Extreme Heat Could Lead to Mass Die-Off of Tropical Trees and Plants, Study Says

Extreme Heat Could Lead to , Mass Die-Off of Tropical Trees and Plants, , Study Says.

Business Insider reports that amid extreme heat, trees can deplete their water supply and exhaust themselves.

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When this occurs, the primary process responsible for plant life, photosynthesis, breaks down.

Scientist Gregory Goldsmith, an assistant professor of biology at Chapman University, warns that plants begin to die at this point.

A new study published in 'Nature' says that photosynthesis in tropical trees begins to break down at 116 degrees Fahrenheit.

According to the study, a small percentage of leaves have already surpassed this limit at least once per season.

Business Insider reports that the study warns that increasing global temperatures could cause vast swathes of the tropical canopy to die off.

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This study is really the first study to establish how close tropical forest canopies may be to these limits, Gregory Goldsmith, assistant professor of biology at Chapman University, via Business Insider.

Despite the looming danger, scientists say that "it is still within our power to decide the fate of these critical realms of carbon, water and biodiversity.".

The team used data from climate monitoring satellites, temperature towers and countless sensors throughout five forests in Brazil, Puerto Rico, Australia and Panama.

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According to a 2012 study, the death of all the world's tropical rainforests would release approximately 228.7 petagrams of carbon.

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That number is six times greater than the global amount of carbon emissions emitted in 2022.

That number is six times greater than the global amount of carbon emissions emitted in 2022