Isn't warmer weather better for the trees and plants?

Question

I only hear about negative results from global warming. But that does not seem to make sense. As we all know, Michael Mann wrote a report which introduced us to the "Hockey Stick" (yes it is debunked but stick with me here). He studied tree rings and used the size of the rings to estimate historic temperatures. I would have to assume that a larger tree ring implies a warmer climate. If this is the case, then does not his very report indicate that trees do in fact grow faster in a warmer climate?

So Trevor, are we currently at the optimum temperature? Seems to me, around the equator is where the most lush forests grow. Also happens to be the warmest places. If it warms, will not more places become much more suitable for vegetation?

Answer 1

It is ironic but yes warm weather will definitely benefit some.

Answer 2

Hmmm. Interesting answers. "Better for trees and plants" is relative. It seems that the overall biomass of plants might increase in warmer weather provided (as stated) there's sufficient water, sun and nutrients. So if by better you mean, more growth than I guess that's possible.

From an ecological perspective, a change in temperature is likely to shift plant communities such that some plant communities may go extinct along with their associated animal species. Depending on how rapidly temperatures change and how drastic the climate shift (including rainfall) will likely dictate how hard some communities will be hit. I'd argue that this type of effect would be bad for the plant communities that "can't take the heat".

I'm sure we'll still figure out a way to grow corn but when was the last time you enjoyed a hike in a cornfield?

Answer 3

None of you seem to understand the idea of adaptation and evolution. Just because a warm-weather loving plant or animal is subjected to a warmer climate, doesn't neccessarily mean it's going to thrive. That animal or plant has adapted to it's own specific ecological niche and ecosystem. Even if it's own favorite climate is a warm one, once that climate begans to change, in this case getting much warmer, the animal or plant is now out of its' element, the specific range of temperatures it adapted to.

The only animals that I know of that are thriving from climate change are jellyfish and this pesky little beetle out west that has decimated whole forests.

Also, CERTAIN species of trees do grow faster in warm climates, but only if the warmer climate comes with an accompanying increase in precipitation, which often does not happen with a rapidly changing climate.

Answer 4

The answer to your question is both yes and no.

There are some trees and plants that do better in warmer environments, some do better in cooler ones - hence the diversity across the different climate zones.

As the planet warms some species will benefit and for the time being the overall effect is a net benefit. Crops have done better overall in recent decades but an optimum temperature has now been reached, any warmer and crop production will start to fall, slowly to start with then at a rate of 10% of global production for each 1°C temperature rise.

The things that trees need to grow are water, sunlight and carbon dioxide. There's more CO2 that they need so reducing or increasing levels of this gas will have little effect. More important is water and sunlight and levels of both of these are affected by changing temperatures.

As the world warms or cools it causes a range of shifts in weather patterns - primarily driven by ocean temperatures and wind generation radiating outwards from the Equatorial regions.

Where this leads to warm or hot regions with high rainfall then trees and plants thrive but as the temperatures rise more rainfall is needed. If it's not forthcoming you get areas of desert or scrub in which very little can grow.

In short, there's more to tree rings than just warmer or cooler temps but overall trees and plants will do better in warmer climates. I've simplified the answer but I hope it makes sense.

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RE: YOUR ADDED DETAILS

In terms of global crop production temperatures are more or less at their optimum, any further increase in temperatures will see crop production fall. If you think about the hot climate zones, they're limited in what they can grow. One of the main staples in these areas is maize and because of the climate they're able to harvest two crops a year - early mazie and late maize. In recent years the late maize crop has struggled and growth has declined significantly. I was in Africa last year and this was one of the things I studied, here's some photos:

The first two pics show what the late maize crop should look like early in the season, the second two are typical of the situation across large parts of Africa and Asia.

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The green crops had been watered but shortly before we arrived the well had dried up. Normally there would have been 10 wells in the area but now there was only one - at the local school about three miles away.

In terms of a single optimum temperature, there isn't one. What's good for one thing isn't necessarily good for something else. The planet is in a constant state of flux with the temp always going up or down. Ordinarily, these changes occur slowly and species are, by and large, able to adapt and evolve so as to keep abreast of the changes. Things are different now and the rate of temperature change is too fast for some species to keep up with.

Your observation about the Equatorial regions being lush and green is spot on. As the planet warms, and subject to the availability of sufficent rainfall, this type of vegetation expands it's coverage (ignoring the fact that it usually gets cut down for grazing, firewood or commercial timber). In times when the Earth is much hotter than it currently is, much of the land is covered by tropical forests.

Answer 5

I agree with trevors' answer... global warming is sort of a misnomer and i'd like to get away from the terminology as we probably should be referring to the issue as "climate change". There are many factors contributing to our changing climate as others have pointed out. Additionally, please don't forget all the food you eat, if it is not plant derived, it does depend on plants for growth and a changing climate WILL impact agricultural practices.

Answer 6

A big negative would be drought. Warmer temps will mean more severe droughts. Then you'd have more big wildfires. Not so good!

Answer 7

yes warm weather is good, but a few cold months are essential for fruit bearing trees.

Answer 8

as they said, it is good for others and bad for some. warmer weather might cause a imbalance to our ecosystem so maybe warmer weather is not good.

Answer 9

Their will be winners and their will be losers.A stable environment with no disruptions would be the ideal.Lets hope this warming period does not continue.

Answer 10

Well Greenland will be greener