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Major forest die-offs due to drought, heat, beetle infestations or deforestation could have consequences far beyond the local landscape, results from a new study show. According to the research, wiping out an entire forest can have significant effects on global climate patterns and alter vegetation on the other side of the world.
Similar to how El Niño--the weather phenomenon in the tropical Pacific Ocean characterized by warm ocean temperatures - can affect global weather patterns, the ramifications of forest loss extend far beyond the local area. Forest loss can even affect distant plants.Image credit: David Breshears
