Not exact matches
Although global forests currently capture and store more carbon each year than they emit, 46 the ability of forests to act as large, global carbon absorbers («sinks») may be
reduced by projected increased disturbances from
insect outbreaks, 47 forest fire, 48 and drought, 49 leading to increases in tree mortality and carbon emissions.
Drought
reduces tree defenses, enabling
insects to surpass a population threshold required for an
outbreak (Berg et al. [2006]; Rouault et al. [2006]-RRB-.
The length of the growing season in interior Alaska has increased 45 % over the last century7 and that trend is projected to continue.8 This could improve conditions for agriculture where moisture is adequate, but will
reduce water storage and increase the risks of more extensive wildfire and
insect outbreaks across much of Alaska.9, 10 Changes in dates of snowmelt and freeze - up would influence seasonal migration of birds and other animals, increase the likelihood and rate of northerly range expansion of native and non-native species, alter the habitats of both ecologically important and endangered species, and affect ocean currents.11
Because of its cold - adapted features and rapid warming, climate change impacts on Alaska are already pronounced, including earlier spring snowmelt,
reduced sea ice, widespread glacier retreat, warmer permafrost, drier landscapes, and more extensive
insect outbreaks and wildfire, as described below.
Or will warming
reduce the forests — and perhaps also tundra vegetation — by causing more wildfires and
insect outbreaks?