Colorado forests are releasing more carbon than they capture each year

A recent study by Colorado State University (CSU) reveals that Colorado's forests have shifted from being carbon sinks to carbon sources, emitting more carbon than they absorb. This change is primarily due to widespread tree mortality caused by insect infestations and diseases.

Between 2002 and 2019, data indicate that the number of carbon-emitting sources in Colorado's forests surpassed the number of carbon-absorbing sinks. This trend suggests that the state's forests are no longer effectively sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which has significant implications for climate change mitigation efforts.

The decline in forest health is largely attributed to the mountain pine beetle epidemic, which has devastated millions of acres of lodgepole pine forests in Colorado. These beetles introduce a fungus that disrupts the trees' ability to transport water and nutrients, leading to widespread tree death.

Additionally, the spruce beetle has emerged as a significant threat, affecting higher-elevation forests of Engelmann spruce. This beetle infestation further exacerbates the problem, contributing to the increased carbon emissions from Colorado's forests.

The CSU study underscores the urgent need for forest management strategies that address these challenges to restore the carbon-absorbing capacity of Colorado's forests and mitigate their contribution to atmospheric carbon levels.

To read more visit the article - https://warnercnr.source.colostate.edu/colorado-forests-releasing-carbon/