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Plants on land appear to be taking less carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than predicted by climate models, researchers say. In a study, Large divergence of satellite and Earth system model estimates of global terrestrial CO₂ fertilization [nature.com] (full article is paywalled) led by William Kolby Smith at the University of Minnesota, satellite observations were examined. Plant growth was found to be less than expected. The authors suggest two phenomena may account for the difference. In what's termed "water stress," hotter temperatures increase the loss of water from plants. Where there's adequate water and carbon dioxide, other nutrients such as phosphorus or fixed nitrogen may limit growth.

press release [eurekalert.org]

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