Dear People,

I own some acres that have had fires suppressed for more than 5 decades.
The unintended result is the deterioration of the forest in terms of
stressed trees due to overgrowth, transfer of disease, death of the
understory, etc.

I have been selectively thinning trees for about 8 years and encouraging
the regrowth of the understory plants. I have seen a significant
increase in wildlife and the diversity of plant species. The remaining
trees look healthier.

My question is this: Fewer trees = less transpiration = less moisture
in the air in the(immediate) vicinity. Does this affect the
atmospheric heat retention? In other words, are water molecules more
effective in retaining heat? Can heat escape to space more readily from
a dryer environment (as in a dessert)? Or is understory and increased
health (growth) just a substitution for the removed trees?

Thank you,

Leslie Stewart
Office Manager
Thern Electric INC
707-252-8572 ext 202