Warming Climate Doubling Tree Deaths in Western U.S.
Articles — By forcechange on January 22, 2009 4:16 pm
A USGS study to be published on Friday found that tree deaths in the western United States have more than doubled over the last few decades. The study attributes the deaths to a warmer and drier climate in the region. The researchers analyzed old-growth forests with a wide variety of forest types, at all elevations, in trees of all sizes, and in pines, firs, hemlocks, and others, and found consistent results throughout.
The study also ruled out a number of other possible sources of the deaths, including air pollution, effects of fire suppression, and normal forest dynamics.
“Average temperature in the West rose by more than 1° F over the last few decades,” said USGS scientist and co-leader of the research team, Phil van Mantgem. “While this may not sound like much, it has been enough to reduce winter snowpack, cause earlier snowmelt, and lengthen the summer drought.”
This study, coupled with the pine beetle infestation in Colorado and the migration of plants to higher elevations in Southern California mountains, is just another bright red flag that cannot be ignored.
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