Articles tagged with Trees
Researchers introduced a new computer-based model, L-PEACH-d, to simulate peach tree growth and optimize horticultural practices. The model integrates concepts of carbon assimilation, distribution, and use in trees.
A Yale-led team found that deforestation in northern latitudes has a net cooling effect due to increased albedo from snow cover and reduced absorption of solar radiation. Temperatures decrease by an average of 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit north of Minnesota.
Researchers discovered a surprising link between deforestation and temperature changes, finding that areas north of 45 degrees latitude experience cooling effects due to increased albedo. However, this effect is not observed at lower latitudes, where deforestation may actually contribute to warming.
A new study found that trees at the edge of Alaska's tundra are growing faster due to a hotter climate, suggesting some forests may be adapting. The added growth is helping the trees thrive in this region, which has experienced rapid warming.
A growing body of evidence shows that man-made noise is bad for birds, particularly bigger birds with low-frequency songs. These species may be forced out of noisy sites because they can't hear each other over the din.
Researchers have made a fundamental discovery about enzymes, revealing that flexibility is an essential feature of enzyme function. This finding has significant implications for improving the efficiency of enzymatic processes and developing new treatments for diseases such as AIDS.
Researchers from the University of Arizona have discovered a long-lost megadrought in the southwestern US during the second century AD, lasting nearly 50 years. The study, using tree-ring analysis, reveals a previously unknown drought period that had significant implications for regional climate and water resources.
Scientists have discovered that human activities are perturbing the nitrogen cycle in tropical forests, leading to an increase in nitrogen levels. This finding has significant implications for tree communities and global change models.
A massive shift in tree species is underway across the Western United States due to climate change, with many native species declining or disappearing and opportunistic newcomers replacing them. The research identifies areas where forests will change composition, with some regions shifting into grasslands or deserts.
A new Duke University-led study reveals that more than half of eastern US tree species are not adapting to climate change as quickly or consistently as predicted. The research found that nearly 59% of the species examined showed signs of range contraction, while only 21% appeared to be shifting northward.
A decline of 60% in marten detection rates in California's Sierra Nevada mountains may be attributed to habitat fragmentation and loss due to logging. The study suggests preserving marten habitat, which benefits other species thriving in old forests at high elevations.
Fertilizer trees have been adopted by hundreds of thousands of smallholder farmers in Southern Africa, resulting in doubling of maize yields and significant increases in incomes and food security. The trees' natural ability to draw nitrogen from the air improves water efficiency and reduces soil erosion.
A new study documents the rapid adoption of fertilizer trees by smallholder farmers in southern Africa, leading to significant increases in maize yields and incomes. The approach has improved water efficiency and reduced soil erosion, offering a potential solution to food crises on the continent.
A 12-year study found that future forests can grow faster under elevated carbon dioxide levels, outpacing assumptions of reduced growth due to climate change. The increased growth is sustained by enhanced soil nitrogen cycling and a greater ability for trees to absorb nitrogen from the soil.
A University of Guelph study shows that gray jays relying on cached food for survival must store it in trees with specific characteristics, such as coniferous species. This crucial cache is vital not only for overwinter survival but also successful reproduction in the Canadian boreal forest.
A new study shows that trees in London's urban areas remove between 850 to 2000 tonnes of particulate pollution from the air every year. This research uses a prediction model to estimate future air quality and suggests that targeted tree planting and a mix of evergreen species can maximize benefits.
Despite maintaining a forest's physical appearance, its ecological, economic and cultural values can still be lost due to changes in structure and biodiversity. Researchers warn that traditional forestry practices, such as clear-cutting, can lead to the disappearance of critical forest structures and stages.
Researchers have created a large DNA matrix representing 99% of mammalian families, providing a robust framework for understanding evolutionary history and classification. The study reveals key diversification events in response to environmental changes, including the Cretaceous-Tertiary Mass extinction.
The African Orphan Crops consortium will work with African scientists to identify and breed nutrient-rich food crops, addressing malnutrition and food shortages. The $40 million initiative will also establish the African Plant Breeding Academy in Ghana, training local plant breeders to adopt advanced breeding approaches.
Restoring forests and planting trees on farms can greatly improve food security by providing a source of income, food, and fuel for households. In dryland areas like the Horn of Africa, forests serve as a crucial defense against poverty and provide critical sources of moisture and nutrients in the soil.
Researchers have identified a specific viral gene responsible for manipulating the behavior of infected European gypsy moth caterpillars, causing them to climb high into trees and die. This phenomenon, known as Wipfelkrankheit, offers a new insight into how viruses can influence host behavior.
Researchers at UC Riverside suggest controlling firewood movement can contain the goldspotted oak borer invasion, which has killed over 80,000 oak trees. The beetles, native to Arizona, likely traveled on infested firewood, targeting coast live oaks and other species with no natural resistance.
A study published in Phytopathology identifies California as the source of the devastating tree-killing fungus Seiridium cardinale. The pathogen has infected and killed up to 95% of native trees worldwide, including junipers and cedars.
A study by UC Davis researchers suggests that forest trees can tap into nitrogen in rocks, increasing their growth and ability to pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This discovery could significantly affect how rapidly the earth will warm in the future.
The Asian longhorned beetle has already spread to nearby forests in Worcester, Mass., posing a threat to the region's forests. The beetle disproportionately attacks large maple trees, including red and sugar maples, which are vital to New England's iconic landscape.
A team of ecologists led by Ohio State University researchers found that younger, more diverse tree species are replacing aging aspens in the region's forests. These newer trees have higher light-use efficiency and can continue to store carbon, offsetting greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study suggests that aggressive tree-killing fungi, relatives of modern plant pathogens, played a key role in the demise of ancient conifer forests. The researchers propose that these fungi were triggered by global climate change and contributed to widespread tree mortality during the end-Permian crisis.
Scientists used chemical isotopes to measure tree cover and shade in ancient soil, finding that grassy savannas were prevalent at most East African sites where human ancestors evolved. The study suggests that hominins partitioned their time between open and closed habitats, with sparse woody canopy providing essential resources.
Scientists used ancient soil to measure prehistoric tree cover and found that grassy, tree-dotted savannas prevailed for over 6 million years in eastern Africa. This discovery contradicts previous theories suggesting a shift towards forested environments during human evolution.
A team of scientists tracked the movements of toucans carrying seeds from a nutmeg tree, revealing that birds disperse seeds most effectively in the morning. The data created a map of the relative patterns and distances of seed dispersal, providing new insights into plant ecology.
A study by Rice University biologist Evan Siemann and colleagues found that the invasive Chinese tallow tree was not introduced to the US by Ben Franklin. The genetic evidence suggests that the trees originated from eastern China, with a faster growth rate in the US than their Chinese counterparts.
Researchers tracked Malayan colugos using accelerometer packs and found they glide to save time, but not energy. The animals cover long distances gliding, which helps them forage more efficiently and protects them from predators.
Research in southern Norway found that sheep browsing had a significant impact on tree ring widths, with temperatures still visible in the records. The study highlights the importance of considering herbivore densities when estimating past climatic conditions.
Researchers found that Pacific Northwest conifers face significant water stress during winter due to freeze-thaw cycles, which disrupts water flow. This challenges the conventional view of summer as the most stressful season for these trees.
Researchers found that age-related changes in attention and Gestalt perception hinder older adults' ability to focus on global patterns. The study provides evidence of correlations between healthy aging and declines in visual perception, offering insights into cognitive domains interacting during aging.
Researchers discovered that trees in Chilean forests relying on hoverflies for pollination fare better when separated by resource-poor pine plantations than by agricultural lands. The 'Circe Principle' explains how abundant resources can slow or prevent pollinator movement, challenging existing conservation models.
A University of Vermont scientist has developed a bio-pesticide using an insect-killing fungus and sweet whey to reduce the growth rate of hemlock woolly adelgid. The treatment showed promising results in trials, with a 50% reduction in pest population in infested trees.
The MIT model takes basic meteorological data and computes how tall a tree is likely to grow under those conditions. The team's results have been published in PLoS One and match up well with actual measurements from the US Forest Service, except for two geographic regions: the arid Southwest and parts of New England.
Researchers analyze structure and physiology of trees as they grow, revealing how older, larger trees respond to environmental changes like CO2 levels and drought. The study sheds light on how these changes affect tree species distributions as the climate shifts.
A subset of fungus-farming ambrosia beetles is in the early stages of a global epidemic threatening economically important tree species. The beetles kill trees by triggering a strong immune response from the tree's own system, causing it to die of thirst.
Researchers found that genetically identical trees grew differently in response to drought conditions depending on their nursery origin. This study reveals a form of molecular 'memory' where trees retain information about their past experiences, influencing their behavior in the environment.
A new study reveals that urban vegetation in Leicester stores 231,000 tonnes of carbon, equivalent to 3.16 kg C per square metre of the city. Planting more trees, particularly large ones, could increase this pool by 12%.
A University of Alberta study found that climate change has pushed the province's native wildflowers and trees into earlier blooming times, making them more vulnerable to frost damage. The average winter monthly temperature increased by 5.3 degrees Celsius over 70 years, with bloom dates advancing two weeks for early spring species
A UBC study found that over 75% of tree holes used by birds and mammals worldwide are created by damage and decay, emphasizing the importance of preserving older, larger trees. This contrasts with North American forests where woodpeckers dominate hole creation.
Researchers found that root grafting between individual jack pine trees increased radial growth rates and allowed for the sharing of resources such as water, photosynthates, and nutrients. This cooperative behavior challenges the traditional view of trees as competitors and suggests a new strategy for tree interactions.
A CU-Boulder study indicates that mountain pine beetle infestations could lead to earlier snowmelt and increased water yields. The research found that dead trees with red needles accumulated more snow than living stands, while those with gray phase trees melted faster due to reduced snow interception and increased solar radiation.
A new study reveals that bacteria living in mosses on tree branches contribute to nutrient dynamics, sustaining the long-term productivity of coastal temperate rainforests. Large, ancient trees provide habitat for mosses and cyanobacteria, which fix nitrogen and fertilize the forest.
A new forest simulation model helps researchers understand the effects of timber-friendly hardwood regeneration on songbird habitats in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The study found that regeneration in harvest gaps is crucial for forest managers to have choices, with sugar maple regeneration having a significant impact on bird habitat.
A MBL study found that warming causes more nitrogen to become available to trees, allowing them to grow faster and store more carbon. This is a positive effect on carbon storage, but the overall impact of global warming on forest ecosystems will also depend on other factors such as water availability and atmospheric CO2 concentration
A study found that earlier springs can enhance xylem growth in black spruce, but colder summers can negate this effect. The research suggests that the amplitude of summer warming temperatures plays a crucial role in wood production.
The Eucalyptus grandis genome sequence provides a blueprint for efficient breeding programs, disease resistance, and wood quality improvement. Researchers aim to replace fossil fuels with biofuels and other alternative energy sources using cellulose-rich plants like eucalyptus trees.
African nations participated in a workshop to document the status of forest genetic resources, essential for conserving and sustainably managing forests. The project aims to cover over 3,000 species and gather comprehensive data on genetic diversity before it is lost forever.
A study in Michigan's Upper Peninsula reveals that deer are outcompeting saplings for resources, hindering regeneration of sugar maple trees. The research suggests a trade-off between deer populations and timber harvesting, with areas in the south facing severe sapling shortages.
Scientists discovered that ancient rainforests had more veins per unit area in leaves of flowering plants, allowing for increased water availability and carbon capture. This finding suggests that improved plumbing systems in these plants contributed to the evolution of modern rainforest ecosystems.
A University of Maryland study suggests that engaging in environmental stewardship activities like tree planting can lead to increased civic engagement. The research found that volunteers involved in the MillionTreesNYC project were more likely to be civically active than their peers.
The article reports on audio recordings of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker captured by Dr. Michael Collins, which match historical descriptions. The footage shows characteristics consistent with the species, including a large crest and rared-back posture.
Researchers found tiger-parrots occupy a unique spot on the parrot evolutionary tree, contradicting long-held assumptions about their relationships. This discovery sheds light on the bigger picture of parrot evolution in Australia and New Guinea.
The new citrus variety KinnowLS developed at UC Riverside is extremely sweet, juicy, and visually appealing, with only 2-3 seeds per fruit. This breakthrough variety has the potential to revolutionize citrus production in India and Pakistan, where it can be grown in hot climates.
Researchers have identified a macrocyclic lactone compound that female emerald ash borers release while feeding, attracting male borers. This discovery has the potential to improve traps for monitoring and controlling the tree-killing beetle.
An epidemiological study on trees reveals earlier spring warming and summer drought as significant risk factors for tree reproduction and survival. The study helps scientists predict which species are vulnerable to climate change by analyzing the effects of climate variability on tree growth and fecundity.