A study published in Science Developments offers an unusually optimistic view of the evolution of the planet and global warming. This is because new, more realistic ecological models suggest that: plants can actually absorb more atmospheric CO2 more than initially assumed.
Despite this finding, the environmental scientists behind the study were quick to point out: This should in no way be interpreted as world governments taking their foot off the gas pedal. Reducing carbon emissions as quickly as possible. Planting more trees and preserving existing vegetation isn’t a miracle solution, but research confirms the many benefits of preserving that vegetation.
“Plants absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) each year, which prevents the harmful effects of climate changebut so far it is unknown to what extent they will continue to absorb CO2 in the future,” explains Jürgen Knauer, who led the research team led by the Hawkesbury Environment Institute at the University of Western Sydney (Australia).
“What we found is a model that serves to feed into global climate predictions made by organizations like the IPCC, and that’s envisions stronger and more sustainable carbon uptake “Until the end of the 21st century,” the professor said. This model considers the influence of some critical factors and physiological processes that regulate how plants perform photosynthesis.
Analyzing photosynthesis
“We took into account issues such as: the efficiency with which carbon dioxide passes through the interior of the leafhow are the plants adapt to temperature changes and how are the plants distribute food in your shadow more effectively. “These are three really important mechanisms that affect a facility’s ability to sequester carbon, but it’s something that’s often overlooked in most global models,” Knauer said.
Photosynthesis is the scientific term for the process by which plants capture CO2 from the air and convert it into sugars that they use for growth and metabolism. This carbon sequestration acts as a natural climate change mitigator by reducing the amount of carbon in the atmosphere.
However, due to climate change Carbon uptake by vegetation may not last forever as forests may become saturated with CO2 It is not clear how the vegetation will react to this change in the natural conditions of the planet due to its abundance and after a while.
Scientists think that intense climate change, with increasingly severe droughts and more severe temperatures, could significantly weaken the absorptive capacity of terrestrial ecosystems.
But in the study published this week, Knauer and colleagues present the results of their study, which aimed to assess how carbon uptake by vegetation would respond in a high-emissions climate scenario by the end of the 21st century.
The authors tested different versions of the model that differed in complexity and realism. To see how the physiological processes of plants work. The simplest version ignored three critical physiological mechanisms associated with photosynthesis, while the most complex version took all three mechanisms into account.
Higher absorption capacity than default
The results were clear: the most complex models incorporating the latest discoveries in plant physiology, stronger increases in absorptive capacity Carbon from vegetation globally.
Silvia Caldararu, Associate Professor at Trinity School of Natural Sciences, was involved in the study and contextualised these findings and their relevance, saying: “Because most terrestrial biosphere models have been used to assess the global carbon sink, they only partially account for these mechanisms or ignore them completely.” We are currently likely underestimating the effects of climate change on vegetation and its resilience to climate changes”.
“We often think of climate models as being all about physics, but biology plays a very important role “And that’s something we really need to consider,” he added.
“Such predictions have implications for nature-based solutions to climate change, such as reforestation and the amount of carbon such actions can absorb. Our findings suggest that these strategies could have a greater impact on mitigating climate change and be effective over a longer period of time.” More time than we thought.”
Now the scientist emphasized: “But just planting trees will not solve all our problems.. We need to reduce emissions in all sectors in every way possible. “Trees alone cannot offer humanity a get-out-of-jail-free card.”
Reference work: https://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adh9444
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