Expanding mountain forest promotes climate warming

Environment[1] Environment[1]Climate Change [2]Forest [3]Mountain [4]Norway [5]Forskning.no [6] Birch forest is currently expanding in mountain regions because of climate warming and reduced grazing pressure. A recent study shows that increased mountain forest promotes climate warming. Tourists and locals have noticed that forests are creeping up hillsides in mountain regions in Norway. Beautiful views are lost behind trees, and previously open meadows are now invaded by birch and bushes. Some may have considered that even though these changes in the landscape may not be positive, at least it is a comfort that the increasing carbon stock in the vegetation lowers the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere and thereby counteracts climate warming. "Unfortunately, that is not true," says Heleen de Wit, scientist at the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA). –Expanding mountain forest will actually promote climate warming. This conclusion builds on a recent study where Norwegian scientists have assessed climate change feedbacks of higher forest limits. Heleen de Wit led the project which was a cooperation between Cicero, Skog og Landskap, NINA og NIVA.