Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 14 hrs ago
Heat makes California coast redwoods slow photosynthesis, study finds
A UC Davis study found that coast redwoods in Mendocino County slow photosynthesis during periods of extreme heat.
Trees take in carbon dioxide through tiny openings in their leaves called stomata.
They can also release water through these openings, which helps cool the leaves.
During heat waves, the redwoods may close their stomata when they cannot cool down fast enough.
This conserves water but also reduces the trees’ carbon intake and photosynthesis.
Coast redwoods support many forms of life in their canopies and are an important part of California’s tourist economy.
As temperatures rise, researchers say the problem could worsen, raising concerns about the trees and the species that rely on them.
A study found that coast redwood leaves slow photosynthesis during periods of extreme heat.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis, measured leaves twice a month for two years.
The study focused on coast redwoods in Mendocino County, near the southern part of the trees’ range.
During heat waves, the trees closed their leaf pores when they could not cool down fast enough.
Closing the pores conserves water but limits the trees’ intake of carbon dioxide.
- Who
- Researchers at the University of California, Davis, studied coast redwoods.
- What
- The study found that their leaves slow photosynthesis during periods of extreme heat.
- When
- The researchers took measurements twice a month for two years. The study’s publication date is October 11, 2026.
- Where
- Mendocino County, California, near the southern part of the coast redwoods’ range.
- Why
- During heat waves, the trees cannot cool down fast enough and close their leaf pores, conserving water but slowing photosynthesis.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Because leaves are a physical, light-absorbing object, they heat up just like asphalt would in the sun.
They’re heating up faster than the air around them.
Researchers measured coast redwood leaves twice a month.
The study found that the trees closed their leaf pores when they could not cool down fast enough.
Wired published an article about the study.
- Study institution
- University of California, Davis
- Measurement period
- Two years
- Measurement frequency
- Twice a month
- Study location
- Mendocino County, California
- Observed response
- Coast redwood leaves slow photosynthesis during periods of extreme heat
Sources
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