We tend to think of climate change as something that could happen if we don't change our ways, but something that can still be prevented if we act soon. Then something comes along that suddenly brings home the fact that climate change is happening now, and we need to act immediately if we hope to avoid the risk of catastrophic changes.
A recent study has suggested that climate change could be responsible for a doubling in the mortality rate of trees in the western US in recent decades. The study, published in Science, looked at data from 76 forest plots from 1955 onwards and identified that mortality rates significantly increased over the time period in 87% of the plots while there was no significant increase in the number of new trees being established.
The study looked at a wide spectrum of tree species over a range of
latitudes and altitudes and noticed that increased mortality rates were present in all conditions. They also ruled out effects such as increasing forest density, changing management techniques or the age of trees as being the likely cause. Instead they think that changing climate resulting in less snowfall, and therefore less snow melt runoff as well as a longer summer drought is the most likely reason for the change.
This is even more significant as it is possible that similar changes are happening all over the world. With forests providing a significant carbon sink a decrease in the number of trees globally could result in feedback effects changing the climate even more.
It's a worrying thought that changes of this kind are already happening. If we needed any more of an incentive to change our lifestyles then this is it.
A recent study has suggested that climate change could be responsible for a doubling in the mortality rate of trees in the western US in recent decades. The study, published in Science, looked at data from 76 forest plots from 1955 onwards and identified that mortality rates significantly increased over the time period in 87% of the plots while there was no significant increase in the number of new trees being established.
The study looked at a wide spectrum of tree species over a range of
latitudes and altitudes and noticed that increased mortality rates were present in all conditions. They also ruled out effects such as increasing forest density, changing management techniques or the age of trees as being the likely cause. Instead they think that changing climate resulting in less snowfall, and therefore less snow melt runoff as well as a longer summer drought is the most likely reason for the change.This is even more significant as it is possible that similar changes are happening all over the world. With forests providing a significant carbon sink a decrease in the number of trees globally could result in feedback effects changing the climate even more.
It's a worrying thought that changes of this kind are already happening. If we needed any more of an incentive to change our lifestyles then this is it.
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