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In short: trees grwon on abondoned farmlands (since large part of population was wiped out) lowered CO2 levels in the atmosphere.
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In short: trees grwon on abondoned farmlands (since large part of population was wiped out) lowered CO2 levels in the atmosphere.
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I find this hard to believe. Firstly, CO2 levels are determined globally, not in a small area like Europe, which represents only a tiny fraction of the Earth's surface. Secondly, CO2 sequestration by trees is relatively small and of short duration. The trees leaves fall each Autumn, rot and release the carbon back to the atmosphere. The wood of deciduous trees has an average lifetime of about 80 years before it reliquishes its carbon back (falling trees rotting, storm-induced limbs falling, fungus and other parasites, disease, attack by insects, forest fires, human exploitation into clearance, firewood, furniture, paper etc). Thirdly, ice core analyses have not shown any significant drop of CO2 levels at that time. Fourthly, if CO2 levels had dropped, the effect would have been global and not just Europe and there is no evidence to support this. Fifthly, if this hypothesis were water-tight, then the climate would have been colder when most of Europe was forested before man chopped it down in the first place, which does not appear to be the case.
A much more plausible explanation would be a change in the flow pattern of the Atlantic conveyor. I do not say that the vegetation did not change, causing changes in pollen types, but to extend this argument is pure speculation and, IMHO, is another example of bad science.Brian (the devil incarnate)
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Ah, OK - at least a curiosity of bad science on "this side" of the fence... Comment
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