Forests of the southern Sierra Nevada become victims of climate change

Wildfires, drought and bark beetle infestations between 2011 and 2020 have led to the loss of nearly a third of all conifer forests in the lower half of the mountain range. This is according to a recent study published in a journal related to ecology. It puts the loss to eighty-five percent of the southern Sierra’s high-density mature forests. These have either lost density or became non-forest vegetation. Obviously, climate change is taking a heavy toll of the landscape of California. It is not only staggering but also often irreversible. Losses of this nature could have grave consequences for wildlife in the region. These include protected species like spotted owls and Pacific fishers. They rely on mature tree canopies for their habitats. In the opinion of researchers, the findings are another indication of the shifting climate regime. Moreover, these offer new insights that could help guide forest management and conservation strategies. Nearly a third of southern Sierra forests killed by drought and wildfire in last decade. The Sierra covers about a quarter of California’s land area. Hundreds of plants and animals call the region home, and the forest helps sequester carbon and store water for the state’s residents.

The problem is multifaceted. Human-caused climate change is contributing to warmer, drier conditions. These are converting once-green forests into brittle tinder and lengthening the window of time in which wildfires can burn each year. Wildfires once regularly simmered along the forest floors, today’s “megafires” are burning at high severity and searing some trees up to the top. Incidentally, the loss of forestland may be jarring to humans, but it is devastating for some creatures that call the Sierra home. California spotted owls, which typically occupy nest sites with huge canopy cover are left with fewer options in younger, sparser forests. Climate change is a “threat multiplier” and it might lead to irreversible disturbances in due course of time.

Some popular stories of this blogger –

North Korea fires at least 10 missiles, one lands close to the territorial waters of the South for the first time since the 1945

Greta Thunberg will not join the COP27 summit in Egypt

China launched Mengtian module of its space station from the Wenchang Space Launch Centre in Hainan

Climatic crisis threatens emperor penguins of Antarctica

Britain selects a remote peat bog in Scotland to be the first rocket launch pad on the British mainland

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak could attend the COP27 climate summit

India eyes its own space station by 2035, ISRO wants industry to collaborate

Collapse of the 19th century pedestrian suspension bridge over the Machchu River in Gujarat kills 141, toll could rise

The West Bengal government to launch electric buses in Calcutta to bring down air pollution

Street food rules the roost, regular food joints must innovate to survive

Street foods have become a craze not only in India but also all over the world. It is difficult to pinpoint the exact time when the first street food outlet was born. There used to be jhal muri and fuchka at locations that had attractive footfalls like in front of cinema halls or parks. As far as my memory goes, one of the first street food outlets appeared in Kolkata in the 1970s. They came in the form of handcarts and the products used to be egg rolls. The owner was usually an unemployed young man who chose this method to earn a living. He did not have to pay any rent, employ people, or provide any seating arrangement. In fact, his overheads were minimum. He had to have adequate stock of ingredients like eggs, flour, cooking oil, onions, chilies, utensils, kerosene stove and kerosene etcetera. LPG was non-existent in those days. Of course, he might have had the blessings of people who matter. The fact is that the culture spread like wildfire. Restaurants had to innovate in order to survive the challenges posed by street food.

Taking food on the roadside with a background music of honking vehicles is a unique experience. The men and women who are clamoring for the food would be strangers and the heady fragrance of perfume might create a spell. It might force you to turn your head around for a moment. In the early days, street food outlets would open in the evening and the only problem would be the rainy season. However, with the passage of time things have changed. (To be continued ..)

Popular stories on this and related sites –

Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings - top two teams of TATA IPL 2022

Prince William and Kate on a week’s visit to Belize to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee

Owners of the 10 teams in TATA IPL 2022

Tidbits of the 15th edition of TATA IPL 2022

A cat has nine lives, I have many more – 4

A cat has nine lives, I have many more – 3

A cat has nine lives, I have many more – 2

A cat has nine lives, I have many more – 1

Old age home for senior citizens

Health is an important issue for senior citizens above 60
KEEP WATCHING THIS SPACE FOR MORE ON IPL2022

Australia faced wildfires in 2020, now in 2022 it is facing floods

Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia declared a national emergency because of the death of 22 people along the east coast due to floods. He described it as - "This is a major catastrophe... of national proportions." Many persons had to be rescued from flooded regions. The emergency would ensure ready availability of emergency powers. The country faced wildfires in 2020 that destroyed the vegetation and wildlife. Heavy rains led to the emergency in the states of New South Wales and Queensland. It seems members of the community stepped up rescue efforts and helped to keep the death toll to a minimum. The authorities carried out mass evacuation from areas that endured the highest floods ever recorded.

Personnel of the military extended assistance in the flood recovery in northern New South Wales. The number of homes and businesses flooded in southeast Queensland was more than 20000. Sydney is the capital of New South Wales. It is the biggest city of Australia and it had to endure the wettest start to a year ever recorded.


Sky News dated 9 March 2022