Extreme drought and heat from the last El Niño signal a 'new normal' for tropical forests

Coast redwood groves are natural wonderlands, where towering trees create their own mini ecosystems high above the forest floor. These ancient trees have been the foundation of a stable environment, even surviving wildfires that wipe out other species. However, scientists are now learning that extreme heat is weakening the magic of these redwoods.

A recent study from the University of California, Davis, found that during periods of intense heat, the trees' leaves essentially switch off their photosynthesis process. Without the ability to cool down quickly enough, the stomata of the leaves close, preventing the tree from breathing and absorbing carbon dioxide. This "carbon starvation" may sound like a minor detail, but it could have significant consequences for the forest and the creatures that call it home.

Redwoods not only store more carbon dioxide per acre than any other forest in the world, but they also provide vital habitat for unique species like wandering salamanders and marbled murrelets. As climate change continues to drive up global temperatures, the future of these iconic trees becomes increasingly uncertain, threatening the countless other organisms that depend on their presence.