Articles tagged with Trees
A study by the US Forest Service and University of California, Santa Barbara found that warmer temperatures and reduced precipitation lead to lower tree fitness in southwestern US forests. This weakening of forest health has resulted in higher mortality rates from wildfires and bark beetle attacks.
A new study suggests that a 60-year drought like the one in the 12th Century could occur in the Southwest, with devastating impacts on ecosystems and water systems. The team analyzed past temperatures and droughts to identify plausible worst-case scenarios, highlighting the need for improved water management planning.
Researchers found elevated manganese levels in 20 of 21 soil samples from a ridge at Shale Hills Critical Zone Observatory, with 53% attributed to atmospheric deposition from industrial sources. The excess manganese can be toxic to trees and other vegetation, highlighting the legacy of past iron furnaces.
The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) emphasizes the need for a whole landscape approach in REDD+, considering land uses beyond forests to address deforestation drivers. This approach can help reduce problems like carbon leakage and improve forest governance.
A comprehensive study published in BioScience reveals over 455 insects and 16 pathogens are destroying forests across the US. Invasive species are predicted to continue threatening native ecosystems, with experts warning of a devastating impact on industries dependent on trees and plants.
Researchers found distinct genetic patterns in eastern and western jack pine populations, suggesting an isolated coastal refugium along the Atlantic coast during the Last Glacial Maximum. This discovery sheds light on how glaciers impacted present-day pine genetics and potentially influenced the distribution of other boreal species.
Scientists develop a new DNA technique to screen for natural resistance in crops affected by the honey fungus, a devastating disease of trees and shrubs. The technique allows for easy identification, measurement, and study of the fungus in a lab setting.
New study maps koala habitats using taste preferences, while ancient insects migrated to warmer climates in response to rising temperatures. Koalas prefer large trees with palatable leaves and avoid smaller unpalatable trees, highlighting the importance of habitat quality.
A recent study reveals significant variation in coumarin levels among Cassia cinnamon samples, with powder containing up to 63 times more coumarin than Ceylon cinnamon. Researchers highlight the need for further research to identify factors influencing coumarin levels and potentially allow for lower-coumarin harvesting.
A new study by the US Forest Service found that certain types of city trees can reduce property and violent crime rates. Large street trees were associated with lower crime rates, while numerous small yard trees may increase crime by blocking views.
A study suggests that plant stem cells derived from trees could be used to produce the anticancer compound paclitaxel at a low cost. This method avoids the use of mature trees and environmentally damaging by-products associated with current industrial manufacturing processes.
Researchers at the Missouri Botanical Garden have discovered a new genus of tree, Hondurodendron, which is endemic to Honduras and has unique characteristics. The genus was identified through morphological and molecular analysis, and its single species, Hondurodendron urceolatum, has a distinctive fruit resembling a guava.
The World Agroforestry Centre calls for a radical transformation in agriculture to address climate change, food security, and sustainability. Evergreen Agriculture promotes sustainable crop yields, carbon storage, and income generation through fertilizer trees integrated into farming systems.
A 55-million-year-old extinct mammal, Labidolemur kayi, has been found to share a common ancestor with rodents and primates. The study reveals minute details in the skull, including bone structures smaller than one-tenth of a millimeter, which provide valuable information for understanding the origin of primates.
Researchers have found that Labidolemur kayi shares similarities in bone features with other mammals, indicating its living relatives are rodents, rabbits, flying lemurs, tree shrews and primates. The study provides valuable information for understanding the origin of primates.
Researchers used DNA from century-old specimens to identify the passenger pigeon's closest living relatives, revealing a unique bird with a distinct place in the evolutionary history of pigeons and doves. The study found that the passenger pigeon was not closely related to the mourning dove as previously thought.
Researchers engineered E. coli bacteria to produce taxadiene, a precursor to the cancer drug Taxol, achieving 1,000 times more production than previous strains. The technique could bring down manufacturing costs and help discover new therapeutic compounds for cancer and other diseases.
Computational biologists at the University of Pennsylvania found that species diversification rates have typically decayed over time, suggesting a limit to species diversity. The study used phylogenies from various groups and found relatively little extinction in the evolutionary trees, contrasting with the fossil record.
A new species of parasitic wasp, Eurytoma erythrinae, has been released in Hawaii to combat the invasive Erythrina gall wasp, which harms endemic wiliwili trees. The parasite's high success rate has led to significant declines in tree damage.
A University of Florida study reveals that trees with sequential ant partners produce more offspring than those with lifelong associations. The research shows that even 'cheating' ants can be beneficial by causing trees to produce seeds before being killed, and another ant species defends the tree but later allows it to reproduce.
The Louisiana State University Agricultural Center has developed a new disease-resistant fig named 'Champagne', which outperforms other varieties in terms of fruiting characteristics. The fig produces distinctive yellow and gold-colored fruit and is resistant to defoliation caused by fig leaf rust and leaf spot.
Researchers have sequenced the genome of the Criollo variety of cacao tree, which is considered the finest chocolate-producing variety. The analysis identified key gene families that could enhance crop yields and provide protection against diseases.
Eric Lambin's research integrates remote satellite imagery with door-to-door interviews to understand the complex conditions giving rise to land-use challenges. He has uncovered the political, economic, and social forces driving deforestation and reforestation trends worldwide.
Scientists studied Scots Pine genes to discover they still harbor genetic variation from their continental ancestors, which could aid future populations' adaptation and survival under changing climate conditions. The research found Scottish pine tree populations are genetically diverse enough to cope with future change.
A new study found that ants play a crucial role in protecting tree cover in East African savannas from elephants. The researchers discovered that swarming groups of ants can repel elephants, preventing extensive damage to trees.
A new study reveals that tiny ants play a crucial role in protecting acacia trees from elephants in the African savanna. The findings suggest that swarming groups of ants can deter elephants, which prefer to eat ant-plants over their favorite tree food.
A special edition journal provides new perspectives and guidance for managing Cronartium ribicola, an introduced invasive pathogen causing serious damage to North American white pines. The collection of 12 articles synthesizes knowledge on the disease, identifies policy actions, and reviews future issues facing white pine management.
A pioneering project in North Korea has successfully implemented agroforestry systems on marginal sloping lands, increasing tree cover and crop diversity. The project has made a significant impact on people's lives, providing them with food, vitamins, and income through sustainable land management.
USDA scientists Jon Bates and Tony Svejcar found that burning cut juniper trees in winter helps protect native perennials from invasive cheatgrass. After 10 years, burned areas showed 1.5-2 times greater herbaceous and perennial grass cover than unburned areas.
A study found that fuel treatments can reduce fire severity and protect older trees desirable for their timber, wildlife, and carbon-storage value. The results showed nearly 60% of trees survived in stands with thinning plus fuel treatment, and three-quarters of larger trees survived.
Researchers found that long-lived aspen clones experience reduced sexual performance and increased risk of extinction with age. The study, published in PLOS Biology, used molecular clock estimates to determine the age of individual clones and measured male fertility.
USDA scientists create a new sustainable potting medium called WholeTree, made from thinned pine trees. The material can replace costly and time-consuming materials like peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite, reducing energy costs and environmental impact.
Certain tree species have developed strategies to select bacterial communities that can break down inorganic minerals into usable nutrients. This process, known as mineral weathering, is essential for tree growth in acidic forest soils.
Researchers reconstructed summer temperatures on the Kola Peninsula and found a rapid temperature rise since 1990, contradicting previous cooling trends. The data suggest that solar activity may have been a significant factor contributing to Arctic temperature fluctuations until 1970.
A University of Michigan biologist and a colleague at the University of California, Berkeley, found that shade-grown coffee farms support native bees that pollinate native trees and enhance genetic diversity. The study suggests that these bees play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity in tropical regions.
Researchers developed a system using Random Forests, Logistic Model Tree, and Neural Network to diagnose heart problems with high accuracy. The study used publicly available heart rate data and achieved a classification accuracy of 98.17%.
A new study published in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research journal reveals that cashew seed extract can improve the body's response to insulin, potentially treating diabetes. The investigation found that only cashew seed extract significantly stimulated blood sugar absorption by muscle cells.
The study reveals that a single squall line killed between 441 and 663 million trees across the Amazon basin, equivalent to 23% of annual carbon accumulation. The region near Manaus experienced up to 80% tree mortality in affected plots.
Researchers found that a new apple variety, Grand Gala, grows larger due to endoreduplication, where cells make copies of DNA but don't divide. The apples are about 38% heavier and have a diameter 15% larger than regular Galas.
A new study proposes that early hunters contributed to the demise of mammoths around 15,000 years ago, leading to a significant increase in birch trees and global warming. The researchers estimate that this event may have added up to 0.1 degrees Celsius to the planet's temperature over several centuries.
Alana Oldham and colleagues found that water stress, due to gravity's effect on the water column, drives leaf anatomy and morphology in redwoods. This reduces photosynthesis in the upper canopy, but increases water-stress tolerance traits below.
A massive study at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute found that rare species of trees are more sensitive to their own species neighbors than common species. This interaction plays a crucial role in determining which organisms thrive in tropical forests.
Research led by University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee scientists finds that soil-borne pathogens drive species diversity and explain patterns of tree abundance. The study's findings suggest that certain tree species are more susceptible to pathogens, which prevents rare species from becoming abundant.
Researchers found that adult trees harbor pests and diseases that harm seedlings of their own species more than others, leading to stabilizing mechanisms that maintain diversity. The study suggests that plant interactions with soil biota are powerful enough to explain co-existence and abundance patterns in tropical forests.
Researchers explore using forest biomass to develop green energy and chemicals, offering a carbon-neutral alternative to petroleum-based plastics. The potential for tree-based green chemicals to replace traditional bioplastics is significant, with eco-friendly benefits and reduced ecological impacts.
The world's oldest known fig wasp fossil has been discovered on the Isle of Wight, revealing that this tiny insect has remained virtually unchanged for over 34 million years. The fossil is almost identical to modern species, indicating a complex relationship between figs and their pollinators developed millions of years ago.
Researchers found that carnivores can track yearly differences in rowan fruit abundance and prefer the most productive trees. They also helped disperse seeds by picking up fallen fruit, suggesting a symbiotic relationship between carnivorous mammals and plants.
A team of researchers combined satellite data and lidar technology to accurately predict bird habitats. They ranked forest habitats as good, fair, or poor based on canopy structure, matching actual ground data 90% of the time.
A team of researchers, led by Naomi Levin of Johns Hopkins University, reexamined data from a 2009 study on the early human ancestor Ardi and found that its environment was likely a savanna, not a forest. This conclusion contradicts the 'savanna hypothesis', which proposes that the expansion of grasslands prompted humans to walk upright.
Seventy percent of Madagascar's species live in the forests where critically endangered rosewood trees are found. The Malagasy government lacks effective enforcement, allowing for lucrative illegal logging and tree trade with China.
Scientists argue that Ardipithecus ramidus, a human ancestor, lived in tree or bush savannas with 5-25% tree cover, not dense woodlands. The claim challenges the savanna hypothesis, which suggests that the expansion of savannas prompted the evolution of bipedalism.
Researchers used tree-ring data to reconstruct northwest Africa's climate history, finding frequent and severe droughts during the 13th-16th centuries and late 20th century. The region's 20th-century drying trend matches climate models' predictions, while regional drought patterns differ across Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia.
A Purdue University researcher used NASA satellite data and Google Earth to detect changes in North Korea's Mount Paekdu Biosphere Reserve, finding that up to 75% of the forest had been removed through extensive logging. This has raised concerns over biodiversity loss and habitat destruction in the region.
Researchers identified gibberellins as a key hormone family regulating tree root development and adaptation to changing soil conditions. Hormone suppression could help trees adapt to stress, and the findings have potential applications in biotechnology and selective breeding.
A new study by Carnegie Institution researchers found that CO2's direct effect on plants contributes to global warming, with evapotranspiration effects accounting for 16% of land surface warming globally. High carbon dioxide levels can lead to increased runoff and stronger climate predictions require considering plant responses.
A new guide from the USDA Forest Service provides a tool to calculate the benefits of urban trees in Northern California. The study found that large-stature trees produce the highest benefit-to-cost ratio and can provide $516,800 in benefits over 40 years.
Researchers from National Taiwan University evaluated the cooling effect of trees and bamboo in Taipei, finding that foliage density is key to reducing temperature. The study identified top species like Chinese elm and Rose wood for their high cooling effects, while others were less effective.
A study investigated transplanting practices during container production of lacebark elm, finding that planting at grade during initial production phase resulted in greater growth. Trees planted below or above grade showed reduced growth in subsequent phases, with those planted at or below grade performing better in the landscape.
Volunteers in Project BudBurst are tracking plant blooms across the US, providing a baseline for studying climate change impacts. Key findings include some plants blooming earlier than usual, which could be related to rising temperatures.
A study by Claire Williams found that long-distance dispersal of transgenic pine pollen is a potential problem due to its viability. Viable pine pollen was found as far as 2000 feet in the air and 25 miles offshore, with over 50% still germinating after drifting those distances.