Trees’ enemies help tropical forests maintain their biodiversity, study finds

Scientists have long struggled to explain how tropical forests can maintain their staggering diversity of trees without having a handful of species take over – or having many other species die out. The answer, researchers say, lies in the soil found near individual trees, where natural “enemies” of tree species reside. These enemies, including fungi and arthropods, attack and kill many of the seeds and seedlings near the host tree, preventing local recruitment of trees of that same species.

More than 30,000 students participate in inaugural year of statewide Outdoor School

Three-quarters of Oregon’s eligible fifth- and sixth-grade students participated in the inaugural year of the statewide Outdoor School program.

Yellowstone streams recovering thanks to wolf reintroduction

In the first study of its kind, research by Oregon State University scientists shows that the return of large terrestrial carnivores can lead to improved stream structure and function.

Construction starts on research ship to be operated by Oregon State University

Construction of a new Oregon State University-bound research ship that will advance the science of coastal environments, and support research on topics such as ocean acidification, hypoxia, and sea level rise, officially began today in Louisiana.

Animal species becoming extinct in Haiti as deforestation nearly complete

Species of reptiles, amphibians and other vertebrates are becoming extinct in Haiti as deforestation has claimed more than 99 percent of the country’s original wooded areas.

Genetic behavior reveals cause of death in poplars essential to ecosystems, industry

Scientists studying the valuable, but vulnerable, black cottonwood poplar have identified the genetic mechanism responsible for the species’ inability to resist a pervasive and deadly disease.

Noted OSU conservation researcher to speak at Science Pub Nov. 12

William Ripple, a distinguished professor in the College of Forestry at Oregon State University who has drawn worldwide attention for his research on wolves and other predators, and for publishing a scientists’ warning to humanity, will speak at the Corvallis Science Pub on Monday, Nov. 12.

Economic analysis provides watershed moment for environmental groups

Economists have found that in the United States, watershed groups have had a positive impact on their local water quality. 

Land-locked Atlantic salmon use GPS-like magnetic field to navigate – and may not lose that ability

A new study shows that Atlantic salmon use the Earth’s magnetic field as a navigational tool – much like their cousins, Pacific salmon – and don’t lose that ability through several generations of fish even after they have been transplanted into a land-locked lake

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