Forests:
Forests are the major hubs for carbon sinks. They absorb and store carbon dioxide.
When trees are cut down and burnt, carbon dioxide is released back into the atmosphere.
Forests play a critical role in balancing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, helping
to minimize the impact of climate change. Forests in Himachal Pradesh, especially
at higher altitudes are highly vulnerable to climate change. The rapidly changing
conditions caused by climate change make plant species more vulnerable to disease
and pests, contributing to the degradation and fragmentation of forests.
Mountain ecosystem are highly vulnerable to climate change and there may be a large
shift in the vegetation boundary, large scale forest dieback or mortality may occur
in the transient period.Like wise the species which are already threatened are at
greater risk and some of the species which are currenty classfied as critically endangered
will be extinct. Thus it is important to assess the likely impacts of projected climate
change on forests and develop and implement adaptation strategies for both biodiversity
conservation and the livelihoods of forest - dependent people.