Articles tagged with Trees
A new global study by the University of Copenhagen and University of Hohenheim finds that diversified agriculture improves food security, biodiversity, and well-being while having no negative effect on yields. Strategies such as livestock diversification and soil conservation yield positive outcomes.
A study by University of Barcelona researchers reveals older trees are crucial for conserving the wolf lichen, a threatened species found in European high mountain forests. The oldest trees provide unique shelter and conditions that support the survival of this endangered species.
Research shows that long-term declines in pronghorn productivity are associated with increased oil and gas development and woody encroachment. Manual removal of trees and controlled burning could help protect iconic rangeland species like pronghorn.
Researchers from Nagoya University discovered that tree frogs create foam nests on the ground to protect their eggs from low temperatures, increasing hatchability rates.
Researchers from the University of Gothenburg developed a new method to identify the origin of harvested trees using chemical footprints in wood tissue. The study focused on Eastern European countries, but the method is applicable worldwide, tackling over half of tropical timber's illegal harvest.
A study in São Paulo's central area found that poor wood condition, sidewalk root constriction, and drastic pruning are major predictors of urban tree failure. The researchers propose guidelines for stakeholders to reduce the number of failures, which average 2,000 per year.
Scientists monitored seedlings in North Borneo's natural and restored forests, finding low survival rates in logged areas. This suggests that different restoration approaches may have longer-term implications for forest recovery, including carbon sequestration and biodiversity.
A new study found that giant sequoias introduced to the UK are well-adapted to the climate, growing at rates close to their native ranges and capturing large amounts of carbon during their long lives. The trees can potentially pull an average of 85 kilograms of carbon out of the atmosphere per year.
Scientists have discovered the oldest fossilized forest on Earth, dating back 390 million years, in the Devon and Somerset coast of South West England. The fossils, known as Calamophyton, are a 'prototype' of modern trees, with characteristics such as hollow trunks and twig-like structures.
Researchers found that brown bears' digging for cicada nymphs damages tree roots and alters soil nitrogen content, limiting tree diameter growth. This phenomenon is unique to human-planted conifer forests, with no similar effects in natural forests.
Scientists analyzed carbon isotope values of hazelnuts from ancient sites in southern Sweden to understand local woodlands thousands of years ago. The study found that hazelnuts were harvested from progressively more open environments over time, indicating significant changes in microhabitats.
Researchers identified rare genetic mutations in two tropical tree species, which are transmitted to offspring and contribute to their genetic diversity. These mutations have no effect on UV exposure but can help the trees adapt to changing environments.
A team of scientists has discovered eight new species of Hylaeus masked bees in the Pacific islands, including French Polynesia. The study reveals that these tiny bees likely rafted between islands via Fiji and the southwest Pacific, solving a long-standing mystery about their origins.
A new study reveals that even small incremental increases in tree cover on agricultural land in mountain regions can provide significant climate change mitigation benefits within a decade. Agroforestry practices can help conserve irrecoverable carbon, improve biodiversity, and enhance ecosystem services in mountain systems.
Researchers at Hokkaido University developed new computer-based models of masting to understand its effects on ecosystems and food webs. The models predict that masting can affect tree mortality, population dynamics, and animal-forest interactions, with implications for mitigating negative impacts of climate change.
Research reveals a rich diversity of beneficial fungi living in boreal forest trees, with implications for forest health. The findings suggest that these fungi are adapted in highly specific ways to their local conditions, making them sensitive to future climate change.
A recent study published in Nature identifies potential thresholds for stressors that could cause the Amazon forest to collapse. The research highlights the importance of understanding the most significant factors affecting the rainforest environment to develop strategies for keeping it resilient.
A century of reforestation in the eastern US led to significant cooling effects, with forests lowering land surface temperatures by 1-2 degrees Celsius annually. The study found that forest cover can influence ground surface temperatures and near-surface air temperatures, providing relief from heatwaves.
The discovery of fossilized trees with a surprising three-dimensional crown shape reveals that some ancient plants were experimenting with unusual growth forms to maximize light capture. The 350-million-year-old tree, known as Sanfordiacaulis, had over 250 leaves and a dense canopy extending at least 5.5 meters around its non-woody trunk.
Scientists at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology have produced a comprehensive map of England's hedgerows, revealing over 390,000 km of field boundaries marked by these critical habitats. The new data will guide future habitat restoration efforts and support biodiversity conservation.
While some tree-planting organizations have shown improvement in community involvement and addressing drivers of deforestation, many still lack transparency and long-term planning. Researchers found that only 70% of organizations report monitoring data and 10% commit to project maintenance beyond 10 years.
Scientists have successfully replicated QS-21, a potent vaccine adjuvant, in an alternative plant host for the first time. This breakthrough enables the production of this highly valued compound in a more sustainable manner.
A study published in Science found that an invasive ant species is altering tree cover in an East African wildlife area, making it harder for lions to hunt their preferred prey, zebras. The ant's arrival has shifted predator-prey behavior, potentially jeopardizing lion populations already on the brink of endangerment.
Research in Kenya's Ol Pejeta Conservancy reveals invasive big-headed ants have reduced lions' effectiveness at killing zebras. Lions now primarily target African buffalo instead, maintaining population stability.
Research by INRAE reveals that European forests with greater tree species diversity and slow-growing oak trees are better equipped to withstand storm damage. The study's findings suggest that monocultures of fast-growing pine trees are more susceptible to storm damage.
A new study reveals how sika deer foraging is causing soil erosion, reducing the growth of Japanese beech trees. The research found that exposed roots are more vulnerable to water loss, affecting tree health and increasing vulnerability to climate change and pests.
A study examined nearly 800 large-diameter Douglas-fir trees to determine the most effective methods for creating standing dead trees. The results showed that chain-saw topping is the best way to create snags with significant decay within two decades, while mechanical wounding and fungal inoculation have limited efficacy. This research...
Researchers from Purdue University used deep learning to generate growth models for various tree species, both with and without leaves. The AI models can produce complex tree models with detailed geometry, improving digital forest endeavors.
A study published in Perspectives in Ecology and Conservation proposes a novel methodology for projecting native tree growth and optimizing timber production in forest restoration. This approach reduces the time to harvest by 25% and increases stand density by 38%, making large-scale forest restoration more attractive to landowners.
Researchers found that evergreen trees with smaller leaves, particularly those with awl-shaped leaves like Yew and Japanese cedar, were most effective at catching particles of pollution. In contrast, the study showed that the size and shape of the leaf, rather than its roughness or hairiness, was key to removing pollutants.
A study published in Science reveals that 82% of endemic species and 65% of all tree species in the Atlantic Rainforest are threatened with extinction. The researchers used a novel conservation assessment methodology to estimate the degree of threat, which significantly increased the number of threatened species.
A new analysis reveals a pronounced regional imbalance in forest productivity, with the Western U.S. experiencing a notable slowdown and the Eastern U.S. seeing slightly accelerated growth. This study highlights the urgent need for reduced global greenhouse gas emissions to restore the global carbon balance.
A major international collaboration of scientists found that just 2.2% of tree species make up 50% of the total number of trees in tropical forests across Africa, Amazon, and Southeast Asia. The study estimated that 1,053 species account for half of the planet's 800 billion tropical forest trees.
Researchers found that mycorrhizal fungi form mutually beneficial relationships with plant roots, improving juvenile survival and promoting species diversity. The study suggests that these symbiotic relationships between plants and fungi may play a role in driving global patterns of forest tree diversity associated with latitude.
A Washington State University study found that living near nature can reduce serious psychological distress and improve general health in older adults. Researchers analyzed data from over 42,000 people aged 65 and older, finding a strong association between access to green spaces and better mental and physical health outcomes.
University of Bonn researchers analyzed satellite data to find that national policies have a significant impact on forest coverage. Strict policies and their effective implementation are critical to achieving positive changes in tree populations along country borders.
Research from the University of Surrey found that older tree plantations tend to be more biodiverse than younger ones. However, even the oldest plantations cannot match the natural diversity of original habitats. The study aims to promote responsible tree planting practices that prioritize biodiversity conservation.
A new map showing all above-ground biomass in the Brazilian Amazon has been published, derived from a study combining airborne laser scanning, satellite imagery, and forest inventories. The results show an average of 174 metric tons of biomass per hectare and a maximum of 518 tons per hectare.
Researchers found that ponderosa pine trees suffer from warming, contradicting the space-for-time substitution method. Climate change is happening faster than trees can adapt, putting them at risk of extinction.
A new study introduces the Slash Pine Shoot Counting Network (SPSC-net) using a feature pyramid module for accurate new shoot detection in slash pines. SPSC-net outperforms other models like YOLOX and Efficientnet, achieving the lowest MSE and MAE in density regression.
A study by the University of Exeter and the Bat Conservation Trust found that Britain's tree felling for colonial shipbuilding led to a significant decline in Western barbastelle bat populations. The study used DNA analysis to discover a historical decline, which coincided with widespread tree-felling from about 500 years ago.
Research from the University of Gothenburg found that trees surrounded by grass are stronger, taller, and cooler than those with paving close to the trunk. The study suggests investing in good soil and water for trees in urban areas where optimal conditions can be challenging.
Researchers enhanced the Allometric Scaling and Resource Limitations (ASRL) model to predict tree canopy height in beech-maple-birch forests. The modified model factors in known growth limitations and local meteorological datasets, achieving more realistic predictions compared to previous versions.
Researchers used AI to analyze tree databases and found that temperature and precipitation are strong predictors of non-native species invasion. The study also reveals that global forest carbon potential is considerably below natural levels, with most potential located in existing forests.
Researchers have discovered a rare ant species in North Carolina's tree canopies, documenting an entire colony for the first time. The species, Aphaenogaster mariae, has a distinctive arboreal lifestyle, with queens being smaller than other ant queens and males previously unknown to science.
Researchers found that coast redwood's massive carbon reserves fueled growth of new leaves after a catastrophic fire, allowing the forest to begin regenerating. However, many trees did not survive, and it may take centuries for the ecosystem to fully recover.
A new study reveals that the protective effect of income has largely eroded in affluent neighborhoods over the past 40 years. This means that even if residents have more wealth, they won't be able to enjoy cooler temperatures as climate change worsens.
Researchers found preserved yew trees from 4,200 years ago that reveal a sudden sea level rise likely killed the vast woodland. The trees contain valuable information about natural variability and potential links between global climate events.
Oregon State University scientists used forest modeling to determine that a site's productivity is the main factor in maximizing above-ground carbon sequestration. The study found that 60-year rotations with low-intensity thinning are optimal for highly productive stands, while longer rotations of 80-120 years are better for less produ...
A study on the endangered coco de mer palm tree found that inbreeding depression may not be a major threat to its survival, contrary to previous assumptions. The researchers discovered that female trees prefer closely related kin to sire their offspring, suggesting outbreeding depression as a possible issue.
Research by Dominik Stolzenburg reveals that aerosols from volatile organic substances can cluster together to form condensation nuclei for water vapor. This process affects cloud density and global warming, potentially offsetting the effect of CO2 increases on climate change.
Researchers at Stanford and Columbia universities found that low-intensity fires can dramatically reduce the risk of devastating wildfires for years at a time. By analyzing satellite data from over 100,000 square kilometers of California forests, the team showed that controlled burning can significantly decrease the risk of high-intens...
Researchers tracked endangered thick-billed parrots using solar-powered satellite transmitters, revealing new critical habitat and migratory routes. Less than 20% of the newly identified habitat is protected from timber industry, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts.
A team of experts identified 15 over-looked issues that could impact UK forests, including catastrophic ecosystem collapse, competition for water resources, and tree viral diseases. The research calls for urgent action to increase forest resilience.
A survey of social media posts suggests that people are more positive about nature-based efforts to protect carbon-storing ecosystems than human technological solutions. The study found that tree-planting solutions, such as afforestation, received the most approval, while geoengineering was associated with negative sentiments.
A global study reveals that regions with abundant large herbivores have a more variable tree cover, benefiting biodiversity. This finding highlights the crucial role of megafauna in shaping ecosystems and underscores the need for conservation strategies to protect these species.
Researchers studied how 4-year-old tree species respond to extended drought and heat, finding that different species have varying levels of drought tolerance. The study's findings can help shape forest management policy and understand future landscape changes.
A new AI-driven mapping study from the University of Copenhagen has discovered a billion tons of hidden biomass in Europe, including trees outside forested areas. The research found that countries like Denmark, Netherlands, and UK have significant tree cover outside forests, which can impact biodiversity and climate models.
Researchers at West Virginia University are studying the effects of acid rain on forests and watersheds, a project involving middle school students. The team aims to understand how ecosystems respond to chronic changes in environmental conditions, including the recovery phase after acid rain stops falling.
Mycena fungi have been found to be consistently present in the roots of living plant hosts, suggesting an evolutionary leap from saprotrophic decomposers to invasive species. They also exhibit early signs of mutualism with trees, exchanging nitrogen for carbon and working together to benefit their hosts.