Trees may need our help to survive climate change

A new Colorado State University study of the interiors of the western United States found that the tree range is usually contracted for climate change, but does not expand into cooler climates—suggesting that forest regeneration is not enough to make the rate vs. climate change, Wildfires, wildfires, wildfires, wildfires, insects and diseases.

With trees whose climate is too warm in some places, the tree range is expected to shift to more desirable conditions. The study analyzed national forest inventory data for more than 25,000 plots in the western United States, excluding coastal states, and found that trees did not regenerate within their hottest range, which was the expected result.

What is even more surprising for the researchers is that most of the 15 common tree species studied do not obtain any basis in areas with more favorable conditions, suggesting that most tree species may not be able to turn to more without assistance Easy to accommodate climate.

“Trees offer a lot of value to humans in terms of clean water, clean air, wildlife habitat and recreation,” said lead author Katie Nigro. “If the forest manager wants to keep a certain place on the landscape,” said Katie Nigro. These trees, our research shows that they can still exist or may need help.”

In areas that are not disturbed and in areas affected by wildfires, insects and diseases, an increasing number of areas are common. Using 30 years of distraction data, the researchers tested the notion that riots, especially wildfires, could catalyze tree movement into a more frequent basis by killing adult trees and eliminating competition to build seedlings in their preferred climate zones, Cold, wet areas.

“Just like we are like every species, trees can only function within a certain degree of climate tolerance, and different species have different climate tolerances,” said Nigro. “I think we’ll find more transfers to Cold areas, especially in burned areas.”

The results of the study were published in Natural climate changeprovides an extensive overview of the main patterns – generally failing to regenerate the hottest, dryest part within the tree range, but also failing to expand along the colder, wetter borders of the series. Nigro warns that there may not be enough time to see new trees build up in cool, wet areas, especially for slow-growing subalpine species. Local research is also needed to determine where which species will survive, she added.

The paper provides reasons for human-assisted tree migration, as rapid warming of climate change may outweigh regeneration.

“One of the potential problems is that we may be increasingly mismatching between the lives of trees and the ideal climate,” Negro said.

Fighting uphill with trees seeking cool temperatures

Wildfires, insects and disease disorders that have been increased due to climate change can also prevent regeneration by removing seed sources, and literally attempting to obtain cooler ground ramps, a tough battle literally.

“There are many things that can stop the seed from moving, including gravity, including gravity,” said Monique Rocca, associate professor of ecosystem science and sustainability. “A tree can move to a colder, wet location,” said Monique Rocca. .”

She continued: “This study unearths some of the details of trees living independently on the landscape, and if our goal is to cover the western landscape with trees, intervention may be required.”

Some species are better than others. Regardless of climate change, wildfires, insects and disease outbreaks, of the four species that continue to regenerate in the areas they already occupy, three of which are sparse in landscapes, so it is difficult to accurately assess their responses, while Gambel is difficult for oaks to be one Remodeling species of elastic, heat and drought.

The study used long-term field data from the USDA Forest Service’s forest inventory and analysis programs, sometimes referred to as the national “tree census.” Research plots in forest areas across the country have been continuously investigated to track tree growth or loss through harvest, disease or death. Kristen Pelz, head of the analysis team’s inventory and analysis program, co-authored the study.

“Dr. Nigro leverages the power of our field to collect data to show how forests change throughout the west, not theoretically, but today,” Perz said. “Her work is important because it considers the interaction of things like fires and local insects with the climate, which is crucial in a situation where natural interference has been the main driving force for thousands of years.”

Instead of taking into account changes in the mean tree range, this study, like past studies, examined the cold and warm edges of species-leading and trailing edges-specified how the tree range moves in more. Details and provide forest managers with actionable insights. Assisted migration is not that important if the trees expand into cooler areas by themselves.

“This study could help land managers and foresters decide whether they will hang on trees on their hottest parts as long as possible, or transition to more drought-tolerant and drought-tolerant systems,” Nigro said. “It can be used with suitable The seeds of the same species in a warm environment are migrated.

In her research at the Oak Ridge Institute of Science and Education, where she currently serves as the Rocky Mountain Research Station, Nigro attempts to determine which species’ seeds may survive best in more demanding climates. Co-author Miranda Redmond, a consultant to Nigro PhD CSU, also followed up on the study by studying tree species adaptability at UC Berkeley.

“These efforts have become increasingly important due to the rapid speed and scale of wildfires, drought and other climate-driven riots, coupled with tree regeneration failures in many areas,” Redmond said.

Nigro added: “Planting may be required to preserve trees in the most valuable places, and we may need to accept new ecosystems in areas that will inevitably change. Our future forests may look different and include the same Different trees today.”