Tag Archives: trees

Sinking Arctic Ocean Trees: A Natural Solution to Removing 1 Billion Tons of CO2

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Trees Floating Towards the Arctic Ocean

Trees Floating Towards the Arctic Ocean

Carl Christoph Stadie/Alfred Wegener Institute

Logging extensive areas of boreal forests and submerging the trees in the Arctic Ocean could potentially eliminate up to 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year.

Researchers suggest cutting down wildfire-prone coniferous trees and transporting them through six major Arctic rivers, including the Yukon and Mackenzie, where they can sink within a year.

“Currently, we have forests that sequester significant carbon, but the next challenge is finding ways to store it without burning,” says Wolf Bungen from Cambridge University.

To combat carbon emissions from hard-to-electrify industries, it’s essential to explore methods for atmospheric carbon reduction. While direct air capture technology is costly, tree planting can backfire if the trees end up dying or burning.

Several companies are working on wood burial techniques. For instance, a U.S. initiative, Running Tide, sunk 25,000 tonnes of wood chips off Iceland’s coast but faced shutdown due to environmental concerns.

Approximately 1 trillion tonnes of carbon are stored within the wood, soil, and peat of boreal forests across North Eurasia and North America, a figure expected to rise as climate change accelerates plant growth. However, with increasing wildfire frequency, this carbon could be released.

Bungen and his team previously discovered that wood can survive for up to 8,000 years in cold, oxygen-limited Alpine lakes without decomposing or emitting CO2. Six Arctic rivers transport substantial amounts of logs, with driftwood in deltas estimated to contain over 20 million tons of carbon. Carl Stadie from Germany’s Alfred Wegener Institute was not part of the study.

If every year, 30,000 square kilometers were cleared along each river, placing the wood on river ice in winter and then replanting, it could absorb up to 1 billion tons of CO2 annually, researchers estimate.

However, some US rivers continue to experience biodiversity loss a century after timber removal, warns Ellen Wall of Colorado State University.

“Dumping a massive amount of logs into a river resembles pushing brush into a river,” she notes.

Moreover, if wood becomes lodged on beaches or in tributaries, causing flooding, it could thaw permafrost and increase methane emissions from microorganisms.

“We could see a scenario where the wood aids ocean carbon sequestration, while onshore flooding and melting snow cause carbon release at high altitudes,” warns Merritt Turetsky from the University of Colorado Boulder.

Inadequate cold or oxygen-free conditions may lead to wood decomposition rather than sinking. Driftwood frozen in sea ice is often transported to the Faroe Islands.

“In a worst-case scenario, vast forest areas could be cleared, impacting the carbon they store,” says Stadie.

Roman Dial, a professor at Alaska Pacific University, warns that this proposal may be exploited by commercial logging and could face criticism from all sides of the political spectrum.

“How extensive is the list of potential unintended consequences that could unfold in the Arctic, given our limited understanding?” he questions.

Some regions of the Arctic ocean floor might not be suitable for conservation, according to Morgan Raven at the University of California, Santa Barbara. However, others could benefit from exploration, given the substantial influx of wood into the Arctic and other oceans. The Earth once experienced a greenhouse climate era 56 million years ago.

“We can investigate sediments and rocks to understand how this experiment was conducted in the past,” Raven concludes.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Do Trees Harbor Microbiomes? An Obvious Yet Profound Inquiry

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“Each tree on Earth houses a multitude of microorganisms, many of which remain unrecognized by science.”

ShutterStock/Emvat Mosakovskis

A few years back, I enjoyed an enlightening afternoon in an ancient forest near London, discovering the crucial link between aging trees and biodiversity. My guide, Lynn Bodhis, a mycologist from Cardiff University, explained that as trees age over centuries, the inner trunk begins to decompose due to fungal activity. This phenomenon, known as “heart rot,” is a natural aspect of a tree’s life cycle, creating invaluable habitats for various species of insects, birds, and mammals. Unfortunately, as older trees diminish, the heart rot phenomenon is also waning, lacking the necessary old trees to continue its role. Bodhy and her colleagues are dedicated to preserving this essential process by promoting the early aging of younger trees.

While it didn’t strike me at the moment, heart rot is part of the tree microbiome, akin to a diverse mix of bacteria, archaea, fungi, protists, and viruses. The concept of microbiomes wasn’t commonly discussed then, but groundbreaking research published in Nature has revealed that trees possess microbiota as varied and remarkable as our own.

We’ve known for some time that the surfaces of trees (trunks, roots, leaves, etc.) harbor diverse microbiota. However, recent studies indicate that their interiors are similarly diverse. Each tree on our planet contains myriad microorganisms, many of which are unfamiliar to the scientific community.

This discovery is both significant and enlightening. It’s intuitive to consider diversity in trees, given that microbiota thrive in various natural settings, including smaller plants. Yet, this research unveils microbial ecosystems that were previously overlooked, shedding new light on trees—not merely as individual organisms but as holobionts, integral components of Earth’s ecology.

Essentially, like humans, trees are composite entities, consisting of both hosts and their associated microorganisms. If the microbiota of trees proves as vital to their biology as human microbiota are to us, these communities could play a pivotal role in efforts to sustain biodiversity and combat climate change.

The researchers involved in this study examined wood samples from the trunks, branches, and roots of 150 living trees spanning 16 species in forests in northeastern United States. They conducted what is referred to as the Microorganism Census, discovering that the interior wood of trees is teeming with microorganisms, including not just bacteria associated with heart rot but also a variety of other bacteria, fungi, and archaea. Additionally, each tree species is home to its unique microbiota.

If the tree microbiota is essential to biology, it could aid in the fight to preserve biodiversity.

The interior of tree trunks consists of two types of wood: outer sapwood and inner heartwood. The sapwood is alive and primarily responsible for transporting water from the roots to the leaves, while heartwood is non-living and serves mainly structural purposes (which eventually deteriorate due to heart rot). Researchers have established that the microbial communities in these two wood types differ significantly.

While only a limited number of species were sampled, it is plausible that all trees harbor similar microbiota across various wood types. The studied 16 species represent 11 genera, all of which have a global presence.

What roles do these microorganisms fulfill? It’s still largely unknown, but researchers suggest they likely contribute to tree health and the overall health of forests. They are possibly involved in the essential ecosystem services trees provide, such as offering habitats for numerous plants and animals, producing clean water, and acting as carbon sinks. Globally, wood holds approximately 60 years’ worth of current emissions according to studies over the past six decades. Trees could absorb more, helping to cap global warming to less than 2°C above pre-industrial levels, necessitating healthy, expanding forests. A deeper understanding of tree microbiota may facilitate this goal, according to researchers.

This concept of mutualism is gaining traction. While microorganisms are often viewed as adversaries of biodiversity, they are foundational to the world’s ecosystems. As primary agents of organic matter decomposition, they drive vital biogeochemical cycles that supply the biosphere with essential elements like carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur. Moreover, they coexist with most plant species and are integral to what many refer to as Earth’s “life support system.” However, alarming trends suggest that the overall microbiota on Earth is declining.

It’s premature to conclude whether this trend extends to tree microbiota, but now that we are aware of their existence, we must ensure they are conserved.

What I’m reading

I’ll be diving into this as I plan my visit to Romania’s Carpathian Mountains next month.

What I’m watching

It resembles a storybook. I’m a huge fan of Mark Gattis, and his new drama is fantastic.

What I’m working on

For upcoming articles, we’re closely monitoring food intake again, including urine pH measurements.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Town Street Trees Survive Drought by Absorbing Water from Leaky Pipes

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Trees along the streets of Montreal, Canada

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Urban trees exhibit greater drought resilience than those in parks due to their access to leaking pipes, providing a unique water source.

During prolonged dry spells, trees in park settings experience greater decreases in water levels and sap flow compared to those on streets, although the underlying reasons were previously not well understood.

To delve deeper, Andre Poilier from the University of Quebec in Montreal, Canada, and his team studied trunk samples from both Norwegian and silver maple trees (Acer Platanoides and Acer Saccharinum) located in nearby parks and city streets. They analyzed various lead isotopes to establish a connection between isotopic levels and the trees’ recent history by examining the unique isotopic variations found in their trunk rings.

While park trees commonly showed lead isotopes linked to air pollution, those on the street displayed isotopic variations corresponding to lead from water pipes made of metals sourced from ancient local sediments.

Typically, a maple tree requires approximately 50 liters of water each day. Since street trees cannot rely on the rainwater that collects on concrete and drains into city sewer systems, Poilier suggests that the most plausible explanation lies in Montreal’s leaky pipes, which lose an estimated 500 million liters of water daily.

“The bright side is that planting trees along city streets can continue, as they thrive better than those in parks,” Poilier noted while presenting his findings at the Goldschmidt Geochemical Conference in Prague, Czech Republic, on July 8th.

“The sheer volume of water utilized by these urban trees is astonishing and contradicts conventional wisdom. I believe this will enhance the health of park trees as well,” commented Gabriel Filipeli from Indiana University.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Fig Trees Could Help Combat Climate Change by Transforming Carbon Dioxide into Stone

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Fig trees may excel at reducing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere

Raimund Link/Mauritius Images Gmbh/Alamy

Certain fig trees have the ability to transform significant quantities of carbon dioxide into solid forms, allowing carbon to remain in the soil even after the tree has perished. This indicates that fig trees used for timber or fruit cultivation could offer additional environmental benefits through this carbon sequestration process.

While all trees generally utilize carbon dioxide from the air, most of it is converted into structural molecules such as cellulose. However, some tree species also synthesize a crystalline substance known as calcium oxalate, and the bacteria within the trees and soil can convert it to calcium carbonate, a primary component of rocks like limestone and chalk.

Mineral carbon can remain in the soil significantly longer than organic matter derived from wood. Trees that store carbon in this manner include iron syrup (Milisia Excelsa), which is found in tropical Africa and is valued for its wood yet does not yield edible fruit.

Recently, Mike Rory from the University of Zurich and his team discovered that three fig species indigenous to Samburu County, Kenya, can also produce calcium carbonate through their own processes.

“Most trees generate calcium carbonate within the soil,” Laurie explains. “We [also] observe that high concentrations can transform the entire root structure into calcium carbonate in the soil, which is a remarkable finding.”

The research team initially identified the calcium carbonate-generating fig species by using a weak hydrochloric acid solution to detect its release from calcium carbonate. Subsequently, they could confirm the presence of calcium carbonate in the surrounding soil and analyze wood samples to pinpoint where calcium carbonate was being generated.

“What genuinely astonished me was how deep I was digging for [calcium carbonate],” Laurie remarked, as he presented his findings at the Goldschmidt conference in Prague, Czech Republic, this week.

Further investigations are needed to estimate the total carbon storage of these trees, the resilience of water in various climates, and the water requirement. Nevertheless, if fig trees can be integrated into future planting initiatives, they could serve as both a source of nourishment and a carbon sink, according to Laurie.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Ash Trees Are Adapting Quickly and Showing Some Resistance to Ash Blight

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Certain ash trees exhibit genetic variations that offer partial resistance to ash dieback

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British ash trees are evolving resistant traits to combat ash dieback, evident from DNA sequences found in numerous specimens.

This discovery is promising, according to Richard Buggs at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, England, although complete resistance in ash trees is not anticipated soon. “A breeding program may be necessary to assist nature in this process,” he states.

Ash dieback, caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, progressively impairs the tree’s capacity to transport water. It began its spread across Europe in the 1990s and made its way to the UK in 2012.

The demise of ash trees leads to increased carbon dioxide release and threatens various species that depend on these trees for their ecosystem. Additionally, fallen trees pose risks to people and property. “There are numerous ash trees close to footpaths and roads, creating significant hazards,” Buggs notes.

Buggs’ team compared genomes of 128 adult European ash trees. Since fungi take considerably longer to kill mature trees than younger ones (Fraxinus excelsior), this also included 458 seedlings at a location called Marden Park in Surrey. They discovered thousands of variations previously linked to resistance were more prevalent in younger trees, likely because those without such variations perished.

This study provides the most comprehensive genetic insight into evolutionary responses observed in nature. “The significance of this research is its ability to characterize the genetic foundation and demonstrate the changes occurring within a single generation,” Buggs explains.

However, each gene variant offers only a marginal effect, failing to provide complete resistance. As the older ash trees diminish and fungal spores decrease, the rate of evolutionary change may also slow in the future. This indicates that younger ash trees might have better survival prospects, Buggs suggests.

“It poses a major challenge, but these trees won’t vanish entirely,” he remarks. “Our findings inspire hope that some of these younger ash trees may mature and undergo natural selection for subsequent generations, if feasible.”

Ash dieback has yet to invade North America; however, the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) has been introduced, actively decimating ash tree populations there. The outcome of both ash dieback and the emerald ash borer coexisting in the same region remains uncertain but might exacerbate the issue.

“Globalization is mixing insects and pathogens across the globe, leading to increasing challenges for these trees, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to adapt,” Buggs states. “Trees now face threats they have never experienced before, and at unprecedented speeds.”

He believes interventions are essential to help trees withstand these pressures, such as creating resistant hybrids between resilient species and native trees.

“One potential solution is to enhance the genetic diversity of trees globally, keeping pace with the array of pests and pathogens we are spreading,” he concludes.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Study: Spruce Trees Anticipate Solar Eclipses and Align Bioelectric Activity Timeframes

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Regular light cycles greatly influence organisms, and phenomena like solar eclipses trigger distinct physiological and behavioral responses. Although extensively studied in animals, plant behavior during solar eclipses remains relatively unexamined. Recent research conducted by scientists from Italy, the UK, Spain, and Australia explored the bioelectric responses of multiple Spruce trees (Picea abies) in relation to solar eclipses.

A study site in the Dolomite Mountains, Italy. Image credit: Monica Galliano / Southern Cross University.

Periodic sunlight fosters global weather patterns, seasons, and climates that sustain life on Earth.

The daily and seasonal rhythms of natural light align biological systems by synchronizing their internal clocks with the Earth’s geophysical cycles.

In an era marked by significant human-induced alterations to natural cycles, extraordinary astronomical events such as solar eclipses serve as natural experiments, offering crucial perspectives on how organisms react to sudden, rare environmental changes.

“Our study reveals that forests play a vital role in how species communicate and adapt, uncovering a new layer of complexity in plant behavior,” noted Professor Monica Galliano from Southern Cross University.

“It’s essentially evidence of the renowned ‘Wood Wide Web’ in action!”

This investigation employed an innovative remote measurement system to monitor multiple trees simultaneously within the forest.

This setup enabled researchers to assess whether and to what degree individual trees respond collectively to the solar eclipse, functioning as a larger living entity.

The study analyzed the electrical signals in spruce trees to characterize their bioelectrical activity during a partial solar eclipse that occurred in the Dolomite Mountains of northeastern Italy.

Results demonstrated that individual trees exhibited significant synchronization in their electrical activity before and after the solar eclipse, operating as an integrated living system that manages their reactions to external influences.

“Using advanced analytical techniques, including complexity measures from Quantum Field Theory,” stated Professor Alessandro Thioleoreo of the Italian Institute of Technology and the University of England, “we now regard forests not merely as individual collections but as ensembles of interconnected plants.”

“These findings reinforce the need to protect ancient trees,” Professor Galliano added.

“The fact that older trees are the first to react and possibly lead a collective response emphasizes their role as repositories of historical environmental knowledge.”

“This discovery underscores the critical importance of safeguarding old forests, which act as cornerstones of ecosystem resilience by conserving and sharing invaluable ecological insights.”

The study is published in the journal Royal Society Open Science.

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Alessandro Chiolerio et al. 2025. Bioelectric Synchronization of Picea abies During a Solar Eclipse. R. Soc. Open SCI 12(4): 241786; doi: 10.1098/rsos.241786

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Source: www.sci.news

Mixedectes Pungens: An Enigmatic Mammal of the Early Ale Holocene with a Knack for Climbing Trees with Its Claws

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Small Mixedectid Mammals Called Mixedectes Pungens Analysis of a remarkably complete skeletal structure discovered in New Mexico shows that the skeletal characteristics that live in the leaves were primarily dieting on the leaves, weighing about 1.3 kg.

Mixedectes Pungens (foreground) lived in the same forest as early primates Torrejonia Wilsoni (background). Image credit: Andrey Atuchin.

Mixedectes Pungens He lived in western North America during the early Ale Holocene period, about 62 million years ago.

First described in 1883 by the drinker Coop of the famous American paleontologist Edward, the species was previously known for its fossilized teeth and jawbone fragments.

In the new study, Professor Eric Salgis of Yale University and his colleagues looked into the new skeleton Mixedectes Pungens – The most complete dental-related skeletal structure still recovered for mixed-cutide mammals from the Nasimiento Formation in the San Juan Basin, New Mexico, USA.

“This 62 million-year-old skeleton of quality and integrity provides novel insights into the mixetide, including a much clearer picture of evolutionary relationships,” Professor Sargis said.

“Our findings show that they are relatives of primates and corgos – flying lemurs native to Southeast Asia – make them a fairly close human relative.”

The researchers determined that the new specimen belongs to a mature adult weighing about 1.3 kg.

The anatomy of the animal's limbs and nails indicates that it is dendritic and can cling perpendicular to the trunks and branches of a tree.

Its molars have a coat of arms to break down abrasive materials, suggesting that they were omnivorous and mostly ate the leaves.

“This fossil skeleton provides new evidence on the way placental mammals have become ecologically diverse following the extinction of dinosaurs,” says Dr. Stephen Chester, a researcher at the City University of New York and Brooklyn University at the Yale Peabody Museum.

“Characteristics such as greater weight and increased dependence on leaves. Mixedectes Pungens To thrive on the same tree that is likely to be shared with other early primate relatives. ”

Mixedectes Pungens Ale In North America during the early Holocene, it was very large for tree-inhabiting mammals.

For example, the new skeleton is significantly larger than the partial skeleton of Torrejonia Wilsonia small arboric mammal from an extinct group of primates called plesiadapiforms, discovered along with it.

meanwhile Mixedectes Pungens Living on the leaves, Torrejonia WilsoniThe meals were mainly made up of fruits.

These distinctions between size and diet suggest that the Mixeodotids occupied a unique ecological niche in the early days of the past, distinguishing them from contemporaries who inhabit their trees.

Two phylogenetic analyses conducted to clarify the evolutionary relationships of species confirmed that the mixed disease is Euarcontan, a mammalian group consisting of Tressue, primates and corgos.

“One analysis supported them as being an archaic primate, while the other wasn't,” Professor Sargis said.

“However, in the latter analysis we confirmed that Mixodectids are Primatomorphans, a group within Euarchonta, made up of primates and corgos, but not Treeshrews.”

“This study does not completely resolve the discussion about where Mixodectids belong to evolutionary trees, but it is significantly narrower.”

Survey results Today I'll be appearing in the journal Scientific Report.

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SGB ​​Chester et al. 2025. New remarkably complete skeleton of Mixodectes Cretaceous – reveals the argonism of protozoan mammals during the Oxalocene after mass extinction of the secondary genes. Sci Rep 15, 8041; doi:10.1038/s41598-025-90203-z

Source: www.sci.news

Sequencing the Genome of White Oak Trees: Latest Scientific Discovery

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The scientist is White Oak (Quercus alba), a rich forest tree species in eastern North America of ecological, cultural and economic importance.

Quercus alba Individual sequences of genome assemblies growing at Star Hill Farm in Loretto, Kentucky, USA. Image credit: D. Larson.

“The Oaks are an important member of many ecosystems around the world,” said a researcher at the University of Tennessee. Meg Staton And a colleague.

“In eastern North America, white oak is a keystone species and is one of the most abundant forest trees across its range.”

“In addition to its ecological and cultural importance, white oak has a very economic importance, including many high value material applications and the main species used in barrel styles for the aging of distilled spirits. It's there.”

“However, few studies have addressed the diversity of white oak genomes. The lack of available genetic and genomic resources now creates barriers to fostering understanding of white oak biology and evolutionary history. It's presenting it.”

In their study, the authors sequenced individual genomes of white oak from a forest near Loretto, Kentucky, USA.

They found that this oak species has a high genetic diversity, many of which preceded divergence from other oaks, and likely could affect divergence time estimates .

“The White Oak genome represents a major new resource for studying genome diversity and evolution. Quercus” said Dr. Staton.

“Also, unbiased gene annotations are key to accurately assessing the evolution of R (disease-resistant) genes. Quercus. ”

“Our paper addresses the degree of genetic diversity and population differentiation in white oaks and how gene content and disease resistance genes evolved. Quercus Related species. ”

The authors say that the amount of standing genetic variation and the degree to which the population is regionally adapted will affect the response of white oaks and other oak species to increasingly common heat and drought stress. It points out.

“The details are interesting for those who are invested in the sustainability of White Oak, across economic, ecological and cultural boundaries,” they said.

study Published in the journal New Botanist.

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Drew A. Larson et al. Haplotype-degradated reference genomes Quercus alba It sheds light on the history of orc evolution. New BotanistPublished online on February 11th, 2025. doi: 10.1111/nph.20463

Source: www.sci.news

Living in areas with abundant trees may lower risk of heart disease, study finds

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A recent study suggests that living in a neighborhood filled with trees can have similar heart benefits to regular exercise. Researchers at the University of Louisville conducted a clinical trial involving hundreds of people living in six low- to moderate-income neighborhoods in South Louisville, Kentucky. They found that planting thousands of mature trees near people’s homes led to lower levels of blood markers associated with heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers.

The Green Heart Louisville Project, part of the HEAL Research, revealed that areas with more trees and shrubs had improved health outcomes compared to areas with fewer trees. This study aimed to reduce the incidence of heart disease in the community under the leadership of Professor Aruni Bhatnagar.

Unlike previous observational research, the HEAL study had a control group and an intervention group, providing clearer insights into the effects of nature. Participants aged 25 to 75 living in South Louisville were recruited for the study, with samples collected before and after the tree-planting intervention.

The results showed a 13% decrease in a blood marker associated with heart disease in individuals living in areas with more trees. This reduction was comparable to the benefits seen from starting a regular exercise routine.

Overall, the study demonstrated a strong link between trees and improved physical health by providing shade, cooling, and noise reduction. Beyond physical health, trees also offer mental health benefits and create spaces for relaxation, exercise, and socialization.

How trees improve your physical health

Trees play a crucial role in mitigating urban heat and air pollution, which can worsen existing health conditions. The project in South Louisville focused on areas with poor air quality to study the impact of tree planting on pollution levels.

As the project continues, researchers plan to expand tree planting to other areas and explore additional benefits such as encouraging outdoor activities and improving overall well-being. The findings highlight the importance of equitable access to green spaces in cities and the essential role of nature in human health.

In conclusion, nature is not just a luxury but a necessity for human well-being, and efforts should be made to ensure everyone has access to green spaces for a healthier future.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Tesla Gigafactory near Berlin to undergo deforestation of 500,000 trees

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Based on satellite analysis, it has been found that the construction of Tesla’s megafactory near Berlin resulted in the cutting down of approximately 500,000 trees.

The establishment of the German plant has sparked significant controversy, leading to widespread protests and discussions regarding the trade-offs associated with developing a green economy.

Elon Musk, the owner of Tesla, criticized local police for allowing “left-wing protesters” to escape.

Satellite imagery reveals that 329 hectares (813 acres) of forest were cleared at the site between March 2020 and May 2023, as reported by environmental information company Queiroz. This amounts to around 500,000 trees.

Since May, environmental activists have been protesting the expansion plans of the Gigafactory, occupying treehouses at a nearby campsite and attempting to storm the plant. In March, one group set fire to a utility pole, resulting in the halting of production at the plant for several days.


Germany: Police clash with hundreds of climate protesters trying to storm Tesla factory – VIDEO


Karolina Dujewo from the campaign alliance “Turn off the tap at Tesla” emphasized that the analysis points to the detrimental impact of the company’s electric car production on the local and global environment. She stressed the urgency to prevent increased deforestation and further environmental destruction in one of the driest regions in Germany, which also puts protected drinking water areas at risk.

Tesla did not provide a response to the request for comment.

Antoine Haruf, chief analyst at Queiroz, stated, “The Tesla factory in Germany has resulted in the loss of a substantial number of trees, which must be balanced against the advantages of transitioning from internal combustion vehicles to electric vehicles.” He highlighted that the felled trees equate to about 13,000 tonnes of CO2, equivalent to annual emissions from 2,800 people driving average internal combustion engine vehicles. Haruf emphasized the importance of acknowledging and mitigating these trade-offs.

In July, Tesla announced plans to double annual production to 1 million units at the Gigafactory in Germany, following approval from the Brandenburg Ministry of the Environment.

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Numerous environmental accidents have occurred at the facility, which also manufactures millions of battery cells and has experienced incidents like leaks and spills of diesel fuel, paint, and aluminum.

While Tesla initially did not respond, they later stated that several accidents occurred on the factory premises during construction and operation, but no environmental harm was caused, and corrective measures were swiftly implemented when necessary.

Deforestation monitoring is conducted by Kayrros using publicly available optical imagery from the Sentinel-2 satellite with a resolution of 10 meters. This data is automatically processed and reviewed by remote sensing experts to ensure quality.

Queiroz mentioned the development of deforestation detection tools to assist companies in compliance with the upcoming EU Deforestation Regulation, which aims to prohibit the import of deforestation-linked goods by early 2025. The tool can also be utilized to independently oversee forests utilized as carbon offsets in voluntary carbon markets.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Urban air pollution caused by overheating trees

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Jacaranda tree outside the Los Angeles courthouse

James Brown / Alamy

In Los Angeles, air pollution from cars and human activity is exacerbated by the city's factories emitting chemicals in response to rising temperatures and drought.

“It's difficult to control emissions from factories, [human-caused] “Some.” Eva Fannerstill At the Forschungszentrum Jülich, a German research institute.

From blooming jacaranda trees to fragrant eucalyptus, many plants emit compounds called terpenoids. To plants, these act as chemical signals and function as antioxidants. But in the atmosphere, these volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react with other pollutants to create harmful ozone and particulate pollution called PM2.5.

In areas where cleaner vehicles and electricity generation have reduced man-made sources of air pollution, industrial emissions have begun to play a larger role, but by how much is unclear.

Vannerstill and her colleagues flew planes over Los Angeles over several days in June 2021 to measure the city's VOC emissions. Using an on-board mass spectrometer, the researchers identified concentrations of more than 400 VOCs in the air. Simultaneous 3D measurements of wind speed allowed them to separate molecules rising from the city from those blowing in from elsewhere.

The researchers found that terpenoids made up the majority of VOC emissions in many parts of the city, especially in areas with the most vegetation and on the hottest days. When temperatures exceeded 30°C (86°F), terpenoids made up the majority of emissions, even in the downtown area, where vegetation was sparse and people were more likely to be present.

It's unclear exactly why plants release more terpenoids when temperatures rise, but it could be a response to heat or water stress, Pfannerstill said. Higher temperatures also increase VOC emissions associated with anthropogenic sources, such as gasoline, paint, and even scented personal care products like deodorant and hairspray, possibly due to increased evaporation rates.

The contribution of these personal-care products in particular spikes with population density, suggesting a small but direct link between urban air pollution and citizens' beauty habits. “It's measurable,” Vannerstill says.

The observed relationship between heat and emissions also suggests a pathway through which climate change could exacerbate air pollution: in Los Angeles, the researchers found that a 3°C warming predicted for the city by mid-century could double the impact of VOCs on ozone formation; and its impact on PM2.5 pollution could increase by 40%.

“This direct observation is crucial for building good models to predict what air pollution will be like tomorrow or a few years from now.” Matthew Cogon Jonathan Myers, environmental secretary at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said the increase in emissions from factories underscores the importance of further reducing man-made sources of air pollution that react with VOCs, such as nitrous oxide, which comes from burning fossil fuels.

The types of plants planted in cities also have an impact. Roissyne Comanet It's an important consideration as more cities pursue urban greening initiatives. “Vegetation is important,” she says at Columbia University in New York.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

English oaks are resilient to warming temperatures, whereas other trees may falter

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English oak trees may be more tolerant of warm climates than other species

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English oak trees are expected to form the basis of future reforestation projects and timber plantations in Europe, as one of the only native species flexible enough to withstand the rapid climate change expected in the next century. It will be done.

European forests are a mix of different tree species, all of which have been able to withstand local climate fluctuations for hundreds of years.

But climate change means that trees planted today, for example for tree plantations and timber plantations, must be able to withstand both current conditions and those of a warmer world in 2100.

Johannes Wessely Professors at the University of Vienna in Austria studied 69 of Europe's most common tree species to assess how well they meet this challenge.

English oak (Quercus serrata) is one of the only species assessed as suitable to thrive under current and future conditions across many regions, Wesley says. Importantly, he says, English oak is “very important for timber production, carbon storage and biodiversity” and is suitable for all types of reforestation projects across Europe.

However, European beech (Beech), you will have a hard time. Many places where European beech was planted and would grow today will be unsuitable later this century, but many areas where beech could grow later this century would be climatically unsuitable today. Research has revealed this.

Overall, the researchers found that depending on the rate of climate change, the average number of tree species per square kilometer that can survive continuously until 2100 could fall by a third to half. discovered.

This means that some forests in Europe consist of only a few tree species and may lack the diversity and resilience of mixed forests.

Wessely said the discovery means “we should be very careful about what we plant today, because it will shape our future forests and their future.”

He suggests that conservationists may even need to replant woodlands with fresh species later this century to ensure that forests can thrive beyond 2100.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Researchers warn that the rapid spread of a virus poses a threat to the health of cocoa trees

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Cocoa swollen bud virus disease It is one of the most economically damaging cocoa tree diseases, accounting for almost 15-50% of crop losses in Ghana. This virus is transmitted when several species of mealybugs feed on cocoa plants.

A cacao tree with cacao fruit attached directly to the trunk or branches.Image credit: Gamera other., doi: 10.1094/PDIS-10-22-2412-FE.

Cocoa swollen shoot virus disease (CSSVD) first observed Infected by farmers in the eastern region of Ghana in 1936, the nature of the virus was identified in 1939.

CSSVD is considered the most economically damaging cocoa virus disease and can cause yield losses of 15-50% when severe strains are involved in infection.

Cocoa swollen shoot virus (CSSV) is classified as a member of the plant-infecting pararetroviruses of the genus Cocoa swollen shoot virus. badnavirus It contains nonenveloped rod-like particles that encapsulate a circular double-stranded DNA genome.

Previously, isolates and strains were grouped according to severity of symptom onset and geographic origin.

CSSVD is currently known to be caused by the following causes: complex of badnavirus seed Based on molecular structure.

CSSV affects all parts of the cocoa plant. Symptoms seen on leaves include red vein stripes on immature “flush” leaves, green-green vein spots or stripes that can occur in angular spots, removal of green-green veins, and various shapes Includes mosaic symptoms.

The virus causes swelling of the stem (nodes, internodes, tips) and roots.

In some strains, the infected pods change shape, becoming rounder and smaller and with a smoother surface.

“This virus is a real threat to the world's chocolate supply,” said Professor Benito Chen Charpentier, a researcher at the University of Texas at Arlington.

“Pesticides are ineffective against mealybugs, so farmers try to prevent the spread of the disease by cutting down infected trees or breeding resistant trees. However, Ghana has lost more than 254 million cocoa trees in recent years.

Farmers can combat mealybugs by vaccinating trees with CSSV. But vaccines are expensive, especially for low-wage farmers, and vaccinated trees produce less cocoa, making the damage caused by the virus even worse.

Electron micrograph of swollen shoot virus particles in purified cocoa. Scale bar – 200 nm.Image credit: Gamera other., doi: 10.1094/PDIS-10-22-2412-FE.

Professor Chen Charpentier and colleagues have developed a new strategy. Use mathematical data to determine how far apart farmers can plant vaccinated trees to prevent mealybugs from jumping from one tree to another and spreading the virus That's what it is.

“Mealybugs have several ways of getting around, including moving from canopy to canopy, being carried by ants, and being blown by the wind,” Professor Chen Charpentier said.

“What we needed to do was create a model for cocoa farmers to vaccinate unvaccinated trees to prevent the spread of the virus while making costs more manageable for smallholders. The goal was to be able to know how far away a tree could be safely planted.”

By experimenting with mathematical patterning techniques, the authors create two different types of models that allow farmers to create a protective layer of vaccinated cocoa trees around unvaccinated trees. Did.

“Although still experimental, these models are exciting because they can help farmers protect their crops while achieving better yields,” said Professor Chen Charpentier.

“It’s good for farmers’ bottom lines and it’s good for the world’s chocolate addiction.”

a paper The findings were published online in the journal PLoS ONE.

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FB Agusto other. 2024. Cocoa Sustainability: The Case of Cocoa Swollen Bud Virus Co-infection. PLoS ONE 19 (3): e0294579; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294579

Source: www.sci.news

Giant Sequoia Trees are Thriving at an Exceptional Rate in the UK

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Giant Sequoia, Wakehurst, West Sussex, UK

Visual Air/RBG Cue

Giant sequoia trees are thriving in the UK, growing at a similar rate to the tree’s homeland of California.

Giant sequoias that can reach up to 90 meters in height (Sequoiadendron giganteum), also known as the Giant Sequoia, is one of the tallest trees in the world. This coniferous species is endemic to California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, but only 80,000 individuals remain there, largely due to frequent and destructive wildfires.

Approximately 500,000 giant sequoias have been planted in Britain since the 19th century. “Giant sequoias are widely cultivated in the UK” matthias disney At University College London. “They’re incredibly majestic and obviously very attractive to people.”

To understand how trees grow on this side of the pond, Disney and his colleagues analyzed 97 trees taken from groves in Scotland and southeastern England.

The team used a laser scanner to map each tree in 3D to precisely determine its height and width and estimate its weight.

The tallest tree was in Scotland and was just under 55 meters tall. Disney says this is not surprising as the earliest record of giant sequoias being planted in the UK is in Scotland.

The trees also appear to be growing as fast as California trees, absorbing an average of 85 kilograms of carbon from the atmosphere each year.

“It’s very fast,” Disney says. “Instead of oak trees having to wait 150 years to reach maturity, giant sequoias can grow in less than 50 years.”

He says the healthy growth rate may be due to Britain’s relatively stable climate. “We’re not threatened by a lack of rainfall or an increase in fires like California is.”

Giant sequoias grow quickly and absorb carbon, but Disney warns against planting them en masse to combat greenhouse gas emissions.

“Of course trees can help absorb a little bit of carbon dioxide, but that process takes time and requires a lot of wood,” he says. “It is better to protect what already exists and rapidly reduce fossil fuel consumption now.”

Disney and his colleagues want to study how the invasive redwoods are affecting local trees and other wildlife. “At the moment, all the sequoias here are planted, so we’re also very interested in seeing if they can propagate here.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The Unseen Impact of Christmas Trees on Indoor Air Quality

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NIST researchers studied VOC emissions from living Christmas trees and their interaction with ozone. They found that monoterpenes were the main VOCs emitted, decreasing over time and reacting with ozone to produce low levels of formaldehyde. The study concludes that Christmas trees have minimal impact on indoor air quality for most people. Credit: SciTechDaily.com

  • Living Christmas trees emit chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
  • Some of these VOCs can react with ozone, a reactive gas, to create chemical irritants in your home.
  • Levels of chemical irritants are low, but may be a potential concern for people who are sensitive to chemical irritants.

Every year during the holiday season, Americans purchase approximately 30 million live Christmas trees. Many families enjoy not only having a live tree in their home, but also smelling the fresh scent it produces. That odor comes from chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, little is known about how much is excreted and whether it affects health.

“Our noses are excellent chemical sensors,” says Dustin Poppendieck, an environmental engineer at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). “We know these trees are emitting something, but the question is how big is the source? We are investigating which chemicals and how much they are emitting. “We wanted to compare that to other chemical sources in the home,” he said.

To answer these questions, Poppendieck and his colleagues at NIST took a common type of Christmas tree (Dog pine) and sealed it inside a room. They then measured the amount and type of VOCs emitted over a 17-day period. They also investigated whether VOCs react with other components of indoor air to form new compounds.

The team’s findings were published in the journal indoor environment.

NIST researchers placed a common type of Christmas tree in a sealed room for 17 days and monitored and measured the chemicals released from it. These chemicals are called volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which give the smell of pine and can react with ozone to produce byproducts. Researchers found low amounts of these chemicals, which could be a potential concern for people who are sensitive to chemicals. Credit: M. King/NIST

The refreshing scent commonly associated with Christmas trees comes from a group of VOCs called . monoterpenesIt is also found in air fresheners, candles, and some personal care products. In the outdoors, conifer, a group of plants, including most Christmas trees, emit monoterpenes and can affect outdoor air quality. However, little is known about how much monoterpene is released when trees are cut down and placed indoors.

Research also shows that monoterpenes can react with ozone. Ozone in the upper atmosphere acts as a protective barrier against the sun. On the ground, chemical reactions with light produce ozone, which can cause symptoms such as coughs and throat irritation. Ozone also easily reacts with other chemicals in the air to form new compounds. Researchers were therefore interested in observing the effects of ozone in the presence of indoor trees.

They placed it inside an environmentally controlled room so they could measure the chemicals released by the tree in real time. Using a technique that can detect airborne organic compounds, known as proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS), they measured the VOCs emitted over a 17-day period.

In the experiment, the researchers simulated a home environment. They decorated the tree with a typical holiday lighting setup and illuminated it with bright lights to mimic the day/night cycle. They turned off the lights every 12 hours and watered the tree daily. They brought in outside air at rates typical of a typical home and constantly measured chemicals in the indoor air.

Monoterpenes were the most abundant VOCs emitted by trees. They peaked on the first day and then decreased significantly by the third day. Poppendieck said the concentrations were initially similar to those found in plug-in air fresheners and new homes, but quickly dropped to nearly 10 times the original concentration. Researchers detected 52 different monoterpenes.

The researchers then injected ozone into the chamber to see how it affected indoor air chemistry. They found that ozone reacts with monoterpenes, producing byproducts such as formaldehyde, another type of VOC, and other reactive chemicals. It was found that the introduction of ozone further reduced monoterpene concentrations and increased formaldehyde levels, affecting indoor air chemistry. However, the amount of formaldehyde produced was relatively small at approximately 1 ppb. Formaldehyde concentrations in typical homes in the United States range from 20 to 30 ppb.

For people who are sensitive to VOCs, Christmas trees can be another source of watery eyes and noses, especially if you first bring them indoors. In that case, Poppendieck suggests opening a window near the tree to reduce exposure. In addition, the emission intensity naturally decays over time, so a newly cut tree can be left outdoors or in the garage for three days before bringing it into the house.

“But for most people, this shouldn’t be a big concern,” Poppendieck says. I will continue to decorate the Christmas tree at home. ”

Reference: “Jingle Bells, what do they smell like?” Indoor VOC Emissions from Living Christmas Trees,” by Dustin Poppendieck, Riley Robertson, and Michael F. Link, December 22, 2023. indoor environment.
DOI: 10.1016/j.indenv.2023.100002

Source: scitechdaily.com