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Health & Science5h 34m ago

A new study suggests trees may store less planet-heating carbon than hoped, as photosynthesis does not always lead to wood growth.

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US, eastern US, California

Who
Mukund Palat Rao, carbon cycle scientist at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University
What
A new study suggests trees may store less planet-heating carbon than hoped, as photosynthesis does not always lead to wood growth.
When
Sat, 13 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT · 5h 34m ago
Where
US, eastern US, California ·
Why
Researchers found trees stopped growing months before photosynthesis stopped, challenging assumptions that photosynthesis consistently couples with growth.
The Frontline Impact

How this affects you

This finding indicates that current Earth system models might overestimate future forest carbon sequestration, potentially reducing the expected effectiveness of forests as a defense against climate breakdown.

Story chain

11 events in this thread
  1. Health & Science5h 34m ago
    Researchers found photosynthesis does not always lead to wood growth, suggesting trees may store less planet-heating carbon than previously hoped.
    Open article
  2. Health & Science5h 34m ago
    Researchers found photosynthesis does not always lead to wood growth, suggesting trees may store less planet-heating carbon than hoped.
    Open article
  3. Currently Reading5h 34m ago
    A new study suggests trees may store less planet-heating carbon than hoped, as photosynthesis does not always lead to wood growth.
  4. Health & Science5h 34m ago
    A study suggests trees may not store as much planet-heating carbon as hoped, with researchers finding photosynthesis does not always lead to wood growth.
    Open article
  5. Health & Science5h 34m ago
    A study suggests that trees may not be able to store as much planet-heating carbon as hoped, with researchers finding photosynthesis does not always lead to wood growth.
    Open article
  6. Health & Science5h 34m ago
    A study suggests trees may not store as much planet-heating carbon as hoped, finding photosynthesis does not always lead to wood growth.
    Open article
  7. Health & Science5h 34m ago
    A study suggests trees may not store as much planet-heating carbon as hoped, finding photosynthesis does not always lead to wood growth.
    Open article
  8. Health & Science5h 34m ago
    Photosynthesis does not always result in wood growth, a key factor in carbon dioxide sequestration.
    Open article
  9. Health & Science5h 34m ago
    A study suggests that trees may not store as much planet-heating carbon as hoped, with researchers finding photosynthesis does not always lead to wood growth.
    Open article
  10. Health & Science5h 34m ago
    A new study indicates that trees may store less planet-heating carbon than anticipated, as photosynthesis does not always lead to wood growth.
    Open article
  11. Health & Science5h 34m ago
    A study suggests trees may not be able to store as much planet-heating carbon as hoped, finding photosynthesis does not always lead to wood growth.
    Open article

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