Articles tagged with Trees
Climate change is altering silica uptake in sugar maple trees, potentially affecting ecosystems. Warmer winters and reduced snow cover are damaging tree roots, leading to a significant loss of silica, which plays crucial roles in forest health.
A Cornell professor explains how to use the 35-year-old evolutionary Tree of Life (TOL) classification system to make sense of biodiversity. The TOL approach reveals the diversity of life by matching and mapping relationships on a branching diagram, showing inferred evolutionary connections between taxa.
Engineers at MIT develop microfluidic device mimicking nature's hydraulic pumps, enabling passive water pumping and potential use in small robots. The 'tree-on-a-chip' uses a sugar-powered hydraulic system to maintain constant flow rate for several days.
Research highlights trees' crucial role in retaining water and producing cooling moisture, enhancing food security and climate change adaptation. The study suggests a new perspective on the relationship between trees and water in addressing climate change.
Research by Montana State University's Selena Ahmed aims to understand the effects of weather variability on maple syrup production. The study found that warmer temperatures lead to higher levels of phenolic compounds, resulting in darker syrups with lower demand and prices.
A new study published in Scientific Reports suggests that the relationship between tree diversity and carbon storage in tropical forests may not exist as previously assumed. Researchers found that high-carbon forest stocks do not necessarily correlate with high biodiversity, contradicting previous studies.
A tree growth model developed by Washington State University researchers helps breeders identify trees that can produce more wood. The model simulates hormonal interactions and gene expression to predict radial growth, leading to faster and thicker trees.
Researchers at International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis developed a model that elucidates the natural patterns of biodiversity in tropical forests. The study shows how physiological differences and competition for light lead to a large number of species coexisting, challenging traditional ecological theory.
A new study suggests that ancient peoples domesticated tree species thousands of years ago, which are now more common in mature upland forests. The research found that a quarter of these domesticated species dominate large expanses of forest and are vital for the livelihood and economy of Amazonian peoples.
A new study reveals that pre-Colombian peoples played a significant role in shaping modern-day Amazonian biodiversity. The research found that 85 domesticated tree species, including cacao and Brazil nut, were five times more common in forests near ancient settlements.
A study in Norway's boreal forest reconstructs past events over the last 700 years, showing a surge in human-instigated fires during the 17th and 18th centuries followed by fire suppression after AD 1800. The analysis provides valuable insights into historical fire patterns, guiding forest management planning.
Research from the University of Minnesota reveals that diverse tree stands outperform monocultures due to species' adaptability in using available space. This adaptability maximizes combined productivity through enhanced light utilization and increased biomass production.
Researchers used Google Street View to map street tree canopy coverage in Singapore, finding that increasing cover can reduce ground surface and air temperatures. The study's method could help urban planners prioritize tree planting and create greener environments.
A UK-based Centre for Ecology & Hydrology study has devised a scientific model to help predict the spread of Xylella fastidiosa, a deadly pathogen threatening Europe's olive trees. The model suggests that wider buffer zones can reduce infection risk but may not stop the spread completely due to disease-spreading insects.
Researchers found that tree death due to drought is consistent across environments worldwide, with denser wood and smaller leaves providing better resistance. Climate change implications include increased tree mortality and future global warming.
The team will design and identify bactericides to target Huanglongbing, which has devastated citrus trees in Asia and South America. They will also develop a new delivery system for use in field citrus trees.
Australian cathedral termites evolved from wood-feeding ancestors that migrated over vast distances and adapted to changing environments. Their massive mounds house millions of termites, showcasing remarkable engineering feats.
A team of geographers has developed a methodology to measure aboveground woody biomass in savannahs, with results showing significant changes in the ecosystem. The study found that some areas of Kruger National Park's savannah are experiencing declining biomass due to elephant activity, not human impact.
A study by ETH Zurich researchers found that tropical tree species rely on bird dispersal for seed spread, but this process is limited to short distances. As a result, reforestation efforts may require active planting of these species to achieve successful restoration.
University of Utah mathematicians introduce 'field patterns,' a theoretical framework that describes how disturbances move through materials under varying conditions. This new object exhibits characteristics of both propagating waves and localized particles.
Researchers uncovered hundreds of large, mysterious geoglyphs in Brazil's Amazon rainforest, challenging assumptions about the ecosystem. The sites were found to have been built using sustainable 'agroforestry' practices, which concentrated on economically valuable tree species.
A recent study revealed that climate change is expected to disrupt the balance of nutrients in mountain ecosystems, potentially leading to changes in plant growth and biodiversity. The research found that decreasing elevation can serve as a surrogate indicator for climate warming, leading to increased nitrogen availability in soil.
A University of Illinois study found that about one-third of rural farmers across five African countries have trees on their farms, contributing 17% to their annual household income. Trees can act as biodiversity corridors, linking forests and providing wildlife habitat, while also offering income potential to poor farmers.
A study by University of California - Davis scientists found that trees growing in already dry areas are most susceptible to drought. Dense forests in the driest regions are at risk of mass mortality during extreme droughts, which can take years to surface.
New research suggests climate-protection policies focusing on tree diversity and carbon stocks could imperil the world's most biodiverse tropical forests. The study found that African forests store high levels of carbon but are species-poor, while Amazon and Asian forests have higher biodiversity but less carbon stored per hectare.
Researchers at the University of Bath have developed a renewable plastic from pinene found in pine needles, which can replace petroleum-based plastics in food packaging and medical implants. The new plastic is biodegradable and produced from a waste product previously discarded in the paper industry.
A new study reveals that soil fungi play a crucial role in protecting tree seedlings from pathogens, with different fungal groups offering varying levels of protection. This has significant implications for forest community patterns and overall biodiversity.
A new study found that trees worldwide develop thicker bark when living in fire-prone areas, suggesting bark thickness could predict which forests will survive a warmer climate. Trees in fire-prone regions have thicker bark than those in tropical rainforests, indicating a link between bark thickness and fire resistance.
A team of researchers developed a non-invasive method to detect and quantify wood decay in living trees, which can help understand global carbon pools and tree health. The sonic tomography technology uses sound waves to image the trunk, allowing for the creation of color-coded images of decaying wood.
Researchers at the University of York have identified genetic markers for disease tolerance in UK ash trees, suggesting they may be able to withstand a devastating fungal infection. This discovery could contribute to breeding new varieties of ash that are tolerant to the disease.
Scientists have sequenced the ash tree genome, which aids the breeding of resistant trees against ash dieback fungus. The UK is home to over 1,000 species that rely on ash trees, making their conservation crucial.
Scientists found that resistant ash trees have low levels of chemicals defending against insects, highlighting a potential trade-off in tree resilience. Researchers warn against selecting trees for fungal resistance at the expense of insect protection.
A recent study found that fragmented forest edges in New England absorb more carbon than expected due to increased growth rates, but also experience more heat stress. This mixed outcome suggests that while forests may be valuable carbon sinks, they are also sensitive to climate change.
Researchers mapped carbon recovery in Amazonian forests after logging activities, finding highest potential in the Guiana Shield and western regions. Surviving trees may be more reliable for storing carbon than newly recruited juveniles.
New research suggests that global warming could slow the upward migration of certain subalpine tree species, such as Engelmann spruce and limber pine. The study found that warming can harm young trees even in their first year, reducing seedling survival rates at all three elevations.
Soil moisture can help forecast where power will go out along the East Coast during hurricanes. A study using satellite maps found a 91% accurate method for predicting power outages.
Researchers at University of Nevada, Reno partner with Earthwatch Institute to study Sierra meadow ecosystems and their carbon storage potential. Citizen scientists from northern California and Reno area participate in project, measuring carbon stored in plants and vegetation.
A year-long study found that birds in leafy suburban neighborhoods fly between gardens with more vegetation than those with paved gardens or roads, visiting bird feeders more often. This knowledge can help urban planners create cities more attractive to nature and humans.
Researchers assembled a comprehensive tree of prokaryotic life, exploring grand patterns of evolutionary change. The findings suggest that diversity is not limited by existing diversity or environmental changes, but rather results from random lineage splitting.
A study by LMU researchers demonstrates that ants have cultivated their plant partners at least three million years ago, long before humans. The interaction is vital for the survival of both partners, with ants providing nutrients to epiphytes in exchange for nesting sites.
A new study of 16 research papers reveals natural regeneration can boost biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services in tropical regions. The method, which is cheaper than traditional reforestation, has social benefits for human livelihoods but requires careful consideration of ecological factors.
Researchers found that the 'song' attributed to the bushmaster was actually the call of large tree frogs living in hollow trunks. The discovery of two new frog species sheds light on the origins of this myth and highlights the importance of collaboration in scientific research.
A study led by the University of Washington found that large forest die-offs can alter global climate patterns and affect vegetation on the other side of the world. Removing trees in western North America causes cooling in Siberia, while forests in South America benefit from increased precipitation.
A new study by STRI researchers confirms that trees in tropical forests are like islands, with different species living on each one. The number of ant species found on a tree is positively correlated with the size of the liana-free area around it.
Researchers found that intercropping Arabica coffee with macadamia tree HAES 816 improves environmental conditions and increases coffee production. The partnership reduces competition between crops and provides a source of income for farmers, making it a promising strategy for Brazilian coffee producers.
Researchers sequenced the Asian longhorned beetle's genome to understand how it feeds on tree tissues and detoxifies plant chemicals. The study revealed genes that enable the beetle to degrade plant defenses, allowing it to thrive as a pest in Switzerland.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that large fires create a diverse landscape, making it difficult for bark beetles to launch widespread attacks. This variability protects forests from future outbreaks, as trees take decades to reach their preferred size.
Researchers analyzed tree-ring evidence with climate data, finding a pattern of fires over 500 years that intertwined El Nino patterns and human activity. The study suggests that indigenous populations used fire for resource management, creating dry firewood for various needs.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have discovered that asexual spores of the ash dieback fungus can germinate on leaves or infect seedlings via soil, spreading the disease more quickly than previously thought. This finding reveals additional routes for the fungus's spread and increases the risk to trees and ecosystems.
A UT researcher is leading a $3-million grant to develop a user-friendly interface for recording and sharing tree genomic data. The project aims to create an ecosystem of community databases for analyzing tree genomics data, providing tools for researchers and promoting public awareness of healthy trees.
Researchers found that managing wildfires instead of suppressing them improves forest diversity, water storage, and drought resistance. This approach increases stream flow and downstream water availability, benefiting both the environment and agriculture.
A study by Pieter Moonen reveals that only a small group of Congolese farmers are driving deforestation, not for self-sufficiency but to sell crops on the market. The findings highlight the need for a more effective approach to deforestation, including local community support and sustainable land use practices.
The Colorado River Delta has benefited from recent engineered spring floods, with bird diversity increasing by 43% in restoration areas. Groundwater recharge has also improved, recharging the aquifer for irrigation and benefiting native plant species.
A recent expedition to Mindanao, Philippines, revealed 126 species of amphibians and reptiles, including 40 frogs, making up 36% of known Philippine species. The research team used genetic and morphological analysis, international collaboration, and rigorous fieldwork to uncover the island's biodiversity hotspot.
A recent study found that an invasive tropical legume tree, Leucaena leucocephala, alters soil nitrogen dynamics in Guam ecosystems, reducing soil nitrogen levels. The research also revealed changes in microbiological processes that control soil chemistry transformations.
A global assessment of forests reveals a 10% decrease in tree species richness leads to a 2-3% decline in biomass production. The study estimates the value of biodiversity in maintaining commercial productivity at $166-490 billion, far exceeding conservation costs.
Planting angle, cordon height, and bud selection significantly impact canopy establishment in UFO trees. Effective practices can increase grower success and reduce crop load potential, optimizing labor efficiency and uniformity.
A group of researchers at Umeå University studied the effects of improved methods for restoring Swedish streams, including adding large boulders and trees. The results showed that while complex channels and watercourses can be easily created, reintroducing plants and aquatic animals takes time and patience.
Researchers discovered that three citrus plants - Citrus reticulata, Swingle citrumelo, and Murcott mandarin - produce essential oils that repel Diaphorina citri, the insect that transmits huanglongbing. These compounds may act as repellents, making the plants less attractive to D. citri for ovipositing purposes.
Researchers found that urban warming negatively affects tree growth and photosynthesis, regardless of pest presence. Trees at warmer sites had less trunk growth, accounting for more tree biomass.