Friday, Mar 29 2024
All Cities
Choose Your City
'A quarter of the world's timber grows within Siberia’s boundaries'
0

Russian birch trees are ‘climbing mountains’ due to climate change

By 0 and 0 and 0
27 November 2019

0

Experts observed the striking trend on the spectacular Kuznetsky Alatau mountain ridge in southern Siberia. Picture: Ilya Petrov

A rise in air temperature from climate change is leading to birch trees growing at higher altitudes than previously.

The tree line is moving up mountains at a rate of half a metre a year, say researchers from Krasnoyarsk Science Centre, part of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Experts observed the trend on the Kuznetsky Alatau mountain ridge in southern Siberia. 

Map of the research
Geographical location of the studied sites (1 − test plots, 2 − rivers and lakes, 3 − dark needle conifer stands). Picture: Ilya Petrov


‘The rise of average air temperatures leads to an increase in the number of birch trees, and the trees’ growing area is enlarging too, and moves towards the mountains,’ said the centre. 

Specifically, traditional Russian birch trees are now invading the mountain tundra climate zone, which was previously too harsh for birches. 

‘If global warming continues, in the future the forests will occupy the territory of what is today the mountain tundra climate zone.’

They noted a marked trend since the 1970s.

Tundra birches


Tundra birches


Ivanov lakes


Ilya Petrov
Ilya Petrov: ‘If global warming continues, in the future the forests will occupy the territory of what is today the mountain tundra climate zone.’ Pictures: Ilya Petrov


‘Due to global warming, the birch trees are occupying heights where conditions are becoming more and more comfortable for their growth,’ said co-author of the research Dr Ilya Petrov, senior scientist at the Sukachev Forest Research Institute.

The results of the research were published in the digest BIO Web of Conferences.

The research did not cover whether birch trees are also venturing northwards as the climate warms in higher latitudes. 

Bye! A joking drawing by Krasnoyarsk scientists illustrates change in birch trees' growing altitude 

Joking drawing shows the birches going away

Comments (3)

Birch trees are amazing. Such pretty and graceful trees, but the toughest of all the broad-leaved trees. True frontier spirit!
Gundula Azeez, Bristol
27/11/2023 02:47
0
0
Nature adapts, and while climate change might make things very uncomfortable for human beings, nature will adapt to the new conditions as it has for millions of years. It gives me great comfort to know that regardless of us, nature will survive us. Besides, I've always known that birch trees are intelligent.
Tosca Zraikat, queensland Australia
22/02/2020 09:53
3
3
Thanks..what are the beautiful blue flowers? Endymion nutans..?
Jocelyne, FRANCE
27/11/2019 19:25
3
2
1

Add your comment

We welcome a healthy debate, but do not accept offensive or abusive comments. Please also read 'Siberian Times' Privacy Policy

Name

Town/Country

Add your comments

The views expressed in the comments above are those of our readers. 'Siberian Times' reserves the right to pre-moderate some comments.

Control code*

Type the code

* obligatory


Features

Business

The Bank of Russia official exchange rates of foreign currencies
EUR99.71USD92.26GBP116.52Other...