Articles tagged with Trees
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.
The genetic code of the Laccaria bicolor fungus has been fully sequenced, revealing new insights into its symbiotic relationship with trees. The study identifies key genes that facilitate nutrient uptake and protect against parasites, while also enabling communication between the fungus and tree.
The Laccaria genome analysis provides insights into plant health, biomass production, and carbon sequestration through mycorrhizal fungi symbiosis. The research enables optimized conditions for biomass plantations and improves forest ecosystems.
A Brown-led study uses genomics tools to reorganize the animal phylogenomic research project, clarifying relationships between major groups and offering surprises. Comb jellyfish diverged from other animals even before sponges, questioning the root of the animal tree.
Invasive tree species are changing the basic ecological structure of Hawaiian rainforests, making them less hospitable to native plant and animal species. The impact is evident in denser canopies, altered soil fertility, and suppressed understory plants.
The latest guide from USDA Forest Service highlights energy conservation as the most significant benefit of urban trees in temperate interior West. A mature hardwood tree can bring annual savings of $40 in electricity and $15 in heating costs, while reducing power plant emissions.
The winners of the 2008 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books include four children’s science picture book authors and illustrator, and three young adult science book authors. The prize promotes science literacy by recognizing authors who convey the excitement of science in ways that engage young minds.
A team of researchers used miniature backpacks with accelerometers to study the gliding behavior of Southeast Asian colugos, also known as flying lemurs. The findings show that colugos push off from trees more forcefully for long jumps but quickly reach terminal velocity and land with reduced impact forces.
A study found that elephants' browsing activities create hiding places and twisted crevices in trees, which boost lizard densities. The research suggests that elephants play a crucial role in shaping the ecosystem, particularly in African wildlife refuges.
Researchers at UBC have discovered genetic secrets that enable trees to fight off pests and disease, allowing for the development of breeding programs to repel insects like mountain pine beetles. The study's findings have important implications for the long-term health and sustainability of forests.
Researchers are using transgenic poplars to remove pollutants from a contaminated site in north-central Indiana. The trees have been shown to absorb and break down contaminants such as trichloroethylene, making them a promising solution for phytoremediation.
A new study reveals that large numbers of modern-day beetle lineages evolved soon after the first beetles originated and have persisted ever since. The team used DNA sequencing and fossil records to compile an evolutionary family tree for beetles, showing that many species pre-date the appearance of flowering plants.
A comprehensive study finds that climate change could lead to significant shifts in North American tree ranges, with potential decreases of up to 58% if species cannot disperse. The research used an extensive data-gathering effort and simulated two climate change scenarios.
The University of Arizona's Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research will receive a $9M donation from Agnese N. Haury to build a new archive for its vast collection of over two million tree-ring samples, providing access to data on climate change and environmental issues. The lab has been instrumental in unlocking mysteries in archaeology, eco...
A study by Indiana University researchers found Dechlorane Plus, a chlorinated flame retardant, in tree bark across the northeastern US, with highest concentrations near the Niagara Falls factory. Tree bark can serve as a natural passive sampling device to detect airborne chemicals.
Hurricane Katrina's impact on Gulf Coast forests can cancel out a year's worth of new tree growth in other parts of the country. The study found that 320 million trees were killed or severely damaged, releasing significant amounts of carbon into the atmosphere.
A NASA study found that Hurricane Katrina killed or severely damaged 320 million trees in Gulf Coast forests, weakening their ability to store carbon from the atmosphere. This has led to these forests releasing large quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, potentially amplifying climate warming.
Researchers found that the earliest birds primarily made their livings on the ground rather than in trees. By analyzing toe claws of 249 species and fossilized ancestors, they concluded that early birds foraged predominantly on the ground.
A new study by Penn State University finds that colugos, also known as flying lemurs, are the closest living relatives of primates. The researchers used molecular and genomic data to analyze the evolutionary relationships among three groups: primates, colugos, and tree shrews.
Researchers studying burrowing mammals, such as moles and mole rats, have discovered unique adaptations that enable them to dig efficiently in rocky soils. Convergent evolution plays a key role in the development of these specialized features, allowing these mammals to thrive in challenging environments.
Researchers found that trees in low-nitrogen soils produce more anthocyanins, which protect the leaves longer and allow for greater nutrient recovery. This study supports a hypothesis suggesting that trees produce red pigments to aid in survival during the winter months.
ISU study reveals forests in Upper Midwest have lost tree species diversity and structural complexity since the mid-1800s. Deciduous trees like aspen and birch have replaced conifers, while smaller trees dominate modern forests.
Researchers found barred owls thriving in Charlotte's urban areas due to open understories and birdfeeders attracting prey. The study suggests that suburban neighborhoods can serve as an 'uber-forest' for owls, contradicting previous assumptions about their habitat needs.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed genetically engineered poplar plants capable of taking up to 91% of trichloroethylene, a common groundwater contaminant. The transgenic plants can break down pollutants into harmless byproducts at rates 100 times faster than unaltered plants.
Researchers identified gambogic amide, a compound in tree bark, that mimics NGF's effect on brain cells by binding to TrkA. This finding suggests potential as a therapeutic treatment for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and stroke.
Despite predictions of collapse, Amazon forests in drought-stricken regions grew more vigorously during the 2005 drought, indicating a positive response to drought conditions. This finding contradicts global climate models and suggests a negative feedback loop that could slow down global warming.
A new study proposes a universal rule to explain the equilibrium of plant populations, identifying phytoplankton as the shortest-lived species and trees that can live for centuries. The research suggests that plant mortality is highly temperature-sensitive, with potential increases of 40% in land temperatures above 4ºC.
Researchers at Virginia Tech study a Japanese beetle that may curb the spread of HWA without damaging forest ecosystems. The beetle has shown encouraging results in previous releases, and scientists hope it will be an effective natural enemy against the invasive insect.
A new analysis by Oregon State University and U.S. Geological Survey suggests that dense conifer forests may be harming dozens of animal species dependent on shrubs, herbs, and broad-leaf trees. At least 78 vertebrate species have been documented to require non-coniferous vegetation, which is often scarce in managed forests.
A decade-long experiment found that trees only store significant amounts of carbon when receiving sufficient water and nutrients, suggesting proposals to bank CO2 in trees may not be effective
A CU-Boulder study found that bird presence in conifers increases tree growth by up to one-third, removing damaging insects. The study's findings suggest a complex relationship between birds and trees, with implications for forest health and management.
A study found that mature forest produces almost 10 times as much sugar per hectare than recently logged forest, but overall honey yields are still high due to extensive flowering. Nectar production in young trees regrowing after logging is not significantly affected, contradicting beekeepers' concerns.
A new study published in Biological Conservation shows that wolves are allowing aspen trees to recover in Yellowstone National Park for the first time in over 50 years. The presence of wolves is altering elk behavior, causing them to avoid browsing in certain areas where they feel vulnerable, leading to a significant reduction in elk b...
A new study reveals a significant increase in creeping vines in southeastern US forests, with up to a 10-fold growth in just two decades. The vines' adhesive roots and tendrils are changing the forest's makeup, leading to a decrease in small tree density.
The loss of eastern hemlocks may lead to significant changes in streamflow, forest structure, and soil moisture. Eastern hemlocks play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of mountain ecosystems, providing critical habitat for birds and other animals.
Researchers report that much of Tahiti's original genetic diversity still exists in remnant populations, offering a glimmer of hope for conservation efforts. The study suggests that targeted measures may preserve a representative fraction of the island's endemic tree snail genetic diversity.
Researchers at Oregon State University have successfully manipulated the growth in height of trees using genetic modification, creating miniature trees that can range from a few inches to over 50 feet tall. The findings offer potential for new products in the ornamental and nursery industries, but regulatory hurdles must be overcome.
A new Oregon State University study found that salvage logging and replanting increased fire severity in areas burned by the 2002 Biscuit Fire. Natural regeneration of forests appeared to result in less risk of severe future fires.
Scientists at the University of Liverpool discovered that humans' ability to walk upright developed from ancestors foraging for food in forest tree tops. They found that this trait evolved before walking on all fours on open land, and was later adapted for life on the ground.
A study by researchers found that wild orangutans' upright walking, or bipedalism, may have arisen in tree-dwelling apes, rather than in human ancestors. The discovery challenges the long-held savannah hypothesis and suggests that early human ancestors abandoned high canopies for forest floors, where they remained bipedal.
A recent study by Stanford University researchers found that tropical forest birds can thrive in coffee plantations with minimal restoration, highlighting the importance of preserving remnant trees and riparian corridors. The study suggests that humans and birds may coexist successfully if farmers leave small reserves of native forest.
Researchers reconstruct tree-ring record of upper Colorado streamflows back seven centuries, revealing 25-year drought period with 15% below normal flow. The megadrought spanned 1118-1179, with 13 consecutive years of below-normal flows, and is comparable to the region's last 100 years of below-average flows.
Research led by University of Arizona scientist Paul R. Sheppard found that tree rings from Fallon, Nev. showed quadrupled tungsten levels between 1990 and 2002, preceding a rise in childhood leukemia cases. The study suggests environmental contamination may be to blame for the cluster.
An international team of researchers has found evidence of the Earth's earliest forest trees, dating back 385 million years. The discovery includes upright stumps of fossilized trees that reached at least 8 meters in height, forming the first known forests on earth.
A new study suggests that tropical rainforests are crucial in slowing down global warming, while planting trees in mid- and high-latitude locations could exacerbate climate change. The research confirms that forests in these regions would not only fail to mitigate the effects of global warming but also potentially increase temperatures.
New study suggests tropical forests are efficient at cooling the planet due to their ability to store large amounts of carbon and produce reflective clouds. In contrast, forests in snowy areas can warm the Earth by absorbing sunlight that would otherwise be reflected back into space.
A new study published in Forest Ecology and Management found that logging after a wildfire can lead to high fuel accumulation, regardless of whether the site is logged or unlogged. The research showed that logging residue contributed to four times more fine fuels on the ground, while logging caused fewer snags and large woody debris.
Researchers from Oregon State University found a high level of naturally-regenerating tree seedlings in burned forest lands. The density of surviving conifers was similar to that of traditional old-growth forests, with some plots already having larger trees considered 'free to grow' by forestry standards.
Research reveals tree frogs maintain grip by keeping toe pad angle low, detaching at 90°. Larger species adapt to grasp objects, allowing them to climb like humans.