Output maps of the distance accumulation calculation from the point and line vulnerability criteria. (a) Distance to roads, (b) Distance to trails, (c) Distance to water, (d) Distance to buildings. Credit: Di Yang et al. Standing dead trees in Yellowstone National Park are growing wildfire hazards, especially near park infrastructure. A new study published in […]
At the end of last year, a farmer in eastern Turkey discovered a rare, largely intact late Roman mosaic while planting a cherry orchard. Spanning almost 1,000 square feet, the mosaic is thought by archaeologists to be the largest example of its kind unearthed in the country. Hidden for hundreds of years under 50 cm […]
“When I was a child living on the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, my parents would take me to see golden-mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata palliata) in the forest most weekends. Howler monkeys are like big, hairy gardeners, spreading seeds from many trees. I understood at an early age that if we preserve the […]
Sporting aviator sunglasses and standing in front of a lectern last month in Manaus, Brazil, in the heart of the Amazon, outgoing President Joe Biden spoke of the importance of safeguarding the world’s carbon-rich forests — a message he delivered numerous times throughout his tenure. “The most powerful solution we have to fight climate change […]
In this excerpt from “Oak Origins: From Acorns to Species and the Tree of Life” (University of Chicago Press, 2024), author Andrew L. Hipp explores the extreme conditions on Earth that gave rise to the oak tree (Quercus), with wild fluctuations in the climate and shifting tectonic plates. If we could head back in time […]
Iguanas falling from trees during cold weather has become so common in Florida, it’s even been included in weather forecasts. But why do these reptiles react this way to the cold? Since they’re cold-blooded, green iguanas (Iguana iguana) can struggle to maintain their body temperature in colder weather, putting them in a temporary torpor state. […]
Credit: Deep Rajwar from Pexels The eastern U.S. has more trees and shrubs than three decades ago. This growth, driven by processes such as tree and understory infilling in unmanaged forests, is helping fuel wildfires, contributing to changing fire regimes in the eastern half of the country, according to a new study. Some parts of […]
Good morning. You’re reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day. Today’s top stories President Biden has signed a full and unconditional pardon for his son Hunter Biden. The pardon comes just […]
Reindeer herder Peter Sjaggo standing next to a tree marked with crosses and geometric patterns. Credit: Lars Östlund, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Archaeologists analyzed trees engraved by the Indigenous Sámi of Arctic Europe, revealing the significance of these rare remnants of Sámi culture and the importance of preserving them from ongoing deforestation. The Sámi […]
Paper is a ubiquitous part of everyday life, but how is it made, and where did it originate? Ancient Egyptians made an early version of plant-based paper using papyrus — which is where the word “paper” comes from. They removed fibers from the stem of the papyrus plant (Cyperus papyrus)a marsh reed topped with flowers […]
