Future Tense
How ancient trees could help in the fight against climate change
Nov 26, 2023
Scientists are studying ancient trees to learn how they have survived for thousands of years, and how this knowledge can help protect forests from climate change. Understanding the distinction between senescence and aging in trees is crucial. Climate change is affecting trees and forests, impacting carbon sequestration. Ancient trees have genetic diversity and can adapt to different climates, but propagating them is challenging. The Archangel Ancient Tree Archive focuses on cloning and replanting ancient trees. Recent research challenges the assumption that ancient trees' growth rate slows down with age, highlighting their importance in carbon sequestration.
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Quick takeaways
- Understanding how ancient trees have survived could help protect forests from climate change.
- Ancient trees play a crucial role in carbon dynamics and mitigating climate change.
Deep dives
Ancient Trees and Their Resilience
Ancient trees, like the Galapagos tortoise Jonathan, are remarkable for their longevity. Unlike animals, trees don't have a determined lifespan, but they continue to age and grow throughout their lives. While trees can avoid death from old age, they can still succumb to accidents, such as lightning strikes, wildfires, or attacks from pests and pathogens. However, maintaining ancient trees is becoming increasingly difficult due to forest die-off, accelerated by factors like increasing drought, heat-related mortality events, and changing rainfall patterns caused by anthropogenic climate change.
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