Drought and heat reduces the carbon uptake in forests.
In recent years, there has been growing concern about the rise in heatwaves and droughts. This paper provides a clear overview of how these events impact forest carbon uptake, building upon a recent study focused on the 2022 drought and heatwave in Europe. We explain how prolonged droughts hinder photosynthesis, leading to reduced CO2 absorption from the atmosphere. Additionally, partial crown mortality increases carbon release. Furthermore, higher temperatures increase tree respiration (breaking down carbohydrates into water and CO2) which further diminishes the overall CO2 uptake by forests.
These findings have great implications for countries relying on forestry to achieve their net-zero objectives. Managing forests effectively requires accounting for the effects of drought on tree-based CO2 capture. Given the uncertainties surrounding forest carbon sink behavior during extreme climates, we point out that using wood materials will benefit long-term carbon storage, as opposed to emitting construction materials such as cement and steel.
Read the full publication here:
”Drought and heat reduce forest carbon uptake”
October 06, 2023 - This study is published in Nature Communications by Sebastian Wolf and Eugénie Paul-Limoges, who is associated to focus group WP-B Forest Growth and Wood Production.
Figure: Forest management to increase carbon storage towards net zero, despite drought and heat.
