12-14-2020
By
Earth.com staff writer
A new study from the University of Leeds has produced the first clear evidence that the lifespan of tropical trees will be limited by global warming. The researchers determined that the life expectancy of tropical trees is reduced once the temperature exceeds the critical threshold of 25 degrees Celsius.
As temperatures rise, the rate of tree mortality is expected to increase in tropical regions including the Amazon, Pantanal, and Atlantic forests.
Even though tropical rainforests account for only 7 percent of the Earth’s total land area, these ecosystems provide habitats for about 50 percent of all plant and animal species. These rainforests also hold approximately half of all carbon stored in the world’s forests, which means that even small disruptions can cause significant CO2 emissions.
Credit: Roel Brienen
For the first time scientists have provided clear evidence that tropical tree lifespan decreases above a critical temperature threshold.
Findings, published today (14 December) in the journal
PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) show that across the tropics, tree lifespans decrease for temperatures above 25 C.
As temperatures are rising rapidly across large parts of the tropics, tree mortality is likely to accelerate in substantial parts of the tropics, including the Amazon, Pantanal and Atlantic forests with implications for animal habitats, air quality and carbon stocks.
Although tropical rainforests account for only 7% of all land, they are home to about 50% of all animal and plant species, and approximately 50 % of forest carbon stocks on earth. Thus small changes in the functioning of tropical forests can significantly change the atmospheric levels of CO2 - the most important anthropogenic greenhouse gas.
In 10 to 20 years, it will be so hot that tropical trees live shorter lives
Not a good roadmark to pass.
It’s not the best time to be a tropical tree, as rising average temperatures risk impacting their lifespan.
Image credits Roel Brienen.
A new study explains that the longevity of trees at the tropics is shortened by higher temperatures. The findings help further our understanding of how climate change will impact ecosystems in the area and its effects on the rest of the planet. The team argues this is the first direct evidence that tropical trees experience shorter lives in hotter environments, and that forests all around the world will be affected.