Published April 24, 2008
by dbazely
A new report from NRCAN indicates that the massive number of tree deaths in western Canada resulting from mountain pine beetle outbreaks, is driving carbon emissions on a huge scale. Many people blithely assume that our Canadian managed forests will be a great help in sequestering carbon (and reducing greenhouse gases) but this is not always the case. NRCAN researchers estimate that the amount of carbon dioxide that will not be sequestered: (1) because trees aren't growing, and (2) because decaying trees eventually produce CO2, will be similar to that resulting from Canada's annual forest fires. They recommend that this should be accounted for in future climate models. The beetle is spreading due to warmer winters (the bugs die in cold winters). This is an example of how a warmer climate is triggering outbreaks of pests and pathogens, which in turn are causing tree death and increasing greenhouse gas emissions. If you don't know what's been going on for years now in BC, check out Patrick White's excellent article on the mountain pine beetle in the Walrus magazine (April 2007). dawn bazely
Posted in: Blogs | IRIS Director Blog | Sustainability News
