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Boreal Forests

All articles tagged with #boreal forests

environment1 year ago

"Fungal Frontier: Boreal Biodiversity in the New Era"

Boreal forests are home to diverse fungal endophytes crucial for plant health and ecosystem resilience, with recent research uncovering their unique biodiversity and climate sensitivity. The study, conducted over a decade in northeastern Canada, revealed that these fungi are highly adapted to local conditions and will be sensitive to future climate changes, emphasizing the need to understand and preserve them. The findings have implications for the overall health of boreal forests and the planet's carbon and water cycles, highlighting the importance of protecting plant-fungal symbioses in these vital ecosystems amidst changing climates.

via SciTechDaily|
#boreal-forests#climate-change#endophytic-fungi
science1 year ago

"Fungal Sensitivity: How Climate Change Impacts Plant-Associated Fungi"

A decade-long study led by Betsy Arnold and her team has revealed that the fungi living within healthy plants in boreal forests are highly sensitive to climate change. The research, published in Current Biology, found that these endophytic fungi are vital to the health of plants and are adapted in specific ways to their local conditions, implying that they will be affected by future climate changes. The study highlights the importance of protecting plants and their fungal endophytes across the boreal biome to preserve vital biodiversity and protective fungi in these important forests.

via Phys.org|
#boreal-forests#climate-change#endophytic-fungi
earth-and-environment1 year ago

"Polar Ice Records: Tracing Climate and Human Impact from Little Ice Age"

A new study has used an 850-year pollen record from Greenland to investigate the impact of climate and human activity on boreal ecosystems, particularly in high-latitude regions. The research reveals changes in pollen composition coinciding with the transition from the Medieval Warm Period to the Little Ice Age, indicating the influence of both climate and human exploitation of forests. The findings suggest that human impact, such as logging and forest exploitation, had a significant effect on the landscape, outweighing the impact of climate change. As Arctic ecosystems continue to be rapidly altered by climate change, the study highlights the complex interplay between climate and human activity in shaping the environment.

via Phys.org|
#boreal-forests#climate-change#earth-and-environment
environment2 years ago

Climate Change Pushes World's Largest Forest Wilderness Northward, Shrinking it

Earth's largest forest wilderness, the boreal forests, is showing signs of shrinking due to climate change. These forests, which play a crucial role in regulating the planet's climate and supporting diverse ecosystems, are experiencing a slower northward advance and a faster southern retreat than expected. Satellite data reveals that while tree growth and cover have increased in the coldest northern areas, they have decreased in the warmer southern regions due to hotter and drier conditions, wildfires, and logging. If tree cover loss in the south continues to outpace gains in the north, the boreal forest could contract, leading to the loss of habitat for numerous species and impacting the millions of people who depend on these forests. Close monitoring of boreal forests using satellite data and on-the-ground measurements is crucial to understanding and conserving this vital wilderness.

via ScienceAlert|
#boreal-forests#climate-change#conservation
environment2 years ago

The Impact of Canada's Unprecedented Wildfire Season on the US and Climate Change.

Canada's wildfire season has already burned nearly 11 million acres, more than double the size of New Jersey, with officials warning it will continue to be severe through the summer. Human-caused climate change has exacerbated the hot and dry conditions that allow wildfires to ignite and grow. Experts warn that parts of the United States may also see extreme fire conditions this year, beyond the typically fire-prone Western states. The boreal forests, which store roughly 30% to 40% of all land-based carbon in the world, are major carbon sinks and play a vital role in holding back the climate crisis, making the threats they face all the more concerning.

via CNN|
#boreal-forests#canada#climate-change
environment2 years ago

Climate Crisis: Wildfires Ravage the Arctic Circle.

Wildfires and human activities are reducing the ability of northern ecosystems to sequester carbon, turning them into carbon sources and accelerating climate change. Boreal forests, which are the largest land biomes on the planet, release greenhouse gases from both vegetation and carbon-rich soils when they burn, spewing between 10 and 20 times more carbon than fires in other ecosystems. The Arctic is warming four and a half times faster than the rest of the world, triggering the release of still more carbon, creating a dangerous feedback loop.

via Ars Technica|
#arctic#boreal-forests#carbon-emissions