating biodiversity in large regions. The study found that rare tree species are poised to become dominant if conditions change in their favor.
Researchers found that indigenous groups intentionally used fire to manage plant-life in temperate rain forests, leaving trees alive and keeping the forest open. The study suggests that this practice has been ongoing for centuries, contradicting traditional views of these forests as 'pristine' and 'untouched'.
A team of scientists from five countries analyzed sediment cores to reconstruct the past 1 million years of the Atlantic Rainforest biome in southern Brazil. The research aimed to understand how vegetation responded to climate change, using sediment samples that contained information about plant cover, rainfall, and subsoil communities.
A new study from Ohio State University found that community forest concessions in Guatemala's Maya Biosphere Reserve slowed deforestation by almost 8%, compared to areas without management and ownership. The programs also preserved biodiversity, history, and culture, while reducing carbon levels.
Researchers found that areas protected by local and indigenous communities were more effective at reducing deforestation and forest degradation compared to those protected by governments. Local ownership and support for protecting the Peruvian Amazon can be a particularly effective approach in conserving this vital ecosystem.
Scientists discover new species of clearwing moth in Malaysian rainforest, displaying rare mud-puddling behavior. The newly discovered species, Pyrophleps ellawi, is a wasp-mimicking insect with transparent wings and blue sheen.
A study published in Biotropica found that Asian elephants prefer to eat monocot plants like palms, grasses, and bamboo, whereas African elephants feed on tree saplings. This difference has significant implications for forest dynamics and human-elephant conflict.
A new species of fruit bat, previously nicknamed 'Yoda' due to its resemblance to the Star Wars Jedi Master, has been officially recognized and renamed the happy (Hamamas) tube-nosed fruit bat. The species was discovered in Papua New Guinea and distinguished from other similar species based on unique morphological characteristics.
A University of Liverpool study found that ants are responsible for moving more than half of food resources from the rainforest floor. This role is crucial for nutrient redistribution and decomposition, maintaining a diverse and healthy soil environment.
A new study published in PNAS reveals that urban food demand in the Amazon can impact wildlife as far as 1,000 km away from the city. Researchers found a 50% reduction in fish size and catch rate near Manaus due to overfishing by city-based boats, which also led to larger fish being more common and easier to catch further away.
Researchers found that geckos are subjected to impact forces that approach the safety factor of a single foot, leading to the possibility of injury or failed landing attempts. The study provides insight into the evolution of adhesion and may help understand the phenomenal adhesive power exhibited by these lizards.
A new study by Lund University researchers shows that Amazon basin deforestation can disrupt the entire rainforest's resilience and ability to absorb carbon dioxide. Deforestation creates a vicious circle of local warming and changed air circulation patterns, affecting even the untouched inner parts of the rainforest.
Researchers tracked the impact of Brazil's Soy Moratorium on deforestation and soy production in Mato Grosso. The study found a significant reduction in deforestation after the moratorium took effect, with a shift towards more efficient agricultural practices.
A new invasive species, Anolis porcatus from Cuba, has been identified in the São Paulo coast of Brazil near the Port of Santos. The species, a generalist predator, competes with native lizards for resources and could potentially harm local ecosystems.
A new project led by UTIA faculty will recruit 14 undergraduate Research and Extension Fellows to explore agro-ecological farming in western Belize. The team will work with local partners to empower forest and wildlife stewardship while increasing the students' skills to become leaders in agricultural and conservation efforts globally.
Only about 300 jaguars remain in Brazil, with fragmented habitats and frequent human contact posing major threats. GPS tracking data reveals jaguars' limited mobility, with males having larger home ranges than females.
The discovery of 16 new fungus gnat species in the Allpahuayo-Mishana National Reserve sheds light on the region's remarkable biodiversity. The presence of a diverse array of parasitoid wasps suggests a high level of interdependence between rainforest species.
A new study suggests that ancient peoples domesticated tree species thousands of years ago, which are now more common in mature upland forests. The research found that a quarter of these domesticated species dominate large expanses of forest and are vital for the livelihood and economy of Amazonian peoples.
A study by ETH Zurich researchers found that tropical tree species rely on bird dispersal for seed spread, but this process is limited to short distances. As a result, reforestation efforts may require active planting of these species to achieve successful restoration.
Researchers uncovered hundreds of large, mysterious geoglyphs in Brazil's Amazon rainforest, challenging assumptions about the ecosystem. The sites were found to have been built using sustainable 'agroforestry' practices, which concentrated on economically valuable tree species.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University have captured rare video footage of the newly discovered population of critically endangered Dryas monkeys, also known as Inoko, in the Lomami National Park. The monkeys, which are about the size of a house cat, were found to be drawn to dense thickets and flooded areas.
Researchers found that plants' choice of microbial teammates influences a suite of plant-soil interactions, driving high diversity in shrublands. The study revealed positive and negative feedbacks between plants and microbes, with nutrient-acquisition strategies playing a crucial role.
A study found that oil palm plantations act as barriers to butterflies crossing into the plantation from the rainforest. Small butterflies are more likely to cross due to their larval food sources growing in the plantation habitat.
A new, tiny species of extinct Australian marsupial lion has been named Microleo attenboroughi, weighing only about 600 grams. It shared its ancient rainforest community with two larger species of marsupial lions, suggesting it may have specialised on a different size range of prey.
A comprehensive checklist of Amazonian tree species has been compiled, revealing over 11,676 known species and approximately 4,000 rare ones yet to be discovered. The analysis, which utilized digitized museum collections data, suggests that the search for new tree species will continue for three more centuries.
A recent study has identified nearly 2,000 species of looper moths in the Andes mountains. The researchers used DNA barcodes to categorize and identify the species, revealing a higher diversity than previously estimated.
Researchers found that young leaves grow at the same time as older ones perish, causing a shift in tree canopy towards younger leaves with higher photosynthetic capacity. This internal dynamics of the rainforest drives seasonal changes in photosynthesis, which was not previously accounted for in climate models.
Research finds traditional agroforestry systems enhance endangered and vulnerable species diversity in Southeast Asian forests. Fruit gardens introduce native trees with fleshy fruits, increasing food resources for frugivorous animals.
A team of scientists has discovered twenty-four new beetle species in Australian rainforests, shedding light on the conservation of highly localized species. The newly described weevils are thought to have originated in Australia, with some species found only in a single locality.
A recent study found that deep convective storms transport ozone-rich air parcels to the surface of the Amazon rainforest, rapidly increasing surface ozone levels. This process can initiate and accelerate cloud formation via interactions with plant-emitted hydrocarbons.
A new study by researchers at NIMBioS reveals that consistent size structures exist across tropical rainforests, driven by competition among trees for light following a gap disturbance. The findings have significant implications for modeling tropical forests' sustainability and carbon sequestration.
A new study reveals that tropical rainforests' predictable structure is driven by competition for sunlight, which fuels the growth of small trees in sunlit patches. This finding can improve climate simulations and estimate carbon storage in tropical forests.
A new study identifies 91 countries at risk from the 'green cancer' miconia tree's expansion, despite warming. The invasive plant's ability to infest territories will not be hindered, but its growth may slow in some areas by 2080.
A study by the University of Edinburgh found that droughts could kill off the tallest trees in tropical rainforests as breakages in their water transport system lead to death. The research indicates smaller trees are more likely to survive long-term droughts and store less carbon.
A new study predicts that continued deforestation in the Amazon could lead to annual rainfall of less than drought years by 2050. Deforestation rates would need to revert back to pre-2004 levels to achieve this decline, according to researchers.
The Peruvian government has designated a 3.3 million-acre Amazonian rainforest as a national park, home to thousands of plant and animal species. The creation of the park marks the culmination of 10 years of conservation efforts by The Field Museum and numerous organizations.
A decade-long study in the Amazon rainforest found that forests can withstand initial, low-intensity burns but are vulnerable to repeated fires, especially during drought years. The research also highlights the role of leaf-cutter ant colonies in creating natural fire breaks and mitigating forest damage.
A new genus of water mites has been discovered in the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest, with the species found only in bromeliad tank environments. The research reveals that these mites are top predators in their aquatic microcosms.
Scientists have uncovered seven new species of highly miniaturized frogs in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest, highlighting their vulnerability to extinction due to climate change. The discovery showcases the unique adaptations of these tiny frogs, with many exhibiting bright colors as a warning to potential predators.
Scientists and policymakers are reevaluating policies regarding contact with emerging isolated tribes in South America. The spread of diseases via outsiders is a major concern, while anthropologists warn that governments may not be prepared to protect these groups.
Researchers used high-tech instruments to map canopy chemistry in the Amazon, finding that plants in different areas produce unique chemicals based on topography. The study reveals a hidden tapestry of chemical variation, highlighting the importance of geography in shaping ecosystem functions.
New research reveals that savannahs are a major driver of carbon sequestration globally, outpacing tropical rainforests. The semi-arid ecosystems can control fluctuations in atmospheric CO2 concentrations, and their importance should not be overlooked in climate policy discussions.