Articles tagged with Trees
Two studies reveal how human-made forest changes affect the carbon cycle and air temperature. Replacing broadleaved forests with conifers increases evapotranspiration and albedo, contributing to warming. Forest clearing causes an increase in average and maximum surface temperatures, except at northern latitudes.
Scientists have identified two new species of tree frogs in Taiwan, characterized by their unique gemstone-colored eyes. The new species, Kurixalus wangi and K. berylliniris, exhibit distinct reproductive behaviors, including egg-eating tadpoles, and are found in moist forests on the island.
A study reveals chimpanzees struggle to find ripe fruit, the most energy-rich food source, in tropical rain forests. They must use cognitive strategies to outcompete other animals and optimize their search for high-energy foods.
Current tree-ring-based climate reconstructions need improvement to account for uncertainty, suggests new research. Researchers developed a unified statistical modelling approach using Bayesian inference that simultaneously accounts for non-climatic and climatic variability.
A new genus of tree hole breeding frogs, Frankixalus, has been identified in India, featuring gel-encapsulated eggs and tadpoles that devour their mother's eggs. This discovery highlights the evolutionary distinctiveness and unique life history features of this lineage.
A team of researchers, including those at Florida State University and the University of Florida, have secured a $4 million USDA grant to tackle citrus greening. They plan to culture the bacteria in labs to test new treatments and approaches to combat the disease, which has devastated citrus crops in Florida.
Researchers discovered that altering poplar wood composition affects tree microbiome structure and function. Modifications led to changes in bacterial communities within the endosphere, but not outside the plant tissue.
Researchers have discovered that lasers can improve the penetration of antibiotic treatments into citrus leaves, potentially offering a new approach to treating the deadly citrus greening disease. The method uses laser etching to create microscopic indentations in the leaf tissue, allowing for more effective delivery of substances.
A University of Washington study found that Seattle's urban crops can only feed between 1 and 4 percent of the city's population, even with extensive backyard and public green spaces converted to farming. To meet the nutritional needs of an adult vegetarian diet, it would require a 58-mile expansion around the city.
A new screening technique has been developed to predict which ash tree seedlings are likely to survive the fungal pathogen Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. This technology could help maintain the UK's ash population and biodiversity by identifying non-disease-susceptible individuals before planting out.
A new study shows that trees globally compete in some of the same ways, making simpler models of forest response to climate change possible. Trees with denser tissues have more impact on their neighbors.
A new study reveals that tropical rainforests' predictable structure is driven by competition for sunlight, which fuels the growth of small trees in sunlit patches. This finding can improve climate simulations and estimate carbon storage in tropical forests.
Researchers used data from the Smithsonian's ForestGEO network to develop biologically sound explanations behind mathematical rules of thumb for estimating tree density and size. This enables more accurate calculations of a tropical forest's ability to store carbon.
A new study by researchers at NIMBioS reveals that consistent size structures exist across tropical rainforests, driven by competition among trees for light following a gap disturbance. The findings have significant implications for modeling tropical forests' sustainability and carbon sequestration.
A new study from Carnegie Institution reveals that up to 58 million large trees in California experienced severe canopy water loss between 2011 and today, putting them at risk. The research used advanced tools to measure the impact of the drought on forest canopies and mapped changes in canopy water content.
Researchers analyzed woody debris and used radiocarbon dating to map the history of activity at the Oso site. The study shows that slopes in the area around Oso have collapsed on average once every 500 years, with a higher rate of about once every 140 years over the past 2,000 years.
Research predicts 72% of Northwest Evergreen Trees will die by 2050, with nearly 100% mortality by 2100 under projected global warming scenarios. Climate models suggest a negative feedback loop could accelerate climate change.
Researchers find that extinction of fruit-eating animals like primates and tapirs disrupts seed dispersal, leading to a decline in heavy-wooded trees and reduced carbon storage. This loss affects the ecosystem's ability to counter climate change.
The invasive spotted lanternfly can cause considerable damage to crops and ornamental plants. A new resource provides information on how to identify and manage the pest, which has already been detected in Pennsylvania and may spread to other areas.
Researchers studied three species of snakes to understand how their unique belly shapes aid in climbing. Brown tree snakes have sharp-edged keels that allow them to grip and propel themselves up trees efficiently, a trait also seen in some corn snakes but not boa constrictors.
A recent study by the University of Melbourne found that every Australian city and town has threatened species. The study highlights the importance of planning and managing cities for conservation as well as human wellbeing.
A recent study found that widespread tree mortality from mountain pine beetles can reduce water availability due to increased evaporation, rather than increasing streamflow. This challenges previous assumptions and offers new insights for managing healthier forests that are more resistant to drought.
A study from the University of California, Davis found that 'cleared' abandoned ski runs consistently recovered to blend in with surrounding forests, while 'graded' runs showed stunted recovery. The study highlights the need for active restoration of abandoned graded ski slopes to protect water quality.
New research on Serianthes nelsonii, a critically endangered tree species in Guam, highlights two critical factors limiting its survival: root diseases and insufficient light. The study's empirical approach sheds light on previously overlooked threats to the tree's health.
Two tree species in southwestern Colorado employ distinct strategies to cope with drought: the ponderosa pine conserves water by shutting down production, while the trembling aspen alters its physiology to continue growing. This study sheds light on how woody plants may confront twin scourges of less water and hot weather in a warmer a...
A new tree frog species, Dendropsophus bromeliaceus, has been discovered in the Brazilian Atlantic forest, where tadpoles develop in pooled rainwater stored in bromeliad leaves. The species is distinguished by its small size and unique color pattern.
Researchers discovered that ancient Puebloans used trees from the Zuni and Chuska Mountains to build massive structures in Chaco Canyon. The switch to Chuska Mountain trees coincides with significant cultural developments in Chacoan culture, including changes in masonry style and construction volume.
Researchers propose that plants 'decide' to thrive in certain environments, influencing biome productivity and composition. Nitrogen-fixing trees, which produce their own fertilizer, flourish in tropical zones but struggle in temperate forests, highlighting the importance of plant strategy in ecosystem evolution.
Researchers created a one-dimensional model of thrombus formation, similar to Tetris, and later expanded to a two-dimensional model. This allows them to study the dynamics of thrombus growth under various conditions, including damage to the vascular wall.
A new study identifies 91 countries at risk from the 'green cancer' miconia tree's expansion, despite warming. The invasive plant's ability to infest territories will not be hindered, but its growth may slow in some areas by 2080.
Researchers at Georgia Tech use ribosomal RNA to trace life's evolution, finding molecular structures and events near the biochemical origins of life. By analyzing variations in ribosomal RNA, they uncover secrets of creation and answer foundational questions about life's origins.
A team of scientists has developed a new method to assess the structure of natural forests using principles from stochastic geometry. The approach enables quick and accurate assessment of biomass estimates, revealing surprising low packing densities in tropical forests.
A recent study from the University of Eastern Finland developed methods to obtain indicators for tree size inequality using lidar technology. The researchers created maps of several study areas in Finland and Spain, identifying various structural properties of forests and evaluating different types of forest management regimes. These f...
A new NASA study finds that the carbon content of temperate US forests is likely overestimated by 70%, due to a sampling bias in measuring tree height and biomass. Researchers used lidar technology to analyze millions of trees, providing more accurate estimates of forest carbon storage.
Researchers at the University of Florida have developed genetically modified citrus trees that exhibit enhanced resistance to greening, reducing disease severity and even remaining disease-free after 36 months. The study, published in PLOS ONE, used a gene isolated from Arabidopsis to create the new trees.
A study by the University of Edinburgh found that droughts could kill off the tallest trees in tropical rainforests as breakages in their water transport system lead to death. The research indicates smaller trees are more likely to survive long-term droughts and store less carbon.
A new study estimates that up to 8,690 Amazonian tree species may face extinction, with more than half of the world's tropical tree species at risk. Protected areas and indigenous territories have made strides in preserving biodiversity, but further management is crucial to prevent extinctions.
A new study by James Cook University scientist Professor William Laurance suggests that over half of Amazonian tree species are globally threatened. Protected areas and indigenous territories have the potential to protect many of these species if properly managed.
A new study suggests that up to 57% of Amazonian tree species are globally threatened, but protected areas and indigenous territories can protect most of the affected species. The study's findings highlight the importance of preserving these critical ecosystems.
Researchers have discovered ancient fossil forests in Svalbard, Norway, dating back 380 million years, which may hold the secrets to a 15-fold reduction in atmospheric CO2 levels. The dense, equatorial forests were likely formed by lycopod trees and could provide valuable information on the evolution of tree-sized vegetation.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials found that consuming tree nuts lowers total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and inflammation. Nuts were shown to be particularly beneficial for lowering cardiovascular disease risk in populations with type-2 diabetes.
Researchers found that treetop leaves in tall trees like coast redwood and Japanese cedar act as a water supply tank, storing water to help maintain physiological functions. This discovery helps predict future changes in forest function and CO2 absorption in the face of climate change.
Scientists have discovered that holes in Mount Baldy's sand dunes were formed by entombed oak trees that decomposed into a cementing mineral, creating hazardous voids. The study, presented at the Geological Society of America meeting, sheds light on how these living systems interact between biology and geology.
A study by Wellesley College and the League of Urban Canners found that urban fruits like apples and peaches have lower levels of lead and arsenic, but higher concentrations of micronutrients. The researchers also found that eating urban fruit is not a significant source of lead exposure.
A recent study by Carnegie Institution for Science found that elephants are responsible for a high tree-fall rate in Kruger, driven by population density and fire frequency. The research used LiDAR technology to map millions of trees across the reserve, providing insights into ecosystem management and conservation.
Researchers found that coconut rhinoceros beetles were breeding in the crowns of coconut trees on Guam, with all life stages present. This unusual behavior is attributed to the loss of birds and rats due to brown treesnake predation, which normally feeds on larvae in this habitat.
New research shows that deciduous trees can increase resilience of river ecosystems by providing food for insects, which in turn support fish, birds, and bats. Trees also offer a cooling influence and an annual energy input through falling leaves.
A UMass Amherst study aims to create a market for locally sourced timber by using underused wood species in cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction. CLT's structural viability will be demonstrated, and computer models will be developed for advanced engineering analysis and design.
A new study found a significant decline in the growth rate of sugar maple trees in the Adirondack Mountains, raising concerns about the long-term health of northeastern ecosystems. The research suggests that factors such as acid rain, insect outbreaks, and late frost damage may contribute to this decline.
A new University of Iowa study found that tree planting in the Twin Cities region offsets only one percent of the area's carbon emissions. The research identified 'hotspots' where trees are scarce and carbon generation is high, suggesting targeted tree-planting efforts may help balance carbon supply and demand.
Researchers at Princeton University found that intense rainfall leads to a decrease in tree growth and an increase in grass growth on the African savanna. This is because trees struggle to utilize excess water, while grasses can absorb it quickly, giving them a competitive advantage.
A Stanford-led study assesses the health of yellow cedar trees in Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, revealing early signs of climate change-induced dieback. The research highlights the need for new conservation strategies that integrate ecological and social dimensions to safeguard species vulnerable to climate change.
Trees grown in contaminated soil exhibit enhanced defense mechanisms against pests, as genetic information from other organisms is expressed differently. This phenomenon enables trees to better fend off biotic stresses, potentially revolutionizing phytoremediation processes.
A recent study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that climbing vines are significantly reducing carbon storage in tropical forests by crowding out and killing trees. The researchers discovered that woody climbing plants, or lianas, substantially reduce forest-level carbon uptake and storage.
A new coffee tree species, Sommera cusucoana, has been discovered in the Critically Endangered Cusuco National Park in Honduras. The species was identified by a team of scientists led by Daniel Kelly and is characterized by its cream-colored flowers and cherry-like fruits.
Lianas slow tree growth and reduce aboveground carbon uptake by over three-quarters, threatening carbon storage capacity. This reduction can lead to a positive feedback loop, accelerating climate change.
A recent study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that woody vines, known as lianas, dramatically reduce tropical forests' ability to store carbon. By crowding out trees and killing them, lianas lead to reduced tree growth and increased tree death, resulting in a 76% decrease in above-ground biomass.
A new study by University of York academics reveals that green walls can lead to higher levels of ultrafine particles (UFPs) indoors due to the oxidation of outdoor plant species. This could have significant implications for indoor air quality, particularly in offices with high temperatures and pollution.
A new study suggests that atmospheric chemistry models in use now may not capture the right mix of compounds emitted from trees and their oxidation products. The researchers found that representing the forest as a single dominant tree species or a blend of a few can lead to inaccurate ozone pollution predictions.
A recent study published in Nature found that broadleaf tree species in Central Europe have shown a significant decline in their sensitivity to climate change. Leaf unfolding phenology, which is the timing of when leaves unfurl in spring, has advanced earlier by four days per degree Celsius increase in temperature between 1980 and 1994...