Results 71 to 80 of 85
Continued deforestation of the Amazon rainforest could reduce rainfall over the region, according to a new study, with consequences for forest ecosystems and local economies. Forests affect the fluxes of moisture and energy between the land surface and the atmosphere which can affect rainfall, both locally and downwind of the forest. Large scale removal of...
LEAF's Co-Director Dominick Spracklen has been awarded a 2015 Philip Leverhulme Prize in recognition of his research in understanding interactions between the Earth’s biosphere, atmosphere and climate and the way that these are being altered by human activity. Dom’s recent research has ranged from the impacts of deforestation on air quality and rainfall, to carbon...
In collaboration with the United Bank of Carbon, and the Sustainable Cities Group at the University of Leeds, LEAF researchers have produced a report summarising the latest research on the impact of green spaces in urban areas. In 2014, around 54% of the world’s population were living in towns and cities, and this number is...
Brazil’s recent success in reducing deforestation rates is saving lives; a new study led by LEAF scientists shows that the recent drop in deforestation has improved air quality across South America, preventing up to 1700 deaths each year. Over the last 50 years, deforestation of the Amazon has been a major environmental issue. Each year...
Poor air quality in Singapore is back in the news again this week. In the last few days, the Pollutant Standards Index in Singapore reached 148 meaning that the air quality was “very unhealthy”. Unlike most cities in the world, this poor air quality is not caused by cars or industry but by forest fires....
By Simon Lewis - University of Leeds & UCL; article originally published on The Conversation. By the end of the century, the world’s remaining tropical forests will be left in a fragmented, simplified, and degraded state. No patch will remain untouched – most remnants will be overrun by species that disperse well, which often means...
A new study from LEAF scientists indicates that particles generated by biomass burning in the Amazon increase the productivity of the remaining forest. Fires in forests can occur naturally but are often started deliberately by humans. The main reason for this is to clear the land of trees so that it may be used for...
The Amazon rainforest is home to around 16,000 different species of tree, but a recent study from the School of Geography indicates that just 1% of these tree species are responsible for storing almost half of the region's carbon. “Trees produce sugars from CO2, sunlight, and water through the process of photosynthesis, and some of...
On Friday 6th March, students from the Environmental Science for Environmental Management module in the School of Earth and Environment came together to present their research to each other and professionals working in the environment sector. The afternoon saw a wide range of topics discussed on three main themes: ‘Water and Flood Management’, ‘Woodlands, Agriculture...
The Leeds Ecosystem, Atmosphere and Forest (LEAF) centre officially launched on the 24th November 2014 with an event held in the School of Earth and Environment. The aim of LEAF is to bring together all the forest-related research being conducted across campus. By linking researchers across faculties, LEAF will strengthen existing collaborations and encourage new...