. Earth Science News .
WOOD PILE
Satellite images display changes in the condition of European forests
by Staff Writers
Munich, Germany (SPX) Sep 16, 2020

Dead spruces in the Bavarian Forest.

Rupert Seidl (Professor of Ecosystem Dynamics and Forest Management in Mountain Landscapes at TUM) and his colleague Cornelius Senf (lead author of the study) for the first time produced a high-resolution map of all openings in the canopy of European forests.

They have analyzed more than 30,000 satellite images and identified more than 36 million areas where large trees have given way to open spaces of young trees. This corresponds to a loss of the canopy in 17 percent of the European forests in 30 years.

The reasons for the canopy openings range from regulated wood use to wind storms and forest fires. The team also found that the size of the canopy openings varied widely from area to area.

For example, Sweden has the largest canopy openings (averaging almost two hectares) while Portugal has the highest number of canopy openings. Switzerland has the smallest openings with just 0.6 hectares on average (which is smaller than a soccer field) while the average size opening in Germany is 0.7 hectares and in Italy 0.75 hectares. The largest opening documented by the researchers is in Spain, where a single fire in 2012 burned 17,000 hectares.

Chance for tree generation adapted to climate change
The novel map the team has created also makes it possible to describe changes in forest conditions. The researchers have found, for example, that throughout Europe forests have become more open and the frequency of forests being interrupted by open spaces has increased. In addition, the openings themselves on average have increased in size primarily due to wind storms and forest fires in recent years.

In such areas, however, the tendency is that more trees are surviving due to the availability of seed material. This, in turn, promotes the recovery of forests after a disturbance and can be seen as an indication of the increase in low-intensity forestry in Europe, where only single trees or crops of trees are taken rather than clear cutting large areas.

Therefore, despite the major changes in Europe's forests, the researchers see positive developments. As Cornelius Senf has said, "In most cases, new, young trees grow up after a loss of the old stand." However, he goes on to say: "To understand where forests may be at risk of irreversible damage, we need a baseline as a reference. This is provided by the newly created map."

Professor Rupert Seidl adds: "The new maps help us to understand how Europe's forests are changing. After all, increasing opening in the canopy pose a risk to the forest, but also other opportunities for new generations of trees that are better adapted to climate change to establish themselves. Among other things, the maps can help to identify areas where regeneration needs to be promoted through targeted planting or where the forests can rejuvenate themselves. In this way, the forest can be made fit for climate change - a task that, especially in the last two years, has gained in urgency."

Research paper


Related Links
Technical University Of Munich (TUM)
Forestry News - Global and Local News, Science and Application


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


WOOD PILE
Why are Brazil's wetlands engulfed in flames
Rio De Janeiro (AFP) Sept 11, 2020
The Pantanal, the world's biggest tropical wetlands, is burning at record-shattering pace this year as drought-fueled fires devastate its vegetation and celebrated wildlife in an environmental catastrophe. The region, which sits at the southern edge of the Amazon rainforest, is known for its immense biodiversity, drawing wildlife lovers from around the world with its jaguars, jabiru storks, giant otters, caimans, toucans, macaws and monkeys. But in recent months, the images emerging from the reg ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

WOOD PILE
NASA takes an insured look at hailstorm risk

Trump and Harris head for California as US wildfires ignite political row

Fires, fear and guns on America's wild West Coast

Unconscious learning fosters belief in God, study finds

WOOD PILE
Future Rocket Engines May Include Large-Scale 3D Printing

Expanding ESTEC's Test Centre

Microsoft says small Xbox S game console on the way

Next artificial intelligence mission selected

WOOD PILE
Fate of nickel factory clouds New Caledonia's independence vote

Without otters, Alaskan reefs more vulnerable to urchins

'Dire' water shortages in S. Africa's Port Elizabeth

Ocean salinity study reveals amplification of Earth's water cycle

WOOD PILE
Antarctica: cracks in the ice

Arctic transitioning to a new climate state

Russian ex-Gulag town on China's doorstep eyes rebirth

Bering Sea ice at lowest levels in 5,500 years: study

WOOD PILE
Digitizing supply chains to lift farmers out of poverty

China halts imports of German pork after swine fever case

Beyond Meat makes China push with factories near Shanghai

Generation Z isn't all that into lab-grown meat, according to new study

WOOD PILE
Volcanic ash may have a bigger impact on the climate than we thought

Earthquake may have destroyed Canaanite palace 3,700 years ago

Hundreds killed in African floods

Hurricane Sally strengthens, on track to hit southern US

WOOD PILE
Four soldiers killed in central Mali attack: officials

Cameroon army launches operation in anglophone regional capital

Zimbabwe bans mining in national parks

Mass hunger fears as Mozambique insurgency hampers aid

WOOD PILE
The oldest Neanderthal DNA of Central-Eastern Europe

Unfair playing fields, pay gaps drag down everyone's motivation

Being a jerk won't get you a promotion, study says

Each human gut hosts a unique community of viruses









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.