Why in News ? 

A study shows that nearly half of the world’s boreal forests are undergoing major changes due to climate change, increasing wildfire risks and impacting their role as carbon sinks. 

 Key Findings 

• Boreal forests are warming four times faster than the global average. 
• These forests are becoming more open with fewer trees, reducing their carbon storage and increasing wildfire risks, with tree density decreasing from south to north. 
• Thawing permafrost may release significant soil carbon, complicating carbon storage predictions. 

Boreal Forests 

• The boreal forest, or "taiga," is the world’s largest land biome, covering 30% of global forests and 10% of Earth's land area. 
• It spans eight countries: Canada, China, Finland, Japan, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the US. 
• Dominated by coniferous trees (pine, spruce, fir) and some broadleaf species (poplar, birch), these forests thrive in high-latitude areas. 
• Boreal regions contain more surface freshwater than any other biome, affecting northern oceans and the global climate. 
• These forests provide over 33% of global lumber and 25% of paper exports, playing a crucial role in climate regulation and carbon storage, rivaling tropical forests.