Articles tagged with Trees
Researchers discovered that ancestors of Volvox algae transitioned to multicellularity at least 200 million years ago. This finding provides insights into the evolution of complex life forms, highlighting the importance of cooperation among cells in overcoming conflicts that hinder collective growth and reproduction.
Research shows that coffee cultivation under shade trees can preserve forest plant and animal diversity in areas with deforestation. In contrast, growing coffee in forests leads to a decline in species richness of forest birds. This study highlights the importance of sustainable land use practices in conserving biodiversity.
Researchers found that tropical trees in undisturbed forests absorb 4.8 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, including an unknown carbon sink in Africa. This massive carbon sink has significant implications for climate change, with the potential to buffer global warming by substantially reducing atmospheric CO2 levels.
Researchers found that mechanical thinning increased fruit size by 9% compared to conventional hand-thinning or non-thinned control trees. The technology also reduced labor time by 50% while maintaining average fruit sizes within the desired range, offering economic benefits for growers.
Coatings made from plant extracts and vegetable oils significantly reduced lenticel breakdown (LB) in apples, with Malaga trees showing the most improvement after multiple applications. Researchers found that applying coatings three times before harvest was more effective than single treatments.
Researchers found that tree-dwelling lizards have a unique escape mechanism: dropping their tails to distract predators. Without their tails, the lizards tumble backwards uncontrollably, suggesting a significant ecological cost for this life-saving adaptation.
A team of researchers observed the sequential development of new species in fruit flies and parasitic wasps after introducing apples to North America. The modification of one species triggers the modification of a second, dependent species, demonstrating biodiversity as a source for new biodiversity.
A study by the USDA Forest Service found that aerial application of laminated flakes containing verbenone reduced mountain pine beetle attack rates by three-fold in California and Idaho. The technique could provide a large-scale solution to slow the spread of the beetles, which are devastating lodgepole pine stands across the West.
A comprehensive analysis confirms that Placozoans are the most primitive non-bilateral animals, with a genome that shares key tools for nervous system development. This challenges traditional views of animal evolution, placing Placozoans as the closest living surrogate to the ancestor of all animals.
Research by Northern Arizona University ties tree mortality to climate change, with a significant increase in death rates across the western US. The study, led by Phillip J. van Mantgem and Nathan L. Stephenson, analyzed long-term data from over 6,000 trees and found that regional warming is a key factor contributing to this trend.
A new report by Oregon State University finds that warmer climate and drought stress are causing a rapid increase in tree mortality across the West, with the Pacific Northwest hardest hit. This could lead to significant shifts in forest structure and function, including a 50% reduction in average tree age and size.
In the Pacific Northwest, tree mortality rates have doubled in 17 years, with older forests experiencing a faster rate of decline than younger forests. This increase is attributed to warming temperatures, which reduce snowpack, prolong droughts, and enable insects and diseases to flourish.
A new study has found that tree deaths in the West's old-growth forests have more than doubled in recent decades due to regional warming and related drought conditions. The research team measured tree deaths in all sizes at varying elevations, including tree types such as pine, fir, and hemlock.
Developed over 20 years through classical breeding techniques, WineCrisp boasts scab resistance and a pleasant flavor mix of sugar and acid, available now for licensing to nurseries, with potential market in the southeastern US and extended shelf life.
A recent study led by the U.S. Geological Survey found that tree death rates have more than doubled over the last few decades in old-growth forests of the western United States. The increase is widespread, affecting various forest types, elevations, and tree species.
Research suggests that increased carbon dioxide levels due to climate change could lead to a greater accumulation of mercury in soils, potentially slowing its release into water. However, this means that even with reduced emissions, the metal will remain a pollution source for an extended period.
A California study reveals that shade trees on west and south sides of homes can reduce electric bills by $25 annually. Trees planted within 40-60 feet of these sides generate similar energy savings due to shadow variations.
Researchers found shade coffee farms support widespread dispersal of native trees, preserving genetic diversity and sheltering native wildlife. The study highlights the ecological benefits of traditional agriculture in promoting biodiversity and connecting habitat patches.
Researchers Annemarie Surlykke and Elizabeth Kalko measured the volume of two 'whispering' bat species' calls, discovering they were actually shrieking at levels up to 110 decibels. The findings suggest that these bats use high-volume calls for echolocation in complex forest environments.
A meta-analysis of decades-long experimental evidence reveals that modern day concentrations of ground level ozone pollution are decreasing tree growth in northern and temperate mid-latitudes. The study predicts a 17% reduction in tree growth by the end of the century if current fossil fuel dependence continues.
The Tree Carbon Calculator provides quantifiable incentives for tree planting and stewardship projects. It calculates the dry weight of biomass that would be obtained if a tree were removed, offering a valuable resource for urban forestry efforts.
Researchers develop integrative models for movement of diverse organisms, integrating when, where, how, and why they move. These models accurately predict real events, such as tree seed dispersal by wind under various conditions.
A researcher has discovered a tool that can reveal hundreds of hidden meteorite craters using aerial forest surveys. The technology was tested on a crater near Whitecourt, Alberta, and shows great potential for finding more undiscovered sites globally.
The World Agroforestry Centre argues that existing technology can effectively monitor carbon storage in developing countries, potentially saving more carbon than closing 1,400 coal-burning power plants. Implementing carbon markets could generate $10 billion annually for rural poor communities.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are developing automated farming systems using sensors, autonomous vehicles, and data analysis to monitor tree health and crop status. The systems aim to provide growers with early warnings of diseases and insect infestations, as well as continuous updates on crop status.
Researchers found that urban tree roots can penetrate compacted subsoils, increasing infiltration rates by up to 153% in reservoirs. Structural soil reservoirs also showed a 27-fold increase in infiltration rate compared to unplanted controls.
Researchers studied the 'living fossil' tree species Symphonia globulifera, which contains genetic imprints of rain forests under climate change. The study reveals patterns in genetic diversity that suggest tropical forests responded differently to past climate conditions, with some populations persisting despite forest changes.
Researchers found that trees in the Yasuni forest use distinct strategies to survive, challenging the neutral theory of biodiversity. The study supports an alternative explanation that individual species characteristics play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity.
A CU-Boulder study reveals that diverse host species, such as gray tree frogs, can reduce the risk of parasitic infections and limb deformations in American toads. The research found that tadpoles raised with tree frog tadpoles had significantly lower infection rates than those without.
Beetles form a mutualistic relationship with bacteria to create an environment for their larvae, but this also allows the beetles to destroy pine forests. The discovery of a specific molecule that neutralizes pathogenic fungi could lead to new medicines for human infections.
Yale researchers have confirmed that plants with fast reproductive cycles exhibit more rapid rates of molecular evolution. Their study analyzed DNA sequence data for five major evolutionary lineages within flowering plants, revealing a clear pattern where shorter-lived species show greater variability in their rates of evolution.
Researchers are working to produce 'European-style' Christmas trees that meet public preferences for natural, open shapes with more space for ornaments. The use of advanced shearing techniques, such as the Top-Stop Nipper, shows promise for improving tree quality and marketability.
Researchers at MIT have developed a sensor system that harnesses electricity from trees to predict and prevent forest fires. The system, which uses off-the-shelf batteries slowly recharged by tree power, can transmit temperature and humidity data wirelessly, enabling early alerts and improved fire prediction models.
Studies across various species reveal that animals adjust their vocalizations to suit different social contexts, such as altering call duration and frequency in response to competition. This adaptability enables individuals to communicate effectively and navigate noisy environments.
Planting trees around poultry farms can reduce emissions of dust, ammonia, and odors by up to 56% and 53%. Trees also conserve energy, improve air quality, and filter pollutants from soil and groundwater.
A Duke University engineer and colleague have applied the constructal theory to explain how trees are designed for water flow and wind resistance. The resulting patterns and proportions match those of the Eiffel Tower, highlighting the interconnectedness of nature's flow systems.
Scientists predict that rare Amazon tree species could suffer up to 50% extinction rates, while common tree species may survive. The Amazon basin contains about 40% of the world's remaining rainforest, with many rare species present.
Inwood Hill Park faces challenges preserving native species due to human impact and invasive species proliferation. A collaborative research approach can help understand plant losses and address causes, ensuring the survival of future plantings.
Researchers discovered that the Douglas-fir tree's wood structure prevents water from being pulled any higher than 350 feet due to air bubble formation. At this height, trees experience drought-like conditions and struggle to transport water, limiting their growth.
A study confirms climate change is causing thousands of trees and shrubs to die in the Santa Rosa Mountains, with plant species moving up an average of 213 feet as their habitat shifts. This finding has implications for forest management, ruling out air pollution and fire suppression as main causes of plant death.
Researchers found that nearly 60% of tree species in Guam rely on native birds for seed dispersal, which could have significant impacts on forest ecosystems. The study suggests that the loss of native bird species due to invasive brown tree snakes may lead to reduced tree populations and altered ecosystem dynamics.
Tropical lianas are becoming more abundant with rising CO2 levels, potentially choking out trees. Lianas thrive during droughts, growing seven times faster than trees, raising questions about their role in forest dynamics.
Researchers created inexpensive blends of pheromones to detect and estimate the population size of invasive pest cerambycid beetles. They identified over 30 species and found reliable characteristics to determine if a new invader uses attractant pheromones.
Rising temperatures can lead to an increase in dry, desert-like conditions, affecting species' survival and natural resources. Climate change scientists warn that individual species indicate wider changes at the biome level, potentially altering ecosystem services for humans.
Researchers at the University of the Basque Country study plants' defence mechanisms to predict photo-oxidative stress. They discover antioxidants like vitamin E and carotenoids, which help protect plants from excessive light, and identify new cycles like the lutein epoxide cycle.
Using reclaimed wastewater for irrigation shows few detrimental effects on citrus trees, with improved appearance and fruit crop ratings. This sustainable practice reduces the need for groundwater withdrawal and minimizes environmental pollution.
Researchers found that olive varieties can thrive in moderate saline water irrigation, contrary to concerns about toxicity. The study showed significant differences in growth, yield, and oil parameters among tested cultivars.
The USDA Forest Service has named the tree-killing fungus responsible for 'laurel wilt', causing devastating disease in redbay and other laurel species. Lead author Tom Harrington and co-author Stephen Fraedrich unveiled the name, Raffaelea lauricola, after publishing an article in Mycotaxon journal.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered that submerged oak trees can store carbon for up to 14,000 years, significantly longer than trees in forests. This process reveals the importance of proper tree disposal and benefits of riparian forests in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers emphasize the importance of forest dynamics in understanding and predicting climate change, citing a need for improved forest modeling. New studies suggest that realistic forest models can significantly improve predictions of environmental change and help manage the world's forests.
Researchers surveyed 39 tree species and found nearly constant temperatures in leaf samples. This discovery challenges the assumption that leaf temperatures are equal to ambient air conditions, suggesting adaptations towards achieving optimal temperature for photosynthesis.
Researchers find that bark beetles' complex dynamics are influenced by tree spacing, local climate, and nearby conditions, leading to devastating forest outbreaks. Human activities like climate change can amplify these eruptions, causing significant economic losses and reducing forests' carbon absorption capabilities.
University of Michigan researchers are accelerating the natural process of succession by removing mature aspen and birch trees to measure future carbon uptake in a large-scale experiment. This will help determine how much heat-trapping carbon dioxide forests of the Upper Midwest can remove from the air in coming decades.
A new species of neotropical treefrog has been discovered that can reproduce both aquatic and terrestrial ways. Researchers found that this frog makes a behavioral decision to lay egg masses aquatically in a pond or terrestrially on overhanging plants, allowing it to avoid predators and extreme temperatures.
A team of 23 scientists examined the effects of controlled burns and forest thinning on western Ponderosa pine ecosystems. They found that tree growth increased after thinning, but with a single canopy layer, while controlled burns had little impact on large trees but harmed smaller ones.
A study by the USDA Forest Service found that Indianapolis street trees annually intercept 318.9 million gallons of rainfall, valued at $1.98 million, and reduce electricity use by over 6,447 megawatt hours, worth $432,000. The trees also improve air quality and increase property values.
A recent study in PLOS ONE investigates the loss of seed dispersal interactions on Mauritius and its impact on regeneration. The Janzen-Connell model suggests that seeds need to be dispersed away from adult trees, but many fleshy-fruited plant species lack crucial seed dispersal interactions.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a novel method for growing nanowires using spiral-shaped trees. By manipulating crystal defects, they create long, twisting trunks and spiraling branches. This discovery has significant implications for creating new materials with unique properties.
Researchers in Costa Rica have successfully restored a tropical rainforest ecosystem by planting mixed-species tree plantations on worn-out pasture land. The project, led by Carl Leopold, has shown promising results, with native species and fungi helping to control erosion and support growth.
USDA scientists have developed a method to grow high-value koa trees faster while maintaining biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and scenic beauty in native Hawaiian forests. The study's findings show that low-impact silvicultural treatments increase wood production without harming native understory vegetation or bird habitats.