Overview
It would appear that there is a complex chaotic system in play that
is resulting in the deforestation of the Earth. Following is an abstract
from a study started in 2001 and continuing through the present.
Sampling Of Contributing Variables
Pollution
It is difficult to list "types" of pollution that are causing the
death of trees. For instance, what is acid rain? Is it air pollution
or water pollution? And, there are some forms of pollution that
have not yet been widely recognized, such as, thermal pollution.
Originally, we thought instead of trying to define the type of pollution that is contributing
to the mass mortality of the forests, why not just consider how "human
output" is to blame? However, it would appear decisive and
immediate action needs to be taken if we are to have any hope
of slowing the defoliation. At the top of the list of suspects is
ozone. Quite a few studies have been conducted that
show ozone pollution causes leaf death eventually resulting in
dying trees.
(see Tropospheric Ozone
= Bad Ozone
and The Ozone Know Zone)
Water Drought
During the recent past there has been an unprecedented number of
droughts and a measurable decline in the water table.
Other severe weather including floods, winds, ice storms, etc.
are also breaking records.
Too Much Rain (Water Pollution / Acid Rain)
Trees are being attacked both from above and below. Ground water contamination
is causing damage to the trees. Perhaps more evident is the effects of
acid rain and acid fog. For many years, there has been alarming
documentation of massive deforestation due to acid pollution in
precipitation.
Pests
Insects and Worms
Some of the tree mortality might be from regularly occurring life cycles
of critters like the gypsy moth caterpillar and the elm borer. However, the decline of
the bee population and changes in the worm population appear to be a
relatively new phenomenon. There is a serious pollination problem
due to the devastation of bee colonies. The cause is not fully
understood. Tree deaths due to the change in worms is thought to
be a result of pH changes caused by acid rain.
Alien Invasion
Eurasian, as well as, other "foreign" plants and insects
are taking over many species that evolved in the Americas.
[e.g ailanthus (tree of heaven), Queen Anne's Lace,
earthworms colonizing North Eastern forests, MALB
(Asian ladybug beetles), bamboo, morning glory, the list
of invasive plants goes on and on.]
Examples:
Beetlemania and
Utah Beetles
Conclusion
Human activities are contributing to tree mortality and deforestation.
Humans have also induced climate change in other ways. The combination
of human induced climate change and human induced tree mortality
are creating a cycle of exponential chain reactions.
A better way to say it might be -- the veiled causes of the current tree deaths are an unanticipated result
of human activities. This new form of deforestation contributes to more
global warming. An increase in global warming and human induced
climate change intensifies the rate of tree mortalities. The result
could very well be "foliage spoilage and the trees' canopy collapse"
in the very, very near future.
Please Help Us Solve The Problem
Your feedback, comments and questions are appreciated.