Research on trees and their role in nature and cities. Covers forest conservation, tension wood, and the benefits of urban trees.
Scientists found that even in desolate areas, protected plants like seeds, spores, and root balls could sprout new life. The standing dead trees and debris acted as 'lifeboats' for plants and animals, adding complexity to the recovering ecosystem.
Researchers found that a soil pathogen in temperate forests kills most black cherry seedlings within a few meters of their parent tree. This allows other species to take root and increase forest diversity. The study suggests microbial pathogens play a crucial role in shaping forest communities.
A team of researchers has discovered that hazelnuts contain the potent anticancer agent paclitaxel, which could reduce the cost of the commercial drug Taxol. The finding may also stimulate competition among drug manufacturers, leading to cheaper prices for cancer patients.
A 10,000-year-old buried spruce forest has provided evidence of the effects of environment on vegetation at the Pleistocene/Holocene boundary. The unique preservation allows researchers to study tree growth patterns and climate change impacts in unprecedented detail.
A University of Florida study found that rising sea levels are causing cabbage palms and other coastal trees to die due to saltwater exposure. The phenomenon may be more immediate than thought, with small increases in sea level affecting large areas of flat coastline on the west coast.
Researchers find that African ants' pruning behavior increases colony life span, but harms host trees, sparking debate on ecological partnerships. The study sheds light on why weaker competitors can persist in diverse ecosystems.
Lemurs play a vital role in dispersing seeds for tree species in Madagascar's dry forests, which would otherwise fail to regenerate without them. The study found that the brown lemur is responsible for dispersing most of these species, highlighting the importance of reintroducing lemurs and reducing fragmentation.
Researchers at Michigan Tech have genetically engineered a new breed of aspen that produces up to 15% more cellulose and grows significantly faster than regular aspen. This could translate into huge gains for the pulp and paper industry, with potential savings of billions of dollars.
A recent study found that Duke Forest plots experienced a 25% growth increase over two years under high carbon-dioxide conditions. This suggests that forests could serve as a significant carbon sink, potentially offsetting half of the world's expected carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion.
A European beetle is expected to spread throughout Canada, posing a major threat to the forestry industry. The Introduced Pine Shoot Beetle has few natural enemies in Canada, making it a voracious insect that can feed on various pine species.
Logging in tropical forests has sparked a 'deadly second harvest' of wildlife, including gorillas and elephants, with increased access providing markets for bushmeat. The Wildlife Conservation Society estimates that annual bushmeat harvest exceeds one million metric tons.
Archaeopteris, an extinct tree, had a structure similar to modern trees, with woody strength and protective bark. The tree lived for 10-50 years or more, predating the evolution of seeds in trees.
Researchers at Clemson University are developing practical and cost-effective solutions to create tornado 'safe rooms' in homes. They're testing various structural components, including wood-reinforced panels and metal decking, to prevent damage from wind-blown debris and falling trees.
Eucalyptus trees grown in soil amended with gypsum can thrive in the sticky black soils of the Tulare Lake basin, demonstrating a potential sustainable farming method for the San Joaquin Valley's west side. The sequential reuse system reduces evaporation pond land use by 70% and increases tree plus pond area by 1.9 times.
A study by University of Georgia and New Zealand Forest Research Institute found seven genes causing pine tree death due to inbreeding. Inbred trees suffer from slow growth, deformities, and sudden deaths before maturity.
Researchers found that Loblolly pine trees in North Carolina experienced a 12% growth rate increase when exposed to future carbon dioxide levels. However, the growth rate is likely unsustainable as trees adapt to higher CO2 concentrations and soil nutrient limitations.
A study by Duke University researchers found that selectively logged Indonesian rainforests have comparable levels of tree species diversity to unlogged forests eight years later. The results suggest that these forests are more resilient than previously thought and may hold conservation potential.
The Duke scientists analyzed past climate changes and found that the region rapidly changed with even short-term climate fluctuations, making it susceptible to drastic ecological changes. The researchers expect that global warming will significantly increase temperatures worldwide over the next century, leading to shifts in air masses ...
A Colorado State University study found that irrigated agricultural crops and landscaping can produce local cooling, potentially exceeding global warming predictions. This leads to cooler temperatures, increased moisture, and altered tree distribution patterns in Rocky Mountain National Park.
A new study by botanists at the University of Georgia shows that trees left standing in pastures can dominate reproduction in nearby remnant forests, creating a genetic bottleneck. The research indicates that tropical forest survival may be more complex than known, requiring new conservation strategies.
Benjamin Hasse, a forestry major at Purdue University, will spend his first semester of junior year on Antarctica helping researchers. He will gain valuable experience in harsh environments and develop skills that can benefit his future career.
A study by University of Illinois researchers found that urban residents perceive trees as enhancing safety and desirability in public housing areas. Residents preferred lush green spaces with trees over barren areas, indicating a desire for natural environments that promote feelings of care and investment.
Researchers employ phytoremediation approach using poplar trees to remediate contaminated sites, drawing polluted groundwater to their roots where contaminants are rendered harmless. The method's effectiveness and limitations remain areas of study, with ongoing research aiming to improve its applications for environmental cleanup.
The paper presents an interactive introduction to SORTIE, a computer model of forest dynamics based on individual-trees. The digital output includes scores of still images and a dozen color animations, allowing readers to visualize the complexity of the model.
Research shows that the tannins produced by oak trees inhibit gypsy moth caterpillar growth and viral infection, with enzymes like PPO playing a key role in this process. This discovery could lead to new methods for controlling gypsy moth populations.
Studies found that tree species' moisture preference doesn't always correlate with their growth rate during droughts. Researchers used tree rings to analyze the energy stored in trunks, revealing inconsistencies between leaf physiology and radial growth.
A study by Ohio University researchers found that oak regeneration is not as promising in areas with high light and low moisture conditions. If oak seedlings are not present in sufficient numbers, mature oaks will be replaced by other tree species, potentially disrupting the ecosystem.
Researchers at Penn State discovered that forest tent caterpillars can evade trees' defense mechanisms by defoliating branches too rapidly for the tree to respond. This social eating pattern may be their protection against a tree's natural defenses, making them chemically invisible to the tree.
Research by University of Georgia forester Dr. Bob Teskey and colleagues found that managed timber stands can benefit from higher CO2 levels due to improved photosynthesis. The study's results suggest pine trees are better adapted to increased CO2, with positive responses from other species as well.
A new laser technique called Scanning Lidar Imager of Canopies by Echo Recovery (SLICER) can rapidly assess forest canopy shapes, allowing for accurate predictions of carbon storage and tree characteristics. This technology has the potential to improve our understanding of forest management and global climate change.
Kanza is a cold-tolerant pecan variety that can be harvested as early as Sept. 10 in southern Texas and late September in Kansas. It has natural resistance to diseases such as scab and leaf phylloxera, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
Seedlings of American mahogany trees can only successfully establish themselves on open land, not in the shade of other trees. Logging practices are creating 'mahogany deserts' by replacing mature trees with seedlings, posing a threat to the species' long lifespan of up to 600 years.
The Asian longhorned beetle is attacking Brooklyn's horsechestnut and Norway maple tree population, which are under immense pressure due to urbanization. The beetle's larvae can weaken trees structurally, posing a significant threat to the city's tree population.
Researchers are investigating the history of forests, fire incidence, and signs of early settlers in the Lake Tahoe Basin due to a bark beetle infestation. The study aims to reconstruct the forest structure before logging, the history of fire in the area, and the age of trees.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have extracted a range of natural chemical compounds from the green ash tree that can repel or poison gypsy moth larvae. The chemicals work at very low concentrations and offer an environmentally benign alternative to existing control methods.
The Southern Pine Beetle is the most aggressive and destructive of five bark beetles that feed on southern pines, causing $900 million in damage to U.S. pine forests from 1960 through 1990. Forest owners and homeowners need to take control measures if they spot the beetle, as it can be a costly pest.