For the past 30+ years we’ve seen our forests die of disease; diseases much a consequence of Global Warming. Diseased trees are a big part of this fire problem. So are forests dried out for from long periods of drought.
I think that thinner forest may be more disease resistant, don’t know. It is not clear to me that thinned forests have a better chance of surviving Climate Change. I see our larger forests as ecosystems and of a scale to effect weather. I question some of the rhetoric we’re hearing in re management, controlled burning, etc. In the Sierras, as many as half of the trees are dead or dying directly or indirectly because of Climate change. After the Big Rim fire of 2012, they are removing these trees for lumber and have done a lot of thinning in areas adjacent populations
I’m not at all confident that our forests will survive climate Change. Wish I could be. Suspect they won’t.
coberly
September 16, 2020 12:14 pm
ken
i suspect you are right. also not helping are clear cutting and monoculture.
back in the 1880’s it was said the natural purpose of forests was to turn them into houses. foresight is not our strong suit as a species.
For the past 30+ years we’ve seen our forests die of disease; diseases much a consequence of Global Warming. Diseased trees are a big part of this fire problem. So are forests dried out for from long periods of drought.
I think that thinner forest may be more disease resistant, don’t know. It is not clear to me that thinned forests have a better chance of surviving Climate Change. I see our larger forests as ecosystems and of a scale to effect weather. I question some of the rhetoric we’re hearing in re management, controlled burning, etc. In the Sierras, as many as half of the trees are dead or dying directly or indirectly because of Climate change. After the Big Rim fire of 2012, they are removing these trees for lumber and have done a lot of thinning in areas adjacent populations
I’m not at all confident that our forests will survive climate Change. Wish I could be. Suspect they won’t.
ken
i suspect you are right. also not helping are clear cutting and monoculture.
back in the 1880’s it was said the natural purpose of forests was to turn them into houses. foresight is not our strong suit as a species.
neither is a little honest humility.