Lightning Strikes Kill 320M Trees Worldwide Each Year

Lightning has a bigger impact on forests globally than previously understood, according to new research from the Technical University of Munich (TUM).

Using advanced modelling, researchers estimate that lightning kills around 320 million trees every year — a figure that doesn’t even include trees lost to wildfires started by lightning.

Detecting lightning damage in forests can be difficult, and until now, scientists have only studied this in limited locations. The new study combines global lightning data with vegetation models to reveal the widespread effects of lightning on forest ecosystems and carbon storage.

Lead researcher Andreas Krause explains, “We can now estimate how many trees die annually due to lightning and identify which regions are most affected. This damage accounts for roughly 2 to 3% of all plant biomass lost each year and results in significant carbon dioxide emissions — comparable to those from wildfires ignited by lightning.”

The study also warns that lightning-related tree deaths could increase in the future. Climate models predict a rise in lightning strikes, especially in temperate and boreal forests of middle and high latitudes — regions that include Ireland’s own woodlands.

“As lightning frequency grows, so too does its role as a natural forest disturbance,” Krause adds. “This makes it an important factor to consider in managing our forests and understanding carbon cycles as climate change progresses.”