Threat of a Warm Front: Forests protect the climate, and with an increase in extreme weather expected as the world continues to heat up, more storms would mean trouble.

The article discusses research, led by Columbia University ecologist Maria Uriarte, to study the destruction at El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria. Topics discussed include the impact of an increase in extreme weather on the ability of forests to protect and aid the climate, the role of trees in removing atmospheric carbon dioxide, and tree-by-tree damage assessment at El Yunque.