Smithsonian scientists say vines strangle carbon storage in tropical forests

Smithsonian scientists say vines strangle carbon storage in tropical forests
Panama City, Panama (SPX) Oct 13, 2015 - Although useful to Tarzan, vines endanger tropical forests' capacity to store carbon. In a major experimental study in Panama, Smithsonian researchers showed that woody vines, or lianas, slow tropical forest tree growth and may even cause premature tree death. Lianas reduced aboveground carbon uptake by more than three-quarters, threatening the forests' ability to buffer climate change. Tr ... more

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