Research on trees and their role in nature and cities. Covers forest conservation, tension wood, and the benefits of urban trees.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A new study by Oregon State University researchers found that the Swiss needle cast epidemic in Douglas-fir forests of the Pacific Northwest is intensifying, affecting hundreds of thousands of acres, and causing significant growth reduction, with older trees also being susceptible.
Research finds that long-distance pine pollen can travel up to 1800 miles and still germinate, making it difficult to prevent transgenic traits from spreading to wild counterparts. This has profound implications for the approval of genetically modified trees.
Scott Russell Sanders' essay 'Mind in the Forest' has won the John Burroughs Award for its thought-provoking exploration of human connection with nature. The essay, written during a USDA Forest Service writers' residence, was recognized for its exceptional literary value and ability to reveal qualities of the forest previously invisibl...
A new model suggests that certain forests become net carbon generators when defoliated, a shift that could impact climate change mitigation. The research uses computer simulations to estimate seasonal carbon exchange rates and find that deforestation can lead to a decline in carbon absorption by up to 25%.
University of Rhode Island researcher Navindra Seeram has discovered over 20 compounds in pure maple syrup with potential health benefits, including anti-cancer and anti-diabetic properties. The research found that these compounds are also present in the Acer family for the first time.
The HSBC Climate Partnership has made significant progress in understanding the effects of climate change on forest ecosystems and carbon storage. Researchers have found rapid increases in tree growth, proposed a novel biodiversity theory, and examined the impact of changing climate on white-tailed deer and mosquitoes.
Scientists reconstructed a 3,000-year fire history in the Giant Forest of Sequoia National Park using giant sequoia tree rings. The research found that the years from 800 to 1300 had the most frequent fires during this period, and that climate change may subject the trees to similar conditions again.
The CITES Standing Committee has given Peru a six-month deadline to address critical issues over the illegal mahogany trade, including implementing a computerized tracking system and harmonizing harvest and export quota systems. Failure to meet these requirements may result in suspension of mahogany exports from Peru.
Researchers decoded Orangutan long calls, discovering they convey individual identity and context. Females can distinguish between spontaneous and aroused calls, reacting differently to each. Long calls may serve to repel rivals or predators, a key finding that sheds light on Orangutan communication.
A low-cost water purification technique using Moringa oleifera seeds can reduce bacterial contamination by 90-99.99% in untreated water. This technique has the potential to improve access to clean drinking water for millions of people in developing countries.
Researchers found that tall palm trees with debris should be targeted for Chagas disease surveillance and control. They suggest simple environmental management practices like removing organic debris can reduce the risk of vector-human contact.
A new study finds that a pathogen, not climate change, killed the Monteverde golden toad. Researchers reconstructed moisture levels in the cloud forest over the last century and discovered that dry spells closely tracked El Niño events.
A study of over 226,000 trees reveals that species respond differently to environmental fluctuations, contrary to previous findings. This discovery sheds light on the coexistence of competing tree species and has implications for understanding invasive species invasions.
Mammals that spend most of their time in trees have longer lifespans than those on the ground, according to a new study. The researchers found that arboreality reduces extrinsic mortality, leading to longer lifespans.
A new study published in PNAS reveals that forests in the Eastern United States are growing at an accelerated rate of 2 tons per acre annually. This growth is attributed to rising CO2 levels, increased temperatures, and longer growing seasons. The findings suggest a significant response of ecosystems to climate change.
The Gishwati Area Conservation Program will fund reforestation of nearly 650 acres in Rwanda's Western Province. The expansion aims to stabilize steep hillsides, reduce erosion into the Sebeya River, and provide additional habitat for endangered chimpanzees.
A recent Oregon State University study found that forest fires consume only 1-3% of living trees' mass during fires, contrary to previous estimates. This reduction has significant implications for climate change mitigation strategies, with fire being a relatively minor player in greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers have found a yeast called Pichia anomala that can compete with unwanted mold Aspergillus flavus for nutrients and space, reducing aflatoxin contamination in tree nuts by up to 97%. The versatile yeast may also protect other crops from various microorganisms.
Researchers found that semi-arid forests can counteract global warming by absorbing and retaining heat, but this effect may be cancelled out by other processes. The 'air cooling' system in these forests efficiently reduces infrared radiation, leading to a net warming effect.
Yasuní National Park is home to an array of plant and animal groups, harboring extremely high numbers of animals and plants in small areas. The park's extraordinary diversity makes it a crucial area for sustaining biodiversity in the long term, with scientists recommending a moratorium on new oil exploration or development projects.
A recent study by Cornell University scientists reveals that trees have evolved to maximize photosynthetic capacity through a decrease in specific leaf area as they increase in size. This change is attributed to a developmental shift towards short-shoots, which produce leaves with smaller specific leaf areas than long-shoots.
A study by the University of Helsinki found that northern forests are unable to adapt to changing environmental conditions, with established trees' mortality promoting evolutionary adaptation. This means older trees will survive in a warmer climate but prevent genetically better adapted individuals from thriving.
A new University of Colorado at Boulder study finds that warmer climates may reduce the ability of subalpine forests to absorb carbon dioxide. The research suggests that these forests, which store an estimated 70% of the western United States' carbon sink, will be less effective in converting CO2 into biomass due to declining snowpacks.
A newly examined fossil of Miacis uintensis reveals that some early carnivores were built to walk on the ground at least part of the time. The analysis suggests that adaptations for terrestrial or semi-terrestrial locomotion were more common than previously suspected in early fossil carnivores.
Researchers found urban heat islands to be less intense in arid and semi-arid regions with more vegetation. The study used NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites to assess the impact of urbanization on energy balances at Earth's surface.
A new study published in Journal of Consumer Research reveals that scent significantly enhances recall of product information, with scented products remembered better than unscented ones. The researchers found that product scent is more effective at enhancing memory for product-related information than ambient scent.
A new analysis by the ASB Partnership reveals that a porous definition of forest in the REDD plan could lead to large areas of deforested landscapes being overlooked. The researchers propose broadening the plan to include all alterations to land cover that release or retain greenhouse gases.
Researchers found that grassland vegetation in both Switzerland and England improved its water storage potential as temperatures rose and CO2 levels increased. However, the effective water-use efficiency remained unchanged in Switzerland due to drier air, while a springtime increase was observed in England.
Researchers analyze genetic diversity of 280 individuals from Armenia and Georgia, comparing with results from Russia and Turkey. They establish a core collection of 27 trees capturing 93% of alleles, making M. orientalis more accessible for breeding and research communities.
A new study finds that elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide has boosted aspen growth rates by 50% in natural stands of quaking aspen. The accelerated growth could have widespread ecological consequences, particularly for slower-growing plant species.
Researchers in northern Canada analyzed tree rings for accurate past climate information, finding strong correlations between temperature data and carbon and oxygen isotopes. This new method reduces lab costs and allows for more affordable climate change research.
Researchers in Spain found that artificial refuges significantly improved reptile populations and diversity in Doñana National Park. The study suggests that landscape rehabilitation programs should prioritize the availability of refuges for wildlife.
A new study by U of T researchers reveals that forest trees use different drought response gene programs at different times of the day, not just in the middle of the day as previously thought. This critical finding has implications for conserving and breeding drought-resistant trees.
A recent study found that ancient high-altitude bristlecone pines in the western US are experiencing unprecedented growth rates due to rising temperatures. Trees growing near treeline, typically at elevations above 11,000 feet, showed wider annual growth rings from 1951 to 2000 compared to previous centuries.
Recent decades saw a significant increase in bristlecone pine growth, with wider rings than at any time in the last 3,700 years. The research suggests that warmer temperatures play a key role in this surge in growth, particularly for trees near treeline.
Scientists tracked the movement of pollen between African fig trees using genetic tests and field work. The research found that trees pollinated by similar insects can survive if isolated through deforestation due to their increased resistance to forest fragmentation.
A recent study published in HortScience has confirmed that a high diversity of historic apple genotypes remains in homestead orchards in the US Southwest. The research identified 144 genotypes, including 34 cultivars brought to the region by Stark Brothers Nursery and USDA agricultural experiment stations.
Researchers found that timber harvest has a negative effect on amphibians' later life cycles, causing them to die when they leave the pond, but has a positive impact on their aquatic larval stage, allowing them to grow and thrive in open areas.
Mechanical fruit thinning improves pecan yield and nut quality, leading to increased profit potential. The study found that thinned trees had a higher return crop value in the off-year, offsetting any loss in yield, resulting in overall increased profitability for 'Cape Fear' and 'Sumner' pecan varieties.
A new study investigates the effects of light intensity on pecan leaves throughout the growing season. The research found that shade leaves are less effective in assimilating CO2 than sun leaves, but maintain late-season photosynthetic capacity. This discovery may help commercial growers develop new canopy and crop management practices.
Researchers find that removing fruit from 'Pixie' mandarin trees reduces floral intensity of return bloom by inhibiting budbreak. Growers can investigate degrees of fruit thinning or pruning to mitigate alternate bearing, which is exacerbated by holding fruit on the tree to extend commercial harvest period.
Graduate student Scott Egan and his adviser Daniel Funk found that maple and willow leaf beetles diverging into two new species due to ecological habits promoting speciation. The study shows hybrids' lower fitness reduces genetic exchange opportunities between beetle types, pushing groups toward distinct species.
Researchers found that some trees promote fires to limit competition from better tree species, stabilizing savanna ecosystems. Savanna trees like longleaf pine shed needles, providing fuel for frequent low-intensity fires.
Researchers analyzed global warming's impact on four New World monkey species, finding a significant drop in their populations during climate fluctuations. The team used statistical models to investigate how food resources and tree responses related to temperature and rainfall patterns.
A new study suggests that global warming may lead to increased productivity in high-elevation forests of the Pacific Northwest, with potential increases of up to 500% in Washington. However, lower-elevation forests are expected to decline in growth due to drought stress and limited moisture.
Scientists discovered that early hominid Ardipithecus ramidus took its first steps towards bipedalism in a wooded landscape, not the open savanna. The discovery was made using carbon isotope analysis of soil and teeth, which revealed a diet rich in woodland and forest ecosystem.
Researchers studied tree stomatal density, guard cell length, and water use efficiency in 27 trees over a century. They found stomatal density declined while guard cell length increased, but intrinsic water use efficiency remained unchanged.
A team of Tennessee foresters, led by Stacy Clark, is working to reintroduce the American chestnut to eastern US forests. The goal is to create a blight-resistant tree that can thrive in its natural habitat, offering benefits for humans and wildlife.
Researchers at North Carolina State University are using phytoremediation to clean up a contaminated site in Elizabeth City, N.C. through the planting of fast-growing trees like hybrid poplars and willows. The process has shown promising results, with fuel levels decreasing faster than anticipated.
Researchers found that exotic eucalyptus and tropical ash plantations used significantly more water than native ohia trees, with rates of up to 2.5 times higher. The study emphasizes the need for land management plans to consider the water use of different ecosystems.