Union of Concerned Scientists

Introduction Climate Projections Human Health Agriculture & Forestry Freshwater Resources Biodiversity & Land Conservation Fisheries Coastal Development AL Resources & Links

• Wetter climate conditions could increase productivity of hardwoods, such as oaks and maples, at the expense of pines and other softwoods, and may increase the risk of forest pests such as southern pine bark beetle.
  
  
• If the drier climate scenario were to play out, savannas and grasslands would expand at the expense of forests, particularly further inland from the Gulf Coast.
  
  
• Increased fire frequency in drier conditions would require significant adaptations in forest and fire management. More fires mean changes in species selection, stand density, fertilization practices, and rotation lengths. Extreme, long-lasting droughts would seriously damage forests in the long-term.
  
  
• With carbon dioxide fertilization, tree growth increases if water is not limited. As temperature increases further, however, the capacity of trees to absorb and store carbon diminishes.

Climate change would also affect Alabama's agriculture industry. For example:

• In the immediate coastal zone, where the climate is projected to become drier, the production of cotton, soybeans, sorghum, hay, and vegetables may decline without increased irrigation.
  
  
• If and where climate becomes wetter, the risk of agricultural pests will increase.
  
  
• The fertilization effect from elevated levels of carbon dioxide will increase productivity only if sufficient water is available for irrigation.