Climate: Early plants may have triggered ice ages

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

The emergence of land plants may have dramatically shifted the Earth's climate about 470 million years ago.

Emergence of mosses tilted Earth’s carbon balance

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The emergence of primitive plants some 470 million years ago had a profound impact on the climate of the Earth. As they weathered the rocks they grew on, the plants released calcium and magnesium ions, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The same weathering process resulted in massive quantities of iron and phosphorus reaching the oceans and fueling productivity and resulting in even more carbon being absorbed from the atmosphere. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Environment, Summit County news | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Forests sequester more carbon than previously thought

Posted on April 18, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

New research shows North American forests have greater carbon sequestration capacity than previously believed.

Researchers develop the most accurate carbon-balance assessment to-date 

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Forests and other terrestrial ecosystems across the U.S. can absorb more carbon than previously thought, but major droughts or other disturbances can affect their ability to sequester emissions.

Widespread droughts, like those in 2002 and 2006, can cut the amount of carbon sequestered by about 20 percent, a group of researchers concluded in a recent study that was supported by the National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Energy.

The research, published by scientists from 35 institutions in the journal Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, was based on satellite measurements and dozens of environmental observation sites. Not all of this data had previously been incorporated into earlier estimates, and the new study provides one of the most accurate assessments to date of the nation’s carbon balance. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Environment, forests, global warming | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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