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RESPONSE AND FEEDBACKS OF FOREST ECOSYSTEMS TO GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE
Citation:
Dixon, R. RESPONSE AND FEEDBACKS OF FOREST ECOSYSTEMS TO GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/A-93/049 (NTIS PB93167252), 1993.
Description:
The accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere over the past century is projected to cause a warming of the Earth. Climate Change predictions vary by region and terrestrial biosphere response, and feedbacks will be ecosystem specific. Forests play a major role in the Earth's carbon cycle through assimilation of C02, storage of carbon, and emission of greenhouse gases. Simulation models have been employed to examine the possible responses of global forest ecosystems to climate change. Major shifts in forest species distribution and Composition are predicted in response to projected climate change within the next 50-80 years. The range of some species is expected to shift dramatically in biomes worldwide. Savanna type vegetation could replace some forests under the more extreme climate change predictions in temperate latitudes. The ultimate responses and feedbacks of forests will be influenced by the direction and magnitude of climate change, site quality and other stress agents. Establishment of new forests and implementation of management practices could potentially be used to Conserve and sequester significant amounts of atmospheric C02. Preliminary evidence suggests boreal, temperate and tropical forest system could be managed to reduce accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.