The Impact of Woody Vines on Forests and Carbon Sink
As the Earth experiences record-breaking temperatures, a global research collaboration has identified a concerning trend: woody vines are taking over forests worldwide. These vines, known as lianas, are threatening the vital role that forests play in cooling the atmosphere by storing carbon. A study led by the University of the Sunshine Coast has pinpointed the most vulnerable forests based on their climate, highlighting the urgent need for restoration efforts.
The study, published in Global Change Biology, spans 44 countries across five continents and confirms the "tipping point" at which woody vines, or lianas, dominate forests. Professor Andy Marshall from the University of the Sunshine Coast's Forest Research Institute explains that this tipping point occurs when mean annual tempera...