'The current drought and heatwave will have long-term consequences for France's forests'
- Posted on August 15, 2026
- By Le Monde
- 1 Views
- 1 min read
In brief
France's forests face unprecedented threats from prolonged drought and extreme heat conditions. Climate scientists warn that trees are experiencing severe metabolic disruption, compromising their ability to survive and regenerate. Research from INRAE highlights how repeated stress events are fundamentally altering forest ecosystems, with implications extending far beyond the current crisis. Understanding these physiological changes is crucial for developing adaptive forest management strategies and predicting long-term environmental impacts.
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'The current drought and heatwave will have long-term consequences for France's forests'
Nathalie Bréda, a specialist at INRAE in how trees respond to climate stress, explains in an interview with Le Monde how the metabolism of trees is being disrupted under the extreme conditions France is experiencing.
