News Climate
Plants absorb less CO2 than before
Plants play an important role in removing CO2 from the atmosphere. The gas is essential for photosynthesis. A higher concentration of CO2 in the air stimulates photosynthesis in the plant and acts as a fertilizer, as it were. The higher CO2 concentrations in the air over the past century could therefore have a positive effect on plant growth. In practice, the effect appears to be less than can be expected according to the models.
Based on satellite images from 1982 to 2015, an international team of scientists has determined that the fattening effect of CO2 has been unexpectedly decreasing in recent decades. This is apparent from the satellite data in which, among other things, the near-infrared reflectance of vegetation was measured. Further analysis based on atmospheric and ecosystem data supports these findings.
Food and water limiting factor
The cause of the reduced uptake of CO2 by plants is difficult to determine. The availability of nutrients or water seems to be a limiting factor. The scientists have discovered that the concentrations of nutrients in plant material have been decreasing since the early 90s. This is in line with the decreasing effect of CO2 on plant growth. The researchers also found that photosynthesis has become more sensitive to a lack of water over the same period. The reduced availability of water or the temporary changes in it can therefore also play an important role.
"Plants need the right balance of CO2, water and nutrients to grow," said Daniel Goll of the University of Ausburg and co-author of the study in a press release. "If the amount of water and/or nutrients does not increase, plants cannot take full advantage of the higher CO2 concentrations. Nature's capacity to reduce the cause of climate change is therefore not fully utilized."
Jurphaas Lugtenburg
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