The University of New Mexico (UNM) has disclosed that its scientists are undertaking experiments to comprehend the difficulties associated with reforestation in the semi-arid southwestern United States. This region often experiences low survival rates of conifer seedlings following wildfires. The research conducted by UNM Biology Ph.D. recipient Joseph Crockett and Professor Matthew Hurteau emphasizes the urgency for swift replanting of conifer forests after wildfires, given the impact of hot and dry conditions on seedling survival.
In a recent study titled "Ability of seedlings to survive heat and drought portends future demographic challenges for five southwestern US conifers," Crockett investigated the resilience of seedlings from five common tree species in the southwest US under high temperatures and drought conditions in growth chambers. Using locally sourced seeds, this study evaluated the potential effects of future climate on these species' current range, indicating potential obstacles for their establishment later this century, according to a press release by UNM.
Hurteau stated in a press release by UNM, "For species like ponderosa pine and piñon, the lower half of their current elevation range is likely to experience heat and drought conditions that kill seedlings frequently in the future. The results have implications for forest management across the southwest. One of them is that we need to get seedlings planted now so that they can establish before conditions become too hot and dry for them to survive. We have a window now where we can still plant these species across most of their current range and they will survive. It is important we take advantage and work on reforestation now, rather than try and reforest these burn scars 10 or 20 years from now."
The Department of Biology at UNM comprises 32 tenure track faculty members and nine faculty lecturers, educating over 1,300 majors and 100 graduate students. With nearly 100 staff members and research support positions, the department's research generates $9–13 million annually and over 100 published papers, according to the Department of Biology webpage provided by UNM.
