From The Banner · Cody Boteler · · 1m 40s
Smithsonian floods Anne Arundel forest to study climate impacts
Smithsonian scientists flood Maryland forest each summer to track climate change effects on storm surges.
In brief
Smithsonian scientists flood Maryland forest each summer to track climate change effects on storm surges. Smithsonian researchers flood Anne Arundel forest with 80,000 gallons daily to study how forests handle storm surges from climate change. Originally reported by The Banner.
Smithsonian floods forest each summer
Scientists at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center flood a forest in Edgewater every summer to study climate change impacts.
TEMPEST project details
The Terrestrial Ecosystem Manipulation to Probe the Effects of Storm Treatments project pumps 80,000 gallons daily across 2,000-square-meter plots.
Storm surge threat
Storm surge, caused by strong winds pushing water toward coasts, is worsening with climate change and rising sea levels.
SERC's climate research
SERC spans 2,650 acres with 15 miles of protected shoreline and faces criticism from Trump administration over climate research funding.
Water exposure effects
Forests show permanent changes after one flood exposure to salty or fresh water, with soil becoming 10 times saltier.
Oxygen depletion risk
Some flooded areas lack oxygen, risking root suffocation in forests after fresh water exposure.
Global climate implications
Scientists hope TEMPEST findings help predict how forests will handle future storm surges worldwide.
BiodiversiTREE project
BiodiversiTREE, planted in 2013, tests tree diversity's impact on forest health across North America.
Functional Forests project
Functional Forests plants 33,518 trees across 194 plots to test forest density and diversity combinations.
Tree diversity benefits
Diverse forests show cooler temperatures and attract wildlife, acting like investment portfolios to mitigate risks.
SERC's unique research
SERC's ecosystem-scale research provides insights into species-environment connections impossible in smaller studies.
The short version
Smithsonian researchers flood Anne Arundel forest with 80,000 gallons daily to study how forests handle storm surges from climate change.
