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Lost for 150,000 years: Rainforest discovery upends human history
For decades, scientists believed ancient humans avoided dense rainforests, treating them as nearly impossible environments for early survival. But a groundbreaking discovery in West Africa is rewriting that story. Researchers uncovered evidence that humans were…
Lost for 150,000 years: Rainforest discovery upends human history
For decades, scientists believed ancient humans avoided dense rainforests, treating them as nearly impossible environments for early survival. But a groundbreaking discovery in West Africa is rewriting that story. Researchers uncovered evidence that humans were…
Space-laser AI maps forest carbon in minutes—a game-changer for climate science
A pioneering study reveals how archaeologists’ satellite tools can be repurposed to tackle climate change. By using AI and satellite LiDAR imagery from NASA and ESA, researchers have found a faster, more accurate way to map forest biomass critical for tracking…
What a dinosaur ate 100 million years ago—Preserved in a fossilized time capsule
A prehistoric digestive time capsule has been unearthed in Australia: plant fossils found inside a sauropod dinosaur offer the first definitive glimpse into what these giant creatures actually ate. The remarkably preserved gut contents reveal that sauropods were…
Agriculture in forests can provide climate and economic dividends
Forest-based agroforestry can restore forests, promote livelihoods, and combat climate change, but emerging agroforestry initiatives focusing only on tree planting is leading to missed opportunities to support beneficial outcomes of forest management, scientists…
Agriculture in forests can provide climate and economic dividends
Forest-based agroforestry can restore forests, promote livelihoods, and combat climate change, but emerging agroforestry initiatives focusing only on tree planting is leading to missed opportunities to support beneficial outcomes of forest management, scientists…
Does planting trees really help cool the planet?
Replanting forests can help cool the planet even more than some scientists once believed, especially in the tropics. But even if every tree lost since the mid-19th century is replanted, the total effect won’t cancel out human-generated warming. This post is an…
Does planting trees really help cool the planet?
Replanting forests can help cool the planet even more than some scientists once believed, especially in the tropics. But even if every tree lost since the mid-19th century is replanted, the total effect won’t cancel out human-generated warming. This post is an…
When the forest is no longer a home — forest bats seek refuge in settlements
Many bat species native to Germany, such as the Leisler’s bat, are forest specialists. However, as it is becoming increasingly hard for them to find tree hollows in forest plantations, so they are moving to settlements instead. Using high-resolution GPS data…
When the forest is no longer a home — forest bats seek refuge in settlements
Many bat species native to Germany, such as the Leisler’s bat, are forest specialists. However, as it is becoming increasingly hard for them to find tree hollows in forest plantations, so they are moving to settlements instead. Using high-resolution GPS data…
When the forest is no longer a home — forest bats seek refuge in settlements
Many bat species native to Germany, such as the Leisler’s bat, are forest specialists. However, as it is becoming increasingly hard for them to find tree hollows in forest plantations, so they are moving to settlements instead. Using high-resolution GPS data…
Nordic studies show the significance of old-growth forests for biodiversity
Researchers conducted a systematic review of 99 scientific publications that compared the flora or fauna of old-growth forests, managed forests and clearcut sites in boreal Europe. The reviewed studies showed large differences in the species communities inhabiting…
Nordic studies show the significance of old-growth forests for biodiversity
Researchers conducted a systematic review of 99 scientific publications that compared the flora or fauna of old-growth forests, managed forests and clearcut sites in boreal Europe. The reviewed studies showed large differences in the species communities inhabiting…
Nordic studies show the significance of old-growth forests for biodiversity
Researchers conducted a systematic review of 99 scientific publications that compared the flora or fauna of old-growth forests, managed forests and clearcut sites in boreal Europe. The reviewed studies showed large differences in the species communities inhabiting…
El Niño and La Niña climate swings threaten mangroves worldwide
New international research demonstrates global-scale patterns in how El Ni o-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) influences mangrove growth and degradation. Previously, impacts had only been documented at individual sites, such as a dramatic die-off in northern Australia in…
Managing surrogate species, providing a conservation umbrella for more species
A new study shows that monitoring and managing select bird species can provide benefits for other species within specific regions. This post is an excerpt from the original article. We’re just sharing this great piece with our readers! All credit goes to the original…
New study reveals how competition between algae is transforming the Gulf of Maine
New research shows how rapidly proliferating turf algae are waging ‘chemical warfare’ to inhibit the recovery of kelp forests along Maine’s warming coast. This post is an excerpt from the original article. We’re just sharing this great piece with…
Something’s fishy here
In nature, ecosystems are tightly linked through the flow of organisms, detritus, and nutrients across boundaries arbitrarily imagined by humans. These systems are deeply in tune with seasonal changes, fostering a harmonious ebb and flow of resources. Many of these…
Something’s fishy here
In nature, ecosystems are tightly linked through the flow of organisms, detritus, and nutrients across boundaries arbitrarily imagined by humans. These systems are deeply in tune with seasonal changes, fostering a harmonious ebb and flow of resources. Many of these…
Songbirds’ great risk results in great genetic reward
Songbirds who make the arduous flight from their nesting sites in northern boreal forests to warm, southern climates in the winter may be rewarded for their journey with greater genetic diversity. This post is an excerpt from the original article. We’re just sharing…
Forest management can influence health benefits
Forests play a crucial role in promoting health and wellbeing, but not all forests provide the same benefits. A large-scale study demonstrates how specific forest characteristics — such as canopy density and tree species diversity — can affect various…
Scientific breakthrough: We can now halve the price of costly cancer drug
The demand for the widely used cancer drug Taxol is increasing, but it’s difficult and expensive to produce because it hasn’t been possible to do it biosynthetically. Until now, that is. Researchers have now cracked the last part of a code that science…
Dual associations with two fungi improve tree fitness
When trees and soil fungi form close associations with each other, both partners benefit. Many tree species have further enhanced this cooperation by forming a concurrent symbiosis with two different groups of mycorrhizal fungi. Those trees cope better with water and…
Australia’s oldest prehistoric tree frog hops 22 million years back in time
Scientists have now discovered the oldest ancestor for all the Australian tree frogs, with distant links to the tree frogs of South America. This post is an excerpt from the original article. We’re just sharing this great piece with our readers! All credit goes to…
Growth before photosynthesis: How trees regulate their water balance
In order for trees to grow, they need to control their water balance meticulously. A study shows how trees react to drought — and revises previous perceptions. This post is an excerpt from the original article. We’re just sharing this great piece with our…
Meet a Tree: Basswood
by John Zasada Editor’s note: Author John Zasada is a retired US Forest Service research scientist. His interests and passions (and talents!) turned to special forest products upon his retirement. John is enamored with a common Minnesota tree species: basswood, also…
What Will Minnesota’s Forests Look Like in 2100?
Anthropogenic Climate change (this means, climate change originating in human activity) is driving changes to our forest landscapes. We can and do manipulate forest diversity, composition and structure through management decisions What will happen if we can stabilize…
Forest of Points
By Jennifer Corcoran – Remote Sensing Program Consultant and Keb Guralski – Statewide Forest Inventory Coordinator, DNR Resource Assessment Forest inventory plays a crucial role in good forest management. For example, in the last MFA Newsletter, readers…
Spotting Invasive Species in the Fall
Post originally published for Itasca Woodland Services by Marissa Berguson As the long, bright days of summer give way to crisp air and auburn hues, northern folk settle into their apple pie-baking, hot cocoa-sipping, turkey-basting, marshmallow-toasting,…
Meet a Tree: Learning More
Once again, in this issue of Minnesota Woodlands, we are deviating from the ‘norm.’ We assume, as MFA members and likely owners of a woodland, you know your basic tree identification. But do you know some intimate details about those trees? For instance, do you…