This study reveals that traditional biomass assessments in the Miombo ecoregion of Sub-Saharan Africa often overlook the significant contribution of understorey trees and shrubs. By comparing sites at the extreme ends of the rainfall gradient, dry Miombo woodland in Namibia and wet Miombo woodland in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), researchers found that understorey biomass accounts for up to 28.2% of total above-ground biomass (AGB) in drier regions, highlighting the need for more comprehensive forest carbon assessments.

ROCKVILLE, MD – When scientists develop new molecules—whether for the purposes of agriculture, species control, or life-savings drugs—it’s important to know exactly what its targets are. Thoroughly understanding a molecule's interactions, both intended and unintended, is crucial for ensuring its safety and efficacy.

Pesticides are causing overwhelming negative effects on hundreds of species of microbes, fungi, plants, insects, fish, birds and mammals that they are not intended to harm – and globally their use is a major contributor to the biodiversity crisis.

That is the finding of the first study assessing the impacts of pesticides across all types of species in land and water habitats, carried out by an international research team that included the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and the University of Sussex.

Charles Martinez, assistant professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, recently received the Emerging Scholar Award from the Southern Agricultural Economics Association (SAEA). The award is presented to high-performing, early-career professionals with demonstrated research and resulting publication activity.

Martinez was chosen among peers nationwide for this distinguished honor. He received the award February 3 during the annual SAEA meeting in Irving, Texas.