Articles tagged with Trees
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A team of researchers identified traits that best protect trees against death from drought, finding that xylem stress is a key predictor of survival. The study provides a foundation for improving predictions of drought-induced tree mortality across diverse forests.
Researchers found three tree physiological traits significantly predict drought mortality, related to hydraulics. Trees with lower hydraulic conductivity and safety margins are more susceptible to embolism and death. This study can help forecast tree deaths in drought and inform climate change mitigation strategies.
Researchers found trees exchange large quantities of carbon among different species through mycorrhizal fungi. This discovery questions the concept of tree individuality and adds a new dimension to the role of these fungal networks in forests.
Researchers have discovered over 1,000 new types of bacteria and Archaea, dramatically expanding the tree of life. The newly added organisms come from diverse environments and are characterized by their genome sequences, offering a new perspective on microbiology and its implications for our understanding of biology.
A global network is being set up to use surveillance camera networks and drone data to track changes in trees' growth patterns. Researchers will be able to access time-lapse image data to better understand how climate change affects forests worldwide.
A new genus of treehoppers has been discovered in Texas and northern Mexico, with one species named Selenacentrus wallacei. The researchers found the species among mislabeled specimens from various collections, highlighting the importance of accurate taxonomy.
The invasive black wattle species has rapidly expanded around Kunming International Airport, posing a risk to bird strikes and local vegetation. The study highlights the need for urgent assessment of its potential invasion threat at other airports worldwide.
A recent study published in HortScience provides new recommendations to increase the stock of blight-resistant American chestnut trees. Genetic engineering is proposed as a solution, with the addition of one gene, oxalate oxidase, protecting the tree from the fungus. The study also examined optimized propagation protocols using activat...
University of Missouri researchers analyzed historical forest surveys from the 1800s to gain insights into how natural disturbances and human actions shape forest conditions. They found that historical forests had more total biomass, likely sequestering more carbon than current forests.
A CU study found that large fires in the West followed by drought conditions are affecting high-elevation forests, leading to lower tree densities and increased patchiness. The research team measured tree species, numbers, sizes, and ages of post-fire seedlings in nearly 200 forest plots.
Anthropologists at the University of Oregon have discovered evidence of shea tree harvesting dating back to A.D. 100 in western Burkina Faso, challenging previous estimates of around A.D. 1100. The study reveals a long history of sustainable farming practices and the importance of wild foods in early agricultural diets.
A new study published in Global Ecology and Biogeography finds that drought following wildfires hinders forest recovery in the Rocky Mountains. The research shows that forests are not adapting quickly enough to climate change, with subalpine tree species being negatively impacted by warm, dry conditions.
A new study by University of Florida researchers found that victorious ant colonies recruit members of losing colonies to help defend their territory. After analyzing DNA from nearly 800 ants, the team discovered that fighting changes the genetic makeup of victorious colonies, allowing them to form lasting truces with former foes.
Researchers found that strategic tree planting on floodplains can reduce peak flood height by 6-20% by slowing down rainwater arrival. Extensive forest and river restoration resulted in larger reductions, with mature forests reducing flood risk by up to 100 years post-planting.
Researchers found Eastern US forests are changing, with drought-sensitive tree species dominating and fire-resistant ones declining. This shift, known as mesophication, makes forests more vulnerable to future climate change and droughts.
A research team at the University of Delaware has designed softwood lignin-based polymers with improved thermal and flow properties, making them suitable for applications such as tires, running shoes, and gaskets. The development aims to reduce costs and environmental impact by utilizing waste from the pulp and paper industry.
Researchers discovered chimpanzees in West Africa throwing stones at trees, resulting in accumulations of rocks at these sites. The behavior appears to have cultural elements and has been observed in adult males and females, with no apparent link to foraging or resource availability.
Research uncovers Amazon forest seasonality, revealing a dynamic pattern of leaf growth and death that explains variations in photosynthesis. The findings improve climate models and provide insights into the forest's ability to adapt to dry periods.
Researchers discovered that Amazon forests' annual increase in photosynthesis is caused by synchronization of old leaf loss and new leaf growth, contradicting assumptions about constant canopy greenness. This finding will help improve predictions of forest responses to climate change.
Researchers found that young leaves grow at the same time as older ones perish, causing a shift in tree canopy towards younger leaves with higher photosynthetic capacity. This internal dynamics of the rainforest drives seasonal changes in photosynthesis, which was not previously accounted for in climate models.
A new cloud software tool called EucaTool estimates eucalyptus production in Galicia. It allows users to calculate growth and future production by measuring four stand variables.
Scientists create a computer simulation that grows realistic forests down to individual trees to predict how climate-related changes will affect fire rates, plant growth, and forest recovery in Quebec hardwood forests. The 'LES' model can help identify necessary species for reestablishing forests after wildfires and other disturbances.
Research from the University of Colorado Boulder found that newly-exposed edges of deforested areas can lead to hotter, drier conditions for remaining forests. This could affect species' ability to regulate their body temperatures, altering local ecosystems.
Journalists Terri Cook and Phil McKenna have been awarded the EGU Science Journalism Fellowship to investigate sustainable water development and seismic wave mitigation. They will explore how artificial floods support water development and whether trees can weaken seismic vibrations.
A new study reveals that certain fungi associated with tree roots can alter the fate of tropical forests, boosting plant diversity or giving one tree species a distinct advantage. The research found that these fungi, particularly ectomycorrhizas, make nitrogen unavailable to competing species, allowing dominant trees to thrive.
Nearly all US forests are vulnerable to future declines due to increasing drought and climate change, according to a new study. The effects have been most pronounced in the West, but Eastern forests are also at risk as tree populations struggle to adapt to changing conditions.
Researchers studied tree responses to temperature and dry-season stress in Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica. The study found significant changes in second-growth tropical forests due to multi-year droughts.
A new study finds that US forests are experiencing severe drought effects, with potentially devastating consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem services. The research highlights the urgent need for better understanding of forest responses to drought and climate change.
Recent studies on the Elaeocarpus joga tree from Guam have identified nitrogen and potassium as limiting factors for its growth in limestone soils. This knowledge is crucial for conserving large charismatic trees and restoring degraded landscapes to improve island ecosystem health.
A New Brunswick family's initial attempt to trap snowshoe hares for sport inadvertently created an ecological experiment that shaped the vegetation of tiny Hay Island and Kent. The hares' impact, including mowing down young saplings and altering tree growth patterns, has now been reversed as scientists monitor the island's recovery.
Researchers studying a massive crack in the ground near Menominee, Michigan, have discovered it's likely a rare geological phenomenon known as a 'pop-up' feature. The team used seismic refraction techniques to confirm the formation of the feature, which is believed to be caused by stress in ancient limestone rock.