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Climate change blamed for dying US forests
26/01/2009
The rate of tree deaths in old-growth forests in the Western US and in Canada has doubled in the last 50 years, with climate change being sited as the most likely cause.
Bark beetle infestations, forest fires, high temperatures and drought are all factors causing the increase in deaths among the old fir, pine and hemlock forests.
Forest ecologist, Thomas Veblin says we need to start thinking of ways to cope with the changes that will be caused by climate change. "We have to start thinking outside the box as a society to adapt to the changes that are under way", he says.
Temperatures endured by the forest trees have increased by around 0.5 degrees per decade since the 1970s, causing an increase in bark beetle, who love the warmer weather. Forest fires are also a far greater risk, the warmer the temperatures get.
Habitat, carbon dioxide and water storage may all begin to reduce as a result of the shrinking forests, while timber prices may rise.
Timber fund operator, Pictet & Cie says that the demand for wood, paper and cardboard, grows along with population. In order to protect forests, changes need to be put in place, such as rules against housing being built close to fire-prone trees.
Bark beetle infestations, forest fires, high temperatures and drought are all factors causing the increase in deaths among the old fir, pine and hemlock forests.
Forest ecologist, Thomas Veblin says we need to start thinking of ways to cope with the changes that will be caused by climate change. "We have to start thinking outside the box as a society to adapt to the changes that are under way", he says.
Temperatures endured by the forest trees have increased by around 0.5 degrees per decade since the 1970s, causing an increase in bark beetle, who love the warmer weather. Forest fires are also a far greater risk, the warmer the temperatures get.
Habitat, carbon dioxide and water storage may all begin to reduce as a result of the shrinking forests, while timber prices may rise.
Timber fund operator, Pictet & Cie says that the demand for wood, paper and cardboard, grows along with population. In order to protect forests, changes need to be put in place, such as rules against housing being built close to fire-prone trees.
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