Forest & trees
- Amount of carbon stored in forests reduced as climate warms - Accelerated tree growth caused by a warming climate does not necessarily translate into enhanced carbon storage, an international study suggests.
- Native plants regenerate on their own after invasive shrubs are removed - Invasive shrubs have become increasingly prevalent in the deciduous forests of eastern North America -- often creating a dense understory that outcompetes native plants. Many land managers would like to remove the invaders, but worry about whether a costly remediation program will be needed to help the native plant community rebound.
- Climate change is giving old trees a growth spurt - Larch trees in the permafrost forests of northeastern China -- the northernmost tree species on Earth -- are growing faster as a result of climate change. A new study of growth rings from Dahurian larch in China's northern forests finds the hardy trees grew more from 2005 to 2014 than in the preceding 40 years.