How old-growth forests can protect against large-scale bark beetle infestations

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Forest deaths due to bark beetle infestation in North America

I this long interview with entomologist Diana Six, frightening facts and a gloomy prognosis are laid out about North American bark beetle infestations on conifers as far north as the boreal forests of Canada. She says the cause is warmer climates and the vast majority of trees unable to withstand the attacks due to drought and other climate-related stresses.

But some tree-individuals seem to fare better. They may have an innate resistance to both warmer climates and bark beetle infestations. At the end of the interview, Diana answers the question of whether evolution can kick in and help increase resistance too: "If we allow it. If we don't go out and replant with plant material that is not genetically correct..."

This is another argument for protecting intact forests, where evolution has been going on for a long time and the breadth of genetic material is great, even within species. protect old-growth forest is extremely important as a measure to protect nature from climate disasters that are already knocking at the door.

You can protectold-growth forest already today here in our forest shop, by buying a piece of forest or just swiss any amount to 123 901 11 72. Read more about how you can contribute under the tab "protectforest".