Rainforests May Store Less Carbon As Climate Changes

Humans appear to be delivering one-two punches to tropical rainforests, with new research projecting that climate change will reshape how the ecosystems recover following logging.

Scientists simulated how different trees in tropical rainforests will respond to prolonged droughts triggered by climate change, based on 14 years of data from Costa Rica study plots.

Their findings suggest that profound changes lay ahead for these important ecosystems around the world, and that the changes may accelerate global warming.

Although numerous studies have already investigated how tropical forests will be affected by global warming, most of them have involved mature stands of trees.

http://www.climatecentral.org/news/tropical-forests-store-less-carbon-climate-changes-20052

Ben Britten

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