Ecology: Trees Geoscience: Geology
Published

Evolution of tree roots may have driven mass extinctions      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A study has found evidence that the evolution of tree roots over 300 million years ago triggered mass extinction events through the same chemical processes created by pollution in modern oceans and lakes.

Ecology: Trees
Published

Lianas more likely to infest smaller trees in Southeast Asian forests, transforming knowledge in understudied area      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Woody climbing plants, known as lianas, are more likely to infest smaller trees in Malaysian forests and therefore stop them growing to their full potential, which may have implications for climate change.

Biology: Microbiology Ecology: Trees
Published

Ambrosia beetles breed and maintain their own food fungi      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A recent experiment provides evidence of a bark beetle species' agricultural capability. The fruit-tree pinhole borer can suppress the growth of weed fungi and promote food fungi.

Ecology: Trees Environmental: Ecosystems Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

El Niño increases seedling mortality even in drought-tolerant forests      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists conducted a 7-year study on seedling recruitment and mortality in a national park in Chiang Mai, in northern Thailand. During the study period, an extremely strong El Niño event occurred, leading to a stronger and longer drought than normal. Seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTFs), which experience an annual dry season, are considered drought-tolerant. Nevertheless, the study found that seedling mortality increased in SDTFs when severe and prolonged drought occurred.

Ecology: Trees Environmental: Ecosystems
Published

Life cycle of tree roots      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have developed a method for the direct observation of fine roots, which control the uptake of nutrients and water by trees. This provides a valuable addition to the existing knowledge of carbon and nutrient cycling in the forest floor, leading to further understanding of the carbon cycle from the view point of initial carbon input into the soil and aiding forest management and soil conservation.

Ecology: Trees
Published

UV-to-red light converting films accelerate plant growth      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Plastic sheets coated with an Eu3+ film that converts UV light to red light were able to accelerate growth of vegetal plants and trees.

Ecology: Trees Space: Structures and Features Space: The Solar System
Published

Tree rings offer insight into devastating radiation storms      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new study has shed new light on a mysterious, unpredictable and potentially devastating kind of astrophysical event.

Ecology: Trees
Published

By leaving garden waste alone, we could store 600,000 tons of CO2 per year      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Danes shuttle nearly a million tons of garden waste from their gardens every year. But we would be doing the climate a great service if we just left it alone, according to the new calculations. At the same time, leaves and other garden waste are a boon for backyard biodiversity and soil.

Ecology: Trees Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: Wildfires
Published

Forest recovery after Montana's 2017 fire season      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers found thousands of seedlings growing after recent fires in Montana, especially at sites with cooler, damper conditions -- often found in the shade of the dead trees and upper canopy, as well as on the north side of mountains with higher elevations and more undergrowth. Researchers found fewer seedlings at sites with less shade and drier, hotter conditions.