Herbivory and climate change factors may significantly increase BVOC emissions from boreal conifers
Boreal conifer forests are sources of biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions into the atmosphere. Global warming exposes boreal trees to biotic stress caused by insect outbreaks and they are also affected by abiotic climate change factors. A recent study from the University of Eastern Finland shows that the combination of insect outbreaks and climate change factors may significantly increase BVOC emissions of conifers in northern Europe. The expected increases in BVOCs may affect atmospheric chemistry and the global climate through the formation of secondary organic aerosols