In regions where these species have been present for centuries, scientists say some of trees will decline or die out, while others move in and replace them.
“In an enormous display of survival of the fittest, the forests of the future are taking a new shape," the authors of the study wrote. The research was led by Richard Waring, professor emeritus at Oregon State University.
Researchers suggest that many tree species that were once able to survive and thrive are losing their competitive footholds and newcomers will eventually push them out.
"Some of these changes are already happening, pretty fast and in some huge areas," Waring said. "In some cases the mechanism of change is fire or insect attack, in others it's simply drought."
The scientists predict that, the once-common species, lodgepole pine, will eventually be replaced by other trees, possibly ponderosa pine or Douglas-fir, while other areas may shift completely out of the forest and into grass savannah or sagebrush desert. Researchers have concluded that in central California, more than half of the species that are now present will not persevere in the climate conditions of the future, as global warming persist. Read the full report here.
Source: by Angelina Tala, Medical Daily.
