Canopy Nitrogen: A Hidden Driver of Forest Productivity

Rapid Summary

• The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) published a study in Volume 122, Issue 34, August 2025.
• The study explores variability in estimates of forest carbon (C) sequestration influenced by atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition.
• It notes that conventional experiments applying nitrogen solely to the forest understory result in inconsistent findings, impacting global carbon budget assessments.

Indian Opinion Analysis
India, as a country wiht notable forest cover and aspirations to mitigate climate change through enhanced carbon sequestration policies, may find this study relevant for revising its methodologies and assumptions in environmental planning. Conventional approaches relying on atmospheric N deposition need reevaluation for accuracy and scalability within Indian contexts like tropical or subtropical ecosystems. Understanding these variabilities globally could improve India’s forest management strategies aligned with international climate goals while avoiding over-reliance on imprecise estimations.

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