European forest at the risk of saturation absorbs CO2

According to a study published in the British Journal of Natural Climate Change (Nature Climate Change), the ability to absorb carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) of old-growth European forests is approaching saturation, threatening one of the "old continent's" main defense barriers against global warming.

Research shows that forests from Spain to Sweden are getting older, along with trees that reduce the absorption of emissions that cause the Earth's temperature to rise, raising sea levels and families. increased floods and droughts.

Forest fires, storms and insects also threaten the development of forests. In many areas of Europe, deforestation is widespread.

All of these factors mean that European forests will not be able to continue to absorb much carbon emissions from factories, power plants and vehicles. It is estimated that forests currently absorb only about 10% of the emissions of the European region.

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Dr. Gert-Jan Nabuurs, of the Wageningen University and Research of the Netherlands, head of the international research team, including Finnish, Swiss and Italian scientists, predicts the time of saturation to absorb CO ₂ of the forests in Europe can happen in 2030 unless governments act urgently to save old forests.

Europe is the region with the most green trees for centuries with forests covering the widest area since the Middle Ages thanks to the cultivation of continental reconstruction after the destruction of World War II. .

However, data from 2005 show that the development of these forests is slowing, trees are aging. Plants absorb air from the air and keep carbon in stems, roots, branches. They reduce their absorption when they get older and release carbon dioxide into the environment when they die and rot.

UN climate change experts say that man-made carbon dioxide emissions have been the main cause of the Earth's temperature rise since 1950.

Mr. Naburs said that the need for better management could solve the situation of European jungle. He also recommended selective exploitation or planting new forests to expand the area of ​​old continental forests.

The European Union aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% compared to 1990 levels by 20%. This plan is part of a global effort by the international community to slow down the warming process of Fruit. Land.

According to an international report published in 2011, the total annual increase in wood volume in forests in Europe has decreased to 609 million cubic meters in 2010 compared to 620 million cubic meters of 2005.