The smell of smoke in the autumn and spring air is an increasingly familiar one to many Australians. It signifies that time of year when land management agencies in southern Australia feverishly try to meet their burning targets. But what are the consequences for biodiversity of setting such targets in Australia’s ecosystems? In recent research …
“safe, green spaces may be as effective as prescription drugs in treating some forms of mental illnesses”. In a recently published book, Blinded by Science, (www.blindedbyscience.co.uk) the author Matthew Silverstone, proves scientifically that trees improve many health issues such as; mental illnesses, ADHD, concentration levels, reaction times, depression and the ability to alleviate headaches. Countless …
Management of native forests offers opportunities to store more carbon in the land sector through two main activities. Emissions to the atmosphere can be avoided by ceasing logging. Removals of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere can be increased by allowing forests to continue growing. However, the relative benefits for carbon storage of managing native forests …
Management of native forests offers opportunities to store more carbon in the land sector through two main activities. Emissions to the atmosphere can be avoided by ceasing logging. Removals of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere can be increased by allowing forests to continue growing. However, the relative benefits for carbon storage of managing native forests …
PITTSBURGH‚ÄîClouds play a critical role in Earth’s climate. Clouds also are the largest source of uncertainty in present climate models, according to the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Much of the uncertainty surrounding clouds’ effect on climate stems from the complexity of cloud formation. New research from scientists at the CLOUD …
How did forests ever cope before the era of government planned small scale bushfires? Forests had many brilliant systems in place that digested leaf litter, kept the understory damp and a layer of nutrient rich humus at ground level, all operating with clever symbiotic relationships between plants, animals and fungi. Below is just a selection …
Electricity generation from biomass waste is more polluting and worse for the climate than coal, according to a new study by an environmental advocacy firm. The report, put together by the Partnership for Policy Integrity (PFPI) and delivered to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), concludes that biomass power plants emit more pollution than omparable …
Hoolee Doolee ! We always knew fungi were critical components of a forest – but this talk shows fungi having talents way beyond soil/nutrient makers and holders. ted.com/talks/paul_stamets_on_6_ways_mushrooms_can_save_the_worldThis fast talking guy’s info is mind-boggling. Well worth the 17 minutes of watching.
This research counters the logging industry argument that a young post-logging regrowth forest (and plantations) accumulate more carbon than a natural mature forest. It highlights the importance of old large trees in the carbon cycle. Read the research PDF at 2014_March-tree-growth_Nature.pdf
Environmental scientist Grant Harris has written up a paper on our sightings of Spencer’s Skink in very large, old Eucalyptus regnans trees in the Central Highlands. During March 2012, whilst undertaking an aerial survey of an overmature Mountain Ash Eucalyptus regnans in Toolangi State Forest, a Spencer’s Skink Pseudemoia spenceri was observed in the canopy …
