The Ohio State University

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Lead institution on forest carbon study

American forests have stored more carbon over the past two decades than at any point in the last century. A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences identifies what's driving this: forest age accounts for the largest share, locking in 89 million metric tons of carbon annually as trees reach peak growth stages. Climate factors—temperature, precipitation, and elevated carbon dioxide—add another 66 million metric tons per year.

Updated Feb 13