by Matteo Cavallito<\/p>\n
Cavities in trees<\/strong> offer animals more than a place to nest or hide: they also provide protection from extreme temperatures<\/strong>. When it is very hot outside, the air inside remains cooler; when it is cold, the cavities retain more heat. That is the main finding of a study<\/a> published in Forest Ecology and Management<\/em>.<\/p>\n The research, conducted by scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign<\/strong>, brought together and analyzed temperature measurements reported in the scientific literature. The finding highlights another role trees play for wildlife<\/strong> as climate extremes make sheltered sites increasingly important.<\/p>\n