Global Changes in Land Use Has Warmed Earth's Climate

A team of researchers from the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission's science and knowledge service have further pressed importance on how our natural ecosystems, specially the forests can help in tackling climate change, soil erosion and air pollution. It can essentially protect the planet against the global warming.

The team used the data from the satellite to study changes in the global vegetation cover from 2000-2015. They linked these changes to surface energy balance. The conclusion of these studies proved that the changes in the vegetation cover over time has led to changes in the amount of heat dissipated by water evaporation and the level of radiation reflected by the surface into the atmosphere. This is the first global data-driven assessment that has helped in systematically mapping the biophysical mechanisms behind the recent climate changes. The research study did not only cover deforestation but scrutinized complete changes in different types of vegetation, such as shrublands, grasslands, evergreen forests, savannas, croplands and wetlands. The final conclusion also shed light on how the deforestation of the tropical evergreen forest for the agricultural expansion is most responsible for the local increase in surface temperatures. The scientists also pointed out the fact that the cutting of the forests will affect the global climate in mid-to-long term but the rising temperatures can most certainly affect the local communities living in that area immediately.

 By: Neha Maheshwari

Content: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180220143516.htm