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Trees

All articles tagged with #trees

Storm Sparks UV Glows on Tree Tips Confirmed in the Wild
earth-science8 days ago

Storm Sparks UV Glows on Tree Tips Confirmed in the Wild

A Penn State–led team captured the first in-the-wild coronae—brief ultraviolet glows at leaf tips—during thunderstorms, logging 41 events on multiple tree species across the East Coast in about 90 minutes. Each glow lasts roughly three seconds and can hop between leaves. While coronae had been seen in laboratory tests, this study confirms they occur in nature and may light tens to hundreds of treetop leaves during a single storm, though the displays are invisible to the naked eye.

via Gizmodo|
#coronae#earth-science#electrical-discharges
Trees Signal Back: How Plants Detect, Defend, and Communicate Under Attack
science18 days ago

Trees Signal Back: How Plants Detect, Defend, and Communicate Under Attack

Trees detect being browsed or chewed by insects, piercing-and-sucking bugs, and even pathogens or nearby stressed trees, using cues from mouthparts, vibrations, saliva, microbes, and emitted signals. In response they boost chemical defenses such as tannins and phenolics, grow tougher leaves, and release volatile compounds to recruit predators of their attackers; some species even share pest information with neighbors to bolster collective defenses, though drought and climate stress can blunt these responses (e.g., Aleppo pines). The piece also engages with questions about tree “feelings” and references Peter Wohlleben’s ideas about the hidden life of trees.

via BBC Wildlife Magazine|
#alarm-signals#chemical-defense#herbivory
"Climate Change Disrupts Tree-Fungi Symbiosis"
environment1 year ago

"Climate Change Disrupts Tree-Fungi Symbiosis"

A study published in PNAS reveals that climate change is causing tree populations to move away from the soil fungi that sustain them, particularly in northern latitudes. This migration lag is due to the trees relocating to soils lacking the necessary mycorrhizal fungi, which are crucial for their nutrient uptake and survival. The research highlights the importance of understanding and protecting these symbiotic relationships to mitigate the impacts of climate change on forest ecosystems.

via Phys.org|
#climate-change#ecosystems#environment
"Unlikely Microplastic Sink Discovered by Scientists"
environment1 year ago

"Unlikely Microplastic Sink Discovered by Scientists"

A new study has found that trees, specifically the konara oak tree, may be acting as a sink for airborne microplastics by accumulating them on the waxy surface coating of their leaves. Microplastics, tiny plastic particles found nearly everywhere on Earth, have uncertain effects on human and environmental health due to the variable and indeterminate combination of chemicals present in them. The discovery highlights the importance of preserving forests as they provide yet another crucial service by filtering out microplastics from the air.

via Yahoo! Voices|
#air-pollution#environment#environmental-impact
"Carbon-Capturing Trees Struggle to Absorb Excess CO2, Emitting Instead"
environment1 year ago

"Carbon-Capturing Trees Struggle to Absorb Excess CO2, Emitting Instead"

Trees in warmer, drier climates are struggling to absorb excess CO2 and are instead releasing it back into the atmosphere, a process known as photorespiration. This subverts the belief that trees can help reduce carbon emissions, and as global warming increases, the ability of trees to absorb CO2 is expected to decrease significantly. Researchers found that in hotter climates, trees are releasing up to two times more CO2, and any climate exceeding average daytime temperatures of around 68 degrees Fahrenheit experiences this effect. This discovery raises concerns about the future impact of climate change on the planet's ability to mitigate CO2 levels.

via Futurism|
#climate-change#co2#environment
"Climate Change Impairs Trees' Ability to Breathe"
environment1 year ago

"Climate Change Impairs Trees' Ability to Breathe"

Trees in warmer, drier climates are struggling to absorb carbon dioxide, leading to increased release of CO2 through a process called photorespiration, which challenges their role as natural carbon sinks. Research led by Penn State shows that as temperatures rise, trees are less able to draw down CO2 from the atmosphere, potentially reducing their effectiveness in offsetting human carbon emissions. The study suggests that the impact of climate change on trees' ability to sequester carbon needs to be considered in future climate models and highlights the need to understand how plants might adapt to a warming world.

via SciTechDaily|
#carbon-dioxide#climate-change#environment
"Reassessing the Climate Impact of Tree Planting: New Study Findings"
environment2 years ago

"Reassessing the Climate Impact of Tree Planting: New Study Findings"

A recent study published in the journal Science suggests that the cooling benefits of planting trees may be overestimated, as darker forests can warm the Earth by reducing the albedo of the land they cover. Trees also release organic compounds that can react with oxidants, leading to a reduction in the destruction of methane and an increase in greenhouse gas concentrations. The study emphasizes the need for a more inclusive effort to mitigate climate change, including environmental management and lower energy-intensive consumption, to maximize the climate benefits of planting trees. Additionally, the focus should be on not only planting trees but also preserving current forests, as tree planting may make more sense for some areas than others.

via InsideClimate News|
#climate-change#climate-mitigation#environment
"Devastating Northern California Storm Toppled Trees and Cleanup Responsibility"
weather2 years ago

"Devastating Northern California Storm Toppled Trees and Cleanup Responsibility"

Powerful winds exceeding 50 mph caused trees to topple and knocked out power to hundreds of thousands across Northern California, leading to damage to homes and vehicles. Viewer videos shared with KCRA 3 show the aftermath, including large trees falling onto homes, damaging fences, and narrowly missing neighboring houses, as well as collapsing on top of vehicles. Cleanup efforts are underway as debris covers roadways in affected neighborhoods.

via KCRA Sacramento|
#damage#northern-california#strong-winds