Research on trees and their role in nature and cities. Covers forest conservation, tension wood, and the benefits of urban trees.
A new Oregon State University study finds that West Coast forest landowners will gradually shift away from planting Douglas-fir in a warming climate. The share of Douglas-fir in the Pacific Northwest is expected to decline to 25% by the end of the century.
New research challenges long-held assumptions about whole-tree harvesting, finding it does not deplete soil and lead to weaker forest ecosystems. The study demonstrates that residue removal has few effects on forest ecology in managed stands, making biomass energy from whole trees a more sustainable option.
Researchers will investigate the effects of Eastern Red Cedar's ecological processes and environmental factors on its range expansion. The project aims to understand how this invasive species impacts native plants and soil-nutrient availability.
Researchers have developed a new terahertz imaging technique that can detect subsurface insect damage in wood, allowing for early detection of infestations. The technique uses terahertz time-of-flight tomography to identify damage caused by insects like the typographer beetle, which infects spruce and other coniferous trees.
Researchers discovered a tree stump that remained alive due to grafting with nearby trees, exchanging water and resources. This finding suggests a reevaluation of trees as individuals towards understanding forest ecosystems as superorganisms.
A new study reveals that non-native tree species thrive in areas where their close relatives do not, thanks to the lack of soil pathogens. This 'enemy-release' effect gives invasive species a competitive advantage over native species, leading to their rapid spread and dominance.
Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a technique to assemble proteins into fractal shapes that resemble flowers, trees, or snowflakes. This innovation could lead to new technologies such as bioremediation filters and synthetic matrices for studying human disease and tissue engineering.
Research suggests that forest elephant extinction will lead to an increase in fast-growing tree species, which store less carbon than slow-growing species. This shift will reduce the forest's ability to sequester carbon, releasing more CO2 into the atmosphere.
A new University of Illinois study found that large blowdown areas in southern Illinois forests are more heavily invaded and slower to recover than smaller areas. Invasive species cover decreased over time, but the most common invaders were already present in the system, suggesting a need for targeted management focus.
The study found that Darien has the highest carbon stocks among nine mature forest sites across the Neotropics and second-highest tree species richness in the region. Disturbed forests maintained a high capacity to sequester carbon, challenging REDD+ exclusion policies.
Researchers have discovered a new species of tree in the Usambara Mountains, which grows up to 20m tall with white flowers. The tree is considered endangered due to its restricted population range and potential reliance on a specific beetle for pollination.
Dr. Ryan Perroy's solution uses high-resolution cameras and sensors to improve early detection of Rapid 'Ohi'a Death across forests, giving managers precious time to respond to outbreaks. The innovative approach also involves collecting samples from suspect trees using drones for laboratory analysis.
Researchers predict Joshua trees will not survive beyond this century without drastic action on climate change. The study found that even with reduced greenhouse gas emissions, the park would retain only 19% of its habitat after 2070.
Researchers found that small-scale farming is destroying tropical forest wilderness in northeastern Peru, posing significant threats to biodiversity. The study highlights the need for careful management of remote areas and potential opportunities to link conservation with rural development efforts.
A recent study published in Evolution Letters found that a single old-growth tree can have up to 100,000 genetic differences between its base and tip. This suggests that these massive trees are capable of accumulating significant genetic variation over time.
Researchers estimated Earth's potential for additional tree cover, which could cut atmospheric CO2 levels by 25%. The study suggests an extra 0.9 billion hectares of tree cover, storing over 200Gt of carbon, equivalent to two-thirds of human-made emissions.
A new study by the Crowther Lab suggests that global forest restoration could capture two-thirds of human-made carbon emissions. The study found that there is potential to increase the world's forest land by a third without affecting cities or agriculture, with forests capable of storing 205 billion tonnes of carbon once mature.
A new study by ETH Zurich reveals that reforestation efforts could store two-thirds of the 300 billion tonnes of carbon released into the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution. The greatest potential for forest restoration lies in six countries: Russia, US, Canada, Australia, Brazil, and China.
Researchers have pinpointed restoration hotspots in 15 countries across four continents, offering the biggest carbon, water, and wildlife benefits. The study identifies over 100 million hectares of lost lowland tropical rain forests that can be restored to overcome rising global temperatures.
A study published in Nature Geoscience found that California's Sierra Nevada mountain range experienced a catastrophic forest die-off due to depleted deep-soil water. The researchers discovered that years of severe drought and abnormally warm temperatures exceeded the safety margin for trees, leading to widespread tree death.
Callery pear trees, originally introduced as urban favorites, now outcompete native species in US forests, threatening ecological balance. The invasive trees' deep roots and long growing season make them difficult to remove, posing an existential threat to native biodiversity.
Researchers from the University of Granada developed a new forest treatment technique that helps trees adapt to extreme climates by reducing competition for resources. The method, based on measuring tree trunk diameters, has been shown to improve forest growth and resilience in Mediterranean areas.
Research reveals that agroforestry is a major carbon sink, but its contribution is often overlooked in international climate agreements. Scientists call for improved accounting and visibility of agroforestry practices to support climate change mitigation targets.
Researchers found that restored pine woodlands support a diverse array of bird species, including declining ones like the Red-headed Woodpecker and Prairie Warbler. The study shows that controlled fires and tree thinning can create suitable habitats for many different bird species with different needs.
Researchers found that certain plant and tree traits exacerbate drought conditions by rapidly releasing water vapor into the air. This can lead to more frequent and intense droughts in hot climates, even in regions with adapted plant species.
A new study examines the impact of climate change on coffee and cocoa production in Mesoamerica and recommends transforming agroforestry systems by changing tree species composition to adapt to future climate scenarios.
The study found that climate change could lead to a decline in ectomycorrhizal tree species by up to 10% if CO2 emissions continue unabated until 2070. This decline may have significant implications for forest ecosystems and growth.
Researchers found that coastal, indigenous forests in South Africa store a moderate to large amount of carbon, making them important for conservation. The study also highlights the need to balance forest productivity with local community needs in order to achieve sustainable development.
New research finds that climate change could lead to more frequent and intense spruce beetle outbreaks in the Rocky Mountains. Warmer temperatures could extend the beetle's flight period and make coordinated attacks harder to predict.
Researchers found a microscopic valve-like structure in slow-growing ponderosa pines provides greater safety against drought but slows water transport, limiting growth rate. The study suggests there is a fundamental tradeoff between drought resistance and growth rate in these trees.
A new study by the Tropical managed Forests Observatory suggests that selective logging alone is unlikely to meet current demand for timber in Amazonia. The research highlights the need for a more sustainable approach to manage wood resources in the region, considering the impact of climate change on forest ecosystems.
Researchers from McMaster University and the University of Montpellier have reached almost identical results in two separate studies, overturning a longstanding consensus on sloth evolutionary relationships. The combined molecular evidence suggests that ancient sloths may have been at home on both land and in trees.
Researchers use cutting-edge techniques to extract ancient protein sequences from fossilized bones, revealing a common ancestor between two-toed sloths and giant ground sloths like Megatherium. The study challenges decades of scientific opinion on sloth evolution and provides new insights into the evolutionary history of animals.
Two studies published in Nature Ecology & Evolution challenge long-standing sloth classification, revealing new relationships between ancient ground sloths and modern species. The findings use proteins in fossils to map an entire lineage for the first time, rewriting our understanding of sloth evolution.
New molecular evidence contradicts long-held views on sloth relationships, suggesting that tree sloths and extinct kin are more closely related than previously thought. The research uses both mitochondrial genome and protein collagen data to support convergent origins of adaptations in the six living tree sloth species.
Researchers designed SlothBot to linger in the forest canopy for months, measuring environmental factors like weather and chemicals, to observe changes over long periods. This approach leverages energy efficiency, avoiding the high energy needs of fast-moving robots, and aims to provide a fail-safe transition between cables.
A Rutgers study found that striped maple trees can switch sex from year to year, with 54% of trees changing sexes over a four-year period. Female trees are more likely to die, which could lead to reduced populations and a decrease in seed production.
A study from the University of California, Davis found that thinning forests and prescribed burns reduced tree mortality during a severe drought and bark beetle epidemic. The treatment also helped to increase forest resilience by reducing water stress and making trees more resistant to climate change.
A study examines how local communities interact with and view peatlands, highlighting their cultural and spiritual importance. The research reveals that communities have existing conservation strategies, emphasizing the need for further support from NGOs and institutions.
A recent study suggests that Native Americans' use of fire to manage vegetation in the Eastern United States had a more profound impact on forest composition than climate change. The researchers found that frequent and widespread human-caused fire resulted in the predominance of fire-adapted tree species, leading to changes in forest c...
Researchers found that high levels of PM10 reduced average tree growth by up to 37% and varied interannually with pollution levels during driest months. Trees exposed to higher levels of pollution grew less in trunk diameter development throughout their lives.
A recent study found that Yellowstone's re-burned forests have a six-fold decline in lodgepole pine tree seedlings and lost significant carbon storage capacity after experiencing two consecutive fires within fewer than 30 years. The researchers estimate it would take over 150 years for the forest to recover its lost carbon.
A study conducted in Brazil found that intensive silviculture using herbicide spraying and substantial fertilizer application promotes tropical forest regeneration and biomass gain, exceeding traditional manual weeding methods. Researchers aimed to maximize woody biomass accumulation for carbon sequestration and financial viability.
Researchers mapped over 1.1 million forest sites and 28,000 tree species to understand how symbiotic partnerships structure the world's forests. The study revealed a new biological rule, Read's Rule, which predicts massive changes to the symbiotic state of the world's forests if carbon emissions continue unabated.
International study finds that as temperatures rise, trees grow faster but die younger, reducing the amount of carbon they store. This phenomenon has significant implications for global carbon cycle dynamics.
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that tree distributions in African savannas follow distinct patterns, regardless of environmental factors. The research used LiDAR data to identify power law distributions that capture significant statistical correlations at large scales.
Scientists have discovered a 99-million-year-old piece of amber containing diverse coastal organisms, including sea snails, slaters, and terrestrial creatures like mites and spiders. The finding sheds light on the unique preservation process that trapped these animals in the amber.
Researchers have documented the oldest known living trees in eastern North America and the longest-lived wetland species in the world. The ancient bald cypress trees are estimated to be around 2,624 years old and were discovered in a forested wetland preserve along the Black River in North Carolina.
Urban trees exhibit accelerated growth but higher mortality rates than rural counterparts, resulting in a net loss of street-tree carbon storage over time. Strategic planting and maintenance initiatives can help maximize urban greening efforts as a climate-mitigation tool.
The study found that Moringa leaves contain 30 times more iron and 100 times more calcium than spinach, making them a rich source of essential nutrients. The tree's roots and stem parts also exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, highlighting its potential as a superfood.
A study by Simon Joly and Elizabeth Wolkovich found that a plant's genetics can be used to accurately predict when its leaves will burst bud in spring. The research showed that genetic differences between individual specimens within a species affect how well they adapt to climate change.
Researchers mapped eight tree species in Forest Park using satellite imaging data and machine learning techniques. The data will help inform best practices for managing healthy green spaces and trimming programs to avoid power outages following storms. By analyzing tree health and species, experts can track growth rates and identify tr...
A new study predicts that Ash dieback will have a devastating impact on the UK's economy, with estimated costs of £15 billion over the next decade. The disease is expected to kill 95-99% of ash trees in Britain, leading to significant losses in ecosystem services such as water and air purification and carbon sequestration.
A study analyzed 57 indigenous communities' knowledge of palm trees, revealing that the network is fragile and minimal loss has significant consequences. The researchers highlighted the importance of cultural factors and transdisciplinary collaboration to strengthen indigenous resilience.
A study reveals that nearly half of protected areas face staffing shortages, affecting conservation progress. Meanwhile, researchers identify remote high-elevation areas with ancient trees in China. Fuel breaks aim to prevent wildfires but may create new problems, such as altering predator migration routes.
A new detection tool has been developed to identify quarantine tree pathogens, reducing analysis time and enabling prompt reactions. The tool can be used by non-scientists and is crucial in preventing the spread of devastating pathogens like Xylella fastidiosa, Ceratocystis platani, and Phytophthora ramorum.
The annual Winter Study report chronicles the effects of wolf reintroductions on the island's ecosystem, with 13 new wolves and 20 radio-collared moose providing valuable data. Researchers expect a slowing down of moose population growth due to severe vegetation damage, while wolf pups may be possible this year.
Research reveals coffee plantations host nearly as many bird species as forests, with shaded areas providing double the number of forest specialist birds. However, overall bird populations decline, highlighting the need for large primary forest reserves for conservation.
Researchers found that plants and microbes forge symbiotic relationships to gain access to nutrients, leading to the dominance of specific tree species in different biomes. This understanding can help predict how ecosystems will shift in response to climate change.
A study published in Biological Conservation highlights the importance of tree dens for pandas raising infants in native habitats. Tree dens provide a more stable microclimate than cave dens, facilitating offspring survival. This research emphasizes the need to preserve large old trees for giant panda conservation.