Logged forests can still have ecological value—if not pushed too far
Researchers have analyzed data from 127 studies to reveal 'thresholds' for when logged rainforests lose the ability to sustain themselves. The results could widen the scope of which forests are considered 'worth' conserving, but also show how much lo.....»»
Braving sharks and hordes of urchins, scientists are growing kelp one forest at a time
The weathered UC Davis Marine Laboratory looms in thick fog on the edge of the ocean near Bodega Bay. Inside, an experiment is playing out that gives a badly-needed boost to Northern California's kelp forests—underwater cathedrals of green and gold.....»»
Did the world"s best-preserved dinosaurs really die in "Pompeii-type" events?
Between about 120 million and 130 million years ago, during the age of dinosaurs, temperate forests and lakes hosted a lively ecosystem in what is now northeast China. Diverse fossils from that time remained pretty much undisturbed until the 1980s, w.....»»
Rubber plantations increase leaching of dissolved organic carbon in soil, study finds
Rubber planting brings huge economic benefits, but large-scale rubber plantations have a great impact on the ecological environment, especially in terms of the soil's physical and chemical properties......»»
A Greek mountain could help solve the mystery of cloud formation
On the rocky slopes high above lush pine forests and mountain lakes, a group of researchers have just finished setting up their gear......»»
Satellite imagery may help protect coastal forests from climate change
Sea-level rise caused by climate change poses a serious and often unpredictable threat to coastal forests, and new tools are needed to help mitigate damage and allocate conservation resources......»»
Fastest Known Planetary System May Have Been Pushed by Our Galaxy’s Supermassive Black Hole
This blazingly-fast star is shooting through the Milky Way with a planet in tow.....»»
Japan-style "tiny forests" are taking root in British cities
A staggering 1 in 3 people in England lack access to nature-rich spaces within a short walk from their homes. Now, a growing movement is bringing nature back to cities across the UK. The Miyawaki forest method involves planting a diverse mix of dense.....»»
Seeing more acorns this fall? Here"s why, and what it means for RI"s forests.
Seeing more acorns this fall? Here"s why, and what it means for RI"s forests......»»
The preparation makes the poison: How muscarine in mushrooms becomes toxic
Mushrooms exist in a breathtaking variety of shapes, colors and sizes. Especially in autumn, mushroom hunters go into the forests to find the tastiest of them, prepare them in multiple ways and eat them with relish. However, it is well known that the.....»»
Red-cockaded woodpeckers" recovery in southeast leads to status change from endangered to threatened
The red-cockaded woodpecker, an iconic bird in southeastern forests, has recovered enough of its population to be downlisted from an endangered species to a threatened one, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Thursday......»»
Climate scientists identify water requirements for climate mitigation through ecosystem restoration
Worldwide, deforestation and farming practices are responsible for the degradation of vital ecosystems. While there is a significant amount of interest in climate mitigation by restoring those degraded lands with forests and other ecosystems, it is u.....»»
Cross-boundary regions need urgent targeted conservation interventions, says study
The Pan-Himalayan biogeographic domain is a significant region for biodiversity conservation and climate resilience. It has both tropical and extratropical flora and holds ecological, cultural, and socio-economic importance. However, there is still l.....»»
Accurately weighing costs and benefits of different methods for controlling invasive species
Invasive insect species bring a host of health, social, ecological and economic consequences, including crop damage, food insecurity, biodiversity loss, ecosystem disruption, human disease transmission and rising allergy rates......»»
Sega reveals the reason why it pushed Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii up a week
During the Xbox Partner Preview, Sega revealed that Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii had a new, earlier release date. A follow-up explains why......»»
How the invasive spiny water flea spread across Canada, and what we can do about it
Across the tranquil waters of Canada's vast network of lakes and rivers, a quiet invader is on the move. The spiny water flea, Bythotrephes cederströmii, is a microscopic predator that is forever altering the ecological fabric of aquatic habitats in.....»»
Book Review: Inside the Global Movement to Protect Forests from Climate Change
Lessons from the people making forest ecosystems more resilient.....»»
Targeting bacteria: Auxiliary metabolic genes expand understanding of phages and their reprogramming strategy
Viruses that infect bacteria—known as bacteriophages—could be used in a targeted manner to combat bacterial diseases. They also play an important ecological role in global biogeochemical cycles. Recent research by researchers at the University of.....»»
Canopy structure regulates autumn phenology by mediating microclimate in temperate forests, finds study
Autumn phenology serves as a sensitive indicator of temperate forests' response to climate change and is a key factor influencing forest carbon sequestration. Understanding the mechanisms driving the spatiotemporal variations in autumn phenology is c.....»»
New temperature conditions found in two thirds of key tropical forests
Two thirds of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in tropical forests are experiencing new temperature conditions as our climate changes, research shows......»»
Washington state"s older forests capture carbon better than nearly any other
They tower and drip, their curtains of moss damp in windblown fog: rainforests of the Pacific Northwest, unique in all the world......»»