Scientists: Ancient Forests are Resilient to Drought

This year, the anomalous drought has been catastrophic for many countries around the world, including Russia. Some countries are experiencing extreme heat, and in many regions of our country, there is a severe soil drought. The land is drying up, water levels are dropping, and rivers are shrinking. This includes some of Russia's largest waterways.

But how is this possible if Russia is a country of mighty forests? After all, we have the vast Russian Taiga, which is known to retain moisture. So there should be plenty of water, right? 

Let me try to explain what is happening. Back in the early 2000s, our brilliant Russian physicists discovered the concept of biotic climate regulation through ancient forests. It's very simple: ancient forests create more evaporation above them than even the surface of the oceans. Our landmass is higher than sea levels, so moisture flows back into the oceans through rivers and water arteries. For forests and all terrestrial ecosystems to survive, to prevent barren deserts from forming in the heart of continents, moisture has to come from somewhere! 

Initially, moisture evaporates from the oceans and seas. Clouds form! Then these clouds somehow need to move inland and fall as rain. But how do they move to where they are needed? This is where atmospheric physics comes into play. A living organism 

Forests, as a single, perhaps deeply intelligent organism, create massive evaporation! Vertical airflows form above them, triggering the biotic pump. 

We learned this back in school during physics lessons! Moisture moves to where evaporation is greater. Therefore, forests, creating more evaporation than the oceans and seas, pull clouds with precipitation toward them. In this way, they protect themselves and all forest ecosystems, and with them, all terrestrial ecosystems in general. All life on the continent, including human life, is preserved this way. 

Without exaggeration, our lives depend on forests. But only true ancient forests can sustain the work of the biotic pump! Natural forest ecosystems, untouched or minimally impacted by humans. This is why we demand that the Russian government begin federal legislative work to protect the last remaining natural forests in Russia. 

Our Russian physicists were the pioneers in discovering biotic climate regulation! It was our Russian scientists who proved the importance of protecting ancient forests. 

The Society for the Protection of the Russian Taiga. And the scientists too! Moreover, Russia holds one of the greatest discoveries on Earth. Given all these factors, the government is simply obligated to protect the ancient forests! They must stop their destruction, declare them zones of total ecological peace, remove heavy logging equipment from these areas, and cancel lease agreements with forest users. 

Logical? Absolutely. 

Unfortunately, despite our official requests and the diligent efforts of our allies within the government, we have not yet succeeded in achieving federal work in this area. The authorities resist; short-term profit interests are far more important than conservation activities. It's very simple: if you cut down the forest, you make huge money! If you protect it, you spend enormous sums on its protection. 

No one wants to spend. Everyone just wants to earn. And ancient forests are primarily valuable timber: mighty larches, cedars, and fir trees. These enormous giants fetch a hefty price on the market! 

In response to our demands to stop the destruction of ancient forests, the authorities tell us that they are following international practices, and nowhere in the world are natural forest ecosystems protected. So why should we? 

This is what they say in official responses to our demands! Even though we referenced numerous works by foreign scientists and experts. And, most importantly: isn't it sacrilege to talk about the chosen path of our state while citing "the experience of other countries"? Don't we have our own experience? 

If Russian scientists were the first to discover something great, do we have to wait for someone else to rediscover it? 

Short-term interests of the authorities. Short-term interests of businesses. That's all. 

Meanwhile, the world is indeed conducting more and more research on ancient forests. This will inevitably lead to government efforts in this direction! Unfortunately, it seems, not in Russia. Sadly. 

Another study was conducted by Lund University in Sweden. They reported that in the near future, northern boreal forest ecosystems will experience extreme droughts. In Sweden, true ancient forests were also rapidly destroyed, and they are still being cut down today. The majority of the forests there are secondary forest ecosystems, managed commercial forests with limited species diversity and structure. 

Only a small percentage consists of primary forests that have not yet been destroyed by humans. Scientists point out that there has never been comprehensive research on how primary forests and managed secondary forests respond to drought. 

To clarify, drought in forests triggers massive wildfires, various forest diseases, and the collapse of ecosystems. It results in a lack of food, even basic forage, for wild animals. Drought in forests is a guaranteed death sentence for life. 

Researchers from Lund University studied the impact of the anomalous drought of 2018 on various types of forests. 

"We used a unique map of Sweden's primary forests and investigated whether there was any difference in how these forests and neighboring secondary forests were affected by the drought of 2018. The results showed that Sweden's secondary forests were more affected by drought than primary forests," says Anders Ahlström, a researcher in physical geography at Lund University.

Let me quote another interesting comment from those who worked on the study. 

"The fact that primary forests were less affected by drought raises several interesting questions about what causes this difference. It could be that, in general, the trees in primary forests are older and larger, which may lead to deeper roots and greater structural diversity. Or perhaps these ecosystems have more water, possibly because they haven't been destroyed. However, at this point, we have no idea what makes primary forests more resilient during droughts," says Julika Wolf, a former physical geography researcher and now a consultant in cartography and spatial analysis.

Now, in simple terms, what are the experts telling us? Scientists have proven that secondary exploited forests suffer from drought more than ancient forest areas. However, scientists don't yet know why this is and can only speculate: it seems to be all about the water! 

And yet, our Russian scientists had already proven this! But their experience wasn't shared with the world, and our own government completely ignored it. 

Ancient forests preserve water. Ancient forests hold within them genetic and physiological heritage, passing it on to all young forests. They pass on knowledge of how to fight wildfires, how to withstand drought, and how to avoid widespread pest infestations. This too has been proven by scientists. 

And don't listen to those who claim that forests are well-protected in Europe and there are no problems there. 

Especially critics who have left Russia and try to draw ecological parallels with political preferences and personal resentment toward our country! 

Swedish scientists themselves state that primary forests are rare in Sweden and Europe. They have been destroyed there. And today, scientists are sounding the alarm as managed forests are dying from drought. But it's good that the necessary research is already being conducted, and specialists have confirmation of what nature looks like and how it functions without human interference! This confirmation comes from the last remaining ancient forest areas. 

It's time for Russia to start protecting primary forests at the state level. Recognize the research of our Russian scientists, and impose a ban on cutting down ancient boreal taiga. Otherwise, others will do it later. 

Meanwhile, we will continue to mindlessly extract profit at any cost, completely destroying the Russian Taiga. 

© PAVEL PASHKOV