Woodwell Climate Research Center’s Post

Here’s our summer event schedule, just for you. Bookmark this post and stay tuned for more events all year long. 🗓️ June 28, 8pm - Marine Biological Laboratory Friday Evening Lecture - Dr. Max Holmes will present the Glassman Lecture, speaking on “Climate Change: Charting a Path to a Positive Future.” https://lnkd.in/e-BiqC-4 🗓️ July 11 - Join Woodwell Climate scientists and Art-Science Fellows for the opportunity to interact with those behind Highfield Hall & Gardens’ summer exhibit In Flux: Perspectives on Arctic Change https://lnkd.in/ehwBKESy 🗓️ May 21 - July 14 - In Flux: Perspectives on Arctic Change https://lnkd.in/eK8UiUnn 🗓️ July 25 - Geschke Lecture by Dr. Max Holmes, moderated by Kitty Pilgrim, Nantucket Atheneum https://lnkd.in/e3h4xxH4 🗓️ July 27 - August 3 - Woods Hole Film Festival https://lnkd.in/eYGUjAuD

💧A new study suggests that severe droughts in the Amazon over the last two decades have isolated local populations who rely on water transport. “Scientists have been warning for years that the Amazon basin is facing a substantial increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme events due to climate change,” said Dr. Letícia Santos de Lima, researcher at the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Read more about the study’s findings and proposed solutions at https://lnkd.in/dgzm3qPe (📸 : Paulo Brando)

🌲 Black spruce is the dominant tree species in Boreal North America, but it could be losing ground across the continent. A study by Woodwell Climate examined black spruce regeneration after fire events in over 1500 fire disturbance sites across North America and found that black spruce failed to regenerate 18% of the time— a level of failure that’s highly unusual in a fire-adapted species. These changes have implications for biodiversity as well as ecosystem carbon budgets. Many black spruce forests shelter permafrost. Conversion to another dominant species could accelerate thaw and associated carbon emissions which would contribute to a feedback loop that increases warming and fires. 📖 https://lnkd.in/e9JiyQMs (📸 : Jill Johnstone) #Supertrees #ClimateScience #ClimateChange #ClimateAction #ClimateEmergency #Arctic #Forest #Forests #Boreal #ArcticFires

🌳 Despite facing regional threats like deforestation and wildfires, the world’s forests continue to be a powerful weapon in the fight against climate change. A new study reveals these vital ecosystems have consistently absorbed carbon dioxide for the past three decades, even as disruptions chip away at their capacity. Read about the results and what they call for at https://lnkd.in/eBpDXmnB #Supertrees

The Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge contains 3.9 million acres of ancient, carbon-rich permafrost called Yedoma as shown in this #MapMonday by Christina Shintani. In 2023, the Fish & Wildlife Service enhanced the fire suppression status on 1.6 millions acres of this Yedoma permafrost to protect against permafrost thaw and carbon emissions from wildfires. This effort was motivated by the need to protect climate, human health and ecosystem services from increasing wildfires in Alaska.

Join us as we gather to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. George Masters Woodwell — pioneer, visionary, mentor, and friend. Tomorrow, Friday, July 26 from 3-6 pm EST, we will be live streaming the Celebration of Life at https://lnkd.in/eXDwxiUx. If you will be attending the event in person, please visit bit.ly/4cZ36O3 for important event and parking information.

Last month, Woodwell Climate and IPAM celebrated 20 years of Tanguro Research Station at the Tanguro Science Symposium in Brazil. The symposium brought together farmers, scientists, public authorities and indigenous peoples to share knowledge and discuss climate change impacts. “Bringing together this group of experts from science, civil society and from different places gives me hope and optimism,” said Woodwell Climate’s CEO Dr. Max Holmes. “The challenge for all of us is to take forward the big ideas around the climate solutions discussed.” 📖 Read more at https://lnkd.in/eCy5-8R3

Despite their widespread impact, ice wedges are often left out of Arctic climate change models, until now. As one of the three main features of the Arctic’s land surface, ice wedges are important to Arctic landscape research. Woodwell Climate’s Dr. Anna Liljedahl thinks utilizing AI could decrease computing time and allow models to factor in variables like ice wedges. 📖 Read this in-depth look at ice wedges and why they are important to climate change https://lnkd.in/d6n7XXTE

🗺️ Last week, Woodwell Climate cartographers and researchers were invited by collaborator Dawn Wright, PhD to attend the Esri conference as Science VIPs. Woodwell Climate maps were displayed, talked about, and awarded throughout the week. Thanks to ESRI - a critical partner in our work and research. #MapMonday Greg Fiske Christina Shintani

Trees are superheroes hidden in plain sight. The oldest, biggest trees are pulling the most weight, which gives old-growth forests across the world a critical role in mitigating climate change. Globally, forests absorb nearly 16 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, and currently hold 861 gigatonnes of carbon in their branches, leaves, roots, and soils. This summer, we’re diving deep into our work in Mature and Old Growth forests. 🌳 Will you join us?