How Old is a Tree and Who Cares ?

The answer to the first question, in the case of Amazon rain forest trees, is : "It's hard to tell."

The answer to the second question is : "You". Why and why ?

The answer to the first question is : "Because they don't have growth rings like northern trees." So, assumptions were made about the rate of growth in the lush tropics. When radiocarbon dating techniques were applied, the trees were discovered to be older than assumed. Much older.

Which brings us to the second "why". The fact the trees are older than we thought means they grow slower means they absorb atmospheric carbon more slowly than current computer models assume means global warming is a bigger problem than science thought before they figured this out.

But, you knew that.

Thank you, National Academy of Sciences.

Stay Naked.