Nearly a million acres of Douglas fir trees in the Pacific Northwest are dying of a disease that is spreading rapidly throughout the region.
Douglas firs are among the most important tree species for carbon sequestration, foot soldiers in the fight against climate change. Sick trees stop growing and absorbing carbon, reducing their effectiveness. The disease, called Swiss needle cast, also threatens the recovery of two endangered birds, the northern spotted owl and the marbled murrelet. Both species prefer to nest in old-growth Douglas firs. Many of the trees set aside for these rare birds are suffering from the disease.
The future of these forests—and those around the world—may depend on new technologies like those being developed in Wing’s Lab at Oregon State University here.
Unmanned aerial vehicle technology has come a long way in four years, and experts expect that drones will get even better in the decade to come. Yet, even as the use of drones expands, several technical challenges and roadblocks threaten researchers’ ability to make the most of them. Will they be solved in time to make a difference for the planet’s forests?
To read the full article published in Take Part, click here.
Photo: Andrew Larkin