Earth is changing every day for multiple reasons. This time, two different studies have given us clues regarding how trees are adapting to climate change and the effects of it in their lifetime.
A recent study conducted by COCINET on over 200 thousand trees of 82 species worldwide gave us a closer look at the effects of climate change on plants. According to scientists, it seems that global warming and the high levels of CO2 emissions are responsible for the faster growth of trees. Still, they die faster than those who grow slowly.
Another study conducted by researchers from Ohio State University said that forests are growing bigger and at a faster rate as photosynthesis occurs more often. Hence, it could be a sign of adaptation to climate change.
The latter paper suggests that trees may “counteract the bad effects of climate change.” Let’s not forget that trees are responsible for taking carbon out of the atmosphere.
Trees are growing faster due to a process known as “carbon fertilization,” which occurs when plants are exposed to higher amounts of carbon. Then, as a result of it, trees perform photosynthesis more frequently and, therefore, grow faster.
This study was published via COCINET. While it’s true that CO2 is making trees grow faster, it also makes them die sooner, which means that all the CO2 they have absorbed will go back to the atmosphere once the tree perishes. Hence, trees may not have a long-term effect in “reversing” the effects of climate change, unfortunately.
This study was conducted in forests from different parts of the world. This is the first time an analysis like this has been made on a global scale.
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