Articles tagged with Trees
Researchers identified over 200 heritage apple cultivars planted in Wyoming's homesteads and orchards from the late 19th century. These historic trees continue to produce fruit despite harsh conditions, suggesting they could be used for breeding programs to improve drought- and cold-tolerance.
A national-scale study found that high tree diversity in the US is associated with a greater number of nonnative pests, but this relationship depends on the pest's specialization. The study used two large datasets and found a hump-shaped curve between tree diversity and pest diversity.
A broad-scale study found a significant relationship between tree diversity and nonnative pest invasions. High tree diversity reduces pest invasions by creating ecological niches that make it harder for pests to find resources, while low diversity increases the risk of invasion. The study's results have important implications for fores...
A recent study suggests that trees are essential for mitigating the urban heat island effect, with 40% canopy cover required to trigger significant cooling effects. The research found that even small increases in tree density can lead to substantial reductions in temperatures, making tree planting a key strategy for city planners.
A new study finds that Hurricane Maria's damage to trees in Puerto Rico was unprecedented, with big, old trees suffering the worst. The study suggests that more frequent storms whipped up by a warming climate could permanently alter forests across the Atlantic tropics.
The Blue Brain Project has developed an algorithm to objectively classify the shapes of neurons in the brain, enabling the creation of a standardized taxonomy of all brain cells. This breakthrough resolves a century-old neuroscience problem and provides a reliable comparative method for researchers.
A University of Colorado Boulder study found that gender quotas in local governing bodies can significantly reduce global deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. When offered financial incentives, groups with gender quotas conserve more trees than those without quotas, even when men are present in decision-making roles.
A recent study found that groundwater extraction is harming floodplain forests in Europe by reducing tree growth and increasing drought sensitivity. The research suggests that adapting to climate change requires reducing groundwater extraction, not increasing it, to protect these critical ecosystems.
In tropical rainforests, plants produce unique defense chemicals to evade insect-eating predators, promoting biodiversity. A study found that nine Inga tree species developed distinct defense strategies, leading to a diverse forest ecosystem.
A study in Panama's rainforest reveals that neighboring trees have different defensive traits and herbivores, impacting growth and survival. This finding suggests that climate change or habitat fragmentation will affect rainforest health.
Researchers used Thoreau's observations to study the effects of climate change on tree leaf-out and wildflower emergence. The study found that wildflowers are now leafing out earlier, while trees are leafing out later, potentially hindering wildflower abundance.
Researchers suggest that coffee farmers can maximize their profits by adopting shade-growing practices, which provide ecosystem services and reduce the need for agrochemicals. This approach can result in higher quality coffee beans with a price premium, offsetting lower yields.
A new species of frog, Astrobatrachus kurichiyana, has been discovered in the Western Ghats mountain range in southern India, revealing a window into the region's deep history. The Starry Dwarf Frog shares ancestry with two existing subfamilies but exhibits divergent characteristics.
A University of Montana study found that climate change limits tree regeneration following wildfires in low-elevation forests, potentially leading to abrupt forest loss. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, examined post-fire regeneration of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir trees.
A study found that climate change and wildfires can lead to abrupt loss of low-elevation forests due to reduced tree regeneration after disturbances. Annual climate conditions now cross critical thresholds at most study sites, making it challenging for trees to regenerate.
Research found that microbes specialize at the genotype level, promoting diversity by killing common species and making room for rare ones. This leads to increased seed dispersal, creating landscapes that allow pathogens to effectively promote diversity.
A new study explores how climate-driven evolution in tree populations changes their interaction with the soil environment, leading to reduced genetic variation and altered soil microbiome. Warmer temperatures result in earlier bud break and leaf-out, reducing genetic variation and affecting soil microbial communities.
A study by NC State University found that urbanization and scale-insect abundance, rather than latitudinal warming, are key drivers of tree health in cities. In the Southeast US, cities at mid-latitudes showed poorer tree health due to high volumes of tree-destroying scale insects.
A new technique uses Liebig's Law to improve estimates of historical temperature and rainfall from tree rings. The method selects trees that were growing well, linking their growth to the climate they experienced, resulting in more precise measurements.
Researchers discovered that paper mulberry tree evolved complex flavonoids to attract nitrogen-fixing bacteria, promoting healthy growth. This symbiosis has led to the development of high-quality feedstock, medicine, and food products.
Red alder trees have been found to tap nutrients from bedrock through their symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. This process accelerates rock dissolution, releasing mineral nutrients that allow plants and trees to grow. The study highlights the importance of nitrogen-fixing trees in sustaining forest ecosystems.
Researchers at Oregon State University are studying the burning behavior of live fuels to better predict wildfire spread. The team aims to identify key factors driving differences in burning behavior, enabling more accurate fire models for Department of Defense managers.
Researchers found that tree growth is constrained more by climate than competition for resources in harsh conditions, but not under mild conditions. The study provides important insights into how forest growth will respond to changing climate and could inform land management strategies.
A team of international scientists and conservationists has successfully rediscovered the world's largest bee, Wallace's giant bee. The species was lost to science since 1981 but has been found in Indonesia, where it is threatened by forest destruction.
Researchers found that many bird species responded positively to the climate conditions associated with the drought, potentially offsetting negative habitat impacts. The study's results suggest that birds may be more resilient to temperature increases than previously thought, but also highlights the need for further research on their r...
Researchers created a complete world map of tree species richness using a statistical model that combines patchy data from small forest plots and country-level information. The analysis shows that climate is the most important factor driving global biodiversity, with the highest number of tree species found in hot, humid tropics.
Research at the University of Birmingham reveals that young forests are a substantial contributor to the world's carbon sink, accounting for around 25% of total carbon dioxide absorption. These forests, typically in temperate zones, have been re-growing on land with previously experienced human activities.
A WVU geographer and her team will study the movement of a westerly wind belt circling Antarctica that influences Southern Hemisphere climate, carbon, and heat uptake. The project utilizes data from tree rings in Tasmania and ice cores from Antarctica to reconstruct the history of this wind belt over the last 2,000 years.
Researchers found that despite reports of big trees being more vulnerable to drought, small trees in open areas lost leaves, while shaded trees surprisingly added leaf area. This response is dependent on environmental conditions imposed by the rainforest's structure.
The study finds that vegetation in the region will shift from predominantly conifer to mixed conifer and hardwood forests, potentially leading to reduced timber availability and changed fresh water supplies. Climate-driven stress may also increase disease and pest susceptibility in these forests.
Researchers uncover potent and selective inhibitor of SHP2, a key target for cancer treatment. The discovery could lead to improved cancer drugs and new strategies for killing cancer cells.
A Tanzanian forest will be protected after major scientific discoveries revealed the need for conservation. The Magombera Forest was under threat due to charcoal production and wildlife poaching, but a conservation programme helped reduce deforestation and increase biodiversity.
A study published in Science Advances reveals that trees are becoming more water-limited as the climate warms, with changes most evident in northern climates and high altitudes. The research found that tree growth has shifted from being temperature-limited to being water-limited over large areas.
A team of Nottingham scientists is using drones to survey woody climbing plants and better understand how they may affect the carbon balance of tropical rainforests. The findings have been published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, highlighting the potential problems caused by lianas and their impact on global warming.
A new disease is killing beech trees in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Ontario, Canada, causing dark-green bands on leaves and leading to tree death. Researchers are searching for a microbe or insect cause, using molecular techniques to compare DNA and RNA from diseased and healthy trees.
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 new study warns against mega-dams in lowland tropical forest regions due to their impact on biodiversity and ecosystems. The Balbina Hydroelectric Reservoir system in the Brazilian Amazon showed that tree communities on islands are 'unstable' and prone to extinction.
A study by University of Vermont researcher Christine Carmichael found that nearly 25% of eligible Detroit residents rejected the city's tree planting program due to negative past experiences with street trees. The opposition was primarily driven by concerns over maintenance responsibilities and lack of decision-making power. The resea...
Scientists have discovered a new treefrog species in Ecuador's Andes, characterized by an extraordinary enlarged claw-like structure. The species, Hyloscirtus hillisi, is already at risk of extinction due to its small distribution range near a large-scale mining operation and habitat destruction.
Researchers analyzed global forest communities to understand how climate affects tree growth traits, revealing nine key changes that could impact forest productivity and composition. Temperature variability and vapor pressure emerged as major factors influencing these traits.
A study of 2,800 hectares of mixed-conifer forest found that increasing tree density due to fire suppression leads to increased drought stress and reduced resilience to wildfires. Rising carbon dioxide levels exacerbate this effect, suggesting that denser forests will be more vulnerable to drought in the future.
Natural enemies near individual trees restrict tree recruitment, favoring rare species over common ones. Tropical forest diversity is maintained by the 'seed shadow' around adult trees, allowing rare species to thrive.
A West Virginia University researcher suggests that forests are experiencing declining health due to climate change, leading to unbalanced growth and increased risk of disease. To restore a balanced diet, researchers recommend severely cutting back or ending fossil fuel use.
Researchers found that average forest trees growing in conditions similar to those of their peers will experience a 75% reduction in growth. The new study is based on a database of unanalyzed tree cores from the US Forest Service and provides a more accurate estimate than previous studies.
A Clemson University field study found that tree species grow optimized leaves to compensate for hurricane damage, capturing carbon dioxide at higher rates. However, some trees' lower-quality new leaves may reduce lifespan and energy production.
A year-long field study examined the effects of Hurricane Maria on tropical dry forests in Puerto Rico, revealing that trees adjust key characteristics of their newly grown leaves to compensate for damage. The study found that 11 of 13 species increased CO2 intake and changed leaf shape to efficiently extract gas from the atmosphere.
Researchers at Newcastle University have developed a way to model disease progression and predict the tipping point of a disease. The models provide early warning indicators that an epidemic is imminent and action needs to be taken.
A four-year scientific study by a University of Arizona-led binational team has provided a road map for restoration in the Colorado River Delta. The report documents the effects of environmental flows on native plants and groundwater, revealing increased bird diversity and recharge of groundwater.
The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology has unveiled a new web-based tool called ORTHOSCOPE, which quickly analyzes genomic data to estimate gene trees and identify sets of ancestral genes. This allows researchers to infer gene functions and understand species evolution.
Researchers have discovered a way to produce environmentally friendly oleoresins from loblolly pine trees, valued at $1.7 billion by 2022. This breakthrough could lead to new engineering approaches for the production of renewable chemicals and inspire alternative technologies.
Researchers found a significant increase in nitrate flowing downstream after the storm, posing risks to coastal ecosystems. The study also revealed that Hurricane Maria killed twice as many trees as previous storms, altering forest compositions and potential carbon cycles.
A new version of the International Tree Ring Data Bank has made it easier for scientists outside dendrochronology to access and interpret the data. The team corrected thousands of formatting issues, including reducing analytical bias from overrepresentation of certain tree species.
A new online calculator and guidance aid farmers in designing woodlands to recapture airborne ammonia emissions from farming, reducing air pollution. The tool, developed by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, estimates the percentage of ammonia that will be recaptured by different planting options.
Hurricane Maria caused widespread destruction in Puerto Rico's forests, with 40-60% of tall trees damaged. The island's energy grid also struggled to recover, with rural areas experiencing longer power outages. NASA research has provided new insights into the storm's impacts on communities and critical infrastructure.
A study by Yale scientists reveals that native species dominate New York City's natural areas, containing over 5 million trees, rather than just street trees. This finding highlights the need for conservation policies and management strategies focused on these spaces to manage biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Research found that tree frogs prefer larger, fuller bromeliad tanks with less leaf litter, but the very largest tanks are often empty. The study suggests that conservation strategies should consider trade-offs in site selection.
Three University of Montana researchers are developing new tools to predict tree recruitment declines in Western semi-arid forests. They will use a combination of NASA Earth observation data, forest inventory data, and a coupled ecohydrologic model to simulate drought stress and lethal surface temperatures for conifer seedlings.
Methane-producing microorganisms in Eastern cottonwood trees emit the greenhouse gas. Neutrons help study natural nanoparticles for medicine improvement. Researchers developed a technique to characterize lithium-ion battery interfaces.
A Finnish-Chinese study found that global warming increases frost damage on trees in Central Europe, with some areas experiencing substantial increases in spring frosts. This is due to earlier flowering and leafing out of plants, which can lead to more frequent and severe frost events.
A 5-year study finds that deep-insulating snowpack loss could reduce forest carbon storage and filter pollutants by 95% in the northeastern US. This decline affects sugar maple trees, impacting industries like timber, maple syrup production, and tourism.