(CNN) — Forests in the Pacific Northwest are dying twice as fast as they were 17 years ago, and scientists blame warming temperatures for the trend, according to a new study.
The study, to be released Friday in the journal Science, is the first large-scale analysis of environmental changes as contributing factors in the mortality of coniferous forests.
The data for this research was gathered by generations of scientists over a 50-year period at multiple sites in Oregon, Washington, California, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and southwestern British Columbia. Seventy-six forest plots, all more than 200 years old, were monitored by scientists doing some of the most rudimentary research — counting trees.
The study primarily focused on three types of coniferous trees: pines, firs and hemlocks. Older-growth forests — some up to 500 years old — have trees of all ages, and researchers found that mortality rates have increased for all age groups. Since mortality rates went up across the board, scientists ruled out a number of other possible causes, including ozone-related air pollution, long-term effects of fire suppression and normal forest dynamics.
In the end, California had the highest tree death rate. Of the three types of coniferous trees studied, pines were found to be dying at the fastest rate. Ultimately, higher tree mortality may lead to significant shifts in forest structure and function, the report states.
If only I could think of a way to reduce the need to cut down so many of these trees for paper and building materials, while simultaneously fighting global warming by creating huge “carbon sinks” that would take in greenhouse gas carbon dioxide and expel healthy oxygen, and providing an alternative fuel source for the gas-burning vehicles that contribute so heavily to pollution and global warming…
I know if I just smoke another joint, it will come to me…
Dennis, it is not some “unforeseeable future”. Your children may grow up in an America without Miami, New Orleans, New York City, and a world without many more species than just polar bears. Global climate change is a serious phenomenon that leads to more and stronger hurricanes, tornadoes, heat waves, droughts, cold snaps, blizzards, and floods.
Can’t we just plant some Palm trees. What is the temperature you’ve decided is best for earth. Oh yeah about the polar bears, boohoo. They eat people and seals and I like seals better. They balance things on there noses. Quit crying about some unforseeable future. Do you have some obsestion to control things you can’t.
Dennis
I’m freezin my tush off. This is the coldest winter I’ve seen in 20 years at least..Somebody needs to tell Big Al that he needs to turn up the Global Warming.