Urgent call to limit climate change to help future for world's tropical rainforests

Leading experts from a Yorkshire University are part of a groundbreaking international team, who are the first to research how the world’s tropical forests respond to climate change.
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The research team, led by Dr Martin Sullivan, from the University of Leeds and Manchester Metropolitan University, started the work due to the uncertain future facing tropical forests because of climate change.

The world’s tropical forests store a quarter-century worth of fossil fuel emissions in their trees alone. There are fears that global heating can reduce this store if tree growth reduces or tree death increases, accelerating climate change.

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Dr Sullivan said: "If we limit climate change they can continue to store a large amount of carbon in a warmer world".

Pictured, Extinction Rebellion activists protest outside Brazilian embassy in London, last years, to highlight the devastating fire which are taking place in the Amazon rainforest. Photo credit: Adam Gray / SWNSPictured, Extinction Rebellion activists protest outside Brazilian embassy in London, last years, to highlight the devastating fire which are taking place in the Amazon rainforest. Photo credit: Adam Gray / SWNS
Pictured, Extinction Rebellion activists protest outside Brazilian embassy in London, last years, to highlight the devastating fire which are taking place in the Amazon rainforest. Photo credit: Adam Gray / SWNS

The international research team measured over half a million trees in 813 forests across the tropics to assess how much carbon is stored by forests growing under different climatic conditions today.

Researchers found that tropical forests continue to store high levels of carbon under high temperatures, showing that in the long run these forests can handle heat up to an estimated threshold of 32 degrees.

Dr Sullivan said: "Our analysis reveals that up to a certain point of heating tropical forests are surprisingly resistant to small temperature differences.

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"The 32 degree threshold highlights the critical importance of urgently cutting our emissions to avoid pushing too many forests beyond the safety zone.

Dr Martin Sullivan, from theUniversityofLeedsand Manchester MetropolitanUniversity said:"If we limit climate change they can continue to store a large amount of carbon in a warmer world".Photo credit: otherDr Martin Sullivan, from theUniversityofLeedsand Manchester MetropolitanUniversity said:"If we limit climate change they can continue to store a large amount of carbon in a warmer world".Photo credit: other
Dr Martin Sullivan, from theUniversityofLeedsand Manchester MetropolitanUniversity said:"If we limit climate change they can continue to store a large amount of carbon in a warmer world".Photo credit: other

He added: "Any further increases in temperature will lead to rapid losses of forest carbon."

The researchers warned forests must have time to adapt, remain intact, and global heating is strictly limited to avoid pushing global temperatures into conditions beyond the critical threshold.

The groundbreaking study was a result of decades of careful fieldwork, often in remote locations. The global team of 225 researchers combined forests observations across South America, Africa and Asia.

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In each monitoring plot the diameter of each tree and its height was used to calculate how much carbon they stored.

Pictured, rainforests in Sarawak, Boreno. The international research team measured over half a million trees in 813forestsacross the tropics. Photo credit: other.Pictured, rainforests in Sarawak, Boreno. The international research team measured over half a million trees in 813forestsacross the tropics. Photo credit: other.
Pictured, rainforests in Sarawak, Boreno. The international research team measured over half a million trees in 813forestsacross the tropics. Photo credit: other.

Plots were revisited every few years to see how much carbon was being taken in, and how long it was stored before trees died.

Professor Simon Lewis, from the University of Leeds and University College London, said: "The amount of carbon absorbed and stored by forests is a crucial element in how the Earth responds to climate change."

"The study underlines why long-term research collaboration is essential for understanding the effects of environmental change.

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"Scientists need to work together more than ever, as monitoring the health of our planet’s great tropical forests is vital for all of us."

Pictured, a giant Ceiba tree, Colombia. The international research team assessed how much carbon is stored byforestsgrowing under different climatic conditions today. Photo credit: otherPictured, a giant Ceiba tree, Colombia. The international research team assessed how much carbon is stored byforestsgrowing under different climatic conditions today. Photo credit: other
Pictured, a giant Ceiba tree, Colombia. The international research team assessed how much carbon is stored byforestsgrowing under different climatic conditions today. Photo credit: other

The project is the first to measure long-term climate sensitivity based on direct observation of whole forests across the topics.

The research suggests that over the long-term, temperature has the greatest effect on forest carbon stocks by reducing growth, with drought killing trees the second key factor.

For the future the researchers are making the urgent call for governments globally to cut carbon emissions enough to keep forests within the safety zone.

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Professor Oliver Phillips, from the University of Leeds, added: “Keeping our planet and ourselves healthy has never been more important. Right now, humanity has a unique opportunity to make the transition toward a stable climate.

"By not simply returning to ‘business as usual’ after the current crisis we can ensure tropical forests remain huge stores of carbon.

"Protecting them from climate change, deforestation and wildlife exploitation needs to be front and centre of our global push for biosecurity.

"Imagine if we take this chance to reset how we treat our Earth. We can keep our home cool enough to protect these magnificent forests - and keep all of us safer."

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