Forest fire detector is powered by the movement of trees

When it comes to putting out forest fires, the sooner that they’re detected, the better. That’s where a new forest-deployed sensor could come in, as it’s powered by swaying tree branches.Continue ReadingCategory: ScienceTags: Michigan State University,… Continue reading Forest fire detector is powered by the movement of trees

Earth’s forests are getting shorter and younger as the climate shifts

A new study has determined that Earth’s forests are transforming in response to a combination of human actions and natural processes such as wildfires, causing them to lose their oldest trees and grow shorter. Sadly, this trend is likely to continue as… Continue reading Earth’s forests are getting shorter and younger as the climate shifts

Amazingly still-alive stump points to a new understanding of trees

Do trees always exist as single organisms, or can each tree also serve as part of a linked “superorganism?” A recent finding in New Zealand suggests the latter, as a tree stump there has apparently remained alive by joining roots with its nei… Continue reading Amazingly still-alive stump points to a new understanding of trees

Drone flametherower spits out a 25-foot-long, targeted stream of fire

Tempted as you might be to grab one of these for the impending zombie-apocalypse, the TF-19 Wasp from Ohio-based Throwflame is a serious piece of kit with potentially life-saving applications. From clearing critical infrastructure to pest man… Continue reading Drone flametherower spits out a 25-foot-long, targeted stream of fire

Quaint treetop cabins take Nordic minimalism up into the canopy

Berlin-based architect Sigurd Larsen has finished the first of a charming cluster of cabins set amid a forest canopy in his homeland of Denmark. Located on a peninsula that juts out into the country’s longest fjord, the freshly opened Løvtag … Continue reading Quaint treetop cabins take Nordic minimalism up into the canopy

Earth has room to reforest an area the size of the United States, but it’s no silver bullet for climate change

Trees are an unquestionably important part of our environment, and their ability to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen means they could play a key role in offsetting the worst effects of climate change. But just how effective would they be? A… Continue reading Earth has room to reforest an area the size of the United States, but it’s no silver bullet for climate change

“Lost City of the Monkey God” reveals treasure trove of rare, new and rediscovered species

In 2012, centuries-old legends of a lost city in Honduras were confirmed when ancient ruins were rediscovered in the dense Mosquita rainforest. Now, scientists have conducted a three-week expedition to these ruins, known as the “White City” o… Continue reading “Lost City of the Monkey God” reveals treasure trove of rare, new and rediscovered species

Autonomous drone gets the goods on forest fires

When a forest fire is starting, it’s vitally important for firefighting crews to know exactly what it is that they’re up against, so they can prepare most effectively. A new Spanish project is helping to make that happen, utilizing an autonom… Continue reading Autonomous drone gets the goods on forest fires