Trees that grow quickly have a shorter lifespan, which is terrible news for fighting the climate crisis because they stop storing carbon. In a recent tree study, researchers found that certain tree species grow faster than others, and the faster trees grow, the quicker they die.
Researchers already knew that fast-growing trees, such as the conifer species in cold areas, are likely to have shorter lifespans. What they didn’t realize was as global warming accelerates, the impact of warmer climates can boost tree growth.
The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, describes how the association between faster growth and shorter lifespan appears across a wide range of tree species and latitudes. “We started a global analysis and were surprised to find that these trade-offs are incredibly common. It occurred in almost all species we looked at, including tropical trees,” said assoc. Prof. Roel Brienen, the study’s lead author.
Trees reach their maximum size sooner in warmer climates, and that appears to raise their chances of dying. Fast-growing trees may be more vulnerable to factors like drought, disease, and pests. As trees die, they gradually release their stored carbon in the form of greenhouse gases. Read more…
