Climate Change Surprise: Trees Remove Methane From the Air
New research reveals that tree bark microbes absorb significant amounts of methane, increasing the climate benefit of trees by about 10%. This finding underscores the…
Trees are perennial plants characterized by a long stem, or trunk, supporting branches and leaves in most species. They play a crucial role in the Earth’s ecosystem by producing oxygen, improving air quality, conserving water, preserving soil, and supporting wildlife. Trees absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, sequestering carbon, and they are critical in mitigating the impact of climate change. Besides their ecological benefits, trees provide shade, wood for construction, fuel for cooking and heating, and fruit for food as well as materials for many industrial uses. They also hold significant cultural value and contribute to the scenic beauty of landscapes, making them essential both in natural and urban environments.
New research reveals that tree bark microbes absorb significant amounts of methane, increasing the climate benefit of trees by about 10%. This finding underscores the…
Researchers reviewed thousands of reforestation projects worldwide, finding that combining natural regeneration with tree planting offers the most economical carbon capture. This strategy proves particularly…
Radiocarbon analysis reveals that Earth system models underestimate the carbon uptake in terrestrial ecosystems and suggest quicker carbon turnover, highlighting the need for more accurate…
New research indicates that plants absorb and release carbon dioxide faster than previously thought, challenging the effectiveness of nature-based carbon removal strategies and underscoring the…
Climate change impacts tree migrations by disrupting essential symbiotic relationships with mycorrhizal fungi, necessary for nutrient exchange and survival in new habitats. As our planet…
The mystery behind the origin, evolution, and dispersal around the world of iconic baobabs has been solved by scientists. Also known as upside-down trees, or…
Recent genomic research suggests that baobabs originated in Madagascar and later dispersed to Africa and Australia. Factors like climate and sea level changes influenced their…
Trees are struggling to sequester heat-trapping carbon dioxide (CO2) in warmer, drier climates, meaning that they may no longer serve as a solution for offsetting…
The nearly 400-year-old history of oaks in South Africa may be coming to an end, forever changing the treescape of towns and cities such as…
A new study, led by UCL scientists in collaboration with experts from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, reveals that giant sequoia trees, when introduced to…
The oldest fossilized forest ever discovered on Earth, dating back 390 million years, has been located within the towering sandstone cliffs of the Devon and…
Forests serve as crucial players in the fight against climate change due to their ability to absorb and store carbon. A recent study, with contributions…
Potential implications for American chestnut restoration and blight-resistance. The chromosomes of American and Chinese chestnuts are not so similar after all, at least in one…
Scientists have found that a small number of tree species dominate tropical forests worldwide, challenging previous notions about the diversity of these ecosystems. A major…
A new study involving University of Arizona researchers suggests change is happening faster than trees can adapt. The finding offers “a word of caution for…
Scientists flip the script, revealing trees in wetter regions are more sensitive to drought. This holiday season brings surprising news about your Christmas tree. Scientists…
A study has found that photovoltaic (PV) fields are more effective than afforestation in mitigating global climate change. While forests sequester carbon to mitigate climate…
Diseases significantly contribute to tree deaths in forests and urban landscapes. Continuous introductions of new diseases and the ability of pathogens to infect new host…