{"id":293802,"date":"2024-11-19T21:30:58","date_gmt":"2024-11-19T21:30:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/11\/19\/how-cool-are-forests-a-hot-new-study-has-answers\/"},"modified":"2024-11-19T21:30:58","modified_gmt":"2024-11-19T21:30:58","slug":"how-cool-are-forests-a-hot-new-study-has-answers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/11\/19\/how-cool-are-forests-a-hot-new-study-has-answers\/","title":{"rendered":"How cool are forests? A hot new study has answers"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The shade of a tree can offer instant relief from the heat. But how much can forests buffer scorching temperatures during an extreme heat wave?\u00a0<\/p>\n

A lot, according to a new study<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

During the 2021 Pacific Northwest<\/a> heat dome, when temperatures soared to 50 degrees Celsius<\/a> (121 degrees Fahrenheit), dense forests were up to 3 degrees Celsius (5.4 degrees Fahrenheit) cooler than areas of a forest that had been cut down, according to researchers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a big difference \u2014 especially for the wildlife that lives on the forest floor,\u201d said Conservation International scientist Kavya Pradhan, a study co-author. \u201cWe\u2019ve known for a long time that forests are one of humanity\u2019s best allies to keep climate-warming carbon out of the atmosphere and fight climate change. This study provides even more evidence that they can help keep our planet cool, even with brutal heat waves<\/a>.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This study is one of the few to measure the cooling effect of forests during extreme heat. As heat waves become increasingly common<\/a>, forests everywhere can provide a reprieve from extreme temperatures, not only for wildlife and plants living within them, but also for people, Pradhan added. This is critical, as studies show<\/a> extreme heat poses dangerous threats<\/a> to human health.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"\/\u00a9 Trond Larsen<\/span><\/p>\n

Pradhan and other researchers measured temperatures in three locations in a Washington state forest: a clear-cut area, an area that had been thinned for restoration, and an area dense with trees. They found that thinned forests were also cooler than clear-cut areas by 2 degrees Celsius. And when compared to regional temperature data, the ground temperature in the dense forest was 4 degrees Celsius (7.2 degrees Fahrenheit) cooler.<\/span><\/p>\n

While the findings provide new insights, Pradhan said there\u2019s still much we don\u2019t know about the effects of extreme heat on forests. For example, how often can forests be hit by heat waves without experiencing extensive damage? And will heat stress hinder their ability to buffer heat?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHeat waves are difficult to predict, which makes them difficult to study,\u201d Pradhan said. \u201cBut we know climate change will make them more frequent and intense, so it\u2019s essential we understand the connection between forests and extreme heat.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The research also raises questions about forest restoration methods, such as the practice of thinning trees to prevent competition for space and resources.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat technique helps the forest mature into an old-growth forest, which is more resilient to climate change in the long term,\u201d Pradhan said. \u201cYet in the short term, our study shows that thinned forests provide less of a buffer in extreme heat.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether repeated extreme heat waves will have a lasting effect on forests is an open question \u2014 and one Pradhan and other researchers are trying to answer. The stakes are high: The ability of forests to handle the heat could have implications for climate strategies on a warming planet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Further reading:\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Mary Kate McCoy is a staff writer at Conservation International. Want to read more stories like this? Sign up for email updates<\/a>. Also, please consider supporting our critical work<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n


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