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The reason why tree leaves are changing in an unusual way in the southern US

2019-10-12T03:11:22.029Z


In drought conditions, the leaves may change color for a very disturbing reason.


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(CNN) - When the leaves of the trees change color, it is usually a beautiful and comforting sign that autumn is fine and really arrived. But in drought conditions, the leaves can change color for another reason much more worrying.

Georgia is experiencing what the US Drought Monitor called extreme drought in parts of the state, including the metropolitan area of ​​Atlanta. Until Friday, approximately 28% of the state was in severe or extreme drought conditions. It is the first time since May 2017 that the state has suffered such a significant drought, and the first time since January 2017 that Atlanta has been affected.

As a result, some people have noticed trees with premature brown or yellow leaves, which is a sign that they are not getting enough water and therefore cannot produce enough food. Obviously, that is a common problem in a drought.

According to the University of Georgia, trees can show “drought stress” in several ways, including the redness of the leaves, curling and the first drops. If drought conditions are persistent, drought stress could seriously affect the overall health of a tree over the course of a few years. In some cases, drought conditions make trees more susceptible to other diseases.

Georgia is also seeing other negative drought results. The Georgia Department of Forestry says firefighters' calls have increased 270% above the seasonal average.

Extreme drought appeared this week in Florida, South Carolina and Kentucky and expanded in Alabama and Texas.

Overall for the US, the area in extreme drought grew 250% this week compared to last week, now covering almost 24,000 square miles (62 square kilometers). Almost half of the southeast, 44%, is in a state of drought and affects more than 21 million people. Drought conditions could expand soon to cover the entire southeast.

Along with the expansion of drought conditions, many parts of the country have suffocated under the record heat of October, with places from Florida to Indiana and New York showing temperatures of 90 degrees F (32 degrees Celsius) or higher in the first days of the month. According to meteorologists, the unusually hot weather should be ending soon.

CNN Judson Jones contributed to this report

nature drought

Source: cnnespanol

All news articles on 2019-10-12

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