"Struggling Trees: Climate Change's Impact on CO2 Storage"

A study led by Penn State researchers reveals that trees in warmer, drier climates are experiencing increased photorespiration, releasing more carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere instead of sequestering it, challenging the belief that trees can offset carbon emissions. The study found that as temperatures rise, trees struggle to draw down carbon dioxide, potentially impacting their ability to mitigate climate change. The research team developed a method to measure photorespiration rates using wood samples, offering insights into past and future tree responses to climate change.