Blue Trees

American beech is easily recognized by its smooth gray bark.

Within the range of beech, annual precipitation usually is from 760 mm to 1270 mm (30 to 50 in) (39); however, some beech is found in Michigan where precipitation is about 580 mm (23 in), and in Canada where about 640 mm (25 in) fall annually. Precipitation during the growing season varies from 250 mm to 460 min (10 to 18 in). Beech is a mesophytic species; it uses twice as much water for transpiration and growth processes annually, compared to some drought resistant oaks and even lesser amounts by some pines.

The growing season for beech varies from 100 to 280 days; the species is found in one county in Michigan where the growing season is only 92 days.

Mean annual temperatures range from 4° to 21° C (40° to 70° F). Beech can exist under temperature extremes lower than -42° C (-44° F) and 38° C (100° F). Higher than average summer temperatures may be unfavorable for beech growth.

– http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/fagus/grandifolia.htm

Because of global warming, American beech like me may not be here in 150 years.

Prasad, A. M., L. R. Iverson., S. Matthews., M. Peters. 2007-ongoing. A Climate Change Atlas for 134 Forest Tree Species of the Eastern United States [database]. http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/atlas/tree, Northern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Delaware, Ohio.

Sugar Maples (Acer saccharum), one of the dominant species in the Ithaca area, will become less prevalent in the future due to climate change.

Iverson, L., A. Prasad, and S. Matthews. 2008. Potential changes in suitable habitat for 134 tree species in the northeastern United States. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change. In press.

As long as the total movement of isotherms toward the poles is much smaller than the size of the habitat, or the ranges in which the animals live, the effect on species is limited. But now the movement is inexorably toward the poles and totals more than a hundred miles over the past several decades. If emissions of greenhouse gases continue to increase at the current rate–”business as usual”–then the rate of isotherm movement will double in this century to at least seventy miles per decade. If we continue on this path, a large fraction of the species on Earth, as many as 50 percent or more, may become extinct.

NASA Climatologist Jim Hansen, writing in the New York Review of Books (http://www.nybooks.com/articles/19131)

The blue trees have taken up their roots and are looking for new soil. Seriously, if you would like to borrow the blue trees idea or materials for use in your community or on your campus, drop us a line. We can loan out our solar-powered blue LED lights and let you use our website and research.

Climatologists warn that climate change will not only increase sea levels in Sydney, it will create a much drier, hotter climate for the city.

source: Climate Change Impacts on Australia and the Benefits of Early Action to Reduce Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The blue bands represent the estimated sea level increases in Shanghai. Sea levels will increase 3 feet by the year 2100, 4.5 feet by 2150, and 6 feet by 2200. With all of Shanghai under water, approximately 20 million people would be displaced. According to Chinese meteorologists, Shanghai will face an increase in the number of typhoons, floods, and droughts in the future. The coastal regions also face erosion and salt water intrusion.

Antoaneta Bezlova (7 June). CHINA: RISING SEA LEVELS THREATEN SHANGHAI. Global Information Network,1. Retrieved November 17, 2007, from Research Library database.

Maren Lau. Adaptation to Sea-level Rise in the People’s Republic of China

The blue bands represent the estimated sea level increases in Boston. Sea levels will increase 3 feet by the year 2100, 4.5 feet by 2150, and 6 feet by 2200. By 2050 flood waters associated with hundred year events could be occurring every 30 years. Flooding would spread to Harvard Square, Fenway Park, Boston University, the South End, the Public Gardens, and part of the Downtown.
Krishen, P. et al. Coastal Flooding in Northeastern United States due to Climate Change. Mitigation and Adaption Strategies for Global Climate Change. 2007.

The trees in Ho Plaza represent the estimated sea level rise in New York City between the years 2025 and 2250. The increases range from 9 inches in 2025 to 7.5 feet in 2250. Even slight sea level increases will increase the risk of storm related floods. A sea level rise of 3 feet would flood Lower Manhattan, including Wall Street, as well as flood subways, airports, and coastal areas.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1998/03/98033007391.htm