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Tropical rainforest carbon recovers faster than biodiversity

Deforested tropical rainforests have been found to replenish their carbon faster than their rich biodiversity.

Research conducted by the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology found that while trees will absorb carbon from the atmosphere as they grow, biodiversity is slower to return and some species may never come back once a forest is cleared.

The results analysed 74 studies researching over 600 locations of tropical rain forests. It found that after 80 years of regrowth, a secondary forests has a carbon content of 80% of the original forest and a biomass level of approximately half of the former forest. The study predicts that it would take 200 years for forest to reach its normal levels.

The research implies the importance of reducing deforestation and implementing strategies if a forest is required to be cleared, that ensure a hospitable environment for plants and species.

Read more at UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

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