Research on trees and their role in nature and cities. Covers forest conservation, tension wood, and the benefits of urban trees.
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 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 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 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 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.
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.
Agroforestry practices such as alley cropping, silvopasture, and forest farming offer benefits for conventional and organic agroecosystems. By integrating trees into agricultural landscapes, farmers can sequester carbon, prevent soil erosion, and increase crop yields.
Researchers at the University of Washington found that adding microbes to plants increases their tolerance to drought. The microbes enhance plant growth, reduce water usage, and promote nutrient accumulation, allowing plants to store more water and survive longer under stress.
A new study finds China's Grain-for-Green Program, the world's largest reforestation effort, has planted mostly monoculture forests with limited biodiversity benefits. Researchers recommend restoring native or mixed forests to protect wildlife and mitigate climate change.
Researchers found rapid tree growth in eastern Tibetan forests due to increased soil nutrients and water from thawing permafrost. The study's results suggest that under specific conditions, forests can respond positively to human-induced climate changes.
A recent study suggests that the arrival of browsing medium-sized antelopes in Africa was a key factor in replacing ancient forests with open savannas. The researchers found that thorn trees evolved around the same time as antelope, coinciding with the diversification of spiny plants and the opening up of forests to grass invaders.
A new study by UCSB researchers indicates that shifts in vegetation type resulting from warming and other factors may have an equal or greater effect on stream flows in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Vegetation change can lead to changes in water availability for urban, agricultural, and environmental needs.
A UT study suggests that Lucy, the famous human ancestor fossil, died after falling from a tree while attempting to break her fall. The fracture patterns on her skeleton indicate a high-velocity impact consistent with a four-part proximal humerus fracture.
A new study suggests that climate change may extend the ozone season in the Southeastern United States, potentially leading to record ozone days in the fall. As drought-stressed trees emit more of the precursor compound isoprene, air quality becomes more sensitive to climate change.
Researchers have discovered three newly dead specimens of the scaly-tailed squirrel, hinting at its evolution over 49 million years. The study reveals that Zenkerella is a distant cousin of two other squirrels with gliding abilities, leading to the creation of a new family name.
A study by University of California - Davis researchers found that drought conditions significantly impact Douglas fir tree growth, with warmer and drier conditions causing the most stress. The analysis of tree core samples over a 91-year period indicates projected decline in growth rates under future climate change scenarios.
Researchers found that Miconia affinis maintains high genetic diversity and facilitates gene flow between forest fragments. The study suggests that this species' colonization capacity promotes ecosystem recovery despite human-altered landscapes.
A recent study reveals that tree cover on agricultural land has increased globally, capturing vast amounts of carbon dioxide and potentially playing a significant role in mitigating climate change. The research highlights the importance of agroforestry systems in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.
Researchers at Clemson University are developing new composite materials using tree fibers to create stronger, biorenewable auto parts. The materials have the potential to replace traditional automotive parts with improved strength and sustainability.
A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found a positive association between tree nut intake and lower levels of inflammatory biomarkers. Higher nut consumption was associated with reduced C-reactive protein and Interleukin 6, which increase during inflammation.
Researchers developed a new statistical model that accurately predicts tree growth from the moment they're planted to when they reach crown closure. This allows forest managers to better identify which trees will survive and make informed decisions about forest management, increasing efficiency and effectiveness.
Lianas are preventing tropical forest recovery due to rapid spread following tree-felling, according to a new study. The researchers advocate for temporary removal of lianas in selected areas to aid growth and reduce carbon impact.
Deciduous trees absorb a large amount of snowmelt water, equating to 17-20 billion cubic meters per year, with potential to create favorable conditions for thunderstorms. The study's findings have critical implications for understanding boreal forest hydrology and ecology.
A new study combining future climate projections and tree-ring records reveals that North American forests will likely struggle to offset climate change. Forests, which currently absorb 25-30% of human-caused carbon dioxide emissions, are expected to grow slower in the face of warmer temperatures and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers found that different tree species employ unique strategies to acquire nutrients, with thicker roots avoiding hot spots and thinner roots relying on fungal partnerships. Understanding these strategies can help predict forest responses to climate change.
Researchers at Duke University used fast-changing mouse lemur DNA to paint a picture of Madagascar's forested past. The study suggests that the island was not as tree-covered as previously thought, with grasslands and woodlands dominating the center of the island before human arrival.
A comprehensive checklist of Amazonian tree species has been compiled, revealing over 11,676 known species and approximately 4,000 rare ones yet to be discovered. The analysis, which utilized digitized museum collections data, suggests that the search for new tree species will continue for three more centuries.
A study by the University of East Anglia found that tropical hardwoods do not grow back to commercial levels after selective logging, posing a risk to their survival. The research highlights the need for sustainable forestry practices to manage yields and maintain forest biodiversity.
A recent study by researchers at the Universities of Exeter and Leeds found that a drought completely shut down the Amazon Basin's carbon sink, killing trees and slowing their growth. The study used long-term measurements from the RAINFOR network to examine tree responses during two large-scale droughts occurring in 2005 and 2010.
Agroforestry allows farmers to balance biomass trees with crops, capturing more carbon, filtering nutrients, and stabilizing soil. The practice offers greater economic security and long-term benefits for farmers.
A team of researchers has sequenced the complete genome of the olive tree, a species domesticated over 6,000 years ago. The findings reveal over 56,000 genes and provide insights into the tree's evolution, longevity, and adaptability to environmental conditions.
Researchers from the University of Missouri suggest farmers use buffers between crops and trees to reduce soil runoff, while maintaining good growing conditions. The study found that utilizing Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land strategically creates effective buffers.
Scientists have discovered a new species of spider in central Spain, specifically in Holm oak trees at the borders of cereal fields. The newly found species has a unique preference for these trees and highlights the need to preserve isolated trees in agricultural landscapes to conserve novel species.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory engineered a novel enzyme to alter lignin structure in aspen trees, resulting in increased access to biofuel building blocks without inhibiting plant growth. The modified trees released up to 62% more simple sugars and had an almost 50% increase in ethanol yield
A new study led by Carnegie Institution's Greg Asner reveals diverse forest communities in the Andes and Amazon regions that break long-held ecological rules. The research uses high-fidelity imaging to create large-scale maps of leaf nutrients, offering key findings on forest responses to climate change.
Scientists found that neutralizing acidic forest soils with calcium boosted tree growth, but also caused a significant increase in nitrogen export to nearby streams. This unexpected result sheds new light on watershed dynamics and highlights the complexity of mitigating acid rain.
A Harvard University study forecasts that boreal forests in far-northern latitudes may act as a climate refuge for black spruce trees due to higher rainfall. The research also suggests that the region's growing season will expand by 3 weeks, but drought stress could overwhelm trees south of the 49th parallel.
Researchers found that men with prostate cancer who consumed tree nuts five or more times a week had a 34% lower risk of overall mortality. The study suggests that tree nuts may offer cardioprotective and anticarcinogenic benefits, supporting their inclusion in a healthy diet.
Research reveals that giant sequoia leaves respond to environmental conditions, with upper crown leaves having more fibers and transfusion tissue. These traits enable the trees to store more carbon and water, promoting growth and resilience in drought conditions.
A new study estimates California's street trees provide benefits worth $1 billion, including carbon storage, air pollutant removal, and energy savings. The study also highlights the need for tree diversification and density management to optimize urban forest performance.
Jerry Franklin, a professor at the University of Washington, has been named 2016's Eminent Ecologist by the Ecological Society of America. He is credited with pioneering research on old-growth forests and challenging clear-cutting practices to promote healthy forest ecosystems. His work has had a significant impact on forestry and fore...
A UK school named a new tree species from Tanzania as part of a fundraising campaign for tropical forest conservation. The college raised over £4000 through various events and activities.
Researchers discovered the optimal temperature of 25 degrees Celsius for Spathius galinae, a host-specific parasitic wasp targeting emerald ash borer. The wasp's unique ability to detect vibrations in bark allows it to locate larvae and is highly host-specific, minimizing the risk of impact on other species.
Researchers at the University of Washington found that bacteria in tree branches can fix nitrogen, a crucial nutrient for plant growth, without requiring root nodules. This breakthrough could significantly reduce fertilizer use and costs, benefiting agricultural crops and bioenergy production.
Researchers from Austria, Finland, and Hungary used laser scanners to measure the daily movement of fully grown trees. The results show that trees droop their branches at night, with changes not exceeding 10 cm, indicating they go to sleep.
A recent study at the University of Guam found that traditional hard plastic containers reduce root quality in endangered tree species. This limits plant growth and stability in tropical cyclone-prone areas.
Researchers at ANU found that New Zealand possums prefer leaves with high available protein content to eat, which can help limit their impact on native forests. This knowledge could inform targeted control programs to manage the possum population and protect sensitive tree species.
In June 2016, over 120 patients were evacuated as unpredictable forest fires raged in Alberta, Canada. The emergency team turned an empty space into a makeshift field hospital to care for patients, including the elderly, new mothers, and psychiatric patients.
A new study highlights the urgent need for the US to step up forest pest prevention measures, as imported pests cause over $2 billion in damages annually. Strengthening prevention efforts could alleviate economic burdens on homeowners and municipalities while safeguarding US trees.
The new apricot variety 'Goshen Gold' has been introduced as a suitable alternative to the popular 'Patterson' cultivar. It features a semispreading habit, vigorous growth, and improved fruit characteristics such as increased sugars and better color stability.
Researchers have developed a method to detect and map fungal associations between forests and fungi using satellite data, providing insights into tree species' nutrient status and ecosystem productivity. This technique allows scientists to study complex processes like nutrient cycling at vast scales.
The California sudden oak death epidemic cannot be stopped, but its impact can be reduced by starting control measures earlier. Mathematical modeling shows that targeting the 'wave-front' of the disease and 'front-loading' the budget are more effective methods of control.
Tropical forests store vast amounts of carbon through photosynthesis, but the impact of large animals on seed dispersal affects this process. A study found that tree species dependent on large animals for seed dispersal have higher carbon storage potential than those with smaller seeds.
Tropical forests depend on animals for seed dispersal to store carbon, but this role differs across regions. Large animal losses lead to fewer large trees and increased carbon loss in some forests.
Researchers discover that tree legumes can significantly contribute nitrogen to silvopastoral systems, benefiting both livestock and the environment. The study found two types of legume trees with different decomposition rates and nutrient cycles, but both show promise as alternatives to industrial fertilizers.