A 20-year study by Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden reveals that planting small clusters of native trees can gradually restore degraded tropical forests in southwest China, offering a lower-cost alternative to massive tree-planting projects.
France's Council of State struck down Decree No. 2025-401, which funded a plan to plant one billion trees, ruling the subsidy framework unlawful due to a lack of mandatory public consultation.
President Trump announced he will soon reveal a “punishment” for Canada over wildfire smoke that has blanketed U.S. states and triggered air quality warnings, while also threatening additional tariffs.
Widespread wildfires in North America and Europe, exacerbated by climate change, are causing immediate devastation and long-term health, economic, and social consequences. A University of Hawaii study highlights persistent issues in Maui years after fires, including mental health and physical ailments.
Queensland's proposed State Development and Public Works Organisation (Critical Minerals) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 raises fears among landowners and environmental groups of land seizure and bypassing environmental laws for "state strategic projects," despite government assurances.
Researchers reconstructed 170 years of kelp forest history on Vancouver Island, finding 88% persistence in cooler, wave-exposed areas vs. 52% in warmer, sheltered ones, highlighting climate refuges and informing conservation strategies.
Miconia, an ornamental tree introduced to Tahiti in 1937, has become a biosecurity threat to Queensland's World Heritage rainforests, capable of producing over 8.9 million seeds per season and smothering native vegetation.
A global study identifies eight recurring sound motifs in birdsongs across 3,160 passerine species, influenced by both evolution and environmental factors like habitat and communication distance.
Newfoundland's introduced moose population, which grew rapidly due to ideal conditions and lack of predators, has had a profound impact on the island's forests, leading to over-browsing and necessitating management to balance habitat and population sizes.
Over a century ago, a few moose introduced to Newfoundland for hunting multiplied into one of North America's largest populations, profoundly reshaping the island's forests. Wildlife managers now balance moose numbers with habitat capacity, using a 2022-2026 plan to prevent over-browsing and vehicle collisions.
Intense heatwaves and drought have caused severe wildfires across Europe, Canada, and the US. Experts discuss varied management strategies, including Indigenous cultural burning, while Brazil shows success in reducing Amazon fires, though El Nino poses future risks.
A 25-year-old US Masters student, Linnea Bird, is among six interns participating in a program at Eaglehawk Dive Centre to restore Tasmania's rapidly declining giant kelp forests. The project uses a technique developed by the University of Tasmania to reforest under the waves, addressing the impact of warming waters and sea urchin overgrazing.
The desert rain frog (Breviceps macrops), native to South Africa and Namibia, is now classified as vulnerable by the IUCN due to habitat destruction from mining and development. Concerns also arise from its increasing popularity in the pet trade.
Researchers from Kyoto University have discovered that tree survival in mature forests depends on both light interception and light-use efficiency, not just height. Shade-tolerant species effectively convert limited light into biomass, allowing diverse tree heights to coexist and maintain forest diversity.
Two studies, one in the southwestern US and another across Canada's boreal forest, reveal that aspen trees significantly slow and sometimes halt wildfires, unlike conifer species. Aspen's higher moisture content and less flammable foliage make it a natural firebreak, offering practical implications for forest management and community protection.
A NASA satellite study reveals a net increase in global mangrove forests between 2000-2020, driven by restoration and conservation. However, scientists warn that rising sea levels from climate change pose a long-term threat, alongside coastal development.
In Laos, unexploded cluster bombs from the Vietnam War era continue to pose a deadly threat, hindering development and impacting livelihoods in rural communities. Demining teams work tirelessly to clear contaminated land, while education campaigns aim to prevent further casualties.
The Philippine Air Force aims to strengthen its air assets to achieve 360-degree defense, according to spokeswoman Col. Maria Christina Basco. This initiative is part of the military's modernization program, enhancing operational range and interoperability for territorial defense in the South China Sea.
Researchers have identified new species of bioluminescent fungi in Mexico's cloud forests, adding to the global understanding of this glowing phenomenon. The discovery highlights the biodiversity of these fragile ecosystems and the potential role of light attraction in spore dispersal.
In Romania's Buzau region, forests appear to move downhill due to soil creep, a slow geological process. Scientists study tree rings to measure this gradual movement, finding it occurs in cycles and is influenced by factors like rainfall and construction.
A new spider species, Taczanowskia waska, has been identified in Ecuador's Amazon rainforest. It uniquely mimics parasitic fungi that infect spiders, fooling scientists with its appearance and behavior. The discovery highlights the importance of citizen science and scientific collections in biodiversity research.
A new spider species, Taczanowskia waska, has been identified in Ecuador's Amazon rainforest. It uniquely mimics a parasitic fungus that infects spiders, fooling scientists with its appearance and behavior. The discovery highlights the importance of citizen science and scientific collections in biodiversity research.
The Albanese government approved regulatory changes allowing NSW to receive carbon credit funding for protecting native forests, enabling the creation of a 176,000-hectare koala national park near Coffs Harbour. The move, an election commitment, is praised by some conservationists but criticized by others and industry for relying on contentious carbon offsets.
Taiwan's tallest tree, a 1,000-year-old Taiwania cryptomerioides named 'Heaven Sword of the Da’an River', has been measured at 84.1 meters. Researchers highlight the importance of such ancient trees for biodiversity and climate change mitigation, while also noting their vulnerability to wildfires and global heating.
