Researchers from the University of Leeds (UK) have found that more than two-thirds of the Earth's temperate rainforests could disappear by the end of this century due to climate change. Their study was published in the scientific journal Earth's Future (EF).

Temperate rainforests are a type of forested area with a cool, humid climate. Coniferous and broad-leaved trees predominate among them. Such forests are found in North, South and Central America, Eurasia, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Oceania.

Temperate rainforests are also found on the shores of the Okhotsk, Caspian, and Black Seas.

Although temperate rainforests make up only 1 percent of the Earth's total forest area, these areas are important for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystems.

According to researchers' forecasts, in the worst-case scenario, 68 percent of the world's temperate forests will be lost by 2100. In some regions, their area will be reduced by 90 percent. But if climate change can be slowed down, the losses will be only 9 percent.

"Our study also shows that if we work hard to slow climate change it is not too late to save the world’s temperate rainforests. We hope our study will support the conservation of temperate rainforests by identifying those areas that are the least or the most vulnerable to climate change, and where there is potential to restore forest," said Dr. Ben Silver, a Research Fellow from Leeds’ School of Earth and Environment, who led the study.