Some Trees May Play an Outsized Role in the Fight on Global Warming

February 24, 2022 • by Sophia Kurz

A new study shows that nitrogen-fixing trees could help forests remove more heat-trapping COS from the atmosphere than previously thought.

Sunlight peeks through the trees

Black locust trees have a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria that allow them to access nitrogen, which is critical for growth. Credit: iStock.


Thomas Bytnerowicz injects acetylene gas into a custom plant measurement chamber to quantify nitrogen fixation activity in a black locust seedling.

Thomas Bytnerowicz injects acetylene gas into a custom plant measurement chamber to quantify nitrogen fixation activity in a black locust seedling.

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Department of Marine Science

Genetic Identification Aids Protection of Sharks and Rays

Three birds are shown. On the left is a blue jay, which is primarily blue with some patches of white on wing tips, around the face and on the chest. On the right is a green jay, which is primarily green with a lighter colored chest and a mix of blue and black patches on the face. In the center is a hybrid bird, which is primarily blue and resembles a blue jay, but with a larger area of black on the face, more akin to a green jay.

Research

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UT Biodiversity Center

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