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Nature 457, 969-970 (19 February 2009) | doi:10.1038/457969a; Published online 18 February 2009

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Carbon cycle: Sink in the African jungle

Helene C. Muller-Landau1

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Apparently pristine African tropical forests are increasing in tree biomass, making them net absorbers of carbon dioxide. Is this a sign of atmospheric change, or of recovery from past trauma?

The lush vegetation of tropical forests is a large and globally significant store of carbon1. Because tropical forests contain more carbon per unit area than any alternative land cover, cutting them down releases carbon into the atmosphere.

  1. Helene C. Muller-Landau is at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado Postal 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancon, Panamá, República de Panamá.
    Email: mullerh@si.edu

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