Forest scientists have come to a surprising conclusion regarding old growth forests and their majestic, mature trees: They're not just relaxing in their arboreal old age, but are still actively taking in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The new study suggests that protecting old growth forests may be just as important as planting new trees in efforts to reduce carbon dioxide levels and fight global warming. Previously, researchers believed that only young, fast-growing trees absorbed enough carbon dioxide to be considered significant "carbon sinks." Old, crowded forests don't allow for much new growth:
The only new growth occurred in the small spaces that opened up when large old trees died and decomposed, releasing their accumulated carbon. The forests at large were therefore considered to be carbon neutral, and accounted as such in climate models [Nature News].
But the new study shows that the slow but continuous growth of old trees ...
