Due to Global Warming, Infected Pine Trees Starts To Weaken While Fungi Became Aggressive

According to a new study, the high heat and low water conditions caused by global warming degrade pine trees' resilience to disease by limiting their capacity to create an effective resistance while pathogenic fungi in their tissues grow more active.

Pine Infection

(Photo : Harry Cunningham/Unsplash)

The research was carried out on Austrian pines, which are native to southern Europe and are grown as decorative trees in the United States, as per ScienceDaily.

Researchers examined the impact of climate change on the trees following infection by two related fungi that have destroyed significant areas of these pines throughout time.

Senior author Enrico Bonello, professor of the molecular and chemical ecology of trees in The Ohio State University Department of Plant Pathology decided to evaluate the impact of the combined stresses of higher temperatures and lower water availability because that is what trees will face in the future.

Carbon sequestration by the world's forests is a significant mitigator of climate change impacts, and researchers suggest it may be expedited if their preservation, management, and restoration are improved.

In a 2021 study of U.S. forest plots, scientists determined that current disease and insect disturbances reduced carbon sequestration rates by 28 percent and 69 percent, respectively, from 2001 to 2019.

Diplodia sapinea, an aggressive fungus, and Diplodia scrobiculata, a less aggressive related, are discovered in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres.

They lay inactive for long periods, waiting for the greatest chance to destroy host cells and feed on dead plant material - generally while their host is weak.

The fungus has begun to harm Scots pines in Scandinavia, in addition to harming Austrian trees.

Three days after infection, the researcher gathered plant and pathogen tissue for RNA sequencing to assess gene activation, expression, and pattern alterations in the trees and both fungal strains.

The investigation revealed a basic alteration in the tree's exposure to climate change conditions: the capacity for photosynthesis dropped, implying that they would have fewer resources to spend on their own food production, development, and disease defense.

While these findings are limited to one tree species and one virus, they provide an understanding of how much harm global warming may cause to one of the planet's primary carbon sinks.

Pathogen and pest infestations are already affecting carbon sequestration, according to Bonello.

Carbon sequestration will suffer if climate change worsens the situation because trees will decay in greater numbers.

Pathogens can kill trees that would normally endure poor environmental circumstances and regenerate if conditions improved or became intermittent.

Treating Pine trees

If you notice brown needles in pine trees, it's most likely not because winter is approaching. Because pines are evergreen trees, they should remain green all year long. If pine needles are discolored and dropped off, it might be a symptom of an unhealthy tree, as per Lawn starter.

It is important to determine the fungal disease that is attacking your tree. Infection may spread through the soil, air, rain, and even infected pruning tools.

The first step in saving your pine tree is to consult a professional, licensed arborist near you. If you observe any of these signs in your pine tree, contact a tree care specialist immediately. If pine tree infections go untreated, they can become lethal and infest neighboring pines.

A professional arborist can treat sick trees and remove them. Arborists can even help homes avoid symptoms by undertaking disease prevention procedures. It is never too early to contact a professional arborist, but it is sometimes too late.