昆士兰的雨林曾经一度是碳汇, 现在由于气候变化引发的树木死亡, Queensland's rainforests, once carbon sinks, now emit more carbon due to climate change-driven tree deaths.

澳大利亚昆士兰热带雨林已从吸收碳转向释放碳。 Australian tropical rainforests in Queensland have shifted from absorbing carbon to releasing it, a new 49-year study reveals. 研究人员对20个地点的11 000棵树进行了分析,发现木质生物量从2000年左右开始急剧下降,这是受气候变暖、干旱和更强气旋等气候变化影响驱动的。 Analyzing 11,000 trees across 20 sites, researchers found woody biomass declined sharply starting around 2000, driven by climate change impacts like hotter temperatures, droughts, and stronger cyclones. 尽管二氧化碳含量较高,但树木死亡现已超过增长,使这些森林成为净碳源。 Despite higher CO₂ levels, tree deaths now exceed growth, turning these forests into net carbon sources. 这一变化与极端天气事件和供水量减少有关,发生在人类干扰最小的森林中,突出气候变化是主要驱动因素。 The change, linked to extreme weather events and reduced water availability, occurs in forests with minimal human disturbance, highlighting climate change as the main driver. 科学家警告说,这一转变可能损害全球气候目标,表明热带森林可能不再可靠地吸收排放,从而对全世界的生态系统产生潜在影响。 Scientists warn this shift could undermine global climate goals, suggesting tropical forests may no longer reliably absorb emissions, with potential implications for ecosystems worldwide.