How Ecologists are Finding that Trees are Getting Bigger, Yet Weaker, Due to Climate Change
Ecologists have discovered that as the climate warms, trees will become bigger, but weaker. This research, conducted by a team from the University of Birmingham, was recently published in the journal Nature Plants.
In the face of a changing climate, many species are struggling to adapt. For trees, this means that bigger is not necessarily better. In a recent study, ecologists at the University of Birmingham found that increased temperatures can actually lead to trees growing bigger, but having weaker structures. This could have significant implications for the resilience of forests to climate change.
The research team compared trees grown in a controlled environment with those grown in the wild, and found that trees grown in warmer conditions were larger but had weaker wood and less bark. The researchers suggest that this could make them more vulnerable to extreme weather events, such as strong winds or storms.
This research is an important reminder that size does not always equate to strength. As the climate continues to warm, understanding the impacts on trees and other species will be key in helping them to survive and thrive in a changing environment.
source: Phys.org