Date: September 22, 2026
Speaker: Dr. Mukund Rao
Affiliation: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
Title: The forest carbon cycle under drought and heat: from photosynthesis to growth
Abstract: The magnitude of the terrestrial carbon sink remains a key uncertainty in future climate projections, in part due to poorly understood links between impacts of drought and heat on carbon uptake and its subsequent allocation to woody biomass in vegetation. Here, we show that photosynthesis and above-ground growth occur asynchronously across diel to seasonal scales in eight North American oak species. Further, this photosynthesis-growth decoupling intensifies with drought suggesting that by assuming tight coupling between photosynthesis and woody biomass, current earth system models may overestimate long-term carbon sequestration in forests. In the seminar, I will also discuss the increasing risks of exposure to critical temperature thresholds faced by tropical forests and ongoing work salvaging timbers from building demolitions across New York City to glean information on past timber transport.
Research Seminars are important weekly events in the E3B Department. They include a mix of invited speakers from other institutions or departments and members of the E3B community, including graduating Ph.D. students.
Open to E3B students, faculty, and staff only.
