reforestation
Credit: Unpossible/Flickr
Research highlights fungi's key role in carbon capture
The underground networks of plant roots and fungi are proving to be essential in sequestering carbon in the soil, according to recent studies.
In short:
- Kew Gardens' fungarium, the world's largest collection of fungi, showcases the biodiversity and ecological importance of fungi.
- Mycologist Laura Martinez-Suz's research reveals that fungi, particularly mycorrhizal types, are crucial for carbon storage in soils, influencing the effectiveness of reforestation efforts.
- Nitrogen pollution disrupts beneficial fungi, but reducing pollution levels can help restore these critical networks.
Key quote:
“Replacing the complete set of fungi with other fungi has implications for long-term carbon sequestration in soil and biodiversity.”
— Laura Martinez-Suz, mycologist
Why this matters:
Understanding and protecting fungal networks is useful for improving carbon capture and mitigating climate change impacts, putting a focus on the importance of reducing pollution and supporting biodiversity. Read more: How fungi could help clean up our biggest toxic messes.
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Credit: trevor pye/Unsplash
Eastern US forests show remarkable cooling effect, study reveals
A new study highlights the significant role of reforestation in the eastern United States in mitigating climate crisis-induced temperature rises.
In short:
- The eastern U.S. has experienced a "warming hole" where temperatures have stabilized or decreased, contrary to global trends.
- Reforestation in this region, covering an area larger than England, has been a key factor in this localized cooling effect.
- The cooling is primarily due to trees' transpiration process, which releases water vapor into the air, reducing surrounding temperatures.
Key quote:
"Nature-based climate solutions like tree planting won’t get us out of this climate change problem."
— Mallory Barnes, an environmental scientist at Indiana University
Why this matters:
This study underscores the power of reforestation in combating climate change, particularly in urban areas facing extreme heat. It's a vital reminder that alongside reducing emissions, nature-based solutions like tree planting play a crucial role in our overall climate strategy.
Researchers say "proforestation" policies are the fastest and most effective way to draw excess CO2 out of the atmosphere.
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Photo by Glen Farrelly on Unsplash
Balancing the benefits and costs of reforestation
When it comes to managing woodlands to meet multiple needs, Irish activists underscore the importance of considering the forest as well as the trees.
Photo by david henrichs on Unsplash
Seed-sowing drones help with reforestation
The unmanned aerial vehicles could improve access to mountainous terrain and rapidly disperse many more seeds than planting by hand, experts say.
Photo by Vitor Monthay on Unsplash
São Paulo students plant mini-forests on school grounds as urban oases
Four thousand students planted nearly 10,000 trees on public school grounds in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, in 2022, and another eight mini-forests will be planted in 2023.
Photo by Precious Plastic Melbourne on Unsplash
Roger Worthington: I pledged $1 million to plant new trees. I wish I could invest the money in saving old ones.
A recent study said preserving existing forests was more important than planting new ones in the limited time we have to slow global warming.
Newsletter
Photo by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash
Why tree-planting schemes aren’t a silver bullet
Numerous global reforestation efforts are underway, but research suggests getting long-term benefits is harder than it looks, and some projects can do more harm than good.
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