rainforest : Science World Report

Sep 17, 2014 11:00 AM EDT

Forests Grow Even Faster: Trees Impacted by Climate

Since the 1960s, trees have been growing more quickly--even though their development phases haven't changed. Now, scientists have discovered that tree growth has sped up even more by as much as 70 percent.

Sep 15, 2014 10:34 AM EDT

Half of Tropical Deforestation is Illegal: Agricultural Land Clearing to Blame for Disappearing Rainforest

It turns out that nearly half of all recent tropical deforestation is the result of illegal clearing for commercial agriculture. The findings reveal that when it comes to the rainforest, stricter policies need to be enacted in order to protect this natural heritage for future generations.

Jul 29, 2014 10:35 AM EDT

Rainforest Flies May Evolve to Survive Changing Climate and Drier Conditions

Evolution is a powerful force, and could allow species to adapt to changing conditions that are brought on by climate change. Now, scientists have taken a closer look at some tropical species and have found that rainforest-restricted flies may actually be able to avoid extinction by evolving.

Jul 03, 2014 07:14 AM EDT

Combating Deforestation Could Have Consequences for Tropical Forests

Combating deforestation and degradation could lead to bad outcomes. Scientists have found that efforts to restore forests can actually go awry if the people making the plans of action don't choose wisely.

Jun 16, 2014 10:39 AM EDT

Western Amazon is at Risk of Oil Pollution: 30-Year Contamination Period

It turns out that the Western Amazon may be in more trouble than we thought. Scientists have found that this region may have been contaminated by widespread oil pollution over a staggering 30-year period.

Jun 06, 2014 10:20 AM EDT

Reducing Tropical Forest Destruction Could Cut CO2 Emissions by One-Fifth

Scientists have found that reducing deforestation in the tropics would significantly cut the amount of carbon dioxide entering the Earth's atmosphere--by as much as one-fifth.

Jun 04, 2014 10:10 AM EDT

Amazon Rainforest in Danger from Multiple Environmental Hits: Greater Risk to Tropical Forests

Amazonian forests may be in more trouble than we thought. One of the world's longest-running ecological studies has found that these forests are being altered by multiple environmental threats, which means that there may be even greater danger for the world's largest rainforest.

May 23, 2014 07:31 AM EDT

Amazon Rainforest Threatened by Devastating Human Impacts: Fires and Logging

Scientists have discovered that the human impact on the Amazon rainforest has been grossly underestimated, and that the ecosystem may be in some serious danger.

May 20, 2014 11:36 AM EDT

Tropical Rainforests at Risk of More Human-Created Nitrogen Pollution Than Previously Thought

It turns out that we have far more of an effect on nitrogen levels in the tropics than we might have expected. Scientists have discovered that humans have more than doubled tropical nitrogen inputs due to pollution and other sources.

May 09, 2014 07:24 AM EDT

Tropical Trees are Super-Charged in Borneo Compared to Amazon Rainforest

Scientists have found that the woody growth of these forests is half as great again as the most productive forests of north-west Amazonia; that's a difference of 3.2 tons of wood per hectare per year.

Apr 15, 2014 07:18 AM EDT

Amazon Rainforest Burned by Global Warming: Forest Fires and Drought on the Rise

The Amazon rainforest may be in trouble. Scientists have created future simulations of the climate in these biodiverse forests and have found that not only will there be a longer dry season, but this dry season will lead to more droughts and fires.

Jan 23, 2014 11:20 PM EST

Fungi the Drivers Behind Rainforest Biodiversity

Rainforests are hot spots of biodiversity, with up to 300 plant species sharing the same hectare. An international research team has now shed light on what keeps dominant plant species in check, giving rarer species a chance to thrive.