Forest pests hit trees hard as temperatures rise

"Decades of data on US forests suggest that climate change has exacerbated the damage caused by insects and disease, leading to the death and injury of more trees than might have otherwise occurred."

"Damage by certain insects and fungi tends to be greatest in US woodlands where maximum temperatures during the warmest months are increasing."

Rising maximum temperatures during the warmest months have led to increased damage from insects and fungi in US woodlands. Decades of data indicate that climate change has intensified the impact of these pests and diseases, resulting in greater tree mortality and injury than would have occurred without these climatic changes. The findings underscore the significant role of climate change in forest health and the challenges it poses to tree survival in affected areas.

Read at Nature