Climate change impacts on forests and forest pests
Climate change, driven by increased temperature, CO2 levels, and altered precipitation, significantly affects global forests. While boosting productivity and diversity, it also induces stress, diebacks, and moisture loss. Elevated CO2 enhances growth, but ground-level ozone counters benefits.
Species shift distribution due to warming. These changes have widespread repercussions, impacting local economies, trade patterns, and increasing vulnerability.
Altered pest dynamics under climate change affect phenology, distribution, and community interactions. Some impacts benefit forest health, while others, like accelerated pest development, pose risks. Changes directly influence pest survival, reproduction, and spread.
These dynamics reshape forest ecosystems - proactive management strategies are crucial amid evolving ecological challenges.
To know more, read FAO’s “Scientific review of the impact of climate change on plant pests” and “Abiotic disturbances and their influence on forest health”.
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