Articles tagged with Trees
Researchers found that tropical tree populations increase mainly in locations where the tree is rare, suggesting a 'negative feedback' mechanism that regulates population growth. This phenomenon could explain the high ecological diversity of tropical forests, with more species living in a smaller area than in North America combined.
A 10-year remote sensing analysis reveals that rare canopy trees are more likely to increase in population size than common ones, supporting the Janzen-Connell hypothesis. However, constraints on population growth do not stabilize the tree population, leading to increased size over time.
A 11.6-million-year-old fossil discovered in Can Mata landfill, Spain, has provided new insights into the origin and evolution of flying squirrels. The fossil, identified as Miopetaurista neogrivensis, suggests that giant flying squirrels existed even earlier than previously thought.
A study by Point Blue Conservation Science found that restoring forests can benefit both carbon storage and biodiversity, but optimizing for one may come at the expense of the other. The researchers identified areas with high tree density had more carbon stored in trees, but lower bird density and diversity.
A study of 6.5 million hectares of Brazilian Amazonia found that carbon losses from El Niño forest fires were three to four times greater than expected. The analysis showed that uncontrolled wildfires in understorey areas resulted in high immediate CO2 emissions.
A recent study found that species-rich subtropical forests can absorb up to twice as much carbon as monocultures, showcasing the importance of biodiversity in forest productivity. Reforestation with a variety of tree species is recommended to promote both ecological and economic benefits.
A large-scale forest biodiversity experiment in China found that species-rich forests stored an average of 32 tons of carbon per hectare, while monocultures averaged only 12 tons. The study suggests that a mix of tree species is necessary for optimal carbon sequestration and climate protection.
A $1 million grant will support research into tree chemical defenses against bark beetles, exploring mechanisms of tree death and susceptibility. The study will investigate tree responses to drought conditions and manipulate water availability in pinyon pine forests.
A new drywood termite species has been discovered in Cameroon with snapping stick-like mandibles that deliver powerful strikes at enemies. The species, named Roisinitermes ebogoensis, challenges existing knowledge on the evolution of such defense mechanisms.
Researchers found that East Japan populations of Castanopsis sieboldii survived in situ during the LGM on both Japan Sea and Pacific coasts. Genetic diversity studies suggest these groups had already been established before the LGM, indicating separate survival in different regions.
Researchers discovered a new fossil that shows large angiosperm trees grew in North America by the Turonian age, dating back nearly 15 million years earlier than previously thought. This find provides more detail to our understanding of the landscape during this period and sheds light on the evolution of flowering plants.
A new study from the University of Illinois suggests that school greening could be a solution to improving academic performance in disadvantaged schools. The research found that schoolyard tree cover positively predicted math scores, with more trees leading to better performance, while grass had no impact on learning.
A previously unknown pathogenic fungus, Liberomyces pistaciae, has been isolated from pistachio trees in Sicily, causing cankers and decline. The fungus is characterized by vascular necrosis and tree collapse, and its presence was detected in asymptomatic trees, suggesting a dormant growth phase.
Research by University of Utah biologist William Anderegg and colleagues found that diverse forests are more resilient to droughts due to a variety of hydraulic traits in tree species. Forests with multiple types of trees and diverse water use patterns showed less impact from droughts, with satellite data confirming the findings.
Researchers reconstructed a drastic climate change event in southern France using tree-ring width measurements and chemical analyses. They found that the region experienced increased air mass transport from the North Atlantic and regional variability in precipitation, leading to extreme weather conditions.
Researchers analyzed Tipuana tree rings and bark to measure environmental pollution levels, finding reduced levels of cadmium, copper, nickel, and lead over the past three decades. The study suggests a correlation with declining gasoline emissions in Brazil.
Researchers have developed a new approach to conserving tree species, focusing on increasing genetic diversity and efficiency in protection. The method can be tailored for successful conservation of any species, including custom-tailored seed collection protocols.
The study uses Landsat and Aster satellites to identify ecologically relevant environmental and biotic variation, and machine learning algorithms predict species distributions. The findings provide important information for forest management and conservation in the Peruvian lowland Amazonia.
A recent study found that invasive pine trees significantly increased the severity of the 2017 Knysna wildfires by trebling fuel loads. The study also showed that climate change exacerbated the fire's impact due to a prolonged drought period, and warned that similar conditions will occur again in the future.
Researchers at OHSU used 3D imaging to investigate airway nerves in asthma. They found that denser nerves are associated with more severe symptoms and increased eosinophils. This new insight could lead to better treatments for asthma.
A study led by Duke University estimates total population sizes and geographic ranges for 19 lemur species across Madagascar using trees as a proxy. The findings suggest that not all lemurs are endangered, with some species having healthy populations remaining, while others face significant declines due to habitat loss and hunting.
A University of Basel study reveals that native forest trees can adapt to extreme drought by closing their pores, preventing damage and reducing water loss. Despite this, researchers caution that prolonged dry spells could weaken trees and make them more susceptible to insect infestations.
A new phase has been proposed in the relationship between figs and wasps, revealing a sixth developmental cycle where insects other than wasps can insert their eggs into figs. This finding highlights the complex mutualism between figs and wasps, which have evolved over 65 million years.
Research found that biodiversity increases live tree carbon storage by up to 20 megagrams per hectare, but has a smaller impact on overall carbon storage. Climate and site topography have a more significant effect on forest carbon storage.
Research suggests that tree felling in African savannas is releasing at least three times more carbon than previously thought. The study found that degradation releases around twice as much carbon as deforestation, leading to combined losses of three to six times higher than expected.
A new Yale study examines the role of 'natural enemies' in promoting tropical species diversity. However, findings suggest that disparities in enemy susceptibility can make communities less stable. The research contradicts a long-held hypothesis, highlighting the need for alternative explanations.
Researchers analyzed over 23,000 tree cores to investigate how adult trees respond to changes in climatic conditions. The study found that trees responded to variations in climate during a roughly 40 year period and adapted locally.
Biologists at Rice University have discovered a new trophic interaction between love vines and gall-forming wasps. The study found that the vines attack tumor-like growths called galls made by the wasps, leaving behind mummified adult wasps.
A new interaction between plant and insect parasites is found when the two exist on a shared host. The parasite-leeches nutrients and moisture away from the wasp larvae developing in the tree, while also attacking unusual growths caused by the wasps. This discovery has implications for agriculture and medicine.
A University of Montana researcher found that trees surviving a recent outbreak of mountain pine beetles had a distinct genetic makeup, differing from the susceptible population. This discovery suggests that resistance to the beetles may be heritable and provides hope for managing forest adaptation.
A new mathematical model suggests that balancing demand variability and costs can significantly reduce the risk of importing exotic forest pests and diseases. The research, published in The Journal of Applied Ecology, recommends longer-term grant schemes and higher import duties to help nurseries manage fluctuations.
A new study found widespread logging permit fraud in the Brazilian Amazon, which is undercutting conservation efforts and threatening high-value timber species like ipe. The researchers discovered a deliberate overestimation bias of these species, indicating corruption or simple misidentification.
A study by the Technical University of Munich found that European trees' wood density has decreased continuously since 1870, despite increased growth. The decrease in wood density is attributed to factors such as rising temperatures and nitrogen input from agriculture and industry, affecting forest ecosystems.
Researchers found that lichen communities in severely burned areas showed significantly lower abundance and diversity, even 16 years after the fire. The loss of tree canopy and hot, dry microclimate left in the forest post-fire hindered lichen growth, suggesting that recolonization may not occur until mature trees regrow.
Researchers from CNRS and Cirad have discovered that the bark of certain tree species generates forces that control tree growth and upright posture. This motor function was previously overlooked, but is now recognized as a crucial component of a tree's ability to grow vertically.
A study found that tropical tree species have distinct nutrient-capture strategies, with some producing more phosphatase in poor soils. The research highlights the importance of biodiversity for successful reforestation projects and suggests that applying basic biological processes can maximize carbon capture.
A groundbreaking study by Oregon State University demonstrates the potential for genetically modified forest trees to prevent new seedlings from establishing. Researchers successfully engineered containment traits that limit the spread of genetically modified or exotic poplar trees, mitigating societal concerns over gene flow.
Research reveals that tropical pioneer tree species employ physical and chemical defenses to survive, with seeds relying on different strategies based on their persistence time. The study's findings have implications for crop production, weed management, and understanding natural plant community dynamics.
A new study reveals that animal and fungal species have a significant impact on forest performance, including carbon storage and climate regulation. The research, conducted over ten years in subtropical forests, found that biodiversity must be considered as a whole to maintain forest health.
Research finds 73% of tree species have shifted westward, largely associated with changes in moisture availability. Climate change impacts are more near-term and related to moisture availability than temperature changes.
Researchers develop a multidimensional model to study tree sap transport, capturing radial variations and geometry effects. The model validates findings via numerical method, providing new insights into flow regimes and their dependence on physical parameters.
Current tropical forests' capacity to absorb carbon dioxide is being compromised by deforestation and climate change, threatening global temperature rise goals. Researchers estimate that forests are currently absorbing as much CO2 as they generate through deforestation and degradation.
A new NASA study reveals that megafires in Canada's Northwest Territories released half as much carbon back into the atmosphere as all the plants, shrubs and trees store in an entire year. The Arctic is warming faster than any other region on Earth, leading to more frequent and intense large fires.
A Dartmouth-led study proposes that the Lorax viewed himself as part of the Truffula forest ecosystem, not an ecopoliceman, and had a symbiotic relationship with other species. The research also finds that Geisel's inspiration for elements in the Lorax may have been based on actual tree and monkey species in Kenya.
A new project uses talking trees to investigate how forest ecosystems react to climate dynamics. Researchers track the trees' growth patterns and water transport, linking this data to social sciences research on education and climate modeling.
A study found that elephants are responsible for 37% of seeds produced viable seedlings, while smaller forest animals like deer have lower effectiveness. This suggests that declines in megafauna populations could impact the tree's reproductive success and forest ecosystem dynamics.
Research reviewed by North Carolina State University suggests that cities display predicted effects of climate change, including urban heat islands and drought rates. Urban areas can show how plants and animals respond to changes in climate over long stretches of time, providing insights into potential future effects.
Native tree seedlings proliferated after rat removal, with an average of 8 seedlings per square meter. The restored forest provides critical habitat for seabirds, crabs, and other rare species, contributing to resilient ecosystems and improved fish populations.
Researchers found that particulate matter increases foliar transpiration in plants, making them more susceptible to drought. The tiny pores on leaves, known as stomata, are compromised by salt solutions formed from hygroscopic particles.
Treevia's SmartForest system uses wearable devices and electronic sensors to monitor tree growth, quality, and health in real-time. This allows for more efficient and data-driven forest management decisions.
Researchers at Virginia Tech used ecological forecasting to predict future growth rates of loblolly pine trees, showing a potential 30% increase in productivity by the middle of the century. The study focused on planted loblolly pine plantations in the Southeastern United States and highlighted uncertainties depending on specific regions.
Researchers from the University of Guelph found that climate warming-induced advances in treeline movement may be halted by unsuitable soils, hindering plant growth. This discovery is important for preserving individual species or entire ecosystems.
Researchers used genetic analysis to sort bat species, revealing two new species in Kenya. The findings have implications for conservation and farming efforts.
A University of California, Davis study found that grasslands are more resilient carbon sinks than forests in 21st century California, especially when considering the impacts of droughts and wildfires. Grasslands store most of their carbon underground, making them a viable option for carbon offset efforts.
A recent study published in Science Advances analyzed the most complete foot of an ancient juvenile Australopithecus afarensis, discovered in Ethiopia. The findings suggest that the child spent more time in trees than adults, utilizing its backup plan to survive despite walking upright at a young age.
Researchers analyzed nearly four decades of TV footage from the Tour of Flanders and found that trees were advancing their leafing and flowering in response to warmer temperatures. This phenomenon, known as phenology, can have significant impacts on ecosystems, affecting animal habitats and plant species.
A new study by Rice University ecologists suggests that saving lemurs could be key to saving the island's largest trees. Lemurs disperse seeds of many hardwoods, but their loss may lead to a change in forest composition, reducing carbon sequestration potential.
Researchers found that the mountain beaver's ancestor had a larger relative brain size than modern-day mountain beavers. The study suggests that as the animal transitioned from living in trees to burrowing underground, its neocortex, responsible for sight, may have shrunk over time.
Researchers call for active woodland management to create a 'mosaic' of trees with varied ages and sizes. Dormouse numbers are falling in Britain due to changes in climate and habitat composition, with more broadleaf woodland needed to support the species.
Research in Japan found that Asiatic black bears create arboreal feeding signs (AFS) on trees with large mast energy values, indicating a cost-benefit analysis for climbing. AFS are also more likely during poor mast years when competition for hard mast is high.