Sharp swings between extreme drought and torrential rain are taking a serious toll on California's ancient giant sequoias, reports infohub.kz.
Researchers studied the health and biomass of tall trees in California's sequoia groves amid rapid weather shifts. The growing frequency of hydroclimate whiplash—quick transitions from multi-year dry spells to extreme precipitation—is straining even the most resilient ecosystems. The team documented crown damage and reduced biomass in the region's tallest trees.
Sequoias are among the oldest and hardiest living organisms on Earth. Under normal conditions, these giants can effectively cope with seasonal weather changes and store vast amounts of carbon. But accelerating climate shifts are disrupting their natural adaptation. Prolonged droughts dry out the soil and weaken the upper canopy, while subsequent heavy rains and storms cause crown breakage and limb loss.
Experts note that the dynamics of the canopy layer in California's ancient forests reflect a broader trend of flora vulnerability to weather extremes. Accumulated damage to the tallest specimens threatens to reduce overall biomass in forest stands. Ecologists stress the need for continued monitoring of these rare forest ecosystems to develop new conservation measures for the unique sequoias.