Warming winters in NZ cause carbon loss from forests, more insect pests, and smaller fruit crops

A new analysis from RNZ highlights how warming winters in New Zealand are driving carbon loss from forests. Warmer temperatures extend tree growth but also increase respiration, which releases more carbon back into the atmosphere. This net carbon loss undermines the climate benefits of forests and has implications for carbon accounting and offset projects. The article also covers how milder winters allow insect pests like wasps and fruit flies to survive and expand, threatening agriculture and native ecosystems. Alpine species face habitat loss as invasive mammals move higher. For horticulture, warmer winters disrupt flowering triggers for apples, kiwifruit, and avocados, reducing fruit quality and yields. These compounding effects show how winter warming directly impacts carbon storage, biodiversity, and food production.