As tropical forests reach critical high-temperatures, the time to act is now – The NAU Review

Study Reveals Tropical Forests Approaching Critical Temperature Thresholds

On the heels of the warmest month on record for planet Earth, a new study has found that the world’s tropical forest canopies may be closer to critical high-temperature thresholds than previously known.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Tropical forests are home to most of the world’s biodiversity, making their preservation crucial for SDG 15: Life on Land.
• Tropical forests also play a key role in regulating Earth’s climate, contributing to SDG 13: Climate Action.

The study, published in Nature, combines satellite thermal and in situ warming experiment data to examine the variation of leaf temperatures within forest canopies. It reveals that a small percentage of tropical leaves are already reaching temperatures at which they can no longer function, suggesting that entire canopies could die as climate change continues.

Measuring Tropical Forest Leaf and Canopy Temperatures

Accurately measuring tropical forest leaf and canopy temperatures has been challenging in the past. However, the study overcomes this obstacle by combining ground-based measurements of individual tropical leaf temperatures, leaf warming experiments from three continents, and high-resolution data from a new NASA thermal imaging instrument on the International Space Station.

Key Findings

The study estimates the proportion of leaves that may approach critical temperatures under future increases in air temperatures of 2 degrees, 3 degrees, and 4 degrees Celsius. It reveals that even a few degrees of warming can significantly increase leaf temperatures, exceeding critical thresholds. The findings indicate that more than 1 percent of leaves in canopy warming experiments currently surpass critical temperature thresholds, highlighting the urgency of addressing climate change.

ECOSTRESS Satellite and Canopy Top Peak Temperatures

The authors utilized data from the ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS), a new NASA satellite, to measure canopy top peak temperatures across all tropical forests in South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. The satellite’s high-resolution thermal infrared sensing capabilities allowed for accurate temperature measurements at small scales across the tropics.

Predicting the Fate of Tropical Forests

Using high-resolution leaf and canopy temperature datasets, the study simulated the fate of tropical forests under future climate change warming scenarios. The authors considered increased air temperatures and the possibility of more frequent drought incidence, which further elevates air temperatures and accelerates leaf temperatures and tree mortality. The model predicts that tropical forests could withstand up to 3.9 degrees Celsius of additional warming before experiencing metabolic changes and potential death.

Protecting Tropical Forests and Mitigating Climate Change

The study emphasizes the importance of climate mitigation efforts and preventing deforestation to protect tropical forests. By avoiding high-emissions pathways and preserving these critical ecosystems, the fate of carbon, water, and biodiversity can be safeguarded.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters
• SDG 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 13.1: Number of countries implementing national plans to adapt to climate change
• Indicator for SDG 15.2: Forest area as a proportion of total land area

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Based on the article, the issues highlighted are closely connected to SDG 13: Climate Action and SDG 15: Life on Land. SDG 13 focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, while SDG 15 aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt biodiversity loss.

Specific targets under these SDGs that can be identified based on the article’s content include SDG 13.1, which calls for strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters. The article discusses the need to address climate change and mitigate its effects on tropical forests, which are key regulators of Earth’s climate.

Another target is SDG 15.2, which promotes the implementation of sustainable forest management and the protection of forests. The article highlights the importance of tropical forests and their role in housing species diversity and regulating the planet’s climate. It emphasizes the need to prevent deforestation and protect these critical realms of carbon, water, and biodiversity.

The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators for measuring progress towards these targets. However, potential indicators that can be used include the number of countries implementing national plans to adapt to climate change (indicator for SDG 13.1) and the forest area as a proportion of total land area (indicator for SDG 15.2).

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: news.nau.edu

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