Ecology: Trees Environmental: Ecosystems Geoscience: Environmental Issues Paleontology: Climate
Published

Old-growth trees more drought tolerant than younger ones, providing a buffer against climate change      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new analysis of more than 20,000 trees on five continents shows that old-growth trees are more drought tolerant than younger trees in the forest canopy and may be better able to withstand future climate extremes. The findings highlight the importance of preserving the world's remaining old-growth forests, which are biodiversity strongholds that store vast amounts of planet-warming carbon, according to forest ecologists.

Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: Wildfires Geoscience: Environmental Issues
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Major fires an increasing risk as the air gets thirstier, research shows      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Greater atmospheric demand for water means a dramatic increase in the risk of major fires in global forests unless we take urgent and effective climate action, new research finds. Researchers have examined global climate and fire records in all of the world's forests over the last 20 years.

Environmental: Ecosystems
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Strongest Arctic cyclone on record led to surprising loss of sea ice      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The strongest Arctic cyclone ever observed struck in January 2022. A new analysis shows that while forecasts accurately predicted the massive storm, models seriously underestimated its effect on sea ice. Results suggest where forecast models for a changing Arctic Ocean could improve.

Environmental: Ecosystems Geoscience: Environmental Issues Paleontology: Climate
Published

1930s Dust Bowl led to extreme heat around Northern Hemisphere      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The 1930s Dust Bowl affected heat extremes across much of North America and as far away as Europe and East Asia, according to new research. The study found that the extreme heating of the Great Plains triggered motions of air around the Northern Hemisphere in ways that suppressed cloud formation in some regions and contributed to record heat thousands of miles away.

Environmental: Ecosystems
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Mangroves: Environmental guardians of our coastline      (via sciencedaily.com) 

They are the salt-tolerant shrubs that thrive in the toughest of conditions, but according to new UniSA research, mangroves are also avid coastal protectors, capable of surviving in heavy metal contaminated environments.

Biology: Microbiology Ecology: Trees Environmental: Ecosystems
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Forests benefit from tree species variety and genetic diversity      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Reforestation projects should include a variety of tree species and ensure genetic diversity within each species to maximize new forests' health and productivity.

Environmental: Ecosystems
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Plastic additives contaminate the sea and selectively harm corals' reproduction processes, research finds      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new study examined the effect of plastic additives on the reproductive process and larvae development of corals and other organisms commonly found in the coral reef of Eilat.

Environmental: Ecosystems Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Researchers discover root exudates have surprising and counterintuitive impact on soil carbon storage      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers examined root exudates and their impact on soil carbon storage revealing surprising and counterintuitive results.

Environmental: Ecosystems
Published

Biodiversity in Africa and Latin America at risk from oil palm expansion, new report warns      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Zero deforestation commitments may inadvertently leave vital habitats in Latin America and Africa vulnerable to agricultural expansion, a new study has found.

Ecology: Trees Environmental: Ecosystems
Published

Animals are key to restoring the world's forests      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

By dispersing seeds, animals can rapidly reestablish plant diversity in degraded forests.

Environmental: Ecosystems
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Less intensively managed grasslands have higher plant diversity and better soil health      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have shown -- for the first time -- that less intensively managed British grazed grasslands have on average 50% more plant species and better soil health than intensively managed grassland. The new study could help farmers increase both biodiversity and soil health, including the amount of carbon in the soil of the British countryside.

Computer Science: Encryption Computer Science: Quantum Computers Mathematics: Puzzles
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Microlaser chip adds new dimensions to quantum communication      (via sciencedaily.com) 

With only two levels of superposition, the qubits used in today's quantum communication technologies have limited storage space and low tolerance for interference. Engineering's hyperdimensional microlaser generates 'qudits,' photons with four simultaneous levels of information. The increase in dimension makes for robust quantum communication technology better suited for real-world applications.

Environmental: Ecosystems
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Corals saving corals      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Corals resistant to disease can rescue more vulnerable corals, UC Davis found. Raising corals with diverse genotypes builds resilience amid disease and climate changes in reefs.

Environmental: Ecosystems
Published

Arctic carbon conveyor belt discovered      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Every year, the cross-shelf transport of carbon-rich particles from the Barents and Kara Seas could bind up to 3.6 million metric tons of CO2 in the Arctic deep sea for millennia. In this region alone, a previously unknown transport route uses the biological carbon pump and ocean currents to absorb atmospheric CO2 on the scale of Iceland's total annual emissions, as researchers report.

Environmental: Ecosystems
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Crown-of-thorns seastar from Red Sea is endemic species      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have identified coral-eating crown-of-thorns seastars in the Red Sea as distinct species that occurs only in this location.

Environmental: Ecosystems
Published

Deadly coral disease in Florida, Caribbean may be transported in ship hulls, study finds      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new study suggests that ships may be spreading a deadly coral disease across Florida and the Caribbean. The findings could help establish testing and treatment methods to mitigate the risk of further disease spread.

Environmental: Ecosystems
Published

Arctic vegetation has a major impact on warming      (via sciencedaily.com) 

An international team of research scientists has documented the central role of vegetation for Arctic warming. The new results allow us to make more precise climate predictions, with the researchers pointing out that current models remain flawed.

Environmental: Ecosystems Offbeat: Earth and Climate Space: Exploration Space: The Solar System
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Exploring the possibility of extraterrestrial life living in caves      (via sciencedaily.com) 

For millennia, caves have served as shelters for prehistoric humans. Caves have also intrigued scholars from early Chinese naturalists to Charles Darwin. A cave ecologist has been in and out of these subterranean ecosystems, examining the unique life forms -- and unique living conditions -- that exist in Earth's many caves. But what does that suggest about caves on other planetary bodies? In two connected studies, engineers, astrophysicists, astrobiologists and astronauts lay out the research that needs to be done to get us closer to answering the old-age question about life beyond Earth.

Environmental: Ecosystems
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Ray of hope? One place where reef manta rays are thriving      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Over a decade, manta ray populations increased significantly in Raja Ampat archipelago in Indonesia, highlighting the importance of long-term conservation and management measures such as well-enforced Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and fisheries regulations, says a researcher.

Environmental: Ecosystems Geoscience: Geology
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Desert dust collected from glacier ice helps document climate change      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers are using dust trapped in glacier ice in Tibet to document past changes in Earth's intricate climate system -- and maybe one day help predict future changes.