Climate change and global temperature rise is posing a substantial threat to the 'taiga' or 'boreal forests'
The international forestry experts believe that it's time for the policy makers across the world to initiate efforts and measures to protect the boreal forests. The experts further say that the increasing global temperature due to climate change is taking a toll on the life of the boreal forests – which cover nearly 30 percent of the total forest area on Earth.
The article, published in the journal Science, has been co-curated by the forestry experts from the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, or IIASA, the University of Helsinki in Finland and Natural Resources Canada. The experts believe that boreal forests, also known as the Taiga, are about to hit their “tipping point” this century. That is, if continuous efforts to change the deteriorating conditions of the environment are not made, the beauty of the boreal forests could soon be gone.
“Boreal forests have the potential to hit a tipping point this century,” said IIASA researcher Anatoly Shvidenko, in a press release.
“It is urgent that we place more focus on climate mitigation and adaptation with respect to these forests, and also takes a more integrated and balanced view of forests around the world.”
A study conducted by the researchers has revealed that the climate zones within the boreal forests are shifting at 10 times the speed of the tree's ability to migrate. The raised levels of carbon dioxide and warmer, drier conditions might have already contributed to the damage of the boreal forests.
"These forests evolved under cold conditions, and we do not know enough about the impacts of warming on their resilience and buffering capacity," said Shvidenko.
Boreal forests are known to play an integral role in the management of Earth's climate system. In addition to being a home to a number of plant and animal species, boreal forests provide an important source of timber and wood, thus offering an employment opportunity to thousands of people. Boreal forests cover parts of Russia, Scandinavia, Canada and Alaska.
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