The Southwest is headed for a mega-drought in our lifetime, the likes of which haven’t been experienced in more than four centuries, according to a recently published study by a coalition of scientists.
The likely result will be a mass die-off and redistribution of piñons, ponderosa pines and Douglas fir in mountain forests, according to the study published Monday in the journal Nature Climate Change. Bark beetles, fire and lack of water due to rising temperatures and climate change will be their death knell.
“We know forests died en masse across the Southwest during the mega-drought of the 1500s. That is our benchmark,” said A. Park Williams, lead author on the study. He thinks we’re already experiencing symptoms of the next mega-drought with bark beetle infestations, record-breaking temperatures and massive wildfires.
The mega-drought to come is likely to top the one in the 1500s and the mega-drought of the 1200s that prompted the migration of people from Mesa Verde and other ancient pueblos.
From The Santa Fe New Mexican: https://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/100512treecrisis#.UHMthxiAFrc