Research on trees and their role in nature and cities. Covers forest conservation, tension wood, and the benefits of urban trees.
A new method developed by the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior has counted Africa's largest bat colony using GoPro cameras and artificial intelligence. The estimate puts the colony at between 750,000 and 1,000,000 bats, making it the largest for bats by biomass anywhere in the world.
A new study reveals that some US truffle producers are accidentally cultivating winter truffles instead of European black truffles, a more valuable species. The researchers analyzed specimens from 10 anonymous truffle orchards and found that all but one were winter truffles.
New research using shoebox-sized satellites reveals that urban heat may not advance tree growing seasons as much as thought, contrary to previous studies. The study found that canopy composition drives variability in urban growing season length more than the heat island effect.
Farmers' use of birds and bats as part-time collaborators has been found to increase productivity by 54% and boost annual yields by approximately $959 per hectare. This partnership helps mitigate the damage caused by pests such as aphids and mealybugs, ultimately benefiting cacao farmers in northern Peru.
The Sooty Bark Disease, caused by Cryptostroma corticale, is a growing threat to European maples and human health. Researchers have developed a DNA-based diagnostic method to detect the pathogen in air samples using volumetric air samplers.
A new detection tool utilizing DNA-specific primers can identify the nematode species causing beech leaf disease in plant tissue, allowing for rapid and accurate monitoring of the disease. This breakthrough enables forest health professionals to track the spread of the disease more effectively and develop control measures.
An international research team has found that tree islands in oil palm plantations can significantly increase biodiversity within five years. This method also does not affect the yield of the plants. The study was conducted on an industrial-scale plantation in Indonesia and showed promising results for ecological restoration.
A new study published by the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and The Nature Conservancy found that forests with diverse species are more likely to thrive, reducing the risk of planting failure. This diversity brings benefits such as pest and disease resistance, climate change resilience, and increased wildlife habitat.
Researchers have found that honokiol, a compound from magnolia tree bark, inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication in several cell types, reducing infectious particle production. The compound also shows broad-spectrum activity against other highly pathogenic coronaviruses.
A new study led by University of Florida forest management researcher Victoria Donovan found that as woody plants like shrubs and trees replace herbaceous plants like grasses, spot fires can occur farther away from the original fire perimeter. This 'woody encroachment' increases the risk of structural damage and firefighter safety.
A study of 700 participants found that time outdoors doesn't always reduce smartphone screentime. However, visits to nature reserves or forests saw significant declines in screentime compared to urban locations. Participants who visited wilder areas spent more time disconnected from their smartphones and regained attention.
Researchers used hydrophones to record the sounds of Pando aspen grove's leaves and root system, discovering vibrations passing through the tree during a windstorm. The study challenges traditional concepts of individual organisms and has potential applications in nondestructive analysis of environmental systems.
Researchers used fluid dynamics models to study the mountain pine beetle's flight, finding that wing shape, age, and size impact thrust production. This knowledge can improve statistical confidence levels for insect dispersion studies and help preserve pine forests.
Researchers found that mycorrhizal networks are essential for forest stability but not through sharing and caring among trees. The network works like a trading ground for individual trees and fungi, each trying to survive.
Adding Amazonian dark earth to soils increases plant growth by 3-8 times compared to control soil. The nutrient-rich soil also supports a greater biodiversity of beneficial bacteria and archaea, which transform chemical particles into nutrients. This 'secret weapon' could help speed up forest restoration projects worldwide.
Scientists discovered that electrical signals in Laccaria bicolor mushrooms increased after rainfall, demonstrating signal transport among closely spaced mushrooms. The post-rain electric potential showed directionality and strengthened connectivity between spatially close fungi.
Researchers found that severe beech leaf disease infestation hurts trees' relationships with helpful root mutualists, ectomycorrhizal fungi. Trees with the most severe symptoms had over 65% less healthy fungi in their roots compared to those with mild symptoms.
A new study assesses the Amazon's response to drought, identifying the regions most vulnerable to climate change. Trees in the western and southern parts of the forest are at high risk due to rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns.
A University of Alberta study finds that maintaining tree diversity in Canada's forests can significantly increase carbon capture and improve soil fertility. This conservation strategy can help mitigate climate change by storing more carbon and nitrogen in the soil over decadal time scales.
Researchers use camera drones and machine learning to track genetic and structural variations in slash pine trees. The study found the highest heritability for nitrogen and nonstructural carbohydrate content in July and March, indicating optimal breeding times.
Researchers found that honeybees use forests less than expected, with colonies traveling long distances to find food due to limited tree species diversity. A more diverse forest with insect-pollinated trees and shrubs can provide a balanced food supply throughout the season.
The concept of nature's chefs offers a new perspective on species interactions, highlighting the diversity of food-making and preparing species across the tree of life. This interdisciplinary approach aims to inform how people think about food across various disciplines.
A global survey of 1000 forest areas reveals how past climate change has impacted tree species diversity and distribution. The study found that temperature changes since the last ice age have had a significant impact on today's biodiversity.
A study found that savanna species in Cerrado biome produce significantly more bark than forest species to protect against frequent fires. This adaptation enables them to survive and regenerate after burning, highlighting the importance of controlled fire management in these ecosystems.
Researchers discovered that ambrosia beetles Xylosandrus germanus use the volatile compounds of their fungal symbionts to aggregate and potentially kill trees. This finding suggests a new method for biological control by targeting specific beetle species with trapping lures based on these compounds.
Researchers found that 89% of Dominica's trees sustained damage from Hurricane Maria, but only 10% were immediately killed. The study suggests that forests in hurricane-prone regions can resist extreme weather events due to their adapted structure and composition.
Residual carbon emissions are a major obstacle to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. According to University at Buffalo researcher Holly Jean Buck, the world must reach net-zero this century to limit temperature increase, but residual emissions pose significant challenges.
A new study by University of Utah researchers finds that US forests may lose carbon through fire, stress, and insect damage, compromising their role as a climate solution. The study suggests urgent need to update carbon offset protocols with best available science on climate risks.
A study found that ponderosa pine forests in California's Sierra Nevada will not recover to pre-drought densities, reducing atmospheric carbon storage. The forests' ability to store carbon is threatened by western pine beetle infestations driven by climate change.
Researchers are developing an alley cropping system to mitigate crop stress and promote soil fertility in organic vegetable production. The system involves planting trees between rows of vegetables, reducing heat extremes and improving biodiversity.
Researchers found that corridors with abundant mature trees and deadwood help pileated woodpeckers adjust to urban landscape fragmentation. The Little Miami River corridor is one of the best places for these birds in Hamilton County, Ohio.
Researchers found that exceptional weather conditions over several years are turning European forests brown. Characteristic weather patterns, such as prolonged dry periods and high temperatures, precede these events, with a legacy effect contributing to future low-forest greenness.
A new study reveals that lianas play a crucial role in amplifying the effects of lightning strikes, resulting in more severe damage to neighboring trees. High liana density is positively associated with the number of trees killed and damaged by lightning.
A new study has found that the growing period of hardwood forests in eastern North America has increased by an average of one month over the past century as temperatures have steadily risen. The research used data from Ohio farmer Thomas Mikesell's comprehensive dataset and compared it to present-day observations, revealing a clear con...
A new study by Oregon State University finds that Douglas-fir trees in the Klamath Mountains are experiencing a 'decline spiral' due to multiple factors, including climate change and drought. The research developed a tool to assess tree risk and predict mortality events.
A study analyzing over 300,000 European vegetation plots found that global climate gradients have relatively weak correlations with local plant community characteristics. The effects of climate change on plant species depend heavily on local factors such as soil conditions and microclimate.
The IUCN Species Survival Commission has recognized two iconic Chicago institutions as Centers for Species Survival, elevating the region's role in biodiversity conservation. Shedd Aquarium and The Morton Arboretum will collaborate on projects highlighting aquatic and terrestrial linkages in Central American biodiversity hotspots.
A study by University of Gothenburg found that conifer trees are generally better at purifying air from gaseous pollutants, while broadleaved trees excel at capturing particle-bound pollution. The researchers analyzed leaves and needles from eleven different tree species to determine which ones absorb air pollutants most effectively.
Researchers developed an algorithm that uses computer vision techniques to estimate tree diameter from a single image in realistic field conditions. The app sped up the process significantly, being about four and a half times faster than manual measurement techniques.
A new study by Göttingen University reveals that mechanical weeding and reduced fertilizer usage significantly increase ecosystem multifunctionality and profit in industrial oil palm production. The researchers found no reduction in greenhouse gas emissions with these practices.
Researchers estimate worldwide changes in plant leaf growth due to global warming, finding that greening trends have a stronger association with carbon uptake than growing season length. Satellite imagery and field sensors reveal new insights into the impact of climate change on vegetation productivity and carbon capture.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen and NASA have developed a method to map several billion trees and their carbon uptake in Africa's Sahel region. The method can help monitor whether climate credit purchases have a positive effect on tree numbers and nature restoration.
Research reveals a clear link between tropical forest loss and reduced rainfall, with potential consequences for agriculture, hydropower plants, and local communities. The study estimates that continued deforestation in the Congo could lead to a 8-12% reduction in rainfall by the end of the century.
A groundbreaking study used AI and high spatial resolution imagery to analyze over 300,000 satellite images and identify nearly 10 billion trees in sub-Saharan Africa. The research reveals that tree density and carbon stocks in the arid zone are underestimated, with a total carbon stock of 0.84 billion tonnes.
Research from Binghamton University highlights the importance of ants in forest regeneration, with over 95% of New York state forests relying on them to disperse seeds. Ants take seeds with fatty rewards back to their nests, protecting them from consumption by rodents and other organisms, promoting a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Research reveals that Mahogany trees shape the right-forewing of the Mahogany shoot borer, a forest insect-pest. The study found that the wing form differs between males and females, with larger wings on Cedro host plants.
The fungi Neofusicoccum mediterraneum and Neofusicoccum parvum have been found infecting pines in Southern California, causing a deadly disease known as pine ghost canker. The pathogens are native to the US but have recently started infecting trees in urban forest areas.
A Stanford-led study estimates that about 20% of all Sierra Nevada conifer forests are mismatched with the climate around them. This means they are temporarily surviving in habitats that have grown too warm for them, but are likely to be replaced by tree species better adapted to the climate after catastrophic wildfires.
A study by the University of Göttingen found that arranging rows of trees at right angles to semi-natural habitats increases pollination performance and nut production. The design also promotes easy movement of bees through the plantation.
Researchers found that conifer-killing beetles can detect the smell of a beneficial fungus through specialized neurons in their antennae, allowing them to identify infected trees. This detection system enables the beetles to locate fungi-produced compounds in tree resin, which may serve as cues for feeding and breeding.
A macroecological study found that giant tree properties, such as trunk circumference and age, are strongly correlated with climatic factors. The probability of a tree being an object of faith tends to increase with lower annual precipitation, highlighting the impact of climate change on spiritual ecosystem services.
Researchers found that symbiotic fungi convert chemical defenses of spruce trees into attractive compounds for bark beetles. The fungi's volatile compounds, particularly oxygenated monoterpenes, serve as chemical signals to keep the symbiosis alive and stimulate tunneling behavior in beetles.
Research reveals DNA methylation plays a crucial role in tree-fungi symbiosis, affecting water uptake and environmental adaptability. Epigenetic modulation between trees and fungi enhances symbiotic relationships, with implications for forest management and climate change mitigation.
Scientists from Poland's Institute of Physical Chemistry have discovered a way to control the population of the pine-tree lappet moth, which threatens coniferous forests. A new pheromone blend based on biocomponents of the sex pheromone has been developed to monitor and potentially control the moth's abundance.
A long-term study from Lund University in Sweden found that native trees are preferred by urban birds due to their availability of resources. Non-native trees lack an evolutionary history with the local ecosystem and have fewer insects, leading to a shortage of food for insectivorous birds.
Researchers found no strong evidence that underground fungal networks, known as common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs), offer benefits to trees and their seedlings. While CMNs exist, there is limited understanding of their structure and function in the field, leading to questionable claims about resource transfer and seedling survival.
A team of researchers at Kyoto University found that the brown lemur is responsible for regenerating large fruit trees in Madagascar's Ankarafantsika National Park. The study shows that lemur seed dispersal can lead to a 1.5% survival rate of seeds, contributing significantly to forest diversity.
Researchers at Cornell University have found that severe drought, lasting three consecutive years, likely accelerated the collapse of the Hittite Empire in ancient Anatolia. The team analyzed tree ring and isotope records to pinpoint this period of severe dryness, which matches the timeline of the empire's disappearance.
Researchers at the University of East Anglia found that the Bahama Warbler may only survive on Abaco island after Hurricane Dorian devastated its forest habitat on Grand Bahama. The study, published in Bird Conservation International, reveals that the bird prefers areas with taller, more mature trees and can adapt to burnt vegetation.
Researchers studied pollen data from North America's Neotoma Paleoecology Database to understand plant migration patterns and climate fidelity. Most plant species have exhibited long-term climate loyalty over the past 18,000 years, while some plants adapt locally in response to climate change.