“There should not be a forest”: TSU scientists on climate change
Scientists from the TSU Biological Institute and TSU Faculty of Geology and Geography, working with Tuvan State University, are studying the effect of climate change on Western Siberia’s biodiversity. They note that humidity increases along with temperature – and consequently, Tuvan and Khakassian steppes are turning into meadows instead of desert, and the forest is migrating down from the mountains. The first stage of the study is finished and the results are published in Ambio (Q1).
Siberian meteorological archives show that over the last 140 years, average annual temperature has increased, and average annual precipitation decreased during the vegetation period in southern steppes and forest-steppes. However, for some regions near Tuva, the data shows an increase in soil moisture. Precipitation is rising in forest zones (taiga) and northern zones (tundra). Precipitation will increase by 10-15% by 2050, according to scientific predictions. To study and record this process, 25 researchers joined forces to understand the phenomenon.
Read more: https://en.tsu.ru/news/there-should-not-be-a-forest-tsu-scientists-on-climate-change/
