Scientific Summaries

2009-05-28

Scientific Summary No. 57, 2009

UNFF8 welcomed the global assessment report on "Adaptation of Forests and People to Climate Change" prepared by the first Global Forest Expert Panel (GFEP), coordinated by IUFRO through the CPF.

The global assessment report on "Adaptation of Forests and People to Climate Change" prepared by the first Global Forest Expert Panel (GFEP), coordinated by IUFRO through the CPF was presented to UNFF8. The report warns that projected increases in frequency and severity of extreme weather events and forest disturbances will have far-reaching social and economic consequences particularly for the forest-dependent poor. At the same time, the assessment indicates that climate change can also have positive effects on forest ecosystem services, for example, it can increase the supply of timber in some regions and even globally – due to increased tree growth. Regarding current and projected environmental impacts of climate change on forests, it points out the risk of losing the carbon sink regulating service of forests beyond a global warming of 2.5°C relative to pre-industrial levels.

Download the full IUFRO Scientific Summary:

Forests and Climate Change - The Impact of a Global Assessment

By Alexander Buck (GFEP Coordinator) and Tarun K. Bathija (IUFRO, PR & Communications)

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