{"id":10118,"date":"2024-11-11T19:29:41","date_gmt":"2024-11-11T19:29:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/?p=10118"},"modified":"2024-11-11T19:29:43","modified_gmt":"2024-11-11T19:29:43","slug":"planting-trees-in-the-arctic-could-worsen-global-warming-scientists-warn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/planting-trees-in-the-arctic-could-worsen-global-warming-scientists-warn\/","title":{"rendered":"Planting Trees in the Arctic Could Worsen Global Warming, Scientists Warn"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-blockquote uagb-block-e7eb3fc3 uagb-blockquote__skin-border uagb-blockquote__stack-img-none\"><blockquote class=\"uagb-blockquote\"><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__content\">An international group of scientists has found that planting trees in the Arctic might worsen climate change, due to unique ecosystem characteristics and natural disturbances. The findings emphasize a need for holistic climate solutions tailored to specific regional conditions.<\/div><footer><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__author-wrap uagb-blockquote__author-at-left\"><\/div><\/footer><\/blockquote><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-space-between is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-b0ffac9c wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"font-size:16px\" class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-post-author\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__content\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__name\">The University Network<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share uagb-social-share__outer-wrap uagb-social-share__layout-horizontal uagb-block-ee584a31\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-ec619ce7\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"facebook\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.8 90.69 226.4 209.3 245V327.7h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.3 482.4 504 379.8 504 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-32d99934\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"twitter\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M389.2 48h70.6L305.6 224.2 487 464H345L233.7 318.6 106.5 464H35.8L200.7 275.5 26.8 48H172.4L272.9 180.9 389.2 48zM364.4 421.8h39.1L151.1 88h-42L364.4 421.8z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-1d136f14\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"linkedin\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M416 32H31.9C14.3 32 0 46.5 0 64.3v383.4C0 465.5 14.3 480 31.9 480H416c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM135.4 416H69V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S80.9 96 102.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An international team of researchers, led by the University of Cambridge and the University of \u00c5rhus, has issued a stark warning that planting trees in the Arctic could accelerate, rather than mitigate, global warming. The findings, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41561-024-01573-4\" title=\"\">published<\/a> in Nature Geoscience, challenge the widespread belief that afforestation is universally beneficial for climate stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite being widely promoted as a method to sequester atmospheric carbon, tree planting at high latitudes might backfire. The unique ecosystems of these regions, paired with frequent natural disturbances, make the idea more problematic than previously thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSoils in the Arctic store more carbon than all vegetation on Earth,\u201d lead author Jeppe Kristensen, an assistant professor at \u00c5rhus University, said in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cam.ac.uk\/research\/news\/planting-trees-in-the-arctic-could-make-global-warming-worse-not-better-say-scientists\" title=\"\">news release<\/a>. \u201cThese soils are vulnerable to disturbances, such as cultivation for forestry or agriculture, but also the penetration of tree roots. The semi-continuous daylight during the spring and early summer, when snow is still on the ground, also makes the energy balance in this region extremely sensitive to surface darkening, since green and brown trees will soak up more heat from the sun than white snow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The research team highlighted several adverse effects tree planting could have in Arctic regions, including increased soil decomposition, disrupted carbon storage and reduced surface albedo \u2014 the measure of how much sunlight is reflected back into space without being absorbed as heat. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Senior author Marc Macias-Fauria, a professor in the Scott Polar Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, emphasized the importance of a more nuanced approach.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cA holistic approach is not just a richer way of looking at the climate effects of nature-based solutions, but it\u2019s imperative if we\u2019re going to make a difference in the real world,\u201d<\/span> he said in the news release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The darkening effect of tree canopies can lead to higher heat absorption, contrasting with the reflective properties of snow-covered landscapes. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, Kristensen pointed out that Arctic regions are uniquely susceptible to wildfires and droughts, which are becoming more frequent and severe with climate change. These disturbances could release stored carbon back into the atmosphere, undermining the initial intentions of afforestation projects.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThis is a risky place to be a tree, particularly as part of a homogeneous plantation that is more vulnerable to such disturbances,\u201d Kristensen added. \u201cThe carbon stored in these trees risks fueling disturbances and getting released back to the atmosphere within a few decades.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The research underscores the importance of considering the specific characteristics and vulnerabilities of different ecosystems when devising climate solutions. Efforts to mitigate climate change through afforestation need to take into account not only carbon storage but also the broader ecological impact.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beyond questioning the climate benefits of planting trees in the Arctic, the researchers propose alternative approaches. One suggested solution involves collaborating with local communities to maintain sustainable populations of large herbivores, like caribou. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThere is ample evidence that large herbivores affect plant communities and snow conditions in ways that result in net cooling,\u201d Macias-Fauria added. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These animals help keep the tundra landscape open and reduce soil temperatures by modifying the snow cover.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ultimately, the researchers emphasize the need to integrate local biodiversity and community livelihoods into climate action strategies. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cBiodiversity and local communities are not an added benefit to nature-based solutions: they are fundamental,\u201d added Macias-Fauria. \u201cAny nature-based solutions must be led by the communities who live at the frontline of climate change.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>An international team of researchers, led by the University of Cambridge and the University of \u00c5rhus, has issued a stark warning that planting trees in the Arctic could accelerate, rather than mitigate, global warming. The findings, published in Nature Geoscience, challenge the widespread belief that afforestation is universally beneficial for climate stabilization. Despite being widely [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"single-no-separators","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10118","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-climate-and-environment"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"The University Network","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/author\/funky_junkie\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"An international team of researchers, led by the University of Cambridge and the University of \u00c5rhus, has issued a stark warning that planting trees in the Arctic could accelerate, rather than mitigate, global warming. The findings, published in Nature Geoscience, challenge the widespread belief that afforestation is universally beneficial for climate stabilization. Despite being widely&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10118","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10118"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10118\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10165,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10118\/revisions\/10165"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10118"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10118"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10118"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}