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8 - Role of Forests in Mitigating Global Warming

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 June 2020

William J. Manning
William J. Manning
Affiliation:
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
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Summary

Global deforestation is increasing rapidly from timber harvesting, charcoal burning, fires, beetle infestations, drought, disturbances, and conversion of forests to managed land for agriculture and pasture. This reduces the global carbon sink and may increase global temperature. It was noted in the previous chapter, however, that observed average global temperatures and carbon dioxide concentrations are lower than would be expected from model estimates. This was attributed to a long-term global vegetation growth and greening effect, caused by increased photosynthesis and increased transpiration. Forest trees probably constitute most of the vegetation responsible. The potential for global greening has greatly increased interest in global large-scale efforts to prevent deforestation, stop forest degradation, restore forests (reforestation), plant new forests (afforestation), and manage existing forests.

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Trees and Global Warming
The Role of Forests in Cooling and Warming the Atmosphere
 , pp. 280 - 302
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

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