Forest fires already threaten global wood production

MIAMI.- The forest fires are putting at risk the world wood productionas an area of ​​timber-producing forest equivalent to Britain has burned in the past two decades.

New research warns that forest fires caused a loss of approximately 393 to 667 million cubic meters of industrial wood worth between $45 billion and $77 billion based on 2021 global export prices.

According to lead author Dr Chris Bousfield of the University of Sheffield, the most severely affected regions include Australia, the western United States of America and Canada, Siberian Russia and Brazil.

“Countries like Australia, which have already lost a large proportion of their timber-producing forests this century, are likely to now experience significant shortfalls in their domestic timber supply,” Dr Bousfiled said in a statement. “Countries like Australia, which have already lost a large proportion of their timber-producing forests this century, are likely to now experience significant shortfalls in their domestic timber supply,” Dr Bousfiled said in a statement.

“This raises the question of where the additional wood needed to meet demand will be sourced and at what cost to the environment.”

Co-author Professor David Lindenmayer of the ANU and Biodiversity Council said: “What is particularly worrying is the discernible and relentless upward trajectory in areas burned annually, a clear sign of the increasing bushfire-induced losses predicted. due to severe climate change.

“As we strive to meet the increasing demand for timber, it is clear that timber producers must urgently adapt by adopting innovative management strategies and new technologies to counter the growing threat posed by wildfires.”

The researchers argue that governments and industry must do four things to ensure future wood production.

First, expand wood production through fast-growing plantations of less flammable tree species. Second, establish plantations in regions less likely to experience fires. Third, better design plantations to reduce the spread of fire in landscapes and the damage and risks to human communities. And lastly, adopt emerging technologies such as drones with infrared sensors and autonomous firefighting systems to improve the detection and suppression of forest fires.

“Failure to implement these approaches could lead to significant timber losses in the future, which could lead to increased timber prices,” said lead author Professor David Edwards of the University of Cambridge.

“This, in turn, may increase the economic attractiveness of intensive logging in some tropical forests, posing a threat to conservation efforts in biodiversity hotspots.”

FOUNTAIN: EUROPA PRESS