Articles tagged with Tropical Forests
A new study reveals that nearly 20% of tropical forests across Amazonia are at risk from human activities such as logging, mining, and agriculture. Protecting these carbon-rich ecosystems is crucial for global climate stability and the cultural identity of indigenous peoples.
A meta-analysis of studies on reduced-impact logging (RIL) and conventional logging found that RIL causes smaller shifts in species abundance and less harm to birds, arthropods, mammals, and bats. RIL certified timber can support the diverse benefits of tropical forests and promote sustainable forestry practices.
A new study reveals that long-used field inventory plots are not representative of tropical forests, leading to biased results. Advanced three-dimensional forest mapping techniques provide a more accurate understanding of forest structures and systems on large geographic scales.
A new high-resolution mapping strategy has identified opportunities to preserve tropical carbon stocks in the fight against climate change. The approach prioritizes carbon conservation efforts throughout tropical countries and provides detailed information on landscape characteristics.
A new policy paper emphasizes the importance of collaboration between scientists and policymakers for effective biodiversity conservation. The paper highlights the HCV approach's potential in protecting tropical biodiversity through sustainable land management schemes.
A new study reveals that monkey-borne Plasmodium knowlesi is the leading cause of malaria hospitalizations in Malaysia, with 68% of cases attributed to this parasite. Deforestation and increased human interactions with macaques are potential culprits behind this rise in infections.
Researchers found widespread antibiotic production by soil bacteria in tropical forests, with varying abundance and effectiveness across the landscape. This variation could influence plant disease, productivity, and forest composition.
The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research found that forest fragmentation results in up to a fifth more carbon dioxide being emitted by vegetation, with an estimated loss of over 68 million tonnes of carbon in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest in ten years.
A new study finds that tropical countries with rising middle-class incomes are willing to pay more for conservation, but government actions lag behind. Public surveys in Malaysia showed people willing to pay $437 a year per hectare to protect forests from logging and poaching.
Researchers are conducting a groundbreaking experiment in Puerto Rico's El Yunque National Forest to study the impact of global warming on tropical forests. The goal is to determine how sensitive these ecosystems are to temperature changes and what physiological changes they may undergo.
Reducing tropical deforestation significantly reduces carbon dioxide emissions by up to one-fifth. Tropical forests absorb almost two billion tonnes of carbon annually, but human activities like logging and biofuel production lead to equivalent losses.
A study reveals how Brazil reduced deforestation while increasing agriculture production, with a combination of public policies and market incentives driving change. The country's success could be replicated globally, but fragile results may be short-lived without positive incentives for farmers.
A $440,000 grant-funded global project aims to protect remaining old-growth forests and promote sustainable reforestation through a multidisciplinary approach. Researchers from 14 countries will work together to understand factors leading to forest regrowth and provide tangible recommendations for policymakers.
Tropical forest carbon accumulation is reduced by nearly 20% due to invasive vines. Lianas block sunlight for tree growth and don't compensate for displaced carbon.
The study creates maps of habitat corridors connecting protected areas in the tropics to conserve biodiversity and mitigate climate change. The corridors provide opportunities for carbon sequestration and avoiding emissions from deforestation.
Research suggests that older trees accelerate growth and take up more carbon, contrary to the assumption that they slow down with age. This finding has implications for forest conservation efforts like REDD+, which aim to reduce global warming by preserving forests.
Research suggests that tropical forests play a crucial role in regulating water flow, with forested land releasing more water than grasslands during the late dry season. The study's findings support the sponge effect phenomenon, which aims to minimize flood damage and maximize water availability in the tropics.
New research suggests that young tropical forests may not be effective in conserving tree species due to low reproductive rates. The study found that even 30-year-old forests have a limited number of reproductive trees essential for long-term species survival.
VTT has developed a new method to accurately assess tropical forest cover using numerical satellite images. This method enables forest mapping with high accuracy and is being used in the EU's ReCover project in several tropical regions.
A new study reveals that carbon storage in re-growing tropical forests recovers faster than plant biodiversity following major disturbances. Despite this, even after 80 years, these forests tend to have less carbon than old-growth forests due to the dominance of small, fast-growing trees.
Researchers at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute found that tropical trees can
A study published in PLOS ONE found that more than 80% of tropical forests in Malaysian Borneo have been heavily impacted by logging. Satellite imaging revealed approximately 226,000 miles of roads constructed throughout the forests of this region.
A recent study by Florida State University researcher Stephanie Pau found that tropical forests produce more flowers in response to only slight increases in temperature. This is the first study to combine long-term flower production data with direct estimates of cloud cover based on satellite information.
A new study by UC Santa Barbara's NCEAS found that tropical forests are sensitive to small changes in temperature, producing more flowers. The study analyzed global data and satellite information, indicating that clouds mainly affect short-term growth, while longer-term changes are due to temperature.
Scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute reviewed 6,000 measurements of ancient temperatures to understand the past impact of global warming on rainforests. They found that diversity increased during hothouse conditions, but surprisingly, rainforests never extended beyond the modern tropical belt.
A Dartmouth College study suggests that many species of tropical lizards may not be on the brink of extinction due to climate change. The research found that high-resolution temperature measurements revealed varying effects on different lizard populations, contradicting previous predictions of widespread extinction.
A recent study published in Nature Geoscience suggests that tropical forests are less likely to lose biomass in response to greenhouse gas emissions. This finding has important implications for the future evolution of tropical rainforests and their role in the global climate system.
A study by University of Exeter researchers reveals tropical forests' sensitivity to climate change, with significant carbon release expected if climate models are inaccurate. The team found a correlation between year-to-year variations in carbon dioxide concentration and long-term changes in tropical forest carbon storage.
Madidi National Park has been documented to have an incredible array of species, including 1,088 bird species and over 200 mammal species. Despite this wealth of biodiversity, much remains unknown about the park's tropical montane forests.
A group of Pyrgodesmidae millipedes previously unknown in Australia has been discovered on museum shelves. The study reveals dozens of native species across over 2000 km of eastern Australia's warm forests.
New research reveals that tropical forest fragments are nearly emptied of wildlife, with many species like jaguars and lowland tapirs virtually extinct. The study emphasizes the importance of strictly protected areas to conserve biodiversity in these ecosystems.
A recent study published in Nature found that many tropical protected areas are struggling to sustain their biodiversity, despite being our best hope for preserving tropical forests. However, the research also highlights the importance of eliminating threats outside park boundaries and maintaining existing parks.
A new study by William Laurance and co-authors finds that nearly half of tropical forest reserves are ineffective in protecting biodiversity. Well-protected reserves also show signs of decline, highlighting the need for improved conservation efforts to safeguard these critical ecosystems.
Researchers used LiDAR and satellite image analysis to create detailed maps of the Colombian Amazon's carbon stores, unlocking new methods for monitoring and conserving the region. The breakthrough supports the UN's REDD+ program and has implications for climate change mitigation in Colombia.
A recent study published in Nature highlights the challenges facing tropical protected areas, but also shows that long-term engagement with conservation can have positive results. Conservation efforts in Tanzania's Udzungwa mountains have paid dividends, with the reserve remaining relatively unchanged from a biodiversity point of view.
A new University of Florida study suggests that selective logging of tropical forests can be a viable conservation option, as long as the forest is given adequate time to recover. The research found that biodiversity and carbon retention take a hit from logging but can be reversed over time.
Scientists have measured the carbon content of Sri Lanka's natural forests, finding that nearly half of greenhouse gas emissions originate from deforestation. The study suggests alternative ecosystems can bind carbon while providing food and protection for local populations.
Researchers found that molybdenum, not phosphorus, is the limiting nutrient for nitrogen-fixing bacteria in tropical forests. The discovery could have widespread implications for understanding how tropical forests respond to climate change and regulate the Earth's climate system.
A team of scientists has discovered that high levels of nitrogen in tropical forests are caused by natural interactions between the forest and nutrient cycles. The study found evidence of large losses of bioavailable nitrogen from plant-soil interactions, not directly from atmospheric deposition.
Scientists have discovered that human activities are perturbing the nitrogen cycle in tropical forests, leading to an increase in nitrogen levels. This finding has significant implications for tree communities and global change models.
A recent study published in Science found that tropical forests' variability is attributed to historical and geological processes rather than current ecology. The research team collected data at sites worldwide, revealing similarities in biodiversity patterns between tropical rainforests and temperate regions.
A comprehensive assessment of tropical forests found primary forests sustain the highest levels of biodiversity and are vital to many species. Human activities like logging and agricultural expansion have transformed most remaining primary forests, leaving little unaltered.
A new study reveals that enhanced tree growth in tropical forests can stimulate soil micro-organisms, leading to the release of stored soil carbon. Researchers found that extra litterfall triggers a process called priming, which stimulates the decomposition of carbon stored in the soil.
A new study claims that species extinction rates have been overreported by as much as 160%, using widely used methods. However, the global extinction crisis is still very real, according to researchers. The study's findings suggest that habitat loss is not as dire as previously thought, but conservation efforts are still necessary.
Scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute offer new insights on reforestation in Latin America, highlighting the importance of native species, carbon storage, and biodiversity conservation. The research provides a framework for land managers to weigh environmental and economic factors in their decision-making.
A project called Tropi-Dry, led by the University of Alberta, used remote sensing and geo-data to overturn a Brazilian law that would have allowed widespread logging. The decision protects critical ecosystem services, including weather regulation and water production.
A new study finds that biodiversity can be conserved while resources are used to support local household livelihoods, especially when managed under systems that involve local forest users. The research suggests formalizing the rights of local people to contribute to forest management and governance can promote dual success.
Lianas, found in most tropical lowland forests, are outcompeting trees for sunlight, water, and nutrients. This intense competition is limiting tree growth and survival in these ecosystems.
Research finds vines are outcompeting trees in tropical forests across the Americas, posing a threat to biodiversity and ecosystem services. This shift has significant implications for climate models, business models relying on tree growth data, and human communities dependent on these forests.
A giant-scale ecological study, SAFE Project, aims to understand how deforestation and forest fragmentation impact biodiversity and carbon cycling in tropical Asia. Scientists will investigate the impact of agricultural development on the ecosystem's ability to absorb carbon dioxide.
The research team aims to create hybrid ecosystems with a mix of native and non-native species, optimizing carbon storage and supporting native biodiversity. The project will begin in April 2011 and be conducted over five years, focusing on finding ways to co-exist with invasive species.
Researchers found that tropical rainforest diversity increased rapidly during a 56.3 million year-old global warming event, with new plant species emerging at an accelerated rate. Despite expected devastation, forest ecosystems fared surprisingly well under the warmer conditions.
A new study finds that crop productivity improvements and carbon emission limits can work together to prevent tropical deforestation over the next 100 years. The research suggests that increasing crop yields while implementing economic incentives to store carbon in forests can help preserve tropical forests and even increase their extent.
The study found that over 80% of new farmland created in the tropics between 1980 and 2000 came from felling forests, with significant implications for global warming. The research suggests that the rate of deforestation may be slowing, but the demand for agricultural production is expected to continue growing.
Scientists have created the most comprehensive map of the Earth's mangrove forest distribution, revealing a 12.3% decline in forest coverage compared to earlier estimates. The map shows that approximately 75% of remaining forests are found in just 15 countries, with only ~6.9% protected under existing networks.
A new study projects that only 18% to 45% of plants and animals in global tropical forests may remain as we know them today by 2100. Conservation efforts can focus on reducing deforestation pressure to help species adapt to climate change or enhance their ability to move with it.
Scientists tracked 17 iridescent orchid bees using radio transmitters, finding that males spent most of their time in small core areas but could visit farther afield. These long-distance movements help explain why some orchids are rare despite being pollinated by these bees.
The HSBC Climate Partnership has made significant progress in understanding the effects of climate change on forest ecosystems and carbon storage. Researchers have found rapid increases in tree growth, proposed a novel biodiversity theory, and examined the impact of changing climate on white-tailed deer and mosquitoes.
Researchers Ivette Perfecto and John Vandermeer argue that small family farms in tropical regions can provide a better way to meet both food production and biodiversity preservation goals. They propose an alternative model, the matrix quality model, which enables plants and animals to migrate between remaining forest fragments.
Helene Muller-Landau's tolerance-fecundity model reveals why different species make strikingly different reproductive choices. The model suggests that varying levels of stress favor different strategies.