Dec 29, 2007 1:21 pm US/Pacific
Global Warming May Destroy California's Landscape
LOS ANGELES (AP) ―
California is the land of sunshine and tourists. But its beaches, redwood forests, and wildflower-covered deserts may not survive global warming unscathed.
Researchers have some gloomy scenarios as the climate warms by an expected 3 to 10 degrees. By the end of the century, a rising ocean may obliterate some beaches -- and costly beachfront homes. Drier weather may shorten ski seasons in the Sierra Nevadas and spark more wildfires.
The wine-growing areas and redwood forests may retreat.
The water supply could shrink, and that could seriously affect the southern half of the state, where the supply is already under pressure from population growth.
Furthermore, the Sierra snowline already is receding.
Sierra's snowpack provides much of the state water supply, so its reduction could lead to disputes between cities and farmers. Cntral and Salinas Valley farmers could lose up to a quarter of their water. That could harm the state's $30 billion annual farming industry, which supplies half the country's fresh fruits, nuts and vegetables.
In the desert, droughts could last a decade -- forcing out life accustomed only to three-year dry spells. Scientists already are considering relocating some Joshua Tree seedlings to places where they can survive.
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