It would appear that there is a complex chaotic system in play that is resulting in the deforestation of the Earth. Following is an abstract from a study started in 2001 and continuing through the present.
- Pollution
It is difficult to list "types" of pollution that are causing the death of trees. For instance, what is acid rain? Is it air pollution or water pollution? And, there are some forms of pollution that have not yet been widely recognized, such as, thermal pollution. Originally, we thought instead of trying to define the type of pollution that is contributing to the mass mortality of the forests, why not just consider how "human output" is to blame? However, it would appear decisive and immediate action needs to be taken if we are to have any hope of slowing the defoliation. At the top of the list of suspects is ozone. (Pictures of Trees Dying From Ozone Pollution) Quite a few studies have been conducted that show ozone pollution causes leaf death eventually resulting in dying trees. See: Tropospheric Ozone = Bad Ozone, The Ozone Know Zone, and Gasoline Plus Ethanol Equals Bad Ozone. - Water
Drought
During the recent past there has been an unprecedented number of droughts and a measurable decline in the water table. Other severe weather including floods, winds, ice storms, etc. are also breaking records.
Too Much Rain (Water Pollution / Acid Rain)
Trees are being attacked both from above and below. Ground water contamination is causing damage to the trees. Perhaps more evident is the effects of acid rain and acid fog. For many years, there has been alarming documentation of massive deforestation due to acid pollution in precipitation. - Pests
Insects and Worms
Some of the tree mortality might be from regularly occurring life cycles of critters like the gypsy moth caterpillar and the elm borer. However, the decline of the bee population and changes in the worm population appear to be a relatively new phenomenon. There is a serious pollination problem due to the devastation of bee colonies. The cause is not fully understood. Tree deaths due to the change in worms is thought to be a result of pH changes caused by acid rain.
Alien Invasion
Eurasian, as well as, other "foreign" plants and insects are taking over many species that evolved in the Americas. [e.g ailanthus (tree of heaven), Queen Anne's Lace, earthworms colonizing North Eastern forests, MALB (Asian ladybug beetles), bamboo, morning glory, the list of invasive plants goes on and on.]
Examples: Worm Invasion, Beetlemania and Utah Beetles
Human activities are contributing to tree mortality and deforestation. Humans have also induced climate change in other ways. The combination of human induced climate change and human induced tree mortality are creating a cycle of exponential chain reactions. A better way to say it might be -- the veiled causes of the current tree deaths are an unanticipated result of human activities. This new form of deforestation contributes to more global warming. An increase in global warming and human induced climate change intensifies the rate of tree mortalities. The result could very well be "foliage spoilage and the trees' canopy collapse" in the very, very near future.
Tree Death Questions And Answers
Danger: Do Not Breath! (Ozone Destroys Your Lungs)
Theme Song: Ozone Poisoning