Will afforestation in temperate zones warm the earth?

David B. South; Xuhui Lee; Michael G. Messina

Treesearch

Will afforestation in temperate zones warm the earth?

Informally Refereed

Authors:

David B. South, Xuhui Lee, Michael G. Messina

Year:

2012

Type:

Paper

Station:

Southern Research Station

Source:

In: Butnor, John R., ed. 2012. Proceedings of the 16th biennial southern silvicultural research conference. e-Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-156. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 316-317.

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Abstract

For decades, forest researchers have known that afforestation can lower the surface albedo and that landscapes with low albedo will absorb more solar radiation than more reflective surfaces. As a result, afforestation will typically darken the surface of the Earth (when compared to grasslands or deserts). This darkening of the landscape can be measured and the local warming effect can be quantified.

Parent Publication

Proceedings of the 16th biennial southern silvicultural research conference

Citation

South, David B.; Lee, Xuhui; Messina, Michael G. 2012. Will afforestation in temperate zones warm the earth? In: Butnor, John R., ed. 2012. Proceedings of the 16th biennial southern silvicultural research conference. e-Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-156. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 316-317.