Drought is causing destruction to the Forests sooner than expected. According to a French research, death rates have increased by 1.5 to 4 times among the nine most widespread trees.
How Do Trees Die Due to Drought?
In 2018 tree water stress passed hydraulic failure lines in many Central European trees, which has led to an increase in mortality (tree mortality drought) that is expected to last for years to come. Invented experiments proved that out of 9435 young trees a third of them have perished. Researchers confirm that hydraulic failure is one of the reasons of tree dying in drought conditions.
Is It Only Drought that Kills Trees?
Not only drought (tree mortality drought), as the study has shown, warm wet springs can also increase the risk of death as dense canopies lose greater amounts of water during upcoming droughts. In 2022, it was deciduous broadleaved forests that suffered the most from extreme drought in Europe.
What Is This All About?
Forests are the main absorbers of human emissions, so that their death has negative consequences for carbon markets and raises alarm regarding Amazon. Researchers recommend launching pan-European networks that would monitor individual deaths of trees.
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