Articles tagged with Trees
Scientists at Tokyo Metropolitan University created a computer simulation predicting the spread of an invasive beetle species threatening Japan's cherry trees. The model, based on river lengths and roads, provided accurate results comparable to real-world data.
Researchers estimate that people living in deforested locations have lost nearly 5 million hours of safe work time due to increased local temperatures, with at least 2.8 million people affected by heavy physical labor. Deforestation accelerates heat exposure and increases the risk of heat-related illnesses.
The research provides a foundation to better understand redwood responses to climate impacts and pathogens. Hundreds of gene families unique to the coast redwood were found, many helping trees respond to stress and resist disease.
The Forest Condition Monitor tool uses color-coded visualization to identify areas of high-stress forests across Europe, allowing for targeted conservation efforts and research. Scientists can study these regions to understand eco-physiological processes and warn forest owners of potential risks.
Scientists have measured the speed of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, a bacterium causing citrus greening disease. The bacteria can colonize a tree in around 80-100 days, faster than symptoms appear, making it difficult to control.
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.
A new study ranks live oaks and American sycamores as champions among 17 "super trees" that can mitigate air pollution and climate change in urban areas. The research provides a three-part framework for selecting suitable trees, identifying high-impact planting sites, and engaging with community leadership to make the project a reality.
Current climate models underestimate species extinction rates by neglecting the complexities of ecosystems. Researchers used piñon pine data to model how climate affects tree populations and distribution, finding indirect effects that cannot be captured by climate-only models.
Scientists at the University of Utah studied the defense mechanism of Armillaria ostoyae, a parasitic fungus that infects and kills over 600 types of woody plants. They found that the fungus's outer layer has a strong protective role, containing calcium to protect itself from chemicals and insects.
Researchers at the Global Environmental Remote Sensing Laboratory are working on improving remote sensing technology to detect subtle changes in forest ecosystems. They have developed a method called PIDS, which can adapt to specific user-targeted specific change detection, and paired it with Landsat data to monitor forest health and c...
Research reveals that tree root systems are a significant source of methane emissions in wetland areas, including the Amazon basin. The study suggests that existing models may be underestimating methane emissions by neglecting the role of trees.
Researchers found that individual urban trees, such as street trees, can capture and store rainfall at a rate of three times that of clusters or patches. The study used sap flux sensors to monitor transpiration rates in 18 mature red maple trees, revealing significantly higher transpiration rates in single trees compared to cluster trees.
The 74th APS Division of Fluid Dynamics Annual Meeting featured presentations on COVID-proofing daily life, kimchi physics, and extreme heat waves. Researchers also discussed advancements in fire-fighting trees and the science behind jellyfish engineers.
A major new study found that woodland and hedgerow creation can support higher numbers of pollinators, including bees, hoverflies, and butterflies. The survey, which covered hundreds of sites across Wales, revealed the importance of carefully managed habitats in land management incentive schemes.
A new Stanford analysis provides empirical evidence that wildfire is accelerating tree species range shifts toward cooler, wetter sites. The study found that two species had larger range shifts in areas burned by wildfire.
Aspen recovery in Yellowstone National Park has been found to be less robust than previously believed due to biased sampling methods. Random sampling of all young aspen within a stand revealed a slower rate of recovery compared to the five tallest young aspen, which were used in previous studies.
Restoring 47.5 million hectares by 2030 demands high-quality seeds and seedlings. The study highlights the need for effective seed control and local community participation to ensure successful restoration projects.
Scientists have investigated the sporulation potential of Phytophthora ramorum on common California plant species. Most species produced spores, with bay laurel and tanoak producing significantly more than others. This study helps predict disease trajectories and informs forest treatment plans.
A University of Cambridge study reveals that periodic caterpillar outbreaks improve lake water quality but increase CO2 emissions by altering nutrient cycling and favouring greenhouse gas-producing bacteria. This phenomenon is likely to worsen as climate change expands the insects' range, threatening northern forests.
Researchers used nationwide airborne laser scanning data and forest inventories to predict bilberry and cowberry yields in Sweden. The models indicate potential berry picking locations but do not accurately predict yields.
Researchers tracked black-tailed deer before, during, and after the Mendocino Complex Fire, finding that all 18 deer survived. Despite burned areas with no vegetation, most deer returned home within hours, potentially due to their loyalty to habitat. However, some deer's body condition declined as they expanded their range.
A team of scientists tracked individual endangered Indiana bats and northern long-eared bats to understand their foraging behaviors and habitat preferences. The results show that most timber harvest strategies are neutral or even positive for the bats, with smaller patch cuts and thinning being compatible with conservation.
The study suggests that unsustainable wood harvesting by the Ancestral Puebloans occurred around 2000 years ago in Chaco Canyon, USA. This practice had significant ecosystem impacts, which are still being felt today.
Ancestral puebloans in Chaco Canyon thrived for over a millennium through indigenous agriculture and water irrigation, but their activities led to environmental degradation. The researchers found significant changes in the local woodlands beginning around 600 B.C., contributing to severe erosion and cropland deterioration.
A new study reveals that incorporating lateral groundwater processes into forest models can significantly impact predictions of tree survival in drought conditions. By accounting for the sideways flow of water through soil, scientists can better understand how riparian forests will respond to future climate change.
A recent study suggests that primates and marsupials were among the few tree-dwelling mammals that survived an asteroid impact 66 million years ago. The researchers used computer models and fossil records to find that most surviving mammals did not rely on trees, but some arboreal species may have been versatile enough to adapt.
A study by the San Francisco Estuary Institute, the Nature Conservancy, and the University of Illinois suggests that access to nature may contribute to lower COVID-19 rates, regardless of racial or socioeconomic identity. The research team found a strong correlation between green spaces and decreased COVID-19 incidence rates.
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.
Researchers found that old oak trees consistently increased their rate of photosynthesis when exposed to elevated CO2 levels. The increase was greatest in strong sunlight and suggests the trees have adapted to capture more carbon from the air.
A new study found that bigleaf maple trees are declining due to warmer, drier summers in Western Washington. The research team discovered that the trees' growth is sensitive to dry weather conditions, leading to smaller leaves and reduced overall mass.
A 10-year study in Panama's Barro Colorado Island found that liana density increased dramatically due to natural canopy disturbance, with most of the growth attributed to gaps in the canopy. The study suggests that environmental factors like climate change may also be contributing to this phenomenon, but to a lesser extent.
Researchers found that great tits nesting near healthy oak trees advance their egg-laying timing more than those near unhealthy oaks. The variation in timing is linked to the health of nearby oak trees and reveals patterns masked by population-wide studies.
Research reveals that only a few schools have gardens and woods, while most prioritize athletic fields and playgrounds. Teachers play a key role in promoting outdoor learning and play, with environmental education workshops showing promise.
Researchers found that trees are tapping into bedrock for water, a phenomenon previously thought to be rare. The study, led by Erica McCormick at UT Austin, suggests that bedrock is a significant source of water for trees, with rock moisture outdoing soil as a water source in many cases.
Researchers found that trees tap into bedrock water stores, relying on them during droughts and dry summers. This discovery overturns assumptions about where trees get their water, highlighting the importance of accounting for rock moisture in understanding forest ecosystem function.
A decade-long study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers shows how aspen stands change their genetic structure over time, adapting to environmental fluctuations. The findings suggest that exposure to various environmental changes can maintain diverse forests capable of responding to different stresses.
Researchers combined VOD with remote sensing data from optical satellites to analyze the effects of fire on Amazon canopy dynamics. The study found that VOD provided a more accurate picture of photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic biomass changes, and that rainfall was close to average during the fire season.
A study found that palm phytoplasmas in Florida were transmitted by the American palm cixiid bug, originating from Jamaica. The research revealed a network of movement across the Caribbean basin, with distinct groups of insects found in different countries.
The study reveals that climate change affects the rate of decomposition and insect contributions to deadwood, releasing approximately 10.9 giga-tons of carbon worldwide annually
A new study published in Nature reveals that African tropical mountain forests store an average of 149.4 tonnes of carbon per hectare, significantly higher than previously estimated by the IPCC. This finding highlights the importance of preserving these carbon-rich ecosystems for climate protection.
Trees continue to form reserves even during long periods of starvation, contrary to the assumption that they only form when photosynthetic conditions are favorable. As CO2 starvation progresses, trees stabilize their reserve levels and divert resources to storage, allowing them to survive climate extremes.
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 study analyzing 7,000 tree falls in São Paulo City found that most occurrences occur in the rainy season due to weather conditions. However, a significant number of trees fell during the dry season, attributed to poor management and inadequate conditions for street vegetation.
Researchers found that lizards with sticky toepads prevail in the arboreal environment, accessing new resources unavailable to padless lizards. This evolutionary advantage enables them to stay in trees and rarely leave, whereas padless species often transition to ground life.
A synthesis of scientific literature provides a unified resource for managing western forests and addressing the impacts of climate change on wildfires. The report recommends approaches such as thinning dense forests, prescribed burning, and revitalizing Indigenous fire stewardship practices to make landscapes more resilient.
International collaboration has led to a new understanding of the evolutionary history of flowering plants, using a standardized set of genes. This allows for more efficient comparison of genetic sequences across multiple studies and enables researchers to piece together relationships among species.
Research from Utah State University finds that large trees in western forests benefit from mycorrhizal connections to fungi, which enhance nutrient uptake and provide defense against pathogens. Diverse forest networks offer greater protection for these giant trees.
Research found that tree mortality in subalpine Colorado forests more than tripled since the 1980s due to warmer and drier summer conditions. Climate change is expected to increase this trend, making it difficult for new trees to take root.
Researchers warn that rising temperatures and drought will reduce California's natural ability to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, potentially limiting the state's progress toward achieving carbon neutrality. The study highlights the importance of present-day drought and wildfire in driving carbon sequestration losses.
Researchers found that bat species native to the Northeast are highly active in newly created forest spaces, foraging for food at higher rates than in mature forests. Young forests provide an ideal environment for bats to find insects and grow, making them a crucial component of bat conservation efforts.
Researchers reconstructed full-frequency precipitation variability in the Asian Summer Monsoon using a 6,700-year tree-ring stable isotope chronology. The data suggests a long-term decreasing trend and several abrupt climate change events, including a drought regime from ~1,675-1,185 BCE.
Researchers used hyperspectral and thermal imaging to predict holm oak decline at an early stage, detecting changes in physiological condition before visible symptoms. This integrated approach is vital for large-scale monitoring of forest decline and could apply to other forest diseases.
A recent study published in BMC Biology found that fruit bats in Tel Aviv enjoy a rich variety of food in the city, visiting multiple trees each night. In contrast, rural bats focus on one or two fruit trees and may migrate to cities for food, showcasing their adaptability.
A major drought and forest fires in the Amazon rainforest killed billions of trees and plants, emitting 495 million tonnes of CO2 and turning a carbon sink into a big polluter. The damage lasted for multiple years, with only a third of emissions re-absorbed by plant growth.
Researchers found that bats can compress their echoes by up to 90% without losing essential information for sonar-based tasks. This efficient encoding strategy allows bats to navigate complex environments with minimal neural machinery, enabling them to detect location and movement with high accuracy.
Researchers found that roadless forests in the US West burn more frequently and severely than forested areas with roads, yet exhibit increased fire resilience. This is due to environmental factors such as elevation and moisture availability, rather than land use practices.
Researchers found that combining prescribed fires with suppression operations reduces tree mortality by 72%, compared to 22% for operations alone. The study's findings suggest that prescribed burns have a strong moderating effect on wildfires, making fire management strategies more effective.
A new study from American University found that individual trees can help mitigate urban heat, particularly in evening hours. The research showed that neighborhoods with at least half of the area covered by canopy were 1.4 degrees Celsius cooler than those with few trees.
A study of 136 nonprofits and 38 for-profit companies found that many planted commercial species like chocolate and mango trees, with only a fraction tracking survival rates. The analysis suggests organizations should prioritize biodiversity and monitoring to ensure effective tree planting projects.
Research from University of Johannesburg uncovers essential amino acids in wild African fruits. The study reveals several species exceed daily nutritional values recommended by WHO. The white olive and jacket plum are good candidates to boost immune function against viruses due to high lysine content.