Research on trees and their role in nature and cities. Covers forest conservation, tension wood, and the benefits of urban trees.
Biologist Judy Simon develops a system to observe interactions between tree roots in 3D, enabling the study of nitrogen uptake and communication. The transparent substrate allows for the observation of root activities, potentially contributing to sustainable forest management.
New research finds that thinning forests due to wildfires can reduce water stress and save up to 17 billion gallons of water annually. This approach may help offset the costs of forest restoration, which could increase water flow from Sierra Nevada watersheds by as much as 10 percent.
Researchers developed a model to predict genomic variation in Eucalyptus melliodora, allowing for more resilient reforestation efforts. The study identified broadly sourced seeds as an effective strategy to combat climate change, promoting the recovery of critically endangered tree species.
A recent study by the Technical University of Munich found that trees with grassy areas can significantly cool urban environments, particularly on hot summer days. The research showed that black locust trees provide a higher cooling effect compared to linden trees, making them a promising option for cities like Munich.
Researchers found low genetic diversity in fungal samples across Europe, making it vulnerable to increased severity with Asian genetic diversity introduction. The risk of a single spore leading to the demise of remaining ash trees is high, highlighting the need for conservation efforts.
Scientists found that warmer springs cause a mismatch between birds' hatching and caterpillar abundance, making it harder for chicks to feed. This affects three bird species: blue tits, great tits, and pied flycatchers, with the biggest mismatch seen among pied flycatchers.
Researchers detected periodic movement in tree branches and leaves, revealing a previously unknown water transport mechanism. This discovery suggests that trees are pumping water and may have shorter or longer sleep periods than previously thought.
New sequencing technologies and image analysis techniques enable novel solutions to phylogenetics challenges, providing insights into plant genomes and evolution. The special issue highlights cutting-edge approaches for exploring the plant family tree.
A new study published in Biological Conservation found that freshwater fish biodiversity is harmed by selective logging in rainforests as much as by complete deforestation. The researchers discovered a significant drop in fish diversity across all types of logging, regardless of the amount or recentness of the logging.
The study found that between 2009 and 2014, tree cover in urban areas declined by 0.7 percent, resulting in the loss of 36 million trees. This decline has significant impacts on air quality, energy costs, noise reduction, and human health. The annual benefits derived from US urban forests are estimated at $18 billion.
Researchers found that pure conifer stands, particularly pine-dominated areas, were more susceptible to southern pine beetle infestations. The study's findings have important implications for forest management, suggesting that preventative treatments like thinning can be effective in newly-occupied northern ranges.
A new study suggests that warmer temperatures will speed up the transition from field to forest in the eastern US, leading to increased carbon sequestration. This could result in more rapidly growing forests replacing weeds and grasses, but also raises concerns about the impact of droughts on tree growth.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that a series of volcanic eruptions in the mid-500s CE resulted in a prolonged period of cold and darkness, making it difficult for humans to survive. The poor climate conditions significantly reduced food production and vitamin D levels, further weakening the already hungry population.
Scientists at Umea University have developed a technique to track the carbon metabolism of plants over their entire lifetime, using tree rings. This method provides valuable information for refining climate models and assessing plant role in reducing CO2 concentration.
A new study finds that maintaining a forest's natural shape is crucial in preventing its collapse. The research uses high-resolution satellite data to show that the shape of forests follows a predictable mathematical relationship between perimeter and area, which can help predict stability.
A study by McGill University researchers found that complex interactions among roots, fungi, and bacteria drive the degradation of hydrocarbons in polluted soil. This discovery suggests a new approach to phytoremediation, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary research.
A new study suggests that psyllid nymphs infected with Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus exhibit resistance to the bacteria's effects, thanks to symbiotic bacteria in their gut. Researchers aim to understand and reverse this mechanism to develop a management strategy for citrus greening.
A recent study analyzed the social networks of 19 male chimpanzees, revealing how power struggles and competition for mates led to the division of the chimp community. The findings suggest that internal conflicts can have far-reaching consequences in primate societies.
A study published in Nature Communications found that tree diversity and neighbourhood interactions significantly impact forest productivity, promoting more wood production and reducing soil erosion. By planting multiple native tree species at small spatial scales, afforestation programs can benefit from biodiversity conservation.
Climate change is altering eastern US forests, leading to shifts in tree species composition and reduced biomass, which affects carbon storage. Drought-tolerant trees are slower-growing, making forests more responsive to drying or wetting, amplifying the effects of climate change.
Researchers have uncovered previously unknown reservoirs of trans-verbenol in juvenile mountain pine beetles, which could aid in predicting outbreaks. The study found that female beetles accumulate and store the pheromone during their larval and pupal stages.
Researchers have discovered biochemical mechanisms that help female beetles produce the aggregation pheromone trans-verbenol in response to juvenile hormone III. This finding may improve forecasting of bark beetle outbreaks by understanding how these insects communicate and colonize pine trees.
A Rutgers study emphasizes the importance of proper training and equipment for tree care workers to prevent injuries and deaths. The research found that workers employed by licensed arborists received better training and used personal protective equipment than those in companies without professional affiliations.
A recent study found that soil fungi can impact the ability of forests to adapt to climate change. Soil carbon-to-nitrogen ratios increase with ECM dominance and are more associated with low soil nitrogen levels. This suggests that mycorrhizal guilds may be emerging functional traits that define species in terms of their ecological roles.
A University of Colorado Boulder study shows that cash payments can induce people to conserve nature longer term, even after payments are discontinued. Participants who received cash incentives cut down 48% fewer trees and continued to conserve even after payments stopped.
A study found that urban trees can tolerate increased heat and insect pests but struggle with water stress, highlighting the importance of hydration strategies in urban forestry management.
A study by Hokkaido University researchers predicts insect community structure by analyzing genomic variation in a tree species. The findings show that genetic distance between alders is the most important predictor of arthropod communities, providing clues for effective ecosystem preservation plans.
A Duke University study found that reduced forest elephant populations will lead to significant changes in tree species composition and structure, as well as understory density and nutrient availability. Without intervention, up to 96% of Central Africa's forests may undergo major transformations.
Studies by Cornell University professors Stephen Ellner and Robin Snyder show that trait variation influences but is often overshadowed by luck in determining lifetime reproductive success. The research suggests that being above average can be more important than possessing exceptional traits to achieve reproductive success.
Rising temperatures and carbon dioxide levels drive tree mortality in the tropics, with nearly all factors contributing to the decline. Trees face two main phenomena: carbon starvation from lack of food and hydraulic failure due to water scarcity.
Researchers found that individual tree species are limited by phosphorus but entire forest communities are not. Forests with low phosphorus soils actually show faster growth rates compared to those with high phosphorus levels. This discovery has significant implications for understanding forest growth and change in tropical regions.
Research found that older tropical forests can access deeper soil layers during droughts, while younger forests struggle to survive due to shallower root systems. This study has implications for reforestation efforts and understanding forest responses to climate change.
Researchers will use Azure and AI tools to analyze Hurricane Maria's impact on El Yunque National Forest. The 28,000-acre forest was severely damaged, with thousands of trees felled.
A study using landscape genetics identified a decline in the endangered maple Acer miyabei's population due to habitat loss and fragmentation. The research highlights the importance of preserving forests along rivers and surrounding them to maintain gene flow, ensuring the long-term survival of this unique species.
A recent study has found that a layer of weathered bedrock can store significant amounts of water that may sustain trees during droughts. Researchers discovered that up to 27% of annual rainfall was stored as 'rock moisture' in the field site, allowing trees to survive severe droughts.
Researchers found that up to 27% of annual rainfall is stored as 'rock moisture' in bedrock fractures and pores. This water can sustain trees through droughts even after soil has become parched, explaining why some tree species showed little effect from severe droughts.
A Rutgers study found that striped maples change sex periodically, prompted by physical damage, and can wait up to three weeks before flowering. The research suggests that the trees' ability to delay reproduction may be an adaptation to their perilous environment.
Researchers combined fieldwork and computational models with satellite images to shed light on seasonal patterns in the Amazon. They found that biological processes, such as leaf growth and shedding, are more complex than previously thought, influencing canopy greenness.
Climate warming is taking a toll on forest health in subalpine regions of Colorado's Front Range, hindering the establishment of spruce and fir trees. The study found that only three years out of 40 have been conducive to seedling establishment, compared to seven favorable years during the prior 40.
Researchers at UCR discovered that tropical trees in the Amazon Rainforest have developed an unusual way to conserve and redistribute water during drought, using a layer of living cells around their xylem. This unique method may alleviate concerns about the impact of drought on these critical climate regulators.
A new study found that declines in specific Amazonian tree communities are linked to the loss of large vertebrate populations. The research, published in the Journal of Ecology, suggests that defaunation may not lead to massive biomass losses, but further on-the-ground research is needed to understand its long-term impact.
Researchers found that tree communities are reorganizing with saplings growing closer together, but long-term biodiversity and carbon storage implications unclear. The study challenges previous theories of devastating effects on plant communities and carbon storage.
A study found that nursery stock availability and homeowner preferences significantly influence the diversity of tree species in the Salt Lake Valley. The researchers collected data from over 15,000 trees in six neighborhoods with different median home ages and household incomes.
Pine trees become temporarily sterile when exposed to intense UV radiation, similar to what scientists believe the Earth experienced 252 million years ago. The effect suggests caution in introducing chemicals that deplete the ozone layer.
Pennsylvania has developed effective ash-management plans to combat the emerald ash borer, which offers a model for other regions. The plans include tree inventory, monitoring, management tools, and education, tailored to each community's conditions and goals.
A team of scientists from UC Davis used the ising model to study pistachio tree synchronization, finding that magnetic connections between trees can explain their synchronized behavior. The study, published in PNAS, provides new insights into ecological systems and their effects in natural and managed environments.
Researchers classify world's tropical forests by evolutionary history, uncovering five major regions and finding surprising similarities between African and South American forests. The study aims to inform conservation efforts by predicting region-specific vulnerability to global environmental changes.
New research from Binghamton University reveals that interactions between relatively small organisms are crucial to mutualistic relationships in an ecosystem dominated by larger organisms. The study found that a third partner, scale insects, strengthens an ant-plant mutualism, providing vital nutrients and defense against predators.
Researchers at Columbia University found that tree guards can improve street trees' ability to absorb stormwater runoff. The study shows that protected pits absorbed water six times faster than unprotected ones, reducing the load on city sewers.
The study reveals that the invasive Eurasian woodwasp outcompetes and kills native species due to its larger venom glands and earlier emergence. This threatens the fragile ecosystem in North American pine forests.
A recent study suggests that increasing urban forest coverage by 20% could significantly reduce pollution, energy consumption, and carbon emissions in megacities. The researchers used a tool to estimate the potential benefits of additional tree cover and found that each city has the potential to host an additional 20% of forest canopy.
Researchers used high-tech tools to analyze Amazonian Dark Earths and found lower biomass, tree height, and tree cover at sites with past human settlement. These areas are more susceptible to drought, indicating the forests still show impacts from pre-Columbian occupation.
Bigger trees in peat bogs indicate greater fire risk, as they shade out protective sphagnum moss and pull moisture from the ground. Researchers found that even small trees can pose a threat, with those just 5 metres tall posing the greatest danger.
Research reveals more than two thirds of central and northern Europe were once covered by trees, now down to a third. New forest initiatives may mitigate habitat change using ecological approaches and traditional farming practices.
Researchers at Utah State University analyzed tree rings to reconstruct monthly streamflow trends for three rivers in Northern Utah. The study provides a new tool for understanding seasonal patterns and droughts, enabling more informed water use and management decisions.
A study found that fungi communities on dead trees are much more diverse than previously thought, with over 1,200 species identified. The researchers discovered distinct fungal communities on different tree species, suggesting a complex coevolution between trees and fungi.
A new study reveals that treeshrews defy two widely tested rules governing geographical variation within species: the island rule and Bergmann's rule. In contrast to predictions, treeshrew populations exhibit no size difference between mainland and island habitats.
A new study reveals that an invasive Australian tree species, Pittosporum undulatum, is posing a significant threat to the global biodiversity hotspot in Jamaica's Blue Mountains. The species has already outpaced native trees, reducing their regeneration and threatening rare and endangered species.
Researchers assess hurricane damage to Caribbean coral reefs, finding severe injury and changes in composition. Despite encouraging signs of recovery, scientists note increased vulnerability due to climate change and stressors.
A study of 20,000 tree species observations in the European Alps found that climate change has led to a decline in elevation gradients of leaf-out dates from 34 days to 22 days between 1960 and 2016. This shift is likely due to increased late spring and winter temperatures.