Trees keep absorbing carbon long after they stop growing

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260708022210.htm

link to open access article https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ady7139

64 points · 3 comments · view on lemmy.world

3 Comments

hissingmeerkat@sh.itjust.works · 5 pts · 12d (2 replies)

Of course plants use sugar from photosynthesis for more than just growing.

That doesn't make them use more carbon than the carbon you already counted them as using from the measured net carbon balance.

sinkingship@mander.xyz · 5 pts · 11d (1 reply)

And they probably constantly grow new leaves to replace old ones and ones that the wind has ripped off.

But to be fair, this is probably at the same rate as leaves on the ground below the tree are rotting and releasing their carbon back into the atmosphere.

veganpizza69@lemmy.vg · 2 pts · 11d

It depends on who lives in and on the soil.