Trees keep absorbing carbon long after they stop growing
New research indicates that trees continue to absorb carbon dioxide even after their annual growth phase has ended. This suggests that current climate models may overestimate the amount of carbon stored in wood.
Why it matters
Refining these models is critical for accurately predicting the effectiveness of forests as carbon sinks in the fight against climate change.
Trees do not necessarily keep growing for as long as they keep photosynthesizing, according to a new study published in Science Advances . Researchers found that oak trees continue absorbing carbon dioxide well after their annual growth has ended, suggesting forests may store less carbon in wood than many climate models currently predict.
The report summarizes scientific findings from a peer-reviewed study without political or social bias.
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