Why Our Broken Backyard Tree Stump Became a Lesson in Conservation

How a backyard setback taught us the importance of protecting vulnerable forests everywhere

Last year, my husband and I learned an important lesson the hard way.

When we bought our house, we were extremely excited to discover that our backyard has multiple trees. As tree-huggers, this is what we had envisioned for a place to call home.

Unfortunately, upon closer look, we realized something that broke our hearts. Most of the trees were partially dead and rotting. They were a fall hazard, especially with the severe storms we’ve been experiencing, and needed to be removed. We were devastated, but more bad news was coming.

We decided to make up for the cut trees, so we planted some local species in pots with the idea of transplanting them outside when they got strong enough. So we started with a maple that grew to sample and sprouted its first beautiful leaves. It was ready to go outside.

Once spring was well upon us, we proceeded with the transplantation process, picking a prime stop for our little bundle of hope. We were so excited; we were growing our own maple tree from local seeds!

A week later, I came to see the tree, but I could only see a broken little stump with no leaves. When we inspected the video camera, we understood what happened: There were deer in our neighborhood, and they came to munch in our backyard that night. They ate the fresh little leaves.

However, this taught us an important lesson: we need to protect what matters most to us. Just like in today’s story, failing to put protections in place for what matters most could cost us more than we think.

Temperate rainforests—those biodiverse forests found only in cool, moist climates—are in serious trouble due to climate change. I know this doesn’t come as a surprise…

A new study led by researchers from the University of Leeds warns that up to 68% of these unique ecosystems could vanish by the end of the century if current greenhouse gas emissions continue as they are. These rare forests don’t just host a remarkable range of species; they’re also vital carbon sinks, helping regulate our planet’s climate.

But as temperatures climb, they face an unprecedented threat.

Dr. Ben Silver, the study’s lead author, expressed his concern about the study’s findings: “Unmitigated climate change is a disaster for temperate rainforest in the UK and globally, as they cannot survive the kinds of high summer temperatures which we are starting to observe more regularly.”

Luckily, Dr. Silver’s team believes that with strong action to cut fossil fuel emissions, we can still preserve many of these forests. But action needs to be immediate.

But let’s look at how they performed the study a bit closer.

The researchers first identified where these forests thrive to understand how climate change might impact temperate rainforests. They combined climate data with tree cover maps and forest conditions to determine the historical extent of temperate rainforests from 1970 to 2000.

By focusing on three key climate variables—warmest quarter temperature, annual precipitation, and the proportion of rainfall in the warmest quarter—the researchers created a baseline for conditions that support temperate rainforests.

Next, they used climate models to project how these variables might change under different future scenarios, ranging from optimistic (strong climate action) to pessimistic (business-as-usual emissions). Comparing these projections allowed them to estimate where temperate rainforests could survive or vanish by 2100.

Quite a remarkable study design!

Abd what did they find?

Under the worst-case scenario (named SSP 5–8.5), where emissions remain high, nearly two-thirds of the global temperate rainforest biome could disappear. That’s an astonishing loss for an ecosystem that covers less than 1% of Earth’s land area but holds immense ecological and carbon storage value.

Even in the best-case scenario, the forests are not completely safe: assuming the best-case scenario, up to 9% could still be lost.

But the potential for positive change is there: under moderate and optimistic scenarios, much of the rainforest biome can be preserved. Dr. Dominick Spracklen, one of the study’s co-authors, highlights the UK as a prime example.

While the country’s forests are a fraction of their historic extent, it has some of the world’s largest temperate rainforest restoration potential, holding “a quarter of the world’s unforested temperate rainforest climate zone.” Dr. Spracklen suggests that “the UK could and should be a global leader in the restoration of temperate rainforests,” especially with new funding and commitments from major landowners to meet government restoration targets. 

Could this actually work?

The importance of these rainforests goes beyond the species they house. Dr. Dominick A. DellaSala, another co-author, likens temperate rainforests to the “lungs of the planet,” arguing that their protection is essential for tackling global warming.

Just as tropical and boreal forests are critical for climate regulation, temperate rainforests play a key role in storing carbon and regulating atmospheric moisture levels. The only issue is that these temperate rainforests don’t get so much attention, but their value is undeniable.

Losing these forests would mean more than just a loss of green spaces—it would weaken our planet’s resilience to climate extremes. It could be catastrophic.

However, the UK isn’t alone in facing this threat for its temperate forests. Canada, Chile, the U.S., Japan, New Zealand, and Australia all have temperate rainforests at risk. While the UK’s restoration potential stands out, these countries also face crucial decisions about whether and how to prioritize conservation.

In the U.S., for example, extensive temperate rainforests like those in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest provide unmatched carbon storage. However, these forests are vulnerable to logging and warming trends that could push them past their resilience thresholds. Will they stand with the upcoming administration?

Further, the study’s results highlight the importance of timely climate action and practical forest management strategies. As Dr. DellaSala puts it, all rainforests—temperate, tropical, and boreal—“must be protected and restored as natural climate solutions to avoid the worst of global overheating.” Governments and conservationists can reinforce our natural defenses against climate change by prioritizing these ecosystems.

Unfortunately, the solution lies in their hands right now.

The researchers hope that their study will support the protection of temperate rainforests, showing which areas are most at risk and where restoration efforts could make the biggest difference.

Ultimately, this study serves as a call to action for policymakers, conservation groups, and landowners alike. By cutting emissions, funding conservation, and restoring degraded forests, there’s a chance to protect these critical biomes. Protecting temperate rainforests isn’t just about saving trees; it’s about safeguarding one of Earth’s most powerful climate allies.

And we need them as much as we need our little maple tree.