The Impact of Global Warming on Forests
Apr 27
The impact of global warming on forests around the world will vary according to the opinion of different scientists, as is the case with most global climate change issues. (To read about Google earth and climate change, click here). For some forests the increased rainfall, warmer weather conditions, and carbon dioxide fertilization effects will actually be beneficial. At the same time, the effects of global warming on forests in other areas will be detrimental, with increased pest outbreaks, forest fires, and drought.
Most typically, the impact of global warming on forests considered temperate should be minimal. However, there are large regional risks, which are still an issue. It is likely that productivity will increase in forests that are temperate and closer to the poles, and that it will decrease in those bordering the subtropics. Storms are projected to be more numerous as well, which could cause serious disturbances.
The U.S.
Tropical rainforests (To read about the loss of tropical biome, click here).
Global warming may also lead to a lack of sufficient rainfall in other areas (along with other effects), and this may lead to forest cover being lost in southern and tropical areas, since tropical rainforests require a lot moisture in order to survive. In addition, the higher temperature that are expected will cause the photosynthesis rates of plants to decline. This may put a cap on plant growth and the rainforests will not be as capable to sequester carbon dioxide as a result.
The most serious contributor to the effects of global warming is carbon dioxide. (To read about the impact of carbon emissions on human mortality rate click here). To keep temperatures stable, its removal or reduction in the atmosphere is crucial. The irony of carbon dioxide and the impact of global warming on forests is that unwillingly tropical rainforests may become unwilling contributors to global warming because of deforestation. During the deforestation process, freshly cut or burnt trees release copious amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, which as we said, is one of global warming’s major causes.
For more information on global warming, go to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming
http://globalwarming.com/
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