forests Archives - State of the Planet

Natural Climate Solutions: Why We Need Them

Natural climate solutions offer cost-effective ways to reduce carbon emissions, provide ecosystem benefits, and increase resiliency to climate change impacts.

by |September 23, 2021

For Big, Old Trees, It’s a Downhill Slide When It Comes to Reproduction

Akin to humans, the fertility of trees declines with age, a new study indicates.

by |September 7, 2021

Study Shows Forests May Take in Far More Toxic Mercury Than Thought

Atmospheric mercury in gaseous form appears to be adding heavily to the load.

by |July 12, 2021

Rain, More Than Wind, Led to Massive Toppling of Trees in Hurricane Maria, Says Study

The surprising finding suggests that future hurricanes stoked by warming climate may be even more destructive to forests than scientists have already projected.

by |March 9, 2020

Within Sight of New York City, an Old-Growth Forest Faces Storms and Sea Level Rise

On a peninsula within sight of New York City, researchers are studying trees dating as far back as the early 1800s. Rising seas and more powerful storms, both fueled by climate change, could eventually spell their end.

by |December 3, 2019

Photo Essay: An Old-Growth Forest Near New York City Faces Storms and Sea-Level Rise

Centuries-old trees on a peninsula near New York City could provide an important record of past storms. Researchers recently traveled there to sample the trees before they are wiped out by rising seas and powerful storms.

by |December 3, 2019

You Asked: How Destructive Are the Amazon Rainforest Fires? Can They Be Stopped?

An Earth Institute adjunct tackles reader questions about the record-breaking fires in Brazil.

by |August 26, 2019

New Class on Predicting the Effects of Climate Change on Global Forests

Brendan Buckley discusses his course, Predicting the Effects of Climate Change on Global Forests, which is offered this spring.

by |February 4, 2019

Climate-Driven Fires Could Turn Yellowstone Forests to Grassland By Midcentury

A new study shows that some of Yellowstone National Park’s forests may be at a climate tipping point, and could be replaced by grassland by the middle of this century.

by |January 17, 2019

The Truly Serious Side of Roadkill

A new film how India’s fast-expanding road networks is fragmenting the few remaining refuges of many endangered creatures. The results are hard to watch.

by |January 8, 2019