Study reveals increased CO2 levels may not boost tree growth due to soil microbes competing for phosphorus, challenging global warming projections.
A new study published in Nature reveals that rising CO2 levels may not boost tree growth as expected due to a soil battle over phosphorus, an essential mineral nutrient. The experiment, known as "Eucalyptus Free Air CO₂ Enrichment" (EucFACE), found that increased CO₂ leads to soil microbes outcompeting plants for phosphorus, limiting the amount of carbon dioxide forests can absorb and store. This finding challenges current projections that global forest growth can limit global warming.
June 05, 2024
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