The Amazon rainforest is experiencing a remarkable change: its trees are growing larger. A recent study, published in Nature Plants, reveals that tree sizes in the Amazon have increased by 3.2% each decade. This growth is closely linked to rising CO2 levels in our atmosphere.
Conducted by nearly 100 researchers from over 60 universities, the study examined trees in 188 plots across the Amazon. They compared current measurements with historical data. Surprisingly, this growth isn’t limited to just the taller canopy trees; it includes a variety of tree types.
Professor Beatriz Marimon from Universidade do Mato Grosso, a co-author of the study, sees this as encouraging news. “While we often hear about threats to the Amazon, it’s uplifting to know that trees in untouched areas are thriving,” she said.
However, there’s a downside. The study found a decline in smaller trees, specifically those with diameters under 200 millimeters. These smaller trees are decreasing at a rate of 1.2% per decade. Even trees in the understory, the layer beneath the canopy, are down by 3.6% per decade. In contrast, larger trees are flourishing, growing by 6.6% each decade.
While the increase in larger trees offers some hope, researchers caution that other climate challenges—like extreme weather—could soon overshadow these gains. In fact, historical data indicates that as CO2-driven growth occurs, the Amazon is also facing more frequent and intense droughts and storms, which could complicate its role as a carbon sink.
Understanding these dynamics is crucial as global leaders seek sustainable ways to address climate change. The Amazon’s ability to adapt and grow may offer a glimpse of resilience, but the future remains uncertain.
For more in-depth insights on climate change and its impact on ecosystems, you can check out resources from trusted organizations like the World Wildlife Fund.
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Amazon forest, forest, climate change, Brazil, rainforest, trees larger, CO2 emissions, COP30, climate mitigation
