Many nations are restoring degraded tropical forests to slow climate change, protect endangered species and improve rural life. But those forests often are cleared again soon afterward.
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Articles on Forests
Displaying 1 - 20 of 174 articles
In a global economy, passing laws to conserve forests, fisheries or other natural resources can simply shift demand for those goods to other countries or regions where they aren't as well protected.
Fires and logging changes forest soil structure for at least 30-80+ years, affecting everything from regrowth to carbon storage.
Forests in the US face many threats: climate change, invasive species, pests and pathogens. Could genetically engineering trees make these plants more resilient?
Non-Timber Forest Products don't often feature in discussions about poverty reduction and alleviation.
Nigeria's forests are used by terrorists, kidnappers, cannabis cultivators, cattle rustlers and robbers.
Both natural and artificial Christmas trees have environmental impacts, but they're not major. What matters most is what happens to the trees after the holidays.
Integrating trees into farming systems can improve farming, help the environment, and boost animal welfare too.
Climate change is shrinking winter snow cover in Northeast forests, which protects tree roots and soil from repeated freezing and thawing. This could stunt tree growth and forest carbon storage.
Some observers have blamed recent wildfires on poor forest management, while others point to climate change. In fact, a climate scientist explains, reducing fire risks means tackling both issues.
Mangrove forests grow in the tidal lagoons of tropical coastlines and they could actually benefit from climate change. Here's what that means for us.
Forest management is not a cure-all for wildfires, although it can help reduce the chances of massive burns. Making this happen will require broad collaborative efforts and more money.
Brazil's president-elect wants to roll back environmental laws, saying they hurt rural growth. But preventing Amazonian deforestation has actually made farmland more productive.
A tree-killing beetle has invaded South Africa. This is what should be done.
Planting trees is a popular way for companies to clean up their image. Unfortunately, it may cause more problems than it solves.
Tanzania faces the challenge of conserving forests in a developing country with a rapidly expanding population.
Huge fires roared through Yellowstone National Park in the summer of 1988, scorching one-third of the park. Since then the park has been a valuable lab for studying how forests recover from fires.
The Trump administration wants to step up logging, saying it will benefit wildlife by reducing forest fire risks. But wildfires create habitat for threatened Spotted Owls and many other species.
A perfect storm of climate, forestry, development and fire management trends are driving up the costs of fighting wildfires.
A historian of wildfires explains the difference between urban and rural fire cultures, and what it means for protecting communities in fire-prone rural areas.
Top contributors
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Distinguished Research Professor and Australian Laureate, James Cook University
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Fred Gale is a Friend of The Conversation.
Associate Professor, University of Tasmania
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Professor, The Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University
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Professor, University of Melbourne
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Master of University House and Professor of Forestry, Australian National University
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David Bowman is a Friend of The Conversation.
Professor of Pyrogeography and Fire Science, University of Tasmania
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Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Tasmania
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ARC Future Fellow and Professor of Environmental Management, The University of Queensland
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Economist, Fenner School, Australian National University
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Director of Food Innovation, University of Adelaide
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Adjunct Professor, University of Sydney
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CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere; Executive Director, Global Carbon Project, CSIRO
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Professor of Forestry Operations, University of the Sunshine Coast
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Professor, The University of Queensland
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Research Fellow, flammability and fire behaviour, University of Wollongong
