Trees and Global Warming
The Role of Forests in Cooling and Warming the Atmosphere

Looks at the question: do forests cool or warm the atmosphere and reduce global warming?

William J. Manning (Author)

9781108471787, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 9 July 2020

338 pages
23.5 x 15.7 x 2 cm, 0.7 kg

'… this comprehensive treatment of trees and the forests they compose culminates in his discussion of possible forest-related methods of mitigation for atmospheric change-associated global warming. In essence, this is a significant, well-organized scholarly volume, and an important reference for policymakers who wish to arm themselves with facts relevant to one of today's most important environmental issues.' William L. Crepet, The Quarterly Review of Biology

Large-scale tree planting is advocated to provide additional atmospheric cooling and further reduce global warming. This raises a question about the present time: do trees cool or warm the atmosphere? This question does not have a simple yes or no answer. Examination of the greenhouse effect, global warming and the carbon cycle, and how trees and forests function provides the basis for understanding how forests might cool or warm the atmosphere. Results from research and models indicate that cooling or warming depends on where forests are located and the type and color of trees. Cooling generally prevails over warming, but this may change. This book will appeal to anyone interested in climate change, ecology and conservation.

1. Global warming and forests in the Anthropocene
2. The gases that cause the greenhouse effect
3. Carbon and photochemical oxidant cycles
4. Biogeochemical and bio geophysical factors that affect trees
5. Trees in a warming world
6. Forests of the world
7. Knowledge base for forests in cooling and warming
8. Mitigating global warming by forests
9. Bringing it all together.

Subject Areas: Trees, wildflowers & plants [WNP], Climate change [RNPG], Conservation of the environment [RNK], Environmental management [RNF], Forests, rainforests [RGBL], Meteorology & climatology [RBP], Plant ecology [PSTS]