'Tis the season to be jolly, but have you ever stopped to think about the future of our beloved Christmas trees? With climate change on the rise, researchers and tree breeders are starting to ponder the fate of these festive evergreens.
Jim Rockis, a Christmas tree breeder from West Virginia and Pennsylvania, knows all too well the devastating effects of Phytophthora root rot. This fungal disease thrives in warmer and wetter soil conditions, causing saplings to wither away and needles to turn a crisp burnt orange. As our climate continues to warm, these ideal Christmas tree-growing regions may no longer be suitable for our cherished holiday traditions.
That's where Gary Chastagner, also known as 'Dr. Christmas Tree,' comes in. This Washington State University professor has spent decades studying firs and other festive species. Alongside breeders like Rockis, Chastagner is exploring whether species from different parts of the world, such as the Turkish fir, are better suited to withstand the changing climate.
In recent years, outbreaks of fungal diseases have been taking a toll on evergreens in Washington and Oregon. Chastagner suspects that shifting soil temperature and moisture may be contributing to these devastating outbreaks. As soil conditions change, certain Phytophthora strains adapted to warmer temperatures may become even more aggressive in their attacks on trees. Chastagner and his team are working diligently to understand the causes of these outbreaks and predict if they will become more commonplace in the future.
However, the research on how warming soil temperatures affect Christmas trees, and crops in general, is sorely lacking. A European study published in the journal Nature Climate Change found that soil heat extremes are increasing at a faster rate than air heat extremes, potentially compromising the health of grasslands, forests, and agricultural areas. The same stressors that affect trees, like pests and diseases, thrive under these changing conditions.
Bert Cregg, a professor at Michigan State University, warns that while the changes may not be immediate, the long-term impact of a warming climate could make it more difficult to grow certain tree species. This has implications not only for Christmas tree farming but also for the carbon storage capacity of soil. Warmer soil temperatures can hinder the long-term storage of carbon, as the activities of underground microbes become less stable. With climate change mitigation efforts focused on soil carbon storage, this poses a significant challenge.
Unfortunately, gathering concrete data on how changing soils will impact crops and carbon storage is a complex task. Soil temperature records have not been kept as extensively as air temperature records, making it difficult to understand long-term trends. However, a recent study conducted in other parts of the world sheds light on the issue, combining physical observations, satellite data, and computer simulations. The results show that soil temperature-moisture relationships play a crucial role in determining soil health.
Researchers like Almudena Garcia-Garcia are eager to delve deeper into soil temperature changes and their implications. The evidence suggests that changes are occurring below our feet, and understanding this phenomenon is key to developing effective climate mitigation strategies.
So, as you gather around your beautifully decorated Christmas tree this year, take a moment to appreciate the efforts that tree breeders and researchers are making to ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy this beloved tradition. Climate change may pose challenges, but with creativity and resilience, we can adapt and protect the magic of the holiday season.
