Click For Photo: https://3c1703fe8d.site.internapcdn.net/newman/gfx/news/hires/2018/ecuadordefor.jpg
Tropical forests all over the world are at risk from climate change and deforestation for arable land. Scientists from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Thünen-Institute compared losses due to deforestation with those that would result in extreme climate change scenarios in Ecuador. Although global warming is likely to change the distribution of species, deforestation will result in the loss of more dry forests than predicted by climate change damage.
A large proportion of Ecuador's rare dry forests are located in the southwest of the country, in the Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena region. These forests provide important ecosystem services that regulate the water balance and protect the soil from erosion. However, the area suffers a high loss of habitat due to deforestation for more arable and pasture land. This exacerbates the negative effects of climate change, such as temperature increases.
Cooperation - Scientists - Thünen-Institut - Universidad - Técnica
In cooperation with scientists from the Thünen-Institut and the Ecuadorian Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, a team from TUM compared the predicted loss area of tree species caused by deforestation and that by predicted forest losses in an extreme climate change scenario. We have evaluated 660 data sets on the occurrence of 17 characteristic species of dry forests in the south of Ecuador. In order to estimate both potential threats, we have compared the forecast annual rates of losses. However, the results are not transferable to other tree species in other regions." says co-author...
Wake Up To Breaking News!
Never argue with an idiot, the spectators may not be able to differentiate between you.