Rays destroy millions of trees

It was learned from a model developed by researchers from the Technical University of Munich (Tum). For the first time, they estimate the overall influence of rays in forest ecosystems. Rays destroy millions of trees every year.

The findings are published in Global Change Biology. It is estimated that 320 million trees die every year due to the fall of rays. Tree losses caused by forest fires caused directly by rays are not included in these figures. In the future, the mortality of light -induced trees could increase. This is due to the increase in the frequency of the flashes.

High percentage

Damage caused by rays in forests are usually difficult to detect. They have only systematically studied in a few places. Until now, it was not known with certainty how many trees die every year around the world due to direct damage to rays.

The TUM research team developed the method. Its conclusion: the ecological impact of the rays has underestimated. Other previous studies focused on field observations in individual forests. But TUM researchers adopted a mathematical approach.

«We were able to estimate how many trees die annually by rays. And identify the most affected regions and implications for global carbon storage and forest structure ». Explains it in a release Andreas Krause, main author.

The 320 million victims every year of the rays represent between 2.1 % and 2.9 % of the total annual plant biomass loss. It is estimated that this biomass decomposition issues between 770 and 1,090 million tons of CO2 per year.

Frequency increase

«Most climatic models project an increase in ray frequency in the coming decades. It is convenient to pay more attention to this disturbance, largely ignored, ”says Krause.

»Rays destroy millions of trees. Currently, the mortality of ray -induced trees is greater in tropical regions. However, the models suggest that the ray frequency will increase mainly in the regions of medium and high latitudes. Ray mortality could also charge greater relevance in temperate and boreal forests ».