<
https://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/firmageddon-researchers-find-11-million-acres-dead-trees-oregon-rcna59671>
"Drought-stricken Oregon saw a historic die-off of fir trees in 2022 that left
hillsides once lush with green conifers dotted with patches of red, dead trees.
The damage to fir trees was so significant researchers took to calling the
blighted areas “firmageddon” as they flew overhead during aerial surveys that
estimated the die-off’s extent.
The surveyors ultimately tallied about 1.1 million acres of Oregon forest with
dead firs, the most damage recorded in a single season since surveys began 75
years ago.
Oregon’s dead firs are a visceral example of how drought is reshaping
landscapes in Western states that have been experiencing extreme heat
conditions. In many areas, these firs might be replaced by more drought-hardy
species in the future, reshaping how ecosystems function and changing their
character."
Via Doug Senko, who wrote "The latest climate change surprise."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
