Earth’s Oldest Trees Are Dying Faster Than Ever

In Oregon, some of the oldest trees are rapidly disappearing. Old-growth fir, larch, and pine trees in Eastern Oregon’s Malheur National Forest are disappearing at an alarming rate. A large number of these trees are over 500 years old.
Ancient trees face previously unheard-of dangers, from the disappearing old-growth forests of Oregon to the disappearing baobabs of Africa. We risk losing living artifacts that have endured for thousands of years, along with important components of our planet’s biodiversity and climatic resilience, if we don’t take immediate action.

Why Are Old Trees Dying Fast?

1.Drought & Heat Stress:

Old trees become weakened by extended droughts and rising temperatures, leaving them more vulnerable to pests and disease.

2.Deforestation:

Older trees can be immediately destroyed or left unprotected when forests are cut down for mining, construction, or farming.

3.Human Encroachment:

The surviving habitats of these old giants are being reduced by growing urbanization, agriculture, and wildfires, which are frequently caused by humans.

4.Changing Ecosystems:

Trees that thrived for ages in climates that were stable are now finding it difficult to adjust to the fast changes in the environment.

Trees of different ages fight with one another:

According to new research scientist found a pattern.The probability of a tree dying increased if its development had slowed during the previous five years. People who lived in forests that hadn’t seen wildfire in over 130 years were also at greater risk.

It turns out that wildfires are important. By cutting down younger trees, they naturally thin the forest. Newer plants develops loosely controlled and competes with older plants for light, water, and nutrients if there is no fire or human trimming.

Putting aside forests as protected reserves has shown to be an effective method of maintaining older trees in Western Oregon’s wetter and most productive Douglas-fir-dominated forests.

But our study shows that in order to preserve the older trees in the dry forests of Eastern and Southern Oregon, we must actively control the removal of younger trees.

Why do old trees matter:

These old trees are more than just big plants. They do a lot for us and the planet:

Nature’s superheroes are old trees. Trees contain thousands of years of history, purify our air, and provide as habitat for wildlife. A significant portion of the health and legacy of our world would be destroyed if they disappeared.

The loss of the oldest trees on Earth impacts not only the environment but also humans. Even though these trees have endured for so long, they are not alone in this fight. We still have time to preserve what remains and ensure that future generations can walk in their shade if we take action today.

For More Related Article>https://www.climatechallange.com/how-old-trees-can-guide-us-through-todays-wildfires/