Global Plant CO2 Uptake Far Higher Than Previously Thought

New research reveals that plants globally are absorbing roughly 31% more carbon dioxide than previously estimated. Scientists used novel models and measurements, tracking the pathway of a compound called carbonyl sulfide (OCS) through photosynthesis, to more accurately assess global terrestrial gross primary production (GPP). The findings suggest that tropical rainforests may be a much larger carbon sink than previously thought from satellite data, highlighting the significance of natural carbon sequestration for climate change mitigation. This work significantly improves Earth system simulations and climate predictions, providing crucial data for more precise forecasts of future atmospheric CO2 and its impact on global climate.