Articles tagged with Trees
A new UC Riverside-led study reveals that drought-tolerant trees in urban areas use significantly more water than their natural counterparts. The research found that even 'drought-tolerant' species like eucalyptus and ficus increase their water intake when irrigated.
Computer modeling by Oregon State University scientists shows that Douglas-fir trees are likely to experience more stress from drier air as the climate changes. This is crucial for understanding forest sensitivity to a shifting climate, given their widespread ecological, cultural and economic significance.
The study highlights the importance of a diverse city tree population, with private residences contributing significantly to urban forest diversity and structure. The research found that private trees serve unique functions such as providing fruit, flowers, or aesthetic beauty, while municipal trees tend to be bigger and more resilient.
A new study finds that tropical forests recovering from logging are a source of carbon due to soil and rotting wood releasing more carbon than new growth can absorb. The study highlights the need for sustainable logging practices to minimize collateral damage.
A new study reveals that New York City's vegetation absorbs up to 40% of the city's daily carbon emissions, outperforming transportation sources. The research uses hyper-local vegetation maps and fine-grained modeling to show that urban greenery plays a crucial role in the city's carbon cycle.
A new study suggests that UK woodlands could store nearly twice as much carbon as previously thought, based on a 3D scanning technique and analysis of 815 trees in Wytham Woods. This underestimation has serious implications for climate mitigation, forest protection, and restoration targets.
A new method reveals that small vascular plants, not trees, played a greater role in reducing atmospheric CO2 levels. The study suggests that weathering, a process that involves the breakdown of minerals, is a more effective way to remove CO2 from the atmosphere.
Researchers at Nagoya University discovered that when Ceratocystis ficicola and Fusarium kuroshium fungi are combined, fig saplings experience rapid wilting. The two fungi work together to cause more damage than either one alone, highlighting the importance of considering co-occurring microorganisms in disease control strategies.
A new study by Penn State scientists found that spotted lanternfly feeding inhibits photosynthesis in young maple trees, potentially impairing growth. The study suggests that management decisions can be made to protect inventories based on the findings.
Researchers from SPUN mapped the diversity of mycorrhizal fungi across Palmyra Atoll, finding unique nutrient feedback loops that support rainforests, plankton communities, and coral reefs. The study highlights the importance of these underground networks in maintaining ecosystem resilience to climate change.
Researchers found the emerald ash borer completes its life cycle in one year in North Carolina, contrasting with a two-year cycle in northern US. This knowledge will aid in releasing parasitoid wasps to manage the insect.
Research in tropical forests reveals that nitrogen-fixing trees are vulnerable to herbivory by insects, limiting their growth and survival. This constraint could undermine reforestation efforts and the role of these trees in sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Scientists have discovered a long-sought plant water loss-regulating sensor, composed of two proteins working together to regulate stomatal movements in response to changing CO2 concentrations. This finding has significant implications for trees, crops, and wildfires, as well as efficient plant water use and CO2 uptake.
Scientists developed a first model to predict canopy water content during drought and heat waves. The model could enable fire danger forecasting models that include vegetation in their calculations, making it easier to predict the spread of fires.
A new ISGlobal study found that full adherence to the 3-30-300 green space rule was associated with improved mental health and fewer visits to a psychologist. However, only 4.7% of respondents met all three criteria, highlighting a need for more green spaces in urban areas.
A new study reveals that high ecosystem resilience is linked to high mortality risk in western US forests, contradicting previous assumptions. The research combines decades of satellite data and ground observations to show a surprising correlation between forest resilience and tree death rates.
Researchers from the University of Göttingen found that European beech trees are experiencing increased drought stress in northern Germany due to climate change. The study reveals that dry locations show the strongest long-term decline in growth, highlighting the need for more resilient tree species.
A study by the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research found that cheetah marking trees serve as hotspots for communication among multiple mammalian species. These trees were visited more frequently by some species, such as black-backed jackals and warthogs, suggesting they gain important information from the scent marks. In co...
Researchers analyzed over 20,000 trees on five continents and found that old-growth trees are more resistant to drought, while younger trees in the upper canopy show greater resilience. This study highlights the importance of preserving old-growth forests for carbon storage and ecosystem functioning.
Forests with multiple tree species have been shown to be more productive, as different species fill distinct niches and compete less. Additionally, genetic diversity within each tree species also promotes forest productivity by increasing resource use efficiency and reducing damage from herbivores and fungi.
A new study found that urban centres with higher tree cover, public parks, and sports fields have better health, equity, and biodiversity outcomes. Exeter was ranked as the most green city, while Glasgow had the lowest score, highlighting the need for re-imaging urban centers to boost biodiversity.
A 30-year tree planting campaign in Portland, Oregon found significant reductions in non-accidental and cardiovascular mortality associated with tree planting. The association grows stronger as trees age and grow, suggesting preserving existing mature trees is crucial for public health.
Researchers found that habitat loss and climate-induced food shortages drive pathogen spillover, but preserving and restoring natural habitats can prevent these events. By analyzing data from Australia, the study predicts when viruses like Hendra and Nipah will spill over from bats to humans.
A recent study found that on average, about half of trees planted in tropical and sub-tropical forest restoration efforts do not survive more than five years. However, survival rates varied greatly amongst sites and species, with some sites seeing over 80% of trees still alive after five years.
Research finds that lianas more frequently infest smaller trees in Southeast Asian forests, hindering their growth. This study transforms understanding of tropical forests and their role in the global carbon cycle. Lianas' impact on climate change is significant due to their ability to reduce carbon uptake and storage.
A new study found that bats play a crucial role in protecting young tree seedlings from insect damage, with three times fewer bugs and five times more defoliation when bats are absent. The research reveals a mutually beneficial relationship between bats and oak trees, with bats serving as a key predator for insects that harm the trees.
A europium-based thin-film coating has been developed to convert UV light to red light, accelerating plant growth. The technology was tested on Swiss chard plants and Japanese larch trees, showing a 1.2-1.4 times greater plant height and biomass in winter conditions.
Researchers at Nagoya University have developed a new method to study the life cycle of tree roots, shedding light on the decomposition process. They found that fine roots, which control nutrient uptake by trees, are discarded and decompose differently than leaf litter.
Ancient tree conservation is crucial for maintaining ecosystem integrity and mitigating climate change. The researchers propose a two-pronged approach to protect these trees, including germplasm conservation and forest rewilding.
Researchers study links between cyclones and forest fires, finding that cyclones can create conditions ripe for fires by damaging trees and altering microclimates. As climate change increases cyclone intensity, the risk of wildfires in previously fire-resistant ecosystems like rainforests grows.
A team of researchers, working with Traditional Owners in the Tanami desert, discovered 12 boab trees with carvings that tell the stories of Indigenous Australians. The ancient art is equally significant as rock art and is now in danger of being lost due to the tree's soft inner wood.
New research from the University of East Anglia reveals that wild bees are actively foraging in the sunlit woodland canopy, particularly among Sycamore trees. A diverse community of wild bees was found to thrive in this habitat, with nectar and pollen-rich trees providing essential food sources.
A new study reveals that losing endangered fruit-eating animals in the Atlantic Forest could severely disrupt seed-dispersal networks, leaving plants without an effective means to regenerate. Nearly 55% of specialist plant species rely solely on these frugivores for seed dispersal.
The HOMED project developed a full panel of scientific knowledge and practical solutions for managing emerging native and non-native forest pests and pathogens threatening European forests. The project's results include over 60 scientific publications, policy briefs, practice abstracts, educational videos, and tools.
A University of Maryland-led study finds that street trees in Baltimore reflect the city's history of institutionalized racism but also modern reparation efforts. Researchers discovered that green neighborhoods have more diverse tree communities and larger, older trees, while redlined areas have less diverse tree species.
Research reveals forest elephants disperse seeds over long distances, aiding timber species regeneration. Logging can be part of conservation efforts when planned and legally conducted.
A Brazilian study of 26,616 tree falls in São Paulo found that building height and neighborhood age are key factors influencing the risk of tree failure. Sidewalk width and tree height were also found to be significant variables. The research provides valuable insights for urban planning and tree management in the city.
A study reveals critical weaknesses in current tree-planting strategies in US cities, suggesting ways to build more resilient and diverse ecosystems. Urban forests provide numerous health benefits, but few have assessed city tree biodiversity.
New research shows that elevated carbon dioxide levels in forests in the US have increased wood volume by up to 20%, making trees more efficient at absorbing carbon dioxide. This phenomenon is called carbon fertilization and can help mitigate climate change, potentially reducing costs associated with mitigation efforts.
Researchers found that symbiotic fungi in reared ambrosia beetles differed from those in wild beetles, potentially leading to a new biocontrol method for preventing wilt disease. The study identified nine filamentous fungi and one yeast as symbionts, including previously undescribed species.
Researchers found that elevated CO2 levels stimulate tree growth, resulting in longer and more extensive root systems. This adaptation helps trees absorb nutrients from the soil, providing limited protection against climate change. The study provides insights into how forests respond to increased carbon dioxide levels.
The six interdisciplinary studies will explore effective ways to expand UK trees, hedgerows, woodlands, and forests in rural and urban settings. Researchers aim to improve understanding of treescapes' value to people and the planet, supporting the Government's ambition to increase tree cover.
Research reveals that tree species diversity enhances drought resistance in nearly half of the world's forests, with a greater impact on dry and drought-prone regions. The study suggests that restoring tree species diversity could increase drought resistance by up to 3.2% in global plantation forests.
A global risk assessment reveals that 56-65% of urban tree species are already at risk due to increasing temperatures and decreasing precipitation. By 2050, this figure could rise to 68-76%, with France expecting a 71% risk for common ash species.
The study quantifies the impact of human activity on the Atlantic Rainforest's carbon storage capacity, highlighting that forest degradation leads to significant losses and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Conservation efforts are crucial to reverse these effects and protect the biome's carbon stocks.
A new study reveals that conifers release substantial quantities of volatile organic compounds in response to bark-feeding weevils, providing cues to neighboring seedlings. This complex communication process is altered by air pollution.
A new study suggests that canopy leaves in forests cannot cool themselves below the surrounding air temperature, leading to reduced forest carbon cycling and increased mortality risk. The research challenges a prevailing theory on leaf thermoregulation, highlighting the impact of climate warming on forests.
A new study reconstructs the skeletal structure of Coelurosauravus elivensis, a Late Permian reptile that likely used tree canopy changes to facilitate its evolution. The research reveals the gliding apparatus was supported by either the gastralia or musculature of the trunk.
A new study suggests that timber cities could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using wood as a building material. The researchers found that housing in mid-rise buildings made of wood could avoid more than 100 billion tons of CO2 emissions by 2100, equivalent to 10% of the remaining carbon budget for the 2°C target.
A team led by Jianxi Gao developed equations to measure and compare distances to tipping points across various mutualistic systems, allowing for the triage of declining ecosystems. This method enables the identification of areas that need intervention most urgently, providing a critical sense of urgency to mobilize resources.
A new study published in Scientific Reports shows that selectively planting vegetation between roads and playgrounds can cut toxic air pollution reaching school children. Western red cedar tredges were found to be most effective at capturing particulate matter, with almost half of black carbon and 46% of fine particles eliminated.
Researchers analyzed annual growth rings from Yamal's subfossil trees to track summer temperature over the past 7,638 years. The findings indicate that current warming is unprecedented during the past seven millennia.
A recent study published in One Earth explores the potential for utilizing urban tree waste to reduce global warming potential in the United States. The researchers found that adopting eco-friendly uses for urban tree waste could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. cities.
Scientists studied lightning's impact on Panama Canal forests, finding that some tree species, like palms, are more likely to die after a strike. Others, with denser wood and larger water vessels, are more resistant and may even store more carbon.
The comprehensive U.S. tree species assessment highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect America's native trees. With 11-16% of tree species threatened with extinction, invasive pests and diseases are identified as the primary threats, emphasizing the importance of collaborative conservation strategies.
Researchers at Stockholm University have developed a novel value chain to produce textile fibers and biofuel from fast-growing poplars. This sustainable approach enables the conversion of marginal land from cotton to food production, minimizing water consumption and supporting global food security.
A new USDA Forest Service study projects that residential structures will continue to increase carbon storage through 2070 and beyond. The research examines how population growth and income can be combined to project rates of new housing construction and its impact on carbon storage in wood products.
Climate change is driving the expansion of invasive insect species, such as the oak gall wasp, into more northerly oak savannas. This can lead to an imbalance in the ecosystem, as these insects can overwhelm native species without natural predators or competitors.
Research shows higher concentrations of pathogenic dust landing at lower elevations in the Sierra Nevada mountains, carrying fungi and bacteria that can cause crop failures and human respiratory disease. The study highlights the increasing threat of microbe-laden dust as the Earth dries out.
A new study found that as the globe warms, infected pines starve and disease-causing fungi become more aggressive, reducing the trees' capacity to carry out photosynthesis and invest in growth and defense. This can lead to a decrease in carbon sequestration rates, exacerbating climate change.