Find out the latest in forest news!
It’s rare that you hear of thieves stealing trees, but they do exist. “Midnight burlers” are known to carve out the knotted chunks found near the base of redwood trees, which can sell for as much as $3,000. Enforcement being difficult in such large parks, forensic scientists are “link the patterns of timber poaching to the broader world of local crime.”
People are suffering from “hidden hunger” even in places that are well suited to growing crops. What’s the cause? A new study is linking it to a lack of dietary diversity, strongly connected to an equal lack of trees. Even with all the calories they need, these children’s hair is yellowing and falling out from a severe lack of vitamins and minerals. CIFOR explains why forests are the solution, and their absence the cause.
Hidden Inca treasure: Remarkable new tree discovered in the Andes — Wake Forest University
You would think that a tree that grows more than 100 feet tall, two feet in diameter, and ranges from Peru to Ecuador might have been noticed by now. Or you could think about it as an incredible example of our planet’s biodiversity, and how we discover fascinating new species every day. Either way, scientists have discovered an incredible species that they’ve named Incadendron esseri.
Scientists are increasingly discovering the ways in which parasites play a vital role in the sustenance of life on Earth. The Guardian argues that even though “they may cause misery, pain and zombie cockroaches … parasites are also responsible for glorious biodiversity.” Insight into this world of parasitism could lead to new breakthroughs in conservation.
Urban roots: the trees bringing life to our streets — The Guardian
In the face of increasing urban deforestation in the UK, The Guardian called to their readers for images of their favorite urban forest scenes. What poured in was a powerful meditation on the importance of connecting our city space with the natural world.