3 Questions: Exploring the limits of carbon sequestration | MIT News

As part of a multi-pronged approach toward curbing the effects of greenhouse gas emissions, scientists seek to better understand the impact of rising carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels on terrestrial ecosystems, particularly tropical forests. To that end, climate scientist César Terrer, the Class of 1958 Career Development Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at MIT, and colleague Josh Fisher of Chapman University are bringing their scientific minds to bear on a unique setting — an active volcano in Costa Rica — as a way to study carbon dioxide emissions and their influence. 

Elevated CO₂ levels can lead to a phenomenon known as the CO₂ fertilization effect, where plants grow more and absorb greater amounts of carbon, providing a cooling effect. While this effect has the potential to be a natural climate change mitigator, the extent of how much carbon plants can continue to absorb remains uncertain. There are growing concerns from scientists that plants may eventually reach a saturation point, losing their ability to offset increasing atmospheric CO₂. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for accurate climate predictions and developing strategies to manage carbon sequestration. Here, Terrer discusses his innovative approach, his motivations for joining the project, and the importance of advancing this research.

Q: Why did you get involved in this line of research, and what makes it unique?

A: Josh Fisher, a climate scientist and long-time collaborator, had the brilliant idea to take advantage of naturally high CO₂ levels near active volcanoes to study the fertilization effect in real-world conditions. Conducting such research in dense tropical forests like the Amazon — where the largest uncertainties about CO₂ fertilization exist — is challenging. It would require large-scale CO₂ tanks and extensive infrastructure to evenly distribute the gas throughout the towering trees and intricate canopy layers — a task that is not only logistically complex, but also highly costly. Our approach allows us to circumvent those obstacles and gather critical data in a way that hasn’t been done before.

Josh was looking for an expert in the field of carbon ecology to co-lead and advance this research with him. My expertise of understanding the dynamics that regulate carbon storage in terrestrial ecosystems within the context of climate change made for a natural fit to co-lead and advance this research with him. This field has been central to my research, and was the focus of my PhD thesis.

Our experiments inside the Rincon de la Vieja National Park are particularly exciting because CO₂ concentrations in the areas near the volcano are four times higher than the global average. This gives us a rare opportunity to observe how elevated CO₂ affects plant biomass in a natural setting — something that has never been attempted at this scale.

Q: How are you measuring CO₂ concentrations at the volcano?

A: We have installed a network of 50 sensors in the forest canopy surrounding the volcano. These sensors continuously monitor CO₂ levels, allowing us to compare areas with naturally high CO₂ emissions from the volcano to control areas with typical atmospheric CO₂ concentrations. The sensors are Bluetooth-enabled, requiring us to be in close proximity to retrieve the data. They will remain in place for a full year, capturing a continuous dataset on CO₂ fluctuations. Our next data collection trip is scheduled for March, with another planned a year after the initial deployment.

Q: What are the long-term goals of this research?

A: Our primary objective is to determine whether the CO₂ fertilization effect can be sustained, or if plants will eventually reach a saturation point, limiting their ability to absorb additional carbon. Understanding this threshold is crucial for improving climate models and carbon mitigation strategies.

To expand the scope of our measurements, we are exploring the use of airborne technologies — such as drones or airplane-mounted sensors — to assess carbon storage across larger areas. This would provide a more comprehensive view of carbon sequestration potential in tropical ecosystems. Ultimately, this research could offer critical insights into the future role of forests in mitigating climate change, helping scientists and policymakers develop more accurate carbon budgets and climate projections. If successful, our approach could pave the way for similar studies in other ecosystems, deepening our understanding of how nature responds to rising CO₂ levels.

Upgrade your audio game with the Logitech for Creators Blue Yeti USB Microphone. With over 33,730 ratings and an impressive 4.6 out of 5 stars, it’s no wonder this is an Amazon’s Choice product. Recently, 5K+ units were purchased in the past month.

Available in five stunning colors: Teal, Silver, Pink Dawn, Midnight Blue, and Blackout, this microphone is perfect for creators looking to produce exceptional audio. Priced at only $84.99, it’s a deal you can’t afford to miss.

Elevate your recordings with clear broadcast-quality sound and explore your creativity with enhanced effects, advanced modulation, and HD audio samples. Order now for just $84.99 on Amazon!

Help Power Techcratic’s Future – Scan To Support

If Techcratic’s content and insights have helped you, consider giving back by supporting the platform with crypto. Every contribution makes a difference, whether it’s for high-quality content, server maintenance, or future updates. Techcratic is constantly evolving, and your support helps drive that progress.

As a solo operator who wears all the hats, creating content, managing the tech, and running the site, your support allows me to stay focused on delivering valuable resources. Your support keeps everything running smoothly and enables me to continue creating the content you love. I’m deeply grateful for your support, it truly means the world to me! Thank you!