Fog decrease harming California redwoods

By Doyle Rice
Feb 15, 2010

"A lack of fog in recent decades along the California coast could be stressing the region's iconic redwood trees, according to a new study published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Based on the study, led by James Johnstone and Todd Dawson of the University of California at Berkeley, fog was 33% more common in California in the early part of the 20th century than it was in the latter half of the century.

Redwood trees rely on foggy conditions to help conserve water during the arid summer months. When there is less fog, the trees become more vulnerable to droughts and dry air, says Johnstone."

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