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Cyclone Science Shows Rainforest Impacts And Recovery
Canberra, Australia (SPX) Mar 21, 2007 A year on from Cyclone Larry research into the environmental impacts of the category 4/5 storm is starting to deliver interesting results. This suite of projects involving 25 scientists from 5 institutions was set up shortly after the cyclone hit to investigate its effects on the rainforests of the Wet Tropics. "This is probably the most comprehensive study of the environmental impacts of a tropical cyclone ever done anywhere in the world," said the Director of the CSIRO/JCU Tropical Landscapes Joint Venture, Professor Steve Turton. Scientists have calculated that around 30% of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area was impacted to some extent by Cyclone Larry. "Fragments of remnant rainforest in otherwise cleared areas appear to have been the hardest hit," he said. "Cyclones are a natural process that tropical rainforest plants and animals have learned to live with, but human impacts like forest fragmentation and the introduction of exotic weeds and fire can make the recovery process much harder." "In some cases, the rainforests just won't recover without our help." "For example, there is a real risk that without quick action serious weeds like Miconia could spread rapidly in damaged forest areas, and smother the growth of native understorey plants." "The prospect of cyclones becoming more severe due to climate change makes it important to understand what actions we can take to make remnant rainforests more resistant to cyclonic events, and help them to recover," Professor Turton concluded. James Cook University and CSIRO have announced plans to host a 'Cyclone Science Seminar' in Cairns later this year. The seminar will showcase the results of more than fifteen research projects (collectively known as the Skyrail Rainforest Foundation Cyclone Larry Research Program) investigating the impacts of Cyclone Larry on the rainforests of the Wet Tropics. It will be held at James Cook University's Cairns Campus on the 27th and 28th September 2007. The Seminar will also include talks on the impacts of Category 5 Cyclone Monica which hit the Northern Territory's Top End in April 2006. Related Links Save the Forests at Wood Pile Forestry News - Global and Local News, Science and Application
NASA Studies True Colors Of Evergreen Rain Forests
Moffett Field CA (SPX) Mar 19, 2007NASA satellites reveal that Amazon forests are neither evergreen nor dependent on constant rain, and are capable of manufacturing their seasons. Researchers report a 25 percent increase in the amount of green leaf area during the dry season when the skies are relatively clear. They found that the rain forests are more dependent on light than rain, enduring several months of dry season by tapping water deep in the soil with their long roots. |
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