Research on trees and their role in nature and cities. Covers forest conservation, tension wood, and the benefits of urban trees.
A recent study by George Washington University Professor Amy Zanne found that plants worldwide are operating at their safety threshold for drought, making forests vulnerable to environmental stress. The research reveals that while plants vary in drought resistance, they share similar hydraulic safety thresholds across all forest types.
Researchers at the US Department of Agriculture have developed a deficit-irrigation strategy for early-season peaches, which reduces post-harvest water levels by 25% without significantly affecting next year's yield. The study also found that subsurface drip irrigation systems had minimal effects on yield and fruit quality.
Scientists at Queen Mary University of London have sequenced the genetic code of a dwarf birch tree, a species crucial to British conservation. The decoded genome will aid in understanding disease resistance and growth shape, helping protect against the bronze birch borer pest threatening UK birch populations.
The North American Oak Skeletonizer has invaded Europe on planted Northern Red Oaks since 1989. The moth's arrival is attributed to air transport of cocoons from NATO aircraft, leading to the discovery of this previously unknown species in Europe.
A new study published in Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology found that male grey tree frogs increase their courtship calls when they can see a female approaching. The research, led by Dr. Michael Reichert, suggests that visual cues play a crucial role in attracting mates in nocturnal anurans.
Researchers found that warmer springs are causing trees to leaf out earlier, threatening tree species like yellow birch and sugar maple. This altered landscape can lead to changes in wildlife populations, including deer replacing moose in the ecosystem.
Climate change, fire suppression, and invasive species are threatening mountain meadows in the Pacific Northwest. These ecosystems, once carpeted with grasses, shrubs, and wildflowers, are declining rapidly, with some areas experiencing a 35% increase in tree occupation over just 57 years.
The article assesses Australia's giant eucalyptus trees' classification as rainforest species, sparked by their unique relationship with fire. The study finds that despite being dependent on fire for regeneration, these trees coexist on the margins of rainforests and should be considered part of the ecosystem.
Researchers have created the most comprehensive family tree for birds, revealing recent and rapid diversification across nearly 10,000 species. Analysis shows that bird diversity has increased over the past 50 million years, with groups in northern North America and Eurasia exhibiting intense recent diversification.
A new study found that over 60% of western aspen trees in Utah and Colorado are triploid, with this genetic anomaly causing altered physical traits such as sterility or reduced fertility. The researchers also discovered a correlation between triploidy rates and regional climate variation.
The UK Government has imposed a ban on importing foreign ash trees due to the risk of fungal disease Chalara. Researchers argue that the nursery trade and plant buying public need to be more aware of biosecurity risks, and that public debate is needed to establish tougher international regulation.
A 20-year study at Harvard Forest Long-Term Ecological Research site reveals that leaving storm-damaged trees intact allows native plants and wildlife to thrive. The forest recovers naturally, with original conditions recovering more readily than after salvage logging.
A University of Tennessee study suggests recent droughts may be the new normal, posing significant threats to the nation's forests. The researchers found that the US has experienced several mega-droughts in the last 1,000 years, and projections indicate worsening drought and increased tree mortality by 2050.
A 12-year-long study by ICRAF reveals that combining legume trees with maize fields increases yield stability and reduces fertilizer use. This sustainable solution helps farmers cope with droughts and degraded soils, producing consistent and relatively high yields year after year.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have found that fox squirrels engage in a long-term savings strategy by diversifying their nut storage, with some nuts hidden up to 100 meters away. By studying this behavior, the team aims to understand how squirrels remember where they hide their nuts and develop insights into human decision-making.
A Yale University study found that most Northern conifer species emerged within the past 5 million years, with mountainous environments driving the formation of new species. The researchers also discovered significant differences in conifer evolutionary dynamics between the Southern and Northern Hemispheres.
USDA scientists are working to minimize the threat of Laurel wilt disease caused by the fungus Raffaelea lauricola, vectored by the redbay ambrosia beetle. Chemical attractants for beetle traps and fungicides to slow disease spread have been developed.
Researchers found that warmer temperatures and increased atmospheric evaporative demand will lead to widespread tree mortality and changes in forest distributions. The study used a 'Forest Drought Stress Index' to estimate annual regional tree-growth variability with exceptional accuracy.
The study reveals that southwestern forests face significant challenges due to climate change, including increased drought stress and mortality. The researchers developed a Forest Drought-Stress Index that shows a strong correlation with tree growth, death from drought, and area burned by forest fires.
Researchers have developed semi-dwarf trees through genetic modification, which can improve wood production, biomass production, branching, water-use efficiency, and root structure. The modified trees can also be more resistant to drought stress and better sequester carbon.
Researchers propose a new way to restore Africa's depleted soils through 'perenniation,' which combines food crops with trees and perennial plants, reducing the need for artificial inputs and improving soil health.
Researchers at UCSB and colleagues found that diagrams with a diagonal tree extending from left to right tend to be more easily accessible, leading to increased accuracy in comprehension. The study suggests that diagrams should be angled downward for better understanding.
A study led by Rice University found that the Pacific island of Guam has a staggering 40 times more spiders than neighboring islands due to the loss of forest birds caused by the invasive brown treesnake. The loss of birds, which consume spiders and compete with them for insects, has led to an increase in spider populations.
Researchers found that Western scrub jays gather around a dead bird's body and call loudly, attracting other birds to join in. The purpose of this behavior is unclear, but it may serve as a warning system or teach young jays about dangers.
Researchers found that droughts exacerbated by warming temperatures are causing plants to experience stressful growing conditions, especially in low to middle elevations. The study used a growing season index to model and map potential plant responses to droughts under past, present, and future conditions.
A new analysis examines the effects of widespread forest die-offs on ecosystem processes, species diversity, and human services such as water purification and real-estate property values. The study highlights the need for a multidisciplinary approach to understand the complex consequences of climate-driven forest mortality.
A study found that natural regeneration accounts for two-thirds of urban trees, but newly established young trees are less likely to be planted, with rates ranging from 1 in 12 to 1 in 20. The proportion of naturally regenerated trees is higher in grassland or desert regions and decreases in forested areas.
The Neolithic Age saw a direct connection between the development of an agricultural society and the emergence of sophisticated carpentry. Archaeological evidence suggests that as humans transitioned from hunter-gatherers to farmers, they also developed heavier axes and woodworking tools capable of felling trees.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University reveals that biogenic particles formed from pine tree emissions are chemically transformed by free radicals, altering their properties and concentrations. This finding can help improve climate and air quality prediction models and enable regulatory agencies to make more effective decisions.
Researchers at Yale University have discovered that diseased trees in forests can produce massive amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The estimated emission rate from an upland site is equivalent to burning 40 gallons of gasoline per hectare of forest per year.
The US Forest Service study found that New Hampshire has the highest percent tree cover (89%) and Connecticut has the highest urban tree cover (67%). Urban forestry is essential for sustaining urban forests, which provide environmental benefits such as air pollution reduction and heat island mitigation.
Scientists used airborne 3-D mapping to quantify tree losses across Kruger National Park, finding that elephants are primary agents of tree loss. The study highlights the challenges faced by conservation managers and provides valuable insights for improving savanna management practices.
Researchers studying live oaks in eastern North America aim to understand how trees adapted to climate change during glacial periods. They believe that genetic changes, rather than extensive morphological alterations, allowed oaks to migrate and thrive in colder climates.
Research reveals invasive scale insect Aulacaspis yasumatsui causes near-total mortality in Cycas micronesica, highlighting critical importance of empirical studies for conservation efforts.
Researchers found that moths search for a spot to rest and adjust their body orientation to become nearly invisible to birds. The insects' behavior suggests they have an active choice of a resting spot that makes them visually camouflaged.
A recent study published in Nature highlights the challenges facing tropical protected areas, but also shows that long-term engagement with conservation can have positive results. Conservation efforts in Tanzania's Udzungwa mountains have paid dividends, with the reserve remaining relatively unchanged from a biodiversity point of view.
Research suggests that active management of forest lands in high-fire-risk areas can improve forest health and reduce the threat to the northern spotted owl. The study found that over a long-term period, managing sites with high fire hazard would be more favorable for spotted owl conservation.
Researchers discover high genetic diversity in lichens growing on trees in Norway's boreal rainforests, challenging assumptions about species' ability to spread and survive. The findings suggest that even in small fragments of habitat, genetic material can be exchanged between neighboring populations.
Amanita mushroom evolution shifts from decomposing to symbiotic tree relationships, resulting in lost genetic capacity, according to Harvard researchers. The study reveals the transition came at a steep price, with genes associated with breaking down cellulose being sacrificed.
The US Department of the Navy has initiated a project to conserve the fadang tree species in Guam, with over 90% of trees killed by invasive insects. The partnership between the Navy and University of Guam aims to develop strategies for successful cycad transplantation and conservation.
Researchers have developed a simple, low-cost method to synthesize silver nanoparticles using strawberry tree leaf extract. The technique allows for control over nanoparticle size and geometry, resulting in stable particles that remain effective for up to 6 months.
A University of Illinois researcher is testing a new model for conservation that involves raising awareness among private landowners about invasive species and providing strategies for moderate livestock grazing and controlled burns. The goal is to promote the growth of native wildlife habitats in the Grand River Grasslands, which has ...
Researchers from Germany, Finland, and beyond create a high-resolution temperature reconstruction of the Roman and Medieval Warm periods, revealing a previously unseen long-term cooling trend. The study, published in Nature Climate Change, suggests that this cooling trend may have been underestimated by previous climate reconstructions.
Researchers used human parkour athletes to simulate orangutan movements and found that swaying is the most efficient way to cross trees. This finding helps explain why orangutans spend most of their lives in trees despite their large size and low-energy diet.
A massive die-off of pinyon pine and juniper trees in the Southwest threatens to unleash devastating soil erosion and exacerbate water scarcity in the Colorado River basin. The trees' loss is expected to lead to increased dust storms, melting snowpacks, and reduced river flows.
Researchers found that mesquite biomass can be a viable option for bioenergy use, with the potential to offset higher harvest and transport costs. The study estimated costs of delivered biomass at $347-561 per acre, depending on the density and harvesting scenario.
Researchers found that neurons follow a simple pattern described by a power law, which explains their tree-like shape and efficient wiring. This pattern is supported by the growth of newborn olfactory neurons in the adult brain.
Zacharie Tchoundjeu, a forestry conservationist in Cameroon, and Martha Ruiz Corzo, an environmental activist in Mexico, win the National Geographic/Buffett Award. They are recognized for their outstanding work in conservation and community-based management of protected areas.
Scientists will analyze satellite pictures, airplane data, and tree core samples to determine how trees respond to longer growing seasons. This study aims to understand whether faster-growing trees are taking more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, a positive factor in combating global warming.
Retention forestry is a management practice that deliberately leaves selected trees standing during harvesting, reducing ecological simplification and preserving natural forest complexity. It brings benefits such as maintaining ecosystem services, increasing public acceptance, and ensuring habitat continuity.
Researchers will create an open, dynamic evolutionary framework to continuously update the tree of life, incorporating new biodiversity data. Computational tools will enable scientists to visualize and analyze the entire tree, facilitating comparative biology research and discovery of new medicines.
A recent report synthesizes published studies on the impact of bark beetles on wildfires, revealing that tree mortality can indeed affect fuels and fire behavior. However, the extent of these effects depends on various factors, including the time since the outbreak and the type of fuel or fire characteristic being studied.
A new study finds that bark beetles infesting pine trees can release up to 20 times more VOCs, contributing to haze and air pollution in forested areas. This could harm human health, reduce visibility, and affect climate.
A new study found that beetle-infested pine trees release up to 20 times more VOCs than healthy trees, contributing to haze and air pollution. The research suggests that the bark beetle epidemic could lead to higher monoterpene concentrations in the air, harming human health and impacting climate.
A team of scientists, including U-M's Stephen Smith, will attempt to complete the first rough draft of the entire tree of life in a three-year project. The Open Tree of Life project aims to enable scientists to interpret evolution patterns and predict responses to environmental change.
A team of Indiana University biologists has shown that species diversity is maintained on a spatial scale of unparalleled scope due to the survival of tree seedlings under their own parents. This discovery highlights the role of conspecific negative density dependence in driving diversity from boreal forests to sub-tropical forests.
A team from CREAF has analysed the ages of famous olive trees and found one that is 627 years old, much younger than previously thought. This study used classic dendrochronology methods and can also be useful for reconstructing climatic conditions.
A new study reveals that just a handful of heavyweight trees per acre are responsible for nearly half the biomass in a temperate forest, highlighting their crucial role in photosynthesis and carbon sequestration. The research found that these large trees can dominate even when dead, with snags accounting for 60% of total biomass.
Participatory agroforestry has restored land and secured the food supply in DPR Korea, increasing tree cover and productivity. The user groups' involvement and rights-to-use agreements contributed to the project's success.
Three new rootstocks, Zentmyer, Steddom, and Uzi, have demonstrated superior tolerance to Phytophthora root rot (PRR), a devastating disease affecting avocado production globally. The rootstocks offer improved yields and salt tolerance, enabling growers to manage PRR effectively.