Nitrogen Pollution Increases Plant Growth in the Tropics

A study conducted by scientists from the University of California Irvine revealed that excess nitrogen in tropical forests boost plant growth by more than 20 percent. This is contrary to previous belief that nitrogen pollution does not affect such forests. Increase in plant growth means that the tropics will take in more carbon dioxide than previously thought. The scientists estimated that nitrogen pollution will rise over the next decades, with the most dramatic increase in developing tropical regions like Southeast Asia, Africa and South America.

Nitrogen pollution is mainly caused by fertilizers applied to farm lands to improve crop yield. Industrial burning and slash and burn agriculture also contribute to increasing the nitrogen levels in the air. The scientists hope that the results of their study will help improve global climate change forecasts.

 The press release is available at http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/article/17269