Old Growth Forests Are Valuable Carbon Sinks
Taylor Friedman
According to recent studies, old growth forests are found to
be "carbon sinks" which absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and
reduce negative effects on climate change. Unfortunately, these forests aren't protected by international treaties and aren't significant to the national carbon budgets put into place at the moment. Researchers from Oregon State University said, "Much of this carbon, even soil carbon, will
move back to the atmosphere if these forests are disturbed." Trees have been proven to absorb more carbon dioxide than they release, which really impacts greenhouse gas production and global climate change. A study from the 1960's has been the basis of many decisions made about the issue of carbon dioxide management that said these old growth forests are "carbon neutral," producing as much as they absorb. Newer studies, however, have found this inaccurate. Old growth trees, when left alone, continue to absorb carbon for many centuries. As one tree dies due to natural causes, there's usually a second layer of foliage there to maintain productivity. Ultimately, if they are left intact, old growth forests will help prevent enormous amounts of carbon from leaking back into the atmosphere. This topic is very relevant to the Principles of Ecology course, and relates to many of the topics we have covered so far. Carbon dioxide is known to be one of the harmful chemicals that contributes to greenhouse gases, and can be very dangerous to the environment when excess amounts are introduced into the atmosphere. Old growth trees are integral parts of the ecosystems that make up old growth forests. As more and more of them are being cleared and cut down, less carbon is being absorbed, and is wreaking havoc in the form of climate change. I think that these forests should be protected at all costs. Treaties must be compiled to save them from being cut down and degraded for the sake of our planet's well-being. It's obvious now, with more extensive studies being conducted, that the old growth trees aren't "carbon neutral." The increasing amount of carbon found in the atmosphere recently is leading to many issues worldwide, and is a very serious problem. If leaving old growth forests intact will greatly help reduce the amount of carbon emitted into the atmosphere, preventing greater changes in global climate, it is our duty to protect them.
Oregon State University. "Old Growth Forests Are Valuable Carbon Sinks." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 14 September 2008. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080910133934.htm>.
Photo Credit: British Columbia old-growth rainforest iStockphoto/Robert Koopmans
This is a really interesting topic. I had no idea that these old growth forests were so important to the environment. I wonder why this is a little known fact. I definitely agree that it is important to protect these trees at all costs. Great research!
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize how important these old growth forests were and how beneficial they are to the ecosystem. I also thought it was interesting that they are not protected. There definitely needs to be something done that protects these forests.
ReplyDeleteIt is very unfortunate that old growth forests are not better protected when they are such a vital part of our ecosystem. We as humans should better protect the aspects of our earth that will keep us alive. One step towards bettering our environment would be to keep old growth forests intact.
ReplyDeleteIt is very unfortunate that old growth forests are not better protected when they are such a vital part of our ecosystem. We as humans should better protect the aspects of our earth that will keep us alive. One step towards bettering our environment would be to keep old growth forests intact.
ReplyDelete