Old growth forests are well known for their aesthetic appeal as well as for their importance in both culture and history. Old growth, however, refers to more than just the age of the trees. It is challenging to define old growth in a way that will apply to all forests, according to Merrill R. Kauffman, the author of a research on western old growth. For others, an old growth … [Read more...] about Old Growth: What It Is and Why It Matters
How Do Plants React to the Arctic’s Warming?
Not all plants perish as winter approaches. Some plants in the north can survive – and even grow – in the freezing arctic temperatures. Arctic plants, however, are delicate and rely on certain temperature cues for flowering. Furthermore, as climate change worsens, rising temperatures could upset this delicate equilibrium, endangering the survival of species in this special … [Read more...] about How Do Plants React to the Arctic’s Warming?
The Framework for One Health
Animals and the environment have continued to thrive while much of human society has been in lockdown or under stringent social controls since since COVID-19 expanded internationally in 2020. But the pandemic has forced many researchers and decision-makers to reconsider how to treat animals and our place in the wide ecosystem of other living things. The One Health policy … [Read more...] about The Framework for One Health
Healthy Communities, Healthy Forests
Protecting forests is a crucial climate change mitigation approach because they not only trap carbon but also because healthy forests may contribute to a robust food system. In a study, B. Powell, J. Hall, and T. Johns investigate the connections between Tanzanian food systems and forest ecosystems and how to safeguard both. "Over the past two decades, the field of landscape … [Read more...] about Healthy Communities, Healthy Forests
Canopy Gaps Define Forest Growth
At its most basic level, a canopy gap is a hole in the forest's land cover, frequently caused by a fallen tree or windstorm. However, these forest gaps, which are typically brought about by natural processes, can also give rise to new life. In this study, T.C. Whitmore explains what a tree gap is and the unique function it serves in the forest, demonstrating how sometimes … [Read more...] about Canopy Gaps Define Forest Growth