A report from the USDA warns that by 2070, US forests could release carbon emissions equivalent to those produced by 40 coal-fired power plants. Younger trees are extremely adept at capturing carbon from the air.
Forests play a key role in maintaining the health of our planet and support various ecological, economic and social functions. The value of forests can be seen in a variety of ways, from maintaining biodiversity to climate regulation, oxygen production, water cycle regulation and soil conservation.
Forests play a vital role in absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis. But a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts that by 2070, America’s forests could be releasing significantly more carbon into the atmosphere than they can absorb.
Forests in the entire United States, with the exception of Alaska, are expected to stop absorbing 150 million metric tons of carbon annually over the next fifty years, according to experts.
This change will reduce carbon sequestration by approximately 150 million metric tons, an amount similar to the emissions from 40 continuously operating coal-fired power plants emitting pollutants into the atmosphere.
The cause of this trend can be traced to human intervention in the natural development and balance of tree growth in our forests.
In ecosystems that are functioning optimally, mature trees go through natural mortality cycles, making room for new growth.
Research has shown that younger trees have a remarkable ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and incorporate it into their own biomass. In contrast, while older trees store significant amounts of carbon over time, their growth rate is relatively slow.
But today in North America, not enough saplings are being planted and allowed to grow.
