CO2 pollution The forest is reaching its limits

European forests at their upper limit - CO2 can hardly be stored anymore

20/08/2013

Researchers have in an article in the prestigious journal „Nature Climate Change“ The current situation of European forests and their declining ability to store carbon dioxide (CO2) are highlighted.

Forests are significant CO2 stores and therefore crucial for climate protection. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in the growth phase and store it. For climate protection, conservation and afforestation have top priority.

Although study results show that the forest stock has recovered since 1950 and recovered in terms of area after years of deforestation - in itself positive news, it comes to the conclusion that this has increased the performance of forests as carbon sinks - however, another study on the vegetation and condition of forests shows alarming results.

Researchers are seeing a change in vegetation in Europe
To preserve the capacity of European forests as reservoirs, new ways of managing them need to be explored. The results show that the increase in congestion volume in the years between 2005 and 2010 has decreased significantly. The scientists are not quite sure why this change came about. Some of them assume that the ever drier summer months contribute to slower growth and so less CO2 can be absorbed by the trees. Others suspect the ever-increasing age of the forests as a factor. Because older forests are usually more susceptible to forest fires, storm damage and insects. Among other things, this causes carbon dioxide to be released back to the environment.

In order to be able to preserve the CO2 storage volume of the forests, in the future it must be ensured that only those stands that are more susceptible to damage are selected when cutting down, the scientists conclude. (Fr)

Picture credits: mar.ina