Climate change impact to forest species adaptation and/or migration

Climate change means that many species are currently inhabiting an area that will become unsuitable to them (i.e. temperature and rain). These climatic alterations will require species to adapt, some rapidly so, otherwise they face local extinction (extirpation) or range constriction. The paper by Gougherty, Keller and Fitzpatrick (2021) studies the species balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera), looking at the flowering time genes. These are strongly connected to seasonal and cyclic behaviour in relation to climate.(phenology), they are crucial for ensuring population viability in future climates.

They found that populations at the centre of the range are best prepared for any of the three types of offset (change) discussed in the paper. These included: local adaptation with no migration, migration to anywhere else within the range (forward offset) and reverse offset where any of the current populations are already possess adaptations to potential future climates. In comparison to central populations, those in the eastern and northern most ranges are the most likely to experience extinction. It was identified that populations in the eastern most range would likely need to migrate around 5000km, an unlikely event naturally given seed and pollen dispersal limitations and the geography of the region.

The work of the team highlighted that for P. balsamifera the influence of temperature was secondary to that of changes in winter precipitation. This along with recent research in local adaptation contradict the presumed leading/trailing edge where poleward shifts were expected to see populations experiencing the first temperature changes outside of their normal range being the first to struggle.

A key take home message is that it is populations that adapt to climate change, not a species.

Gougherty, A.V., Keller, S.R. and Fitzpatrick, M.C., 2021. Maladaptation, migration and extirpation fuel climate change risk in a forest tree species. Nature Climate Change, 11(2), pp.166-171.

My Clean Nature

We are all now very aware of how polluting cars are, releasing carbon dioxide among other harmful chemicals. These are released at ground level and ultimately end up in the atmosphere, not only impacting our health directly, but the health of the whole planet. The race for safer, cleaner travel has been long, public acceptance of the change has been arduous. At first diesel was thought to be the best option, more recently this was proven incorrect and electric vehicles took to the stage. Now though Hyundai have gone to the next stage by creating a hydrogen powered vehicle, the Nexo. Their biggest goal with this release is to enlighten the world on hydrogen as a clean fuel source, with water being one of the only by products when used.

Of course, this is a great leap forward and hopefully the start of humankind being able to travel without having the damaging impacts that currently occur. However, this won’t be the focus here. Instead let us look at the angle they have taken with marketing.

Marketing may not be the most positive thing for those outside of the business, but the ‘My Clean Earth’ movement being run by Hyundai really does instil a happy and positive vibe. The adverts use the members of Korean Pop (KPop) band BTS to introduce what they think of under the term ‘My Clean Earth’.  The video adverts are slow and calming as each member gives their version; Jung Kook looks to the emerald oceans endless waves, a visual representation of our infinite possibilities; V’s is the first snow fall to represent unexpected events; Jin’s pick is the clear sky and how just like the clouds, moon and stars we all live together; J-Hope loves the bright sunshine hoping our futures are similarly bright; RM went for the pure rain, noting how clean everything is after it rains; SUGA loves the stars and how they light up the universe when they come together and finally Jimin plays on the word forest by changing it to ‘For rest’ noting how peaceful they are.

Nature inspires joy in many of us and when we continually hear how damaged the planet is it can be easy to forget those feelings. Yet these adverts help to bring these emotions back, often taking us to a moment when these sentiments were strongest. Some don’t feel as at peace in the wilderness, for them the city is where they are most at home. For those that do get their energy from the natural world the Hyundai x BTS collaboration highlights this world at its best. So, let us do what we can to keep our planet clean from the air to the oceans.

The other aspect to the campaign is the ‘Because of you’ line used in the adverts and Instagram posts. This could be interpreted in multiple ways; however, it is likely that they are inferencing that we should protect our world for ourselves (using a hydrogen powered car assists in this). As well as securing a healthier environment for ourselves in the present, acting now secures it for our future selves and descendants.

The overarching aim of BTS is to enable their listeners to start loving themselves through self-belief and enjoying the simple things. Enjoying the simple things is certainly a key aspect of the Hyundai x BTS partnership, just the natural beauty of our world. It may be a campaign to sell cars, but it can teach us to slow down and enjoy the things we cannot assign a value to (though many try). The sun warming our backs, the fresh smell after rain, flowers blooming, just relax and take a breather. Having time to gather your thoughts and enjoy beautiful things is always important

 

“We hope this world will always stay with us.”

BTS, 2020

Pyrocumulonimbus clouds

Clouds, they evoke do many emotions and feelings; some good, like when you look up and see a cloud that looks like a fluffy bunny. Darker feelings of dread creep in when storm clouds rest on the horizon ready to pommel the water logged ground and crops.

Whilst most clouds are formed through the water cycle, some clouds have origins of a slightly different nature. Pyrocumulonimbus (pyroCb) are clouds connected to volcanic activity or fires. The intense heating of air ascends, condensing when the rising air becomes saturated due to cooling. They are quite common, leading to the formation of small clouds over fires in the environment, think of them like Frozen's Olaf's personal flurry, except they are created through intense heat.

For this article the focus will be on pyroCb clouds created by fires. Tory and Thurston (2015) conducted a literature review of pyroCb touching on how they are similar to thunderstorm (dynamics), but rather than requiring warm moist low-level air, the air needs to be warm and dry. They also discuss how the pollution in the clouds caused by the fire, delays rain and hail formation, resulting in the upper cloud regions containing significantly more snow and ice, far less hail in the middle regions and consequently less rainfall.

The presence of a pyroCb is potentially a serious issue, their presence has often been associated with fire behaviour that is highly unpredictable. It is discussed that this is primarily the case for buoyancy driven plumes, rather than bent plumes formed by wind driven fires. However, much of the evidence is generated from human observation and reveals the scope for further research into these speculations. Buoyancy plumes are thought to lead to indrafts, bringing fresh air to the fire, intensifying the flames.

Plumes can also carry burning embers or firebrands up and away from the main fire, to new dry areas creating new fires. PyroCb clouds have the potential to incite lighting that reaches from the cloud to the ground, this too can ignite new fires.

Overall the formation of pyroCb clouds requires significant volumes of fire heated air and a source of moisture from the environment or the fires fuel source is also necessary. It is primarily large fires that create pyroCb clouds, due to these large volumes of hot air required. Changing climates, has resulted in an increase of forest and grassland fires, the intensity and severity of these fires has also increased. As such, the formation of pyroCb clouds will likely also increase in frequency. In tern leading to fires that spread further and faster (due to cloud to ground lightening or the transportation of embers).

This was a review of the paper Tory, K.J. and Thurston, W., 2015. Pyrocumulonimbus: A literature review. Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC: East Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

Further reading:

Fromm, M., Lindsey, D.T., Servranckx, R., Yue, G., Trickl, T., Sica, R., Doucet, P. and Godin-Beekmann, S., 2010. The untold story of pyrocumulonimbus. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 91(9), pp.1193-1210.

Think like a minimalist

There is no harm in stuff, if you use it, love it or need it then possessing it causes no harm. In the first half of this year (2019) the Konmari method for minimising our hoards became very popular. Let’s say you gave Konmari a go or you’re just happy with what you have. Now what? It is human nature to want to treat ourselves after a job well done, tackling a daunting task such as tidying and getting rid of things we’ve had for years is one such job. The satisfaction of seeing a long-lost surface is to some unbeatable. So why buy more?

The more we buy the more is made and therefore, the more resources are used for more to be thrown away. This is not only bad for the planet but if uncontrolled it can become bad for our health. As such, here are some tips on thinking like a minimalist. Thinking like a minimalist doesn’t mean you have to be a minimalist. Yes having/ buying less is good for our wellbeing and bank account but so is purchasing a long-desired item (more so for happiness than bank accounts).

Imagine the situation, you enter a shop, any shop (food, clothing furniture etc.). After looking around you find something you just have to have. Now before you add it to your basket stop. Really look at the item, if you can pick it up do so. Turn it over in your hands and look at its condition is it marked in any way? Does the pattern or design look right i.e. is it misprinted or upside-down. Having picked it up and looked closely do you still like it? Still attracted to it, now think about where you would put it, consider each room as well as who lives with you. If you cannot find a place or you have someone living with you who could potentially damage or be harmed by it then reconsider. If the item passes these questions can you afford it, consider any bills or food shops for both that month and the following. So far so good the item is winning but, what about in a month? Remember obvious as it may sound the item won’t just disappear when you no longer enjoy it you will have to get rid of or repurpose it. Doing so takes time and effort so consider your usual week and see if you will have time to take it to a charity shop or upcycle at home. Even putting in a cupboard or bag to go at a later date should also be considered, could you handle the ‘clutter’?

All these considerations probably sound like they’re going to take forever to do when all you want is to go in and buy what you want. It can always be taken back later. Yes, to begin with asking yourself these questions for every item, food or clothing piece could take a while. Soon though it will be second nature, an inner feeling of ‘I don’t need that’ or a ‘Yes I will enjoy or use this for many years to come’. Thus, you will be able to save money, have less stuff, be able to clean easier and do your bit to help the planet. Best of all you’ll feel better, tidy home, tidy mind.

Question

Do you have any of your own techniques for reducing how much you buy?

New in nature 🌲

Winter. It's cold and the only new thing maybe a new layer of snow or the gifts received. In the natural world Spring is most commonly associated as being the season of new. Unburst buds becoming new leaves, new life in the fields and trees. New doesn't just happen in Spring though, mushrooms erupt in the Autumn, their fruiting bodies popping out of the ground and trees to shower spores on the world. Fruits too are commonly found in Autumn. New is a constant phenomenon, one that humans have a strong connection with; new shoes, new car, new phone, humans became obsessed with new.

More recently this changed as many realised the harm 'new' causes to the planet. Whether that be from waste, the use of resources or the lack of recyclability for too many items. There has become a move towards recycled and reused as well as pre-loved items, such as those sold on Vinted. New is something nice and something that most people love, but new in nature means so much more. New in nature is more about new life, whether that is offspring or new leaves on trees. New in nature is about survival of the individual and species.

When you consider the concept of new in the natural world, it puts perspective on that new bag you were looking at the other day, or the new phone waiting at the end of your contract. There are new things humans can look forward too without the environmental impact. A walk in the woods at any time of year will provide something new. Last year's seedlings will begin to emerge, flowers will bloom, fruits, nuts and seeds from trees and vegetation will form, mushrooms can be found, animals may be seen one visit and not the next with migratory species appearing, bringing a completely new almost exotic feel to the woodland. It is not just in woodlands that the new of nature can be experienced. Coastlines changing bring new species, again including some migratory. Even climate change will bring new to many environments. However, much of the climate change new may cause other problems such as competition between species, this will be especially problematic to niche species.

To some new is scary and something to avoid, but it is part of life for nature and humans. It can be problematic (climate change), but it can also be a joyous thing (new life). Appreciate the new and old.

Share your thoughts in the comments or come over to Discord to chat about this and other subjects.

https://linktr.ee/environmintleaf

Peppermint enjoys the ecological benefits of green infrastructure

The benefits of green infrastructure for humans are clear but its not just us who feel their benefits. Any bit of green infrastructure acts as an island or corridor to many species who with the introduction or enlargement of a city would ordinarily be cut of from other areas of habitats and wider species populations. They provide habitats in which species can reside permanently or temporarily whilst on route to new territory i.e. when young birds leave the nest. Not only this but green infrastructure can act as a sanctuary during bad weather such as an exceptionally cold winter.

Peppermint helps at a community garden

Green rooves and vertical gardens are excellent ways to slip greenery into a city (or town) where space is limited. However, it’s not easy to stand in a vertical wall or green roof unless on a large building which you have easy access to. Therefore, parks are often the best place to go to and the only other option. Parks though do not provide an opportunity to get hands on and plant your own flowers or fruit and veg. This where community gardens/ allotments really come into their own. There are many across the country with most towns and cities having at least one. For some just being in the outdoors is sufficient, for others a hands-on approach is required to fully relax and unwind (adults and children). A hands-on approach is also helpful in teaching children where their food comes from and the importance of bees and other insects in pollinating not only wild flowers but also food crops. Enabling people from all backgrounds a chance to grow their own food and flowers or help others to do so, provides communities with a healthier, happier more respectful. Growing more of our own food locally also helps combat climate change by reducing stress on land and transport miles.