Minnesota Forest Researcher: Climate change can eliminate northern boreal forest

(Falcon Heights, MN) -- A researcher says Minnesota could begin to resemble Kansas if more isn't done to stop climate change.  

The director of the University of Minnesota's Center for Forest Ecology says carbon emissions could increase the amount of prairie in central and southern Minnesota by 2070. Dr. Lee Frelich says Minnesota's northern forest is vulnerable to increasing temperatures and more maple and oak trees are starting to appear in the state.  

Frelich says the boreal forest could disappear completely unless steps are taken to eliminate fossil fuels in the next two decades.