Trees are really cool!

A recent scientific discovery has shown that trees have a much more profound affect on the planet’s environment than was previously thought. A chemical released by trees is believed to actually thicken clouds over woodlands and forests, thereby reflecting more sunlight and helping to cool the Earth.

Trees make clouds...

The chemicals, called Terpenes (which give Pine forests their distinctive smell), react in the air to form tiny particles called aerosols. These aerosol particles help turn water vapour, in the atmosphere, into clouds. Terpenes are released even more abundantly in warmer conditions causing trees to act as "global air conditioners".

The chemicals, and their release, had puzzled scientists for years, with some believing that the trees released them to communicate, while others thought they offered protection from air pollution.

It is predicted that the aerosol particles could double the thickness of clouds some 1,000 m above the forests, and potentially reflect an extra 5% more sunlight back into space.

The studies looked at forests of mainly Pine and Spruce trees, but other trees also produce Terpenes. So the cooling effect should be found in other regions, including tropical rainforests, which cover around 6% of the Earth’s land surface.