If the global temperature rises by 4°C over the next fifty years, as is evidently possible, the whole of the Appalachian wilderness below New England could become savanna. Already trees are dying in frightening numbers. The elms and chestnuts are long gone, the stately hemlocks and flowery dogwoods are going, and the red spruces, Fraser firs, mountain ashes, and sugar maples may be about to follow. Clearly, if ever there was a time to experience this singular wilderness, it was now.
In his book "A Walk in the Woods," author Bill Bryson warns that if global temperatures continue to rise, significant changes could occur in the Appalachian wilderness. He suggests that a rise of 4°C over the next fifty years could transform the lush forested areas below New England into a savanna. This alarming prediction highlights the ongoing decline of various tree species, which are already experiencing substantial loss.
Bryson notes the disappearance of trees like elms and chestnuts and emphasizes the precarious state of others such as hemlocks, dogwoods, and red spruces. With these changes threatening the region's biodiversity, he urges readers to appreciate the current beauty of this unique wilderness before it potentially vanishes. His message serves as a critical reminder of the urgency to protect these forests as they face unprecedented environmental challenges.
