Thursday, July 9, 2026
Science

Heat waves push tropical forests past photosynthesis limits across 57 million hectares

As heat waves continue one after another, we are feeling their effects on our own bodies: It becomes harder for us to function normally. Trees also have their limits when temperatures are too high. Above a certain critical temperature, photosynthesis, the process by which plants produce their own nu...

Heat waves push tropical forests past photosynthesis limits across 57 million hectares
Image: Phys.org
As heat waves continue one after another, we are feeling their effects on our own bodies: It becomes harder for us to function normally. Trees also have their limits when temperatures are too high. Above a certain critical temperature, photosynthesis, the process by which plants produce their own nutrients, release oxygen and absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, starts declining, reducing growth and increasing the risk of plant mortality.

Originally published at Phys.org

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