14 DAY TRIAL // People who enjoy eating walnuts on a daily basis should be aware that their diet is threatened by climate change. Walnut trees (Juglans) are a highly demanding species of trees that require specific conditions.
Rapidly expanding deforestation correlated with extreme drought could make this tree population extremely vulnerable or even push it on the verge of extinction within a few decades. Walnut forests can't cope with a high level of humidity or dryness, Discovery News reports.
This is the conclusion of a recent study issued by Purdue University. "Walnut is really restricted to sites not too wet or dry. It has an extremely narrow range," highlights Douglass Jacobs, a well-known professor of forestry.
Walnut tree species are flourishing in the tropics, but they experience difficulties adapting to the conditions provided by temperate areas, because they can't handle low or high temperatures.
As a measure of precaution, walnut trees sprout leaves almost a month after the rest of the trees. Since they can't seem to handle extreme weather, they will definitely suffer under the harmful influence of climate change.
“Almost all climate change models predict that climates will become drier,” state the experts. Moreover, the fact that scientists can't forecast the exact effects of global warming increases their concern.
The lack of predictability of climate patterns could stop authorities from drawing out the most appropriate preservation strategies, vital for the wellbeing of walnut trees and other species.
Scientists are not sure if walnuts act as a cancer chemopreventive agent, but they are certain that, "compared to other nuts like almonds, peanuts and hazelnuts, walnuts display the highest total level of antioxidants, both free antioxidants and antioxidants bound to fiber," according to another study.
Therefore, it is highly recommended to include these seeds in our daily diet. Despite this fact, if climate conditions worsen, we would not be able to afford them, since their price would probably go through the roof.
Companies could experience decreased profit margins and consumers might be forced to cut amazing walnut desserts off their menus. This theory has a considerable economic value, taking into account that the famous Californian nut farms bring $1 billion (€740,96 million) to the state's budget every year. At the same time, Indiana's walnut lumber market is worth $11 million (€8.15 million) annually.