photosynthesis

A study suggests trees may store less planet-heating carbon than previously hoped, as photosynthesis does not always lead to wood growth. Researchers analyzed 137 sites across the US and found trees stopped growing months before photosynthesis ceased.

Scientists found that oak trees continue photosynthesis after their annual growth stops, suggesting forests may not store as much carbon as previously assumed. The study, published in Science Advances, indicates climate models might overestimate carbon storage by assuming increased photosynthesis directly translates to tree growth.

Around 2.4 billion years ago, bacteria evolved to harness solar energy, splitting water molecules to create sugars and releasing oxygen into Earth's atmosphere, fundamentally altering life's trajectory. This evolutionary leap enabled the conversion of sunlight into chemical energy, forming the basis of photosynthesis.