3 ms·

Keep in mind that it's 3C average, over the entire globe, over a year. The locale, variance, seasonality all matter. Like, suppose that you are "lucky" in that

by titzer 5y ago

Keep in mind that it's 3C average, over the entire globe, over a year. The locale, variance, seasonality all matter. Like, suppose that you are "lucky" in that your region gets only the average of 3C, so your year is 3C warmer on average, but that only happens during 3 months of the year, so you get 12C hotter in summer--basically, el fuego--or you get 12C in winter--basically, no more winter. A warmer winter can be catastrophic for forests in cold climates that depend on freezing temperatures to kill off invasive bugs. So an entire forest can be absolutely ruined by a damn beetle.

mrits 5y ago
Wouldn't it take a short amount of time to kill the beetles? Certainly it doesn't take a whole winter?
- dillon 5y ago
  My understanding, from whatever nature TV show when I was younger, is that the beetles don't actually die. They literally freeze in ice. I also remember reading that certain countries are releasing tens of thousands of birds (possibly hummingbirds?) to deal with them as well. I don't have links so possibly grain of salt here. If you look at California as an example, you can see hundreds of acres of trees that are dying year over year. I remember going camping in lush green forests that are all gone now. I'm in the PNW now and from what I've seen and heard from others the summers are getting longer and hotter so it's only a matter of time before what's happening to California comes here. EDIT: From what I remember as well, every tree comes with defenses to keep beetles away. This is why trees are sappy. In order to produce sap the trees need water, and they produce their own sugars through photosynthesis (sap being a mix of water and sugar). Trees in certain areas are adapted to the length of their winters. A longer winter means more time without dealing with beetles but might also mean less time spent in dry soil.
- danpat 5y ago
  It's somewhat complicated - timing of cold weather is important to kill off the beetles: https://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/formain15814/$file/MPBColdTemperaturesFacts-Jan2010.pdf?OpenElement https://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/fo... > For example, an under-bark temperature of –37°C will kill 50 per cent of a mountain pine beetle population, even in mid-winter; however, a low temperature of –20°C in the fall, be- fore the beetles are prepared for winter, or in the spring, when beetles are start- ing to become more active, will also kill beetles if it is preceded by temperatures above 0°C. The relatively warmer temper- ature causes the larvae to start to lose its natural antifreeze.
cloverich 5y ago
learning that the ice age had an average temp difference of 5-6c from the gates book was what really made it sink in for me. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2617-x https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2617-x

by titzer 5y ago

mrits 5y ago

Wouldn't it take a short amount of time to kill the beetles? Certainly it doesn't take a whole winter?

dillon 5y ago
My understanding, from whatever nature TV show when I was younger, is that the beetles don't actually die. They literally freeze in ice. I also remember reading that certain countries are releasing tens of thousands of birds (possibly hummingbirds?) to deal with them as well. I don't have links so possibly grain of salt here. If you look at California as an example, you can see hundreds of acres of trees that are dying year over year. I remember going camping in lush green forests that are all gone now. I'm in the PNW now and from what I've seen and heard from others the summers are getting longer and hotter so it's only a matter of time before what's happening to California comes here. EDIT: From what I remember as well, every tree comes with defenses to keep beetles away. This is why trees are sappy. In order to produce sap the trees need water, and they produce their own sugars through photosynthesis (sap being a mix of water and sugar). Trees in certain areas are adapted to the length of their winters. A longer winter means more time without dealing with beetles but might also mean less time spent in dry soil.
danpat 5y ago
It's somewhat complicated - timing of cold weather is important to kill off the beetles: https://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/formain15814/$file/MPBColdTemperaturesFacts-Jan2010.pdf?OpenElement https://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/fo... > For example, an under-bark temperature of –37°C will kill 50 per cent of a mountain pine beetle population, even in mid-winter; however, a low temperature of –20°C in the fall, be- fore the beetles are prepared for winter, or in the spring, when beetles are start- ing to become more active, will also kill beetles if it is preceded by temperatures above 0°C. The relatively warmer temper- ature causes the larvae to start to lose its natural antifreeze.

cloverich 5y ago

learning that the ice age had an average temp difference of 5-6c from the gates book was what really made it sink in for me. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2617-x https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2617-x