Trees Soaking Up Less Carbon Than Expected

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 Guelph's School of Environmental Sciences. Along with PhD students Lucas Silva and Mark Leithead, she co-authored a paper that appeared 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.”

Read the entire press release here.

Some media coverage:

http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2010/08/16/study-questions-forests-effectiveness-storing-carbon
http://news.guelphmercury.com/News/Local/article/676362