Articles tagged with Trees
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.
Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin have discovered nearly two dozen new types of microbes that use hydrocarbons as energy sources. These microbes may be helping to limit greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere and could potentially clean up oil spills.
Researchers analyzed evolutionary relationships among hemipteroid insects, revealing diversification around the Carboniferous period. The placement of Psocodea in the tree remains unresolved.
Research reveals that female birds-of-paradise evaluate not only physical attractiveness but also singing and dancing abilities when choosing a mate. The study found correlations between behaviors, such as increased colors and sounds in more elaborate displays.
Researchers found that female birds-of-paradise prioritize a combination of characteristics, including the number of colors on a male's plumage and his singing ability. The study also revealed that males who display on the ground have more dance moves than those in trees or forest understories.
A study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B highlights citizen science's potential to tackle pressing research questions in agriculture and food systems. Citizen science has been used to produce scientifically robust findings, engage the public, and make research projects more cost-effective.
A study led by University of Miami biologists found that tropical trees in the Andes are migrating to higher, cooler elevations to escape warming temperatures. However, this migration is not happening quickly enough to avoid biodiversity loss, functional collapse, or extinction.
A recent study found that the Mauritian flying fox is responsible for only some fruit damage and can be managed effectively without culling. The research recommends alternative methods such as pruning trees and using nets to reduce losses.
Researchers found that streamside forests store an average of 168-390 tons of carbon per acre in mature trees, while soil carbon can triple with restoration. Actively restoring forests jump-starts the process, gaining more than twice the rate of naturally regenerating forests over the first ten years.
A team of Saudi Arabian scientists has discovered a way to control dormancy in grapes and other fruiting plants by subjecting them to high-tech plasmas. This method may help extend the cultivation of temperate zone crops to milder climates, mitigating problems caused by global warming.
The Amazon forest is failing to keep up with the effects of climate change, with more drought-resistant tree species outcompeting vulnerable ones. As a result, biodiversity is at risk, and existing intact rainforests need to be protected from deforestation.
Researchers develop autonomous drone system that collaboratively maps terrain under dense forest canopies without GPS, enabling more efficient searches for lost hikers. The system uses LIDAR and path-planning software to fuse individual drone maps into a global 3D map, facilitating human rescuers.
A Yale-led study finds that fragmentation weakens impact of fungal pathogens and insect herbivores, enabling some tree species to thrive near edges. Researchers tested the effect of natural enemies on seedling diversity in fragmented forests, finding that suppression of these enemies led to biodiversity decline.
A long-term study by University of Washington researchers found that sockeye salmon carcasses fertilized White spruce trees on one side of Hansen Creek, leading to faster tree growth. The study, which spanned 20 years, used tree core samples to measure growth rates and found a significant increase in growth on the side with carcasses.
Researchers find increased TC activity at northern sites after 1920, posing a threat to regions currently outside the impact zone. Younger trees are more likely to experience disturbance at high latitudes, supporting a poleward shift in tropical cyclone hazards.
A research team led by CU Denver scientists has developed reliable genetic markers for the whitebark pine, a tree considered for endangered status. These markers will aid in disease resistance screening, strategic seed collection, and climate change mitigation efforts.
A new review paper suggests diversifying working lands, including farmland, rangeland and forests, to preserve biodiversity. This approach can extend habitats for wildlife and create more sustainable, productive farming landscapes.
Researchers confirm monito del monte (Dromiciops gliroides) frequently climbs to high points in trees, suggesting a significant impact on seed germination and dispersal. This discovery sheds new light on the species' importance in southern South American temperate rainforests.
A research team has identified the genetic mechanism responsible for black cottonwood poplars' susceptibility to Septoria, a deadly disease. The study could lead to more successful hybrid poplar varieties for biofuels and forestry production.
The Pando aspen clone, widely considered the world's largest single organism, is in grave need of forest triage. The study reveals that early protection from fencing showed great promise in abating browser impacts, but follow-up fencing efforts are currently failing.
Researchers at CIRAD found an incoherence in a conversion factor for calculating basic wood density, leading to potential errors in estimating forest carbon stocks. The corrected formula will improve the accuracy of forest carbon assessments and understanding of forests' role in climate regulation.