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How the Boreal Forest Effects Climate Change
Although it is usually climate change that affects the forest, you might be surprised to learn that the relationship between climate change and the boreal forest is a two-way street!
Forests (and the boreal in particular) are currently thought of in the science world as the global "carbon sink" (1), storing 45% of net terrestrial carbon and producing 50% of carbon in the world (6). This is a huge percentage, and since the carbon cycle is vital to our climate, naturally any change in the forest structure would affect this cycle.
Deforestation, which is common in Newfoundland, has the effect of shifting the balance between photosynthesis (carbon storage) and decomposition (carbon release) toward the latter (1).
This has the potential to release massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere at a rate so high that at the current storage rates, the forest won't be able to keep up. Ultimately this would contribute to the buildup of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere, adding to the problem.
The boreal forest also has strong influence on the albedo – a term used to describe the amount of radiation reflected by the earth’s surface.
Snow has high albedo as it is bright white and very reflective. The boreal forest, by contrast, is typically closed canopy which means low albedo, even with snow cover.
This effect buffers the atmospheric temperature, creating relatively warmer conditions within the forest during winter months and cooler conditions in the summer. (6)
The graph shown to the right is taken from an article by Bonan (2008). It shows the measured albedo levels for each ecosystem in snow-free, and snow-covered conditions in Alaska. As you can see, the boreal forest largely decreases albedo levels. This is a trend that we see all across the boreal, from Alaska to Siberia, to right here in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Although many theories have been formulated on these effects, much more research is needed to determine any large scale influences. (6)
This map shows the amount of carbon, by volume, present in the boreal forests of Canada. As you can see, Newfoundland is no different from the rest of Canada and shows high carbon levels in our soil.
A graph comparing the albedo effect of forested and nonforested areas with and without snow cover. Note the dramatic reduction in the albedo effect in the snow-covered forest vs. snow-covered nonforest.
modified from: Bonan 2008
A diagram of the storage and release of carbon in a forest. Carbon is taken from the atmosphere via photosynthesis and is stored within the tree. It is later transferred to the soil and leaf litter via litterfall. Carbon is finally released back into the atmosphere via oxidation by fire and soil decomposers, and the cycle repeats.
modified from: Bonan 2008
A forest after clearcutting.
BOREAL @ MEMORIAL