Climate change and its effects on the forests

Climate change and its effects on the forests

For several decades, our earth has been under enormous environmental stress due to the greenhouse gas emissions caused by humans. It is generally known that climate change increases temperatures worldwide, accelerating ice melting on the poles and increasing extreme weather events. But one of the most serious effects of climate change affects the forests of our planet. These green lungs of the earth play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of life on earth.

forests and climate change: a bilateral relationship

climate change and the influence on forests

One of the primary effects of climate change on the forests worldwide is the increased average temperature. These increasing temperatures cause growth and living conditions to become less favorable for many tree species. At the same time, they give pests that could be controlled under cooler temperatures to spread and multiply an opportunity. A good example of this is the spread of the bark beetle, which destroys entire spruce forests in Europe and North America.

In addition to increasing temperatures, climate change also leads to an increased risk of extreme weather events such as droughts, heat waves and storms that can significantly damage forests. Longer drying times favor forest fires that not only destroy entire forests, but also release enormous amounts of CO2.

role of forests in coping with climate change

During climate change threatens the forests, they also play a crucial role in mitigating its effects. Forests are a central component in the circulation of the carbon and thus act as natural carbon sinks. They absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and bind it in the form of biomass. In this way, they contribute significantly to the reduction of greenhouse gases and counteract the global warming.

effects of climate change on forests

species loss and loss of biodiversity

Global warming and the resulting climatic changes lead to a loss of suitable habitats for many tree and plant species. The forests in high and medium widths and in mountain regions are particularly affected. Such ecological shifts can lead to species deaths in the long term, which in turn reduces the biodiversity of our forests and affects their ecological stability.

forest fires

With the increase in drought and heat periods caused by climate change, the risk of forest fires also increases. These are among the most destructive natural disasters and have devastating effects on the fauna and flora of the forests, but also on the nearby human settlements.

pest infestation

increased temperatures and less strict winter favor the spread of pests and diseases, which the forests can severely damage. As the example of the bark beetle shows, entire forest areas can be destroyed by pest infestation.

adaptation of the forests to climate change

However, the forests do not remain completely helpless compared to the effects of climate change. In some cases, you can evolutionarily adapt to the new conditions. However, this process is lengthy and depends on many factors. One possibility can be natural selection for trees with higher dry resistance or higher tolerance to pests.

measures to support the forests

It is essential that we take measures to support the forests. This includes direct actions such as reforestation, sustainable forestry and combating pests. By adapting our forest practices, we can also contribute to the changing climate conditions to increase the resistance of the forests.

FAZIT

climate change is a serious threat to the forests worldwide. However, since forests also play a central role in combating climate change, we have to protect and support them wherever we can. By deepening our understanding of the complex relationships between climate change and forests, we can develop better strategies for sustainable use and preservation of this precious resource.

sources and further literature

-ipcc (2018): Global Warming of 1.5ºC. An IPCC Special Report on the Impacts of Global Warming of 1.5 ° C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context of strengtening the global response to the threat of climate change.

-pan, Y., Birdsey, R. A., Fang, J., Houghton, R., Kauppi, P.E., Kurz, W. A.,… & Hayes, D. (2011). A large and persistent carbon sink in the world’s forests. Science, 333 (6045), 988-993.

-Seidl, R., Schelhaas, M. J., Lexer, M. J., & Hothorn, T. (2009): Modeling Bark Beetle Disturbances in A Large Scenario Model to Assess Climate Change Impacts and Evalue Adaptive Management Strategies. Regional Environmental Change, 9 (2), 101-119