Forest degradation may be as widespread as deforestation in the Amazon, but its impact on energy, carbon, and water fluxes is less well understood.
deforestation
Posted inNews
A Dirty Truth: Humans Began Accelerating Soil Erosion 4,000 Years Ago
Recent research combining analysis of carbon dating, sediment accumulation rates, and pollen records from 632 lake beds worldwide finds deforestation tied to increased soil erosion.
Posted inNews
Deforestation Could Exacerbate Drought in the Amazon
Researchers use high-resolution satellite images to parse the effects of land use changes on the energy balance between the rain forest and the atmosphere.
Posted inNews
Ousted Head of Science Agency Criticizes Brazil’s Denial of Deforestation Data
Ricardo Galvão was fired from the institute that monitors deforestation in the Amazon. Now he and other scientists are speaking out against attacks on science.
Posted inNews
Global Tree Cover Loss Continues but Is Down from Peak Highs
New data show that an area of tropical tree forest cover the size of Nicaragua was lost in 2018.
Posted inOpinions
Will the Desert Darken Your Door?
Wildfires are becoming more common as climate changes. So too are the arid landscapes that spread in their wake.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Conserving Riverside Habitat Could Bolster Bottom Lines
Palm oil is in demand, and its agricultural footprint is expanding in the tropics. New research suggests that habitat buffers could improve conservation and prevent erosion that cuts into economic returns.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Measuring Emissions from Smoldering Peat Fires
A new study measures emission factors for tropical peatland fires in Malaysia.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Deforestation Effects as Different as Night and Day
Study investigates how deforestation can cause different land surface temperature effects depending on the time of day.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Smoke Signals in the Amazon
Forest fires can occur naturally, but in the world's largest rain forest, fire can signal large-scale deforestation.