forests

Summer Solstice Triggers Mass, Synchronized European Beech Tree Reproduction, Study Finds

Summer Solstice Triggers Mass, Synchronized European Beech Tree Reproduction, Study Finds

A common “old world” tree, European beech can be found across Europe — from southern Scandinavia and Spain to Sicily and northwest Turkey. A new study by an international team of researchers has found that the summer solstice triggers synchronized beech tree reproduction all over the continent, influencing ecosystem functions. “We got inspired by a […]

Join our newsletter

The best of EcoWatch, right in your inbox. Sign up for our email newsletter!

    Tropical Forests 101: Everything You Need to Know

    Tropical Forests 101: Everything You Need to Know

    Quick Key Facts What Are ‘Tropical Forests’? Tropical forests are rich ecosystems located in tropical zones surrounding the equator. They have a dense upper canopy of broad-leafed trees and an astonishingly diverse array of animal and plant life. These forests pack an enormous amount of biodiversity into the six percent of the planet’s land surface […]

    EU Agrees to Restore 20% of Its Lands and Waters by 2030

    EU Agrees to Restore 20% of Its Lands and Waters by 2030

    The European Union (EU) has agreed on a provisional agreement for a Nature Restoration Law — first proposed by the European Commission in June of last year — that would require member states to introduce measures for the restoration of 20 percent of the bloc’s land and sea ecosystems by 2030. More than 80 percent […]

    Northern Wilderness Could Turn to Farmland as Climate Warms

    Northern Wilderness Could Turn to Farmland as Climate Warms

    Agriculture is the primary driver of forest and habitat loss worldwide. Some wilderness areas in northern climates have begun to be more suitable for agriculture due to global heating, and this is increasing the risk of agricultural expansion, putting ecosystems at risk. A new study by researchers from the University of Exeter shows that humans […]

    Prescribed Burns Can Help Prevent Wildfires, but the Climate Crisis Is Making It Harder to Light Them Safely

    Prescribed Burns Can Help Prevent Wildfires, but the Climate Crisis Is Making It Harder to Light Them Safely

    Controlled burns or “prescribed fires” are used by trained firefighters to prevent wildfires in the Western United States by clearing away dried plant material that could potentially feed a natural, healthy fire. Certain weather conditions are necessary for firefighters to execute controlled burns safely. They must be dry enough that fires can ignite, but not […]