Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 3, 2026

Measuring Carbon-based Contaminant Mineralization Using Combined CO2 Flux and Radiocarbon Analyses
Published on: October 21, 2016
Changes in the carbon balance of tropical forests: evidence from long-term plots
1O. L. Phillips, School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK. Y. Malhi and J. Grace, Institute of Ecology and Resource Management, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3JU, UK. N. Higuchi, Departamento de Silvicultura Tropical.
Abstract:
The role of the world's forests as a "sink" for atmospheric carbon dioxide is the subject of active debate. Long-term monitoring of plots in mature humid tropical forests concentrated in South America revealed that biomass gain by tree growth exceeded losses from tree death in 38 of 50 Neotropical sites. These forest plots have accumulated 0.71 ton, plus or minus 0.34 ton, of carbon per hectare per year in recent decades. The data suggest that Neotropical forests may be a significant carbon sink, reducing the rate of increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Related Concept Videos
The Carbon Cycle
Global Climate Change
Microbes and the Carbon Cycle
Microbes and Climate Change

