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March 29, 2024 |
Researchers: Climate change impacts trees, plants DAVIS – (INT) – Climate change is having an impact on trees in the high Sierra.
A new study has foreshadowed how climate warming may significantly alter entire habitats of multiple species. Researchers at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife have found signature tree species, including mountain hemlock, red fir and western white pine - are shifting toward higher, cooler elevations. The shift of conifer species to higher elevations provide food for insects, birds and mammals, and help to build forest soil. The researchers also concluded that 16 of 29 different types of natural vegetation communities in California will be highly or near-highly vulnerable to climate change by the end of the century. These include Pacific Coast saltmarsh, high montane conifer forest and Western North American freshwater marsh. The climate vulnerability study was completed by researchers at UC Davis. Story Date: June 13, 2016
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