Articles tagged with Trees
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.
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.
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.
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.
The DFG is establishing 11 new Research Training Groups to support early career researchers in Germany. These collaborations will focus on areas like cyber-physical production systems, mathematical complexity, and the regulation of mRNA life cycles. The groups will receive €134 million in funding over four and a half years.
A new IRTG at MLU focuses on how trees interact with each other, exploring their role in ecosystem services. PhD researchers will study tree-to-tree interactions, molecular biology, and statistical methods to define principles and models for these interactions.
Researchers analyzed tree masting observational data and found a strong correlation between the North Atlantic Oscillation and synchronized tree reproduction across Europe. This study supports the idea that the North Atlantic Oscillation plays a key role in large-scale masting.
Small-holder farmers in Kenya are eager to cultivate croton trees for oil production, animal feed, and organic fertilizer. The study found that most households have croton trees already, and they would be willing to plant more if there's a dedicated market.
A new study found significant decreases in tree regeneration following 21st century wildfires, highlighting the loss of forest resilience. The research team analyzed data from over 1,500 sites across five states, measuring seedlings growing in areas burned by wildfires during the past three decades.
Researchers use language tree to identify unique languages with low close relatives, guiding preservation efforts. A tool is developed to target conservation priorities, helping minimize linguistic diversity loss.
Researchers found significant decreases in tree regeneration following wildfires in the early 21st century, a period marked by hotter and drier conditions. This decline in forest resilience will take much longer to recover after a wildfire, with some areas showing no seedlings growing.
Research at the AGU Fall Meeting found that mistletoe lacks adaptation to conserve water during hot weather, leading to increased evaporation and potential tree death. Trees with high mistletoe levels become less healthy and can die when dry spells persist.
Large populations of deadly Cryptococcus fungi have been found in two public areas in Cape Town and the Northern Cape, threatening HIV/AIDS patients. The research aims to understand the ecology of these pathogens to curb their spread.
New research shows that decades-old logging restrictions have failed to reverse population declines of spotted owls in US national forests due to a 'tree deficit', requiring longer-term restoration efforts. The study found stable owl populations in nearby national parks with intact habitats.
Researchers found that monocultural cocoa groves subjected to stress conditions produce slightly more antioxidants and phenols than agroforest settings. The differences in chemical composition were not significant, but the researchers suggest these variations could contribute to variability in cocoa bean flavor.
During a two-week top-to-bottom survey of Penang Hill's rainforest, scientists discovered several previously unknown species, including a new scorpion and likely new fly, water bear, and bacterium. The expedition logged over 1,400 species observations, contributing valuable data for mapping the region's distribution of wildlife.
A recent study found that California's urban forest canopy cover per capita is the lowest in the US, despite providing significant ecosystem services valued at $8.3 billion annually. The state's arid climate and high population density may contribute to this result.
A new study suggests that dominant forest tree mycorrhizal type affects understory plant invasions, with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) forests more vulnerable to invasive species. This research helps explain the establishment and spread of invasive plants in forests.
A new computational framework simulates each stage of tree combustion, capturing detailed geometry and effects on branches and leaves. The method efficiently models the kinetic behavior of plants and their reaction to heat release in the combustion process.
Research by Stellenbosch University found that fynbos seeds can still be viable in soils where pines have grown for up to 30 years, enabling restoration. Clearing pine plantations within 40-50 years saves time and effort in rehabilitating sites.
Researchers at Dartmouth College created an evolutionary taxonomy of world constitutions using big data and machine learning. The study identifies surprising relationships and unexpected information about constitutional inspirations.
A new study found that higher biodiversity in forests leads to faster tree growth, increased carbon storage, and improved pest resistance. Forest managers can simultaneously improve multiple ecosystem functions without negatively affecting each other.
Researchers created detailed photomosaics of the coral reef at Palmyra Atoll, discovering non-random clustering and a link between coral growth and reproductive strategy. The findings have implications for coral reef management and conservation.
Researchers found that poison-ivy can co-exist with knotweed, supporting native understory plant species and tree seedlings. This unexpected partnership could help restore degraded forest ecosystems threatened by knotweed invasion.
Researchers developed a new remote-sensing method to map functional diversity of forests from small to large scales, independent of predefined vegetation units or species information. This allows for the assessment of forest health, resource use efficiency, and adaptation to environmental conditions.
A global study reveals that urban trees have been growing faster than rural trees since the 1960s, with an average growth rate of 20% across all climate zones. The heat island effect is believed to be the primary driver of this acceleration, leading to increased photosynthetic activity and prolonged vegetation periods.
A set of fundamental tactics can be used to combat the challenges brought on by pests in rapidly changing forests. Eight general tactics for improved pest management include growth of practical theory, improved biosecurity, and management plans that anticipate continuing change.
Pinyon pine trees rely on specific microclimates to recover from drought events. Cooler and wetter climates with high tree cover, abundant juvenile trees, and mature seed-producing trees are essential for regeneration. Microsites under shaded canopies also provide favorable conditions for young pinyon pine growth.
Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin discovered that tiny bees, no bigger than a grain of rice, promote long-distance pairings between trees. These small pollinators aid in preventing inbreeding among closely related plants, ensuring a thriving new generation of offspring.
Researchers have successfully cultivated the Périgord black truffle in the UK for the first time, providing a breakthrough in the fight against climate change's impact on this luxury ingredient. The truffle was grown in collaboration with local farmers in Monmouthshire, South Wales, using a Mediterranean oak tree as host.
A Colorado State University team will research how a deadly citrus disease propagates and can be stopped, supported by a $1.2 million gift from Cutrale. The team aims to understand the spread of the disease and identify effective control methods.
University of Delaware doctoral student Desiree Narango found that native trees are better at providing caterpillars for birds, which is a crucial food resource. In contrast, non-native plants offer little to no resources for breeding birds.
Researchers uncover fossil evidence of a novel growth mechanism used by the Earth's first trees, allowing them to achieve large sizes. The study reveals that these early forests played a critical role in shaping global processes.
New research reveals fossils from 374-million-year-old tree trunks show interconnected xylem strands that conducted water to branches and leaves. These ancient trees had a unique growth mechanism, with individual strands growing their own rings like mini-trees.
Fossilized tree trunks from China suggest early forest trees grew by building a hollow cylindrical skeleton that collapsed under its own weight. This controlled collapse allowed the tree to achieve great size and provide insights into the evolution of tree growth.
Researchers developed a test to predict bitter pit disorder in stored Honeycrisp apples, which can save growers millions of dollars annually. The test analyzes calcium levels in fruit peels and indicates whether the disorder will develop.
A new University of Stirling study suggests that the environmental impact of Amazonian hydropower generation may be greater than predicted. Forest fragmentation and liana growth can lead to biodiversity and carbon losses associated with tropical hydropower, highlighting the need for more accurate assessments in dam decision-making.
Researchers from the University of Leeds and others have developed more accurate methods for estimating biodiversity in large regions. The study found that rare tree species are poised to become dominant if conditions change in their favor.
An international team developed a statistical approach to examine forest populations and predict biodiversity, highlighting the importance of rare species in maintaining ecosystem health. The new method provides accurate estimates of species numbers and abundances, enabling conservation efforts to focus on vulnerable species.
A study in Belize found that herpetofaunal communities remained relatively unchanged after Hurricane Earl, despite significant changes in the environment. The research highlights the ability of these species to adapt to anthropogenic pressures.
Researchers studied the evolution of sticky toe pads in lizards, finding that geckos took an 'adaptive stumble' approach, while anoles committed to a single type. This divergence highlights the complex nature of evolutionary processes and challenges assumptions about the predictability of evolution.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that tropical tree roots account for almost 30% of the total biomass of young trees. The research also revealed diverse root architectures among species, with some sending large tap roots and others extending laterally just below the soil surface.
A recent study published in Geoderma suggests that high-intensity forest land use like grazing can counteract the positive effect of tree planting on reducing flood risk. Researchers found that infiltration rates were higher under trees when the forest was undisturbed, but decreased when sheep grazed underneath
A new study reveals that the Malagasy striped whirligig beetle is an ultra-rare survivor with a genetic pedigree dating back at least 206 million years to the late Triassic period. The beetle's isolated location in Madagascar may have allowed it to persist, and it now thrives in marginal environments.
A study led by University of California, Davis found that spotted owls prefer forests with tall trees (over 105 feet) and high canopy cover, rather than dense understory. This discovery could resolve the management dilemma of balancing owl habitat with forest resilience to wildfires and droughts.
The durian tree relies on the pollination services of the island flying fox, which is critically endangered. The discovery has significant implications for Southeast Asia's tropical ecosystems and the lucrative durian industry.
Researchers developed an algorithm based on ant trail networks, which adapts to changes in the environment and avoids taking the shortest path. The algorithm is inspired by how ants navigate through complex vegetation and repair broken trails using a 'greedy search' method.