Tree migration study one of Discover’s top stories of the year

Discover magazine named a Purdue University study analyzing the movement of tree species in response to climate change as one of its top 100 scientific stories of the year.

Songlin Fei, an associate professor in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, led the study that shows trees are shifting northward as temperatures warm, but also to the west in response to increased precipitation. (Read about the study here.)

“Precipitation has a stronger near-term impact on species shift than temperature,” Fei said of his research, published in the journal Science Advances and covered by more than 50 news outlets around the world.

Using data collected by the U.S. Forest Service from 1980 to 2015, Fei found that tree migration is species-specific, with deciduous trees such as oak and maple moving west, while evergreens are trending north. Long-term changes in precipitation patterns are affecting the composition of forests and altering entire ecosystems.

Fei and colleagues are continuing research examining the role of moisture and climate change on U.S. forests.

“We are moving forward to study changes in both above- and below-ground forest communities, and hoping to better understand the impacts of drought on forest ecosystems and their management implications,” Fei said.

Featured Stories

Douglass Jacobs stands next to a tree in Sweden.

Piecing together a forest puzzle

It made perfect sense for Douglass Jacobs, Fred M. van Eck Professor of Forest Biology and member...

Carrying on Pat’s dream: One family’s gift inspires future animal caregivers

"A lifelong love of animals and a smile to share with everyone," are the words Don...

Behind the Research: Doris Kemler

Many people are involved in the remarkable range of programs, services and facilities that...

Anderson named CEO of Ag Alumni Seed

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Agriculture Alumni Seed Improvement Association Inc. (Ag Alumni...

Many consumers report high grocery prices; more households plan to produce their own food

A vast majority (84%) of consumers describe current grocery prices in their area as...

Contaminants in the cold: How everyday chemicals are affecting Antarctic fish

Antarctica, once seen as a pristine wilderness, has trouble brewing in its waters. As...