Trees in California Mountain Range Are Dying Due to High Pressure and Wildfire

California is counting on its woods to help lower the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that warms the globe.

However, a recent study from the University of California, Irvine, indicated that trees in California's mountain ranges and open spaces are dying from wildfires and other pressures - and fewer new trees are filling the void.

This puts that component of the state's arsenal of climate change solutions in jeopardy.

California Trees are Dying

(Photo : Chris Lejarazu)

Researchers have been able to measure tree population decreases for the first time in California and link the changes to stressors, including logging, drought stress, and wildfires.

The study, conducted by a team led by UCI, examined changes in vegetation between 1985 and 2021 using satellite data from the USGS and NASA's Landsat mission.

They discovered that Southern California experienced one of the sharpest drops in tree cover, with 14% of the area's mountain ranges losing its tree population probably permanently.

According to Jonathan Wang, the study's lead author and a postdoctoral researcher in Randerson's research group, the capacity of forests to recover following fire appears to be declining in the south, as per ScienceDaily

At the same time, the amount of grass and bushes in the state is increasing, which may indicate more substantial changes to the ecology.

Throughout the state, the rate and magnitude of decline differ.

For example, the number of trees in the Sierra Nevada was largely steady up until about 2010, at which point it started to drastically decrease.

A prolonged drought from 2012 to 2015 and some of the biggest wildfires in state history, notably the Creek Fire in 2020, occurred at the same time as the 8.8% die-off in the Sierra.

Fortunately, there's plenty of recovery after a fire in the north, according to Wang, possibly as a result of the area's higher rainfall and colder temperatures.

However, even there, the high fire years of 2018, 2020, and 2021 left a noticeable mark.

Michael Goulden, a co-author, and director of the Center for Ecosystem Climate Solutions at the University of California, Irvine, is analyzing the data to see how changes in forest cover are affecting water resources, carbon storage, and fire behavior throughout the state.

Wang stated that the danger to California's climate solutions was not going away any time soon. A new period of extreme fire and exposed woods may be upon us.

Also Read: California Drought Putting Trees in Bay Area 'Under Stress'

How to Restore Tree Biodiversity?

Many people have already been interested in planting trees as a means of restoring regional ecosystems.

They provide fuel and timber, preserve and nourish soils, absorb carbon from the atmosphere, and provide a home for many of the animals, birds, and insects that inhabit the world.

Forests play important cultural, spiritual, and recreational roles that make them crucial to human well-being, as per the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

In most cases, planting trees will be advantageous to both people and the environment.

However, it might not stop the deterioration that has compelled you to take action.

Many things, such as ignorance, poverty, market forces, political interests, lax rules, or a lack of resources to enforce them, can contribute to deforestation.

In addition to planting trees, take into account if you can address the underlying issues and safeguard current forests and woods.

In environments where they are accustomed to organically growing, trees are more likely to flourish. It is typically ideal to plant trees in former forest areas for this reason.

The worst choice is to turn wetlands, peatlands, or other natural habitats like grasslands into forests. These habitats must be protected as they are vulnerable.

Use indigenous tree species, too. These support a lot more biodiversity than foreign species since they are adapted to the local soil and environment.

If there is room, native trees will grow naturally once they are planted.

It may be necessary to obtain the assistance and approval of other people, from officials and community leaders to farmers and other land users, to gain access to suitable areas for tree planting and ensure that those trees can grow unhindered.

Stakeholder forums are an important component of restoration efforts that succeed.

A landscape strategy can assist optimize the advantages and prevent trade-offs between various interests in larger-scale initiatives.

There are thousands of professionals who have devoted their careers to the preservation and restoration of ecosystems, and they may offer guidance on where and how planting trees can be beneficial.

Over a lengthy period, restoring damaged ecosystems might result in continuous advancements.

By picking a few significant indicators that are significant to your community, you may gauge your progress.

Planning will help you avoid making costly errors.

According to economists, for every dollar invested in ecosystem restoration, society can reap several benefits totaling $10.

Related Article: Biodiversity and Tree Population: More Intense Farming is Better, Researchers Say