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Trees Soaking Up Less Carbon Than Expected
August 16, 2010
Scientists and policy-makers hoping to use forests to naturally soak up increasing amounts of carbon dioxide may have overestimated the role of trees as carbon sinks, according to a new study by University of Guelph researchers.
Contrary to expectations, tree growth has declined over the past century despite rising amounts of CO2 in the atmosphere, said Madhur Anand, a professor in the School of Environmental Sciences. Along with PhD students Lucas Silva and Mark Leithead, she co-authored a paper published in the July issue of PLoS ONE, a peer-reviewed international journal published by the Public Library of Science. It was also featured by the journal as a “pick of the month.”
