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SEATTLE, Washington, February 16, 2004 (ENS) - An atmosphere richer in carbon
dioxide (CO2) than today's atmosphere is forecast by 2050 as increasing amounts
of the greenhouse gas are emitted through combustion of fossil fuels. Some
scientists have predicted that the trees alive in the CO2 rich air of the future
will grow faster than today's trees, absorbing more CO2 in the process.
But a group of studies released at the annual meeting of the American
Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) indicates that planners
seeking the mitigation of climate warming cannot count on the increased ability
of trees to absorb CO2, known as the ability of a forest to act as a carbon
sink.
A symposium today on "CO2 Fertilization: Boon or Bust?" will feature a
futuristic Duke University simulation of forest growth under the CO2 enriched
atmosphere expected by 2050 that does not reinforce the optimism of those who
believe trees ...