The study, which is published on Natural Hazards, warns that mature and old-growth (MOG) forests are increasingly threatened by “stand-replacing” wildfires. These forests in the Pacific Northwest are vital, providing essential ecosystem services such as storing carbon, supporting ecotourism and cultural activities, managing water resources, and offering critical habitats for wildlife. Developing land management strategies to prevent the loss of mature and old-growth forests to severe wildfires is essential for protecting these valuable ecological and social resources.
According to the study, throughout the 1900s, mature and old-growth forests on U.S. national forests experienced major declines significantly due to logging. In recent years, however, wildfires have emerged as the primary threat to…
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Source www.theweather.com
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