Most schools in California have lost tree cover, while temperatures are rising -- exposing nearly 6 million students to glaring sun and depriving them of contact with nature. Researchers from the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences ask: How can we use trees to help? This research was funded, in part, by the United States Forest Service.
Dr. Donald J. Durzan was chair of the former UC Davis Department of Pomology from 1981 to 1985. He is remembered for groundbreaking research in conifer biochemistry and his contributions to the forestry industry, as well as to advances in fruit and nut crops.
In hotter, drier areas where natural regeneration is weaker, well-timed tree planting can boost post-fire forest recovery by up to 200 percent, according to research by Andrew Latimer and Derek Young, in the Department of Plant Sciences.
UC Davis research shows low- and moderate-severity wildfires can reduce future fire intensity for up to 20 years. Using satellite data, scientists found past fires help manage fuel loads, offering insights for forest resilience and wildfire mitigation.
Two UC Davis graduate students, Jennifer Cribbs and Nina Venuti, received nearly $100K each from CalFire to support forest restoration. Their research on tree resilience and seed collection aims to aid reforestation and ecosystem management in California.
UC Davis researchers developed a tool to predict forest survival under drought by linking rainfall to tree growth and carbon reserves. It helps identify when forests hit tipping points and guides climate and conservation efforts.
UC Davis ecologist Derek Young is leading the Open Forest Observatory project, combining drone photography, machine learning, and big data to map and manage forests. This $1M NSF-funded initiative aims to enhance forest recovery from wildfire, drought, and disease.
While much of the 2019 Tahoe State of the Lake Report is about the lake itself, it also addresses the severe defoliation that many aspen stands are facing due to white satin moth. Information on other UC Davis tree loss and restoration research in the Sierra Nevada and other forests is cited.
