AMAZON RAINFOREST TREES GETTING BIGGER: WHAT A NEW STUDY SAYS, Pg14.

Key Highlights:

• A new study reveals that the average size of trees in the Amazon rainforest is increasing by over 3% every 10 years.
• The increase in tree size is attributed to rising levels of atmospheric CO2 and the carbon fertilization effect.
• Scientists monitored trees across 188 permanent forest plots in the Amazon basin over periods as long as 30 years.
• The Amazon rainforest, spanning nine countries, stores an estimated 150-200 billion tonnes of carbon.

Detailed Insights:

• The study, published in Nature Plants, involved around 100 scientists from over 60 universities.
• Normally, old-growth forests maintain a stable average tree diameter, but the Amazon is experiencing growth due to increased CO2.
• Rising CO2 levels enhance photosynthesis, boosting tree growth, but this benefit doesn't negate the harm from deforestation.
• Larger trees absorb more carbon, making the Amazon a crucial carbon sink, but old-growth forests offer irreplaceable carbon and biodiversity benefits.
• The Amazon rainforest, covering 1% of the Earth's surface, houses 10% of known wildlife species and is vital for CO2 absorption and oxygen production.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Carbon Fertilization Effect: Increased CO2 in the atmosphere leads to a higher rate of photosynthesis and increased growth in plants.
• Carbon Sink: A natural or artificial reservoir that accumulates and stores carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
• Photosynthesis: The process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy, using CO2 and water to produce oxygen and glucose.