Climate
change has negative impact on forests from many different angles. The increased
temperatures are not only causing heat stress and drought but they are also
opening the door for wide-spread insect infestation.
In many
parts of the world researchers are already talking about rapidly growing forest
mortality. Not all tree species are affected the same with some species of
trees being more resistant than other, with other likely to be hit particularly
hard, depending on factors such as age or sizes of trees.
Some
researchers fear that in business as usual scenario many forest areas will
cease to exist and will turn into grasslands or some other ecosystems. This
could further increase climate change impact because forests are large carbon
sinkers, absorbing plenty of CO2 from the atmosphere. Also, the decomposition
of dead trees releases CO2 in the atmosphere, therefore increasing global
warming effect and debris from dead trees could also increase a forest's fire
risk and result in even more CO2 emissions.
Forests
play vital role in not only absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere, but also in
regulating climate and water purification. They are also important for water
and nutrient cycle, not to mention that they also provide homes for thousands
of different animal and plant species.
In United States, this summer's severe drought has
taken heavy toll on forests, and we are yet to receive official data about the
total damage done to U.S.
forests. One thing is sure though, there will be plenty dead trees in the final
report.
Many
researchers believe that one-dimensional approach may not be enough to save our
forests and are calling for joint action that would not only include climate
change scientists and ecologists but also, biogeochemists, hydrologists, economists,
social scientists, etc.
Current
forest management practices won't be enough to save many of our forests from
climate change impact and this is why this issue needs to involve more
scientists, from different scientific fields.
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