Slovak primaeval forest made cover of prestigious magazine

The photo illustrates the influence of climate change on important mushrooms and bacteria that live in symbiosis with tree roots.

(Source: m.smedata.sk/Nature, Ondrej Kameniar)

A photo of the Slovak primaeval forest from Veľká Fatra made the title page of the scientific magazine Nature.

The shot was taken by Ondrej Kameniar, a researcher of European primaeval forests, the Denník N reported.

SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

The fir-beech primaeval forest in National Natural Reservation Kundračka illustrates the influence of climate change on important mushrooms and bacteria that live in symbiosis with tree roots, Tech Sme wrote.

The mushrooms and bacteria offer nutrition to trees, and the trees give off carbon in return. An international team of scientists published maps of these relations. They include about 1.1 million of forests in the whole world, Tech Sme reported.

SkryťTurn off ads
Read also: Science magazine featured a sculpture from Bratislava on its title page Read more 

Changes in symbiotic relations

The scientists found out, thanks to the maps, how bacteria, mushrooms and trees influence each other, and how climate change would alter the symbiosis that is significantly driven by the emission of greenhouse gases.

If humankind does not limit them in any way, by 2070, the world could lose 10 percent of biomass, especially in colder areas.

At the same time, the loss would cause more carbon dioxide to enter the atmosphere, the authors reported in a press release. Forests are an important natural trap for this greenhouse gas.

"Our models predict fundamental changes in symbiotic relationships in the world's forests - changes that will affect the climate your grandchildren will live in," said study director Brian Steidinger of Stanford University.

SkryťTurn off ads

©Sme

Top stories

Peter Pellegrini and Robert Fico shake hands in parliament.

Pellegrini loses steam as polls point to Fico comeback

It seems the much-feared return of Smer is under way.


2 h
Volkswagen will make all-electric versions of the Porsche Cayenne luxury SUV.

News Digest: Volkswagen Slovakia to produce all-electric luxury SUV

LGBT+ minority could face new difficulties, a suspect is charged in the Daniel Tupý murder case.


24. mar
Filip Toška holding chard in the hydroponic Hausnatura farm.

How a Mayan doomsday prophecy took a Slovak to hi-tech agriculture

Hydroponic farm run out of former telephone exchange.


9. mar
A wolf in nature.

Three-legged wolf survives cold winters thanks to his wolf family's support

Muránska Planina Park crossed by five wolf packs.


25. mar
SkryťClose ad