Scientists predict that due to climate change, Latvia will experience an increasing number of severe thunderstorms in the future, particularly in summer, when high winds will be capable of uprooting trees over large areas in a short space of time. Rising average air temperatures will also impact processes within the forest.

“In the Mediterranean region, the effects of climate change will be severely felt over the next 100 years, as the intensely hot and dry climate will make it inhospitable for trees, and forestry as an industry will likely cease to exist there. Climate and forestry researchers express the view that climate change in Latvia and other Nordic countries will also open up new opportunities – there will be a longer growing season, higher average air temperatures, and trees will grow better,” says Jurģis Jansons, leading researcher at the Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava”.