Articles tagged with Trees
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.