trees

As trees are lost to deforestation, fire, and heat stress, the forest releases less moisture into the atmosphere, he explains, reducing rainfall and intensifying drought.

That, in turn, creates a feedback loop that kills even more trees.

Given how saturated soils already are, that also means “increased falling trees,” she said.

The rain — heavy and steady for days — was needed but deadly, providing relief from dry conditions but causing danger from mudslides, dicey roads and falling trees.

Hidden among the trees, he studies them for weeks, stealing bits of their food when he can manage it.