<p> The world's biggest and most magnificent trees face a dire future - thanks to logging, deforestation, pest invasions and effects of climate change. <br /><br /></p>.<p>William Laurance, professor at James Cook University, warned that their demise will have substantial impact on biodiversity and forest ecology and worsen climate change too. <br /><br />Reviewing research from forests around the world, Laurance wrote in the New Scientist magazine that "big trees need a safe place to live and long periods of stability. But time and stability are becoming very rare commodities in our modern world". <br /><br />Giant trees offer critical habitat and forage for wildlife, while transpiring massive amounts of water through their leaves - contributing to local rainfall. Old trees also lock up massive amounts of carbon.<br /><br />"But their ability to sequester carbon and render other ecosystem services is threatened by human activities. Some of the world's largest trees are particularly targeted by loggers. <br />"The oldest trees are among the most valuable and therefore the first to be cut in 'virgin' forest areas," he said, according to a university statement. <br /><br />"Big trees are also sensitive to habitat fragmentation, which exposes them to stronger winds and drier conditions," he said.</p>
<p> The world's biggest and most magnificent trees face a dire future - thanks to logging, deforestation, pest invasions and effects of climate change. <br /><br /></p>.<p>William Laurance, professor at James Cook University, warned that their demise will have substantial impact on biodiversity and forest ecology and worsen climate change too. <br /><br />Reviewing research from forests around the world, Laurance wrote in the New Scientist magazine that "big trees need a safe place to live and long periods of stability. But time and stability are becoming very rare commodities in our modern world". <br /><br />Giant trees offer critical habitat and forage for wildlife, while transpiring massive amounts of water through their leaves - contributing to local rainfall. Old trees also lock up massive amounts of carbon.<br /><br />"But their ability to sequester carbon and render other ecosystem services is threatened by human activities. Some of the world's largest trees are particularly targeted by loggers. <br />"The oldest trees are among the most valuable and therefore the first to be cut in 'virgin' forest areas," he said, according to a university statement. <br /><br />"Big trees are also sensitive to habitat fragmentation, which exposes them to stronger winds and drier conditions," he said.</p>
