A novel 3D CT scan approach unlocks temperature records preserved in the gnarled wood of bristlecone pines.
trees
The Invisible Hand of Carbon Dioxide on Forest Productivity
A statistically robust approach applied to long-term flux measurements quantifies forest ecosystem response to increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide, providing a valuable benchmark for climate models.
Hurricanes May Prune Gulf Mangroves
Tropical storms knock down the tallest trees and stunt the growth of others.
Cosmic Rays Shed Light on Stone Age Timelines
Signatures of a long-ago solar storm, recorded in tree rings, helped researchers date a 7,400-year-old settlement in northern Greece.
Forests, Water, and Livelihoods in the Lesser Himalaya
Complex changes in land use, land cover, climate, and demographics are combining to stress water security for millions of people in the region.
Planting Trees May Not Be as Good for the Climate as Previously Believed
The climate benefits of trees storing carbon dioxide is partially offset by dark forests’ absorption of more heat from the Sun, and compounds they release that slow the destruction of methane in the atmosphere.
The Best Way to Kill Trees to Create Habitat
Standing dead trees—or snags—shelter animals, store carbon, and cycle nutrients. A long-term monitoring study found that lopping off a tree’s top branches is a good way to turn it into a snag within about 20 years.
Measuring Methane Stemming from Tree Stems
Wetland tree stem emissions have emerged as a significant contributor to the global methane budget. A new study tracks how they vary by season, location, and hydrological conditions.
Guatemala Is Reclaiming Overexploited Forests
Researchers, local communities, and authorities are tackling deforestation and forest degradation at the Maya Biosphere Reserve.