19-05-2025
Aussies urgently called to action as silent crisis sweeps neighbourhoods
Australians are being asked to come forward and report sightings of dead trees in parts of the country's south in a growing effort to combat widespread decline in native vegetation.
South Australia has experienced unprecedentedly high temperatures and significantly reduced rainfall over the past six to 12 months, with the weather extremes severely impacting native vegetation and urban streetscapes. Scientists warn widespread tree dieback — where tree health progressively declines — has placed a "considerable strain" on the environment, and now they're seeking help from the public.
Environmental Science and Hydrology Professor Huade Guan from Flinders University told Yahoo News researchers are working to identify which tree species are most vulnerable to drought, so authorities can prioritise care and protection efforts.
When trees die on a large scale, the consequences can ripple through both the environment and communities in profound ways. Trees are essential for stabilising soil, filtering air and water, and regulating local temperatures. Without them, soil erosion accelerates, air and water quality deteriorate, and ecosystems become less resilient overall.
"What we are trying to find out is which tree species, in what situations, are more vulnerable in droughts, and thus need more care," he told Yahoo.
Guan said the team will assess factors such as ground conditions, solar exposure, nearby green infrastructure, soil quality and the health of surrounding trees. "We cannot identify these through the photos only. We hope to visit as many individual cases the public has reported, as possible," he said.
The data collected from residents is expected to play an important role in shaping urban greening policies and tree management strategies. Researchers plan to share the validated information with local councils to help improve decision-making.
"I think the information... would be useful to improve tree management," Guan said. One potential approach involves integrating urban tree care with stormwater management, a strategy already being adopted by many councils in Adelaide. "For known vulnerable trees and locations, stormwater harvesting devices can be installed to provide more water for the trees," he added.
When it comes to the broader impact of tree health on urban cooling and liveability, the effects are significant. Guan pointed to findings from a recent project funded by the City of Mitcham and Green Adelaide, noting that on a hot summer day when the soil is 55 degrees, the tree canopy and the shade it provides can make the surface 30 degrees cooler.
He explained that urban trees act like natural air conditioners in summer by using solar energy to cool the air, and that retaining more stormwater in urban soils can help make summers cooler.
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"By retaining more stormwater using what we called water-sensitive-urban-design structures, our research has shown that the canopy temperature is 1.5 degrees cooler in summer afternoons," he said.
Many native animals, birds, and insects rely on trees for food, shelter, and breeding grounds. When vast numbers of trees perish, these habitats collapse, leading to sharp declines in wildlife populations and disrupting the delicate balance of local ecosystems.
In urban areas, the effects are even more noticeable. Trees naturally cool their surroundings through shade and evapotranspiration, so their absence causes cities to heat up. This not only raises energy demands for air conditioning but also increases health risks, especially during heatwaves, making the loss of trees a critical issue for both the environment and human wellbeing.
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