Are industrial SO2 emissions reducing CO2 uptake by the boreal forest?
Martine Savard, et al., Natural Resources Canada, Geological Survey of Canada, GSC-Quebec, Sainte-Foy G1S 2L2, Quebec, Canada. Pages 403-406. It was previously proposed that boreal forests accommodate increasing amounts of atmospheric CO2. However, the effects of potentially toxic gases on photosynthesis had never been evaluated. In this article the authors results suggest that trees affected by SO2, or other contaminants such as ozone, significantly lower their CO2 consumption. Given that large portions of forests are stressed by increasing amounts of atmospheric pollutants, the global response might equate to a much decreased rate of photosynthesis. Therefore, the capacity of the boreal forests to sequester CO2 produced by humans might not be as high as hoped for. Widespread evidence of 1500 yr climate variability in North America during the past 14,000 yr. Andr Viau, et al., University of Ottawa, 60 University St., Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada. Pages 455-458. The authors analyzed
