A common “old world” tree, European beech can be found across Europe — from southern Scandinavia and Spain to Sicily and northwest Turkey. A new study by an international team of researchers has found that the summer solstice triggers synchronized beech tree reproduction all over the continent, influencing ecosystem functions. “We got inspired by a […]
Quick Key Facts What Are ‘Tropical Forests’? Tropical forests are rich ecosystems located in tropical zones surrounding the equator. They have a dense upper canopy of broad-leafed trees and an astonishingly diverse array of animal and plant life. These forests pack an enormous amount of biodiversity into the six percent of the planet’s land surface […]
The European Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA) have partnered to use satellites to address climate crisis threats and illegal logging in European Union (EU) forests. The commission has proposed a new law where the EU would use Copernicus Sentinel satellites to collect forest data in order to stay on top of threats like […]
At least one-third of the forests on the planet are cut down for use in the timber industry, worth $1.5 trillion annually, according to The Conversation. The trees are used in paper manufacturing and timber milling, among other applications, but they are increasingly threatened by wildfires. New research by scientists from Australia and the United […]
The European Union (EU) has agreed on a provisional agreement for a Nature Restoration Law — first proposed by the European Commission in June of last year — that would require member states to introduce measures for the restoration of 20 percent of the bloc’s land and sea ecosystems by 2030. More than 80 percent […]
In Indonesia, which is the top producer and exporter of palm oil globally, about 200,000 hectares (494,210 acres) of oil palm plantations are to be replaced with forests, the government announced Tuesday. The move will convert oil palm plantations on lands that are designated as forests, Reuters reported. In 2020, the government set rules on […]
A coalition of research organizations and civil society, the Forest Declaration Assessment, has conducted a new study that evaluates the progress toward eliminating deforestation by nations, companies and investors, as well as restoring 865 million acres of degraded land, by the end of the decade. The report, “Off Track and Falling Behind,” shows that last […]
Agriculture is the primary driver of forest and habitat loss worldwide. Some wilderness areas in northern climates have begun to be more suitable for agriculture due to global heating, and this is increasing the risk of agricultural expansion, putting ecosystems at risk. A new study by researchers from the University of Exeter shows that humans […]
Controlled burns or “prescribed fires” are used by trained firefighters to prevent wildfires in the Western United States by clearing away dried plant material that could potentially feed a natural, healthy fire. Certain weather conditions are necessary for firefighters to execute controlled burns safely. They must be dry enough that fires can ignite, but not […]