Tropical forests recover after deforestation
Tropical forests are disappearing at an alarming rate through deforestation, but they also have the potential to regrow naturally on abandoned lands. This has been shown by an international study led by scientists from Wageningen University. How a fo.....»»
Fossil holdfasts show kelp far predate animals we see in kelp forests today
The unique underwater kelp forests that line the Pacific Coast support a varied ecosystem that was thought to have evolved along with the kelp over the past 14 million years......»»
Reunion Island hunkers down as major storm hits
Streets were largely deserted on France's Reunion Island on Sunday as residents hunkered down in their homes to ride out what authorities said could become a devastating tropical storm......»»
A 22-million-year-old petrified mangrove forest found in the Panama Canal
A team of environmental and natural scientists from Universidad EAFIT in Colombia, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama, and Boise State University in the U.S. has found evidence of an ancient petrified mangrove forest on an island i.....»»
Aircraft observations point to near neutral carbon dioxide exchange in northern tropical Africa
The forests and grasslands of northern tropical Africa take in about as much carbon dioxide in the wet season as they release in the dry season, according to a new study based on observations from aircraft. The findings contradict earlier research th.....»»
Study finds biodiversity impacts of agricultural deforestation have inherent and predictable geographical differences
Agriculture is the foundation of human civilization and a prime example of our impact on Earth. Almost 40% of our planet's ice-free land surface, most of which was previously forested, is now dedicated to agriculture. As our demand for food increases.....»»
Nine new snail species discovered in Papua New Guinea, a biodiversity hot spot at risk
Nine new species of carnivorous land snails have been found in the remote forests of Papua New Guinea, a biodiversity hot spot. A new study describes the species, which are so small that all nine could fit together on a U.S. nickel......»»
How inter-annual climate variability affects seedling survival in temperate forests
Two new studies by researchers from the Institute of Applied Ecology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have revealed the relative effects of interannual climate variability and density-dependent species interactions on seedling survival in temperate.....»»
Deforestation in the Amazon may be decreasing the frequency of thunderstorms in South America
For the first time, researchers from Tel Aviv University have determined that due to the ongoing deforestation in the Amazon basin in recent decades, the number of thunderstorms in the region has decreased significantly, and the area over which they.....»»
Deforestation in Brazilian Amazon halved in 2023
Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon fell by half last year, according to figures released Friday, as President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's government bolstered environmental policing to crack down on surging destruction......»»
Carnivorous plant traps help scientists explain the evolution of complex "composite" traits
An international team of researchers led by Dr. Ulrike Bauer from the University of Bristol investigated two tropical pitcher plant species separated by 4,000 km of open ocean: The Slender Pitcher Plant (Nepenthes gracilis) found in Borneo, and Nepen.....»»
Mixed forests protect coastal areas from tsunami impacts better than monoculture forests, finds study
Coastal forests in Japan had predominantly been afforested with black pine (Pinus thunbergii), a shade-tolerant tree species that can withstand dry land ecosystems and harsh coastal environments......»»
Logging and climate change threaten montane birds
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have studied the effects of forest logging and climate change on bird communities in tropical mountains, by examining over 10 years of data......»»
Study uncovers the synchrony connecting kelp forests to the beach
The Santa Barbara Channel's kelp forests and its sandy beaches are intimately connected. Giant kelp, the foundation species of rocky reefs, serves as a major part of the beach food web as fronds of the giant seaweed break away from the forest and are.....»»
Research shows advisability of replanting conifer forests sooner rather than later after wildfires
Warmer and drier climate conditions in western U.S. forests are making it less likely that trees can regenerate after wildfires. Scientists at The University of New Mexico are experimenting and learning about reforestation and the challenges presente.....»»
New species of Arum family reported from Myanmar
The Arum family (Araceae) consists of terrestrial or aquatic shrubs, vines, or herbs. Amorphophallus is a large genus of about 200 tropical and subtropical tuberous herbs of the Arum family. Fifteen Amorphophallus species have been reported from Myan.....»»
Western Cascades landscapes in Oregon historically burned more often than previously thought
Forests on the west slope of Oregon's Cascade Range experienced fire much more often between 1500 and 1895 than had been previously thought, according to new research by scientists at Oregon State University......»»
"Doom for forests": fears over new Cambodia land grants
Eam Orn kneels in a forest in northwest Cambodia, pressing his hands together before an offering of bananas studded with smoking incense, and prays for the return of his land......»»
The two (country) sides of forests: How do public policies influence conservation?
How do national policies impact deforestation? Researchers from the University of Bonn have looked into this question at the global scale and have found that, contrary to common assumptions, national strategies have a significant—and visible—infl.....»»
Changing African landscape may have influenced early human communication
The shift from dense forests to open plains in Africa may have caused our ancient ancestors to change their vocal calls, research involving Durham University anthropologists has found......»»
A new map shows all above-ground biomass in the Brazilian Amazon
Publication of a new map showing all the above-ground biomass in the Brazilian Amazon is good news in the context of the severe crisis afflicting the world's largest contiguous tropical rainforest. Using airborne laser scanning and satellite imagery.....»»